Which one?

[Texas by God]

I want a 38-55 by JES Reboring. One of these 30-30's is going to him.
Which one would you send and why? The Marlin Glenfield 36G or the pre 64 Winchester 94? Both have 20" barrels .Thanks for your opinions in advance.
Thomashttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180811/859d650e546ff83f640e7148cd94d54e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180811/b8bb3f0c467ee2a26bef70f817b6cbc6.jpg

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[am44mag]

That's a tough choice. I like the idea of a Win 94 in 38-55 better, but you might want to keep it original since it's a pre 64.

[corbinace]

I prefer the action smoothness of the Marlin, but it needs a bit longer magazine tube for my tastes.

Maybe I have just never had a nice '94, but every one I have handled seemed to have a hitch in the feeding feel.

Even if you cannot stretch the magazine, I would still go with the Marlin for the feel.

Ya know though...since you will have all of the loading set up...It's not that much to do them both. That way you know you made the right choice.

Be sure to let us know how it comes out.

[Remmy4477]

Myself, Think I would pick the marlin. Pre 64 winchesters are very pricey in my neck of the woods.
Would not take much to add a full length tube to the marlin.

[Shawlerbrook]

I love both, but I would be hesitant to alter a pre-64 Winny. I would send the Marlin.

[Texas by God]

Thanks guys, keep it coming. Collector value is out the window as I have D&T and added swivels to the Winchester and refinished the wood on the Marlin ( only 6000 36G made). They are keepers until my offspring decide they're not.
Please carry on!
Thomas

[Drm50]

I would do the Marlin. Especially if you are going ti hunt with it. The solid top reciever makes it
easy to scope. I have found 336 is more accurate than Win 94 and stronger action. The only
down side of the Marlin is that it weighs more than a 94.

[jmort]

That Winchester is a beautiful gun. The Marlin is not beautiful in comparison. I would not touch the Winchester.

[Ramjet-SS]

Here is how I would choose;

1.) Bore condition the worse of the two gets the nod.
2.) If I were to rework and refinish the gun after re-bore which needs it most.
3.) Which of the two is a more natural pointing gun for me?

[ulav8r]

The Marlin. If you ever have to use a scope because of vision issues, the Marlin will accommodate it easily. The short tube will hold enough ammo for any hunting you are likely to do and will add less weight when you fill it up. Also, the recoil pad will be helpful if you want to push velocity to 1700+.

[redhawk0]

What a beautiful Winchester....however, you've altered it with the swivels. So why not...go ahead and have it rebarreled. Its a more beautiful gun in my opinion and if you're planning to use it regularly, it will be the better of the two guns and worth the upgrade. I like the sleek look of the forearm where it meets the action. To me the Marlin just looks clumsy with the forearm bulging below the action...yes It's my own opinion and I'm sure others will disagree...but my vote goes to the Winny. I altered mine with swivel studs too...but mine is post-64 and the bluing sux....so for me it was no harm/no foul.

redhawk

[2152hq]

Are you in need of a scoped rifle??,,if yes then do the Marlin.

In the Winchester 94,,the right side cartridge guide is caliber specific.
One size fits the 30-30 & 32 Special,,,,another size is made specificly for the 38-55.
(The left side cartridge guide is the same for all.)

A replacement rt side guide costs about $15 to $20. Use the same screw to install. Make sure the guide is in proper position for feeding.

My personal choice would be the Winchester 94.
Any collector value is gone with it's D&Tapped feature but it's still a beautiful rifle.
I wouldn't be looking to add a scope myself. I like iron sights and feel the 38-55 is about the perfect iron sighted hunting rifle.
it's just a classic already with a classic caliber ready to be added to it.

The Marlins are nice solid rifles. But the round bolt 336's just don't have any class IMO and those heavy bulbous stocks and forends beg for a weight reduction class. They can be redone into a nice trim rifle, but then they are still a round bolt 336.
If it was a square bolt earlier Model 36 or 1936,,that'd be a different story and then the decision on which to convert would be more difficult for me.
Still, neither would see a scope for me anyway.

