Anyone re-barreled a Marlin .30-30 to .38-55

[warren5421]

I am looking at a Marlin in .30-30 that I want to have a 26" or 28" hex barrel chambered in .38-55 put on it. Any idea what cost would be for barrel, chambering and fitting. What barrel maker would you use. I know the .30-30 barrel can be bored out to .38-55 but just like the looks of a hex barrel. I would ask one of the SASS gunsmiths that worked on lever guns to do the work but I need to have an idea before asking. What twist would you use on the Marlin. I have a Browning High Wall that uses a 330 gr that is 1:12 twist.

[Texas by God]

I would think that by the time that you pay for the donor rifle, the barrel, and all the custom work needed, you could find a Marlin 336 Cowboy rifle in 38-55 with Octagon barrel for a lot less. I know that sometimes people say "hex" barrels, but a six sided barrel would have the edges on the sides. An original Winchester 1894 octagon barreled 38-55 might even be less than the custom Marlin. I believe Green Mountain makes octagon .38-55 barrel blanks.

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[Warhawk]

I’d look for one of the Win 94 commemoratives in 38-55.

[David LaPell]

You could probably buy one of the new Cimarron Arms 1894 carbines or rifles for what it would cost to do the work, you could also look for a Marlin 1893 in .38-55 and they seem to be pretty affordable in many cases.

[Harleysboss]

I bought a Winchester Canadian Centennial 30/30 and sent it to JES in Oregon to be bored to 38-55. It has the 26" octagon barrel you desire. I added a really nice Skinner ladder sight to mine. Love it!

[Speedo66]

JES gunsmithing currently gets $250, which includes return shipping, to rebore a Marlin 336 .30-30 to .38-55.

People seem to be very happy with his work, they say the 3 groove barrel is fine.

Here's a link: http://www.35caliber.com/2.html

[Mk42gunner]

I would think that by the time that you pay for the donor rifle, the barrel, and all the custom work needed, you could find a Marlin 336 Cowboy rifle in 38-55 with Octagon barrel for a lot less. I know that sometimes people say "hex" barrels, but a six sided barrel would have the edges on the sides. An original Winchester 1894 octagon barreled 38-55 might even be less than the custom Marlin. I believe Green Mountain makes octagon .38-55 barrel blanks.

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Considering a run of the mill .30-30, either Marlin or Winchester is going for $400 on up at local auctions these days, I'd definitely look for one of the 336CB's first.

Robert

[warren5421]

I have been looking for a Cowboy .38-55 but have not found one in the Indianapolis area that the owner hasn't thought it was worth it's weight in gold. A good .30-30 goes for $400-$600 with rebarrel I would still have under $1000. It would be just what I want and would go with my 30" Marlin .45-70. I could request the twist I want and the length of the barrel and full cross section or taper.

[beagle]

I've rebarrelled two M336s. One to .25-35 and one to .32-40. Years ago, barrel and gunsmithing were right at $600 and then there's shipping. These were with round Douglas barrels.

Cost of rifle/ cost of barrel / cost of gunsmithing and you're right at $1,000. Lot of gunsmithing. Dovetail cuts for iron sights, magazine hangers are time consuming and expensive. And clearance has to be milled at the receiver barrel junction for the mag tube. Then, there's the blueing. Many gunsmiths shy away from octagon barrels as well.

Better off buying ready made./beagle

[skeettx]

I have a 38-55 Cowboy and it is AWESOME and Accurate
Mike

[T-Bird]

I've got a win mod '94 that JES did for me from 30/30 to 38/55 a couple years ago. I love it! I was thinking it was $225 then...

[BobBill]

Am thinking of sending Marlin to JES to rebarrel to 375...how do I pack and ship properly?

[pietro]

Am thinking of sending Marlin to JES to rebarrel to 375...how do I pack and ship properly?

I would first ensure it's empty, then remove the wood, magazine tube, barrel bands and front/rear sights before getting a free delta-shape mailing tube from your local USPS office, reinforce both inside ends of the tube/carton with some thin plywood, and pad the barreled action with newspaper so tight that it won't move around during shipping.

USPS is also the least expensive way to send/receive long guns.

[beltfed]

BobBill
JES is a rebore, not a rebarrel
beltfed/arnie

[missionary5155]

We have numerous rebores on "rusty bore" 30-30 Marlins and Winchesters to .375 & .412. They all shoot better than you an imagine.

[ohiochuck]

I no longer use the USPS for mailing gun parts. in late summer, 2020, received a 1960's Marlin 39 A-DL with beautiful wood and squirrel engraved in the wood stock . When we opened the box at my FFL, we found the stock broken in 2 places at the wrist. The box had been dropped/crushed. My FFL dealer mailed it back to the senders FFL. For 3 weeks the PO could not tell us where it was, even with priority mail tracking.
When it was finally delivered to the FFL, there was no notice of it being delivered.
MY suggestion- choose carefully.
Jim

[BobBill]

Thank-you much. Will take it down, pack carefully, i usually ship "Brown" insured. Very good.

[.45Cole]

FYI - the 336 cowboy also came in 30-30 and they bring in less than the 1200 tag on the 38-55's. I'd buy a 30-30 and bore to 38-55 so you have your own chamber/bore diameters. I actually have a 30-30 barrel with JES now.

[nhithaca]

It would be a shame to modify a 336CB in 30-30 as they are much rarer than the 38-55. Almost never see one for sale. I would guess that the factory made way more of the 38-55 guns. Would love to have a 30-30 but have never found one locally and the guns on GB are way over priced.

[wgg]

One for sale now on Marlinowners.