Alright guys. Need help please. Marlin 336 32 special

[Bullshop Junior]

Alright guys. I need some help here. Awhile back I picked up a older Marlin 336 with a newer micro groove 24" barrel. When I got it, I got a few rounds of factory ammo with it. When I fired it it was hitting sideways, and I figured it was just from maybe the factory using .312" bullets or something. The only bullet I had that was even close was the 150gn lee .308" FN. I bumped it up as much as I could, and then paper patched it to .323". It shot okish, but not great. I figured it was because the bullets were too small. So more recently I got my hands on the ranchdog 180gn bullet mold. I cast some up and loaded them over 18.5gn of 2400. At 25 yards they all hit the target sideways. I thought it was my sizer die, so honed it out a bit to try to fit the barrel better. Still hitting sideways. So I swagged them down to .316" and paper patched to .323". Still no good. So I desided to clean the barrel and start over. While cleaning I noticed the rod wasnt turning much. So I used the old cleaning rod method to measure the twist...4 times. And I got the same thing each time ... 1/22" twist.

I loaded up some paper patched 125gn bullets and they shot into about a inch at 25 yards offhand.

Is there something I am doing wrong? Or did marlin really run a batch with that slow of a twist?

[RickinTN]

I think I remember it should be a 1-16" twist but that is from memory. I wouldn't think it would be as slow as 1-22" but I guess stranger things could happen.
Rick

[Bullshop Junior]

I think I remember it should be a 1-16" twist but that is from memory. I wouldn't think it would be as slow as 1-22" but I guess stranger things could happen.
Rick

Thats what I thought as well, but a 1/16 would stabilize a 170 gn bullet fine I think.

[runfiverun]

my 44 special revolvers are 1-20..
but 1-16 seems right for the 32 airc.

[rintinglen]

1-16 was the specified twist for the 32 Winchester Special in Winchester Fire Arms. I don't know what Marlin did, but a twist that slow (1-22) is surprising.

[pietro]

.

I would respectfully suggest a very close (magnified) inspection of both the muzzle's crown and the rifling at the muzzle end of the barrel - It sounds like there might be some wear or damage there from cleaning the barrel from the muzzle ILO pulling out the bolt & cleaning from the chamber end.


.

[Bullshop Junior]

Brand new barrel. Doesnt have many rounds down the tube.

[Dave Bulla]

Stupid question but have you slugged the bore? Sounds like somebody was building a purpose specific rifle so not sure what you really have. Also, there's always the obvious question about leading...

[Bullshop Junior]

No leading. Barrel slugs .3215". It is a factory marlin barrel

[MBTcustom]

I applaud the steps you've taken so far. The Boolit is strong with you.
Everything you have done certainly suggests a slower than normal twist rate. I wonder if it was a special order rifle?
Certainly should be a 1-16 hmmmmm.
Wish you were closer, I could get the borescope on it and say for sure.
Still, I wouldn't be all tore up about shooting 125grain Boolits out of it. A hole is a hole, and it won't drink your lead as bad.

[salvadore]

I shoot a cast bullet closer to .325 out of my Winchester, but that may be apples and oranges.

[pmer]

I wonder if it could stabilize 150 grain boolits at top velocities?

[Bullshop Junior]

It did kinda sorta, but they were paper patched .308" bullets so didnt fit the gun well at all.

I called Marlin and they swear up and down it should have a 1/16" twist so I am starting to suspect a throat issue after some playing around with it.

[pmer]

I'd think with the cleaning rod method you can tell pretty easy between 1-16 and 1-22. If you have a rifle of a known twist rate like a 1-10 twist 30-06 try that for reference and see if it shows 1-10. It might be easier to trade it away for something that better suites your needs.

[Bullshop Junior]

I'd think with the cleaning rod method you can tell pretty easy between 1-16 and 1-22. If you have a rifle of a known twist rate like a 1-10 twist 30-06 try that for reference and see if it shows 1-10. It might be easier to trade it away for something that better suites your needs.

I think i may have went a turn and a half with the rod when I measured it. Redoing it I got a 1/16"

[frnkeore]

I think i may have went a turn and a half with the rod when I measured it. Redoing it I got a 1/16"
Since you do indeed have a 16 twist, I believe that I would use the 323470 bullet with uor barrel. I think that bullet would give you the best chance to hold on to the rifling.

Frank

[451whitworth]

Why don't you try a bigger bullet? I shoot .325" in my micro groove Marlin

[Bullshop Junior]

Ive tried that, with no success.

I finally pinpointed the problem today and the rifle has no throat. Zip. Nada. So i believe a throating reamer is in line, if i can find one.

[salvadore]

If you mean the rifling begins right in front of the chamber, then i had same problem with my 94 win. Buying accurates 325 160g cured up my issues.

[salvadore]

32-160-g