All just based on personal likes of course ..
Have fun!

[OverMax]

38-55. Why not. Either rifle pictured and sent to JES.
"Excellent choice."

[bigted]

Just from the option of shooting black powder through your 38-55, i would for sure go with the Marlin. The Marlin come apart easy to enable cleaning from the breech.

Second reason is the pistol grip that goes a long way in my book.

Marlins make excellent hunters.

[richhodg66]

I love the Marlins with that 2/3rds magazine and perch belly forends. I'd pick the Marlin.

[indian joe]

Do the Marlin
Put a fulllength tube on it when ya do.

[bigted]

OR ... cut the Marlins barrel at the end of the current mag tube and have a nice short carbine along with a perfect caliber plus being the easy to swing, light weight and downrite dandy overall rifle

[HawkCreek]

have found 336 is more accurate than Win 94 and stronger action

This is false. The Marlin is not a stronger action than the Winchester. Read the testing that was done trying to convert a lever gun to .454 Casull, the Marlins were first to fail.

[Drm50]

I didn't read 454 article but was that a 336 or 1894 Marlin? The 1894 is a different animal. A 336
is same action they use on 375Win and I don't see it failing on 454.

[Texas by God]

This is false. The Marlin is not a stronger action than the Winchester. Read the testing that was done trying to convert a lever gun to .454 Casull, the Marlins were first to fail.Even so the Marlins are more accurate in most cases. In this case, the 36G has several sub moa groups to show and the 94's personal best is 2-3/4" once. At 100 yds.

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[SSGOldfart]

Thomas My vote would be to send the per 64. It fits better into the 38-55 time period.

[HawkCreek]

I didn't read 454 article but was that a 336 or 1894 Marlin? The 1894 is a different animal. A 336
is same action they use on 375Win and I don't see it failing on 454.

It was a 336, the action went out the fastest (followed closely by a Winchester Big Bore 94AE). An old pre-war Winchester 94 actually lasted the longest but still failed before 50 rounds.
If you go to Winchester's website you'll see they no longer make the BigBore but they do offer the 94 in .450 Marlin.



Even so the Marlins are more accurate in most cases. In this case, the 36G has several sub moa groups to show and the 94's personal best is 2-3/4" once. At 100 yds.

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I edited the quote poorly, my fault. Wasn't meaning to argue accuracy, only strength. I never benched a lever gun (other than my '95 Winchesters).


For those interested here is the text of the tests I am referring to:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?6998-Buck-Elliot-s-454-Casull-levergun-test-Part-1

[Drm50]

I'm going to look up the article and read it. I am curious as to what failed. I have benched dozens
of lever guns. Speaking only on traditional levers of Win & Marlin, with and without scopes the
Marlins out shoot the Wins. I would also note this would be 30/30-32 Win & 375Win. and 30/30s
for the biggest part of my experience with reciver sights shot at 60yds. I have a original 1895 Win
in 30/06 with reciver sights that will shoot with most stock 30/06s. As long as you load 160-180 gr
RN bullets. It won't shoot a spitzer bullet worth a hoot.

[Texas by God]

If you want to know when your 94 barrel was manufactured; look here!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180814/64b6b5ef98648185a894994301a82416.jpg

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[Prodigal Son]

Do the Marlin you can thank me later!

[Texas by God]

Do the Marlin you can thank me later!
I've seen your targets! I like it.

[Chad5005]

id choose the marlin for the simple fact of it being a better rifle

[indian joe]

id choose the marlin for the simple fact of it being a better rifle

I chose it for the opposite reason - its just a marlin - the pre 64 Winchester is a much nicer gun to keep intact:drinks:

[Prodigal Son]

Thanks Texas by God!

[fordwannabe]

Ok here goes. If the Marlin is already shooting good dont screw with it. If the Winchester isn’t shooting good groups anyway...why not try it? I have a JES Marlin n in 35/30 groups great. I also have a post 64 JES rebored Winchester in 38/55 win win either way.

