Last week I posted for information of your experiences with bulged barrels. The rifle in question was a Marlin 336 in 30/30 that had a mild bulge approx 4" back from the muzzle. I purchased two boxes of Winchester ammo, 170 gr. I mounted an old Weaver K-3 and proceeded to fire four seperate three shot groups of 1-1/4" or less at 100 yds. To say that I was astounded is putting it mildly, that it was done using factory ammo really amazed me. If it would have shot 3" groups, I would have been happy! My experiences with Winchester lever guns did not lead me to expect much, but I have to say, I'm impressed with the Marlin. Needless to say, It is not going to be rebarrelled! Thanks for all your input on the subject! Lee.

Lee, I followed that previous thread closely. Thanks for giving us a follow-up report. I think you showed some of the "experts" something.

I believe it was Samuel Johnson who said
"The greastes tragedy is a beautiful theory
shattered by a fact".
Good Luck!

Lee-

Thank you for posting your results. I am not at all surprised, and am only glad the thread helped steer you away from spending your money to cure a non-existant problem.


BTW, with modern bullets, which I believe constitute the largest single contributor to increased accuracy over the years, many Marlins and Winchesters in all kinds of older chamberings will shoot very nice groups which are more than adequate for most all hunting up to 200 yards...even with ringed or slightly bulged barrels.

Have fun with your "new" rifle....

AC

I think you will find that if the buldge is a ways back from the muzzle as in your case, the rounds have a tendency of staying together. If however, the bulge is right at the muzzle, you're phuqued.

So you have a “mild bulge†that is “approximately†four inches back from the muzzle.

What exactly constitutes “mild†and “approximateâ€...and what measuring device was used to make those determinations?

I recall a Distinguished Navy Pistol shooter who fired a round from his Clark Ruger and didn't see a hit on the paper. He ignored that fact and fired a second round and saw two holes in the paper. Not being a complete idiot he realized that his first round had stuck in the barrel and he drove it out with the second. Upon checking the barrel, he found a "ring" inside about midway up the pipe. He was very put out but decided he would continue to shoot the pistol until he could afford a new barrel. It shot as well after the ring as it did before and as far as I know, he never did replace it.

Lee,

You have found a keeper for sure and at a heck of a deal on top of that!

I wish my Marlin lever 30-30 would shoot 1.25"! Mine doesn't even have a buldge and the best it will do with handloads or factory is around 2 - 2.5"

Have a Good One

Reloader

quote:

Originally posted by Reloader:
Lee,

You have found a keeper for sure and at a heck of a deal on top of that!

I wish my Marlin lever 30-30 would shoot 1.25"! Mine doesn't even have a buldge and the best it will do with handloads or factory is around 2 - 2.5"

Have a Good One

Reloader

I don't make it a habit to tell someone to purposely bulge their barrel to make it shoot better, but hey... Just a thought.

quote:

I don't make it a habit to tell someone to purposely bulge their barrel to make it shoot better, but hey... Just a thought.

Hey Malm, Can I just send it over to you to buldge

Remember, only a slight buldge at 4"

Wait a minute, we could just do a jug choke like a shotgun


ya'll have a good one

Reloader

quote:

Originally posted by Reloader:
Wait a minute, we could just do a jug choke like a shotgun


ya'll have a good one

Reloader

I guess we could do it like a jug choke, but she'll shoot like lightning. Never hit the same spot twice.

I would not have bet a coke that it would shoot well! My old shooting buddy was amazed that a lever gun would shoot that well, even without a barrel problem. It was big bore day for me at the range and I was shooting my Lott, 416 Rem, 375 Wtby and H&H and can only say that shooting the Marlin was a treat! Now it has created another problem, you can't just turn an accurate rifle with pretty wood into a truck gun, even if it did only cost $100. Lee.