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View Full Version : New 38-55 Marlin earns it's keep



ole_270
10-08-2016, 04:30 PM
Well, got the Marlin blooded. I picked up a 1979 Marlin 336 20" carbine that had seen better days, the bore was rusty so I had JES rebore to 38-55. Mounted a Skinner peep and a fiber optic front. Been shooting home cast Lee 38-250 and Accurate 38-250B bullets over universal, 4198 and 3031. Really like the 10 gr. Universal load for backyard gong shooting. Even my 8 year old Grandson gets in on that act with the aid of shooting sticks to help hold up the weight.
Went out mid-morning to still hunt/scout the thick timber creek bottom during our early doe only season. Was easing along checking for sign more than hunting when a young doe popped up about 50 yards in front of me. She wasn't alarmed, just trying to make out what was moving through the brush. I hit her quartering toward me, through the center of the onside shoulder, tracking across and exiting the offside flank. Put a 2" hole in the back of the shoulder and rib cage, took off the top of the heart, blew up one lung and damaged the other before going on to the exit. Doe made about a 20 yard stumbling run and dropped. When I dressed her I found an inch and a half section of lower shoulder/upper leg bone wedged in the near side ribs.
Bullet was a fairly soft Lee 38-250,@9 bhn, powder coated. Starline cases charged with 21 grains of imr 4198 topped with a tuft of dacron for just over 1400 fps in this 20" carbine.
Really glad I had this rebore done, I'm liking the cartridge/bullet combo more all the time. I may load some of the Accurate 38-250b bullets over a faster load for buck season in December. The alloy I cast them from turned out at 14-15 bhn after sitting a month.

TXGunNut
10-08-2016, 08:21 PM
Sounds like a winner! Meat in the freezer and a rifle you have confidence in. Sounds like a good load, is your rifle bored for .377 or .380 boolits?

ole_270
10-08-2016, 09:02 PM
.3755-.376. I'm sizing .377 with good accuracy and no leading

PositiveCaster
10-08-2016, 10:50 PM
I have a 1955-vintage Winchester M-94 20" Carbine originally in .30-30 which I sent for a .38-55 rebore to P.O. Ackley in the mid-1970s. I have used it on deer with both jacketed and cast to good effect. Never tried TrailBoss, mostly IMR-4198 and BlueDot. The RCBS 250 FNGC cast in wheel weights and hollowpointed caused gratifying wounds when launched at around 1500 fps.

It has been a great friend for many years, I hope the OP has a similar experience.



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richhodg66
10-08-2016, 11:00 PM
Congrats, neat rifle.

I'll be out tomorrow to try for a doe. It was unusually hot for muzzle loader and I only got out a few times, hoping this cooler weather will have some up and moving.

blikseme300
10-08-2016, 11:52 PM
Love it when a plan comes together, congratulations on your hunt.

I have 2 new to me old beater Marlin 336 truck guns that need re-work and I am going to send both to Jes for the rework. 405JES and 38-55 are my choices. They will be for hunting season 2017 so will have some time to work up loads.

ole_270
10-09-2016, 10:07 AM
You would still have time this year, he's fast. Took about 3 weeks on mine including shipping. I went with the 3 groove rifling and can't see any problems so far.

kycrawler
10-10-2016, 01:37 AM
Jes did a 375 whelen for me and it shoots the Lee 250 well also. I wish lee would have checked that mold

blikseme300
10-11-2016, 10:24 PM
You would still have time this year, he's fast. Took about 3 weeks on mine including shipping. I went with the 3 groove rifling and can't see any problems so far.

Unfortunately for me this is the busiest time of year for me. We mainly farm winter & spring crops so this is the busy time for us. During the summer I prepared a new to me Ruger M77 in .458WM along with CB loads for Nilgai this winter. Our hunting time-off is typically limited to rain days so we make use of every minute during the months of September to March. I don't need to hunt as much as I used to as we are down to 2 in the house-hold but the quality time and adventure on the lease is priceless.

quail4jake
10-11-2016, 10:45 PM
congrats! great rifle. I would love to have another .38-55. can you please direct me to JES? I think I have some projects for him...

ole_270
10-12-2016, 04:24 PM
Www.35caliber.com
jes reboring if you google it