[bob208]

if they both shoot well leave them alone. look for a angle eject in .375 or a post 64 with a bad bore.

[beemer]

My hair is falling out now, couldn't make that decision. Find another rifle perhaps?

[bob208]

I said the .375 angle eject because after you get either one done the next post will be how hot can I load .38-55.

[Texas by God]

My decision came down to accuracy. I have 3 30-30s and the 94 is the least accurate by far. It's also a delight to carry and handles great. It will be great as a 38-55, too. The Marlin gets the 5D Williams and I'll try to find a period Lyman or Redfield for my 38-55. Thank you all for your opinions.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180817/5804c1afe4f6c52df66fadf5cb9d01c4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180817/46cee6410113fe52bf5d308de0d47464.jpg

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[Texas by God]

I said the .375 angle eject because after you get either one done the next post will be how hot can I load .38-55.
No it won't. Checkered steel butt plate says so.

[Texas by God]

I sent it NW yesterday. I got a Lee mould last week and ordered brass today. I got Redding dies from our S&S forum so I'm excited!

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[Ramjet-SS]

I am looking forward to the rest of the journey on this project it's fun to follow.

[fordwannabe]

Jesse will tell you he recommends a .376 or .377 cast bullet. MY RIFLE and my rifle only shoots much better at a .379. Just sayin. Have fun and just to get started so you can shoot it because we all know you want to shoot it as soon as you get it. 10 grains of Unique is a good basic load. Then try all kinds of other stuff

[TNsailorman]

Hey Texas, I a very interested in your project as I have been toying with the idea of converting a 336 to 38-55 or 35-30 for some time. I personally would go with the least accurate rifle. Keep us informed on your progress please. James

[Texas by God]

I'm thinking of braving the heat and skeeters tonight to break in my new .379-250 Lee mould! It wouldn't hurt to have all components ready for my 94's return.

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[arlon]

Either one would be fun to have in 38-55. I'm a 38-55 fan too. Right now I only have an old 38-55 single shot rifle though.. )-:}

Can't wait to hear how the old Winchester does.

[smkummer]

Too late to the fight here but I was going to suggest to sell the Winchester and find a waffle top 336 in 35 Rem. The extra cash can buy brass, dies, rear sight and mold. Love my SC. Smooooooooth action, shoot all kinds of pistol bullets down to a squirrel load and up to 2100 FPS with a 200 grain bullet to cleanly drop anything in N. America with in range.

I guess we all have our reasons and passions.

[Texas by God]

The Winchester came from my father so it's going nowhere. It's just going to get used more. The Marlin will fill the 30-30 lever action duties from here on out. It's everything I want in a 30-30. Both are stamped with my initials!

[TCLouis]

Which is most accurate as they now stand.

If accuracy is really good as is, then pick the other one to modify

[TXGunNut]

Should have your rifle back soon. A little late to the party but I was going to suggest finding an 1894 in 38-55. Only downside is it would probably need a mould that drops .380 boolits. I was going to send a Marlin off to JES for this same conversion but a couple of very sweet 1894's in 38-55 happened along. Enjoy the 38-55, it's truly a special cartridge.

Mike

[bigted]

I second the " special" with 38-55. My marlin 1893 Safety is a shooter, i paid 500 for the rifle and sent the sewer pipe to a member here and had it relined back to the same .380 diameter. She shoots like a house a fire. Love love it.

[Texas by God]

I thought I might as well refresh the wood on the 94 while it's in surgery. 5 coats of Tru Oil will do I think.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180829/a244a8d12dbf0b2ac3238ea7119b19a7.jpg

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[Ramjet-SS]

Nice !

[Texas by God]

She's back home after just ten days. I am beside myself. Jessie sent load tips, too!
I'm working on a sizer die as my boolits drop at .379" and he recommends .376-.377". I'll try to load one with the fat boolit to see if it'll fit. Look close at the caliber stamp; I like the overstamp better than xx'd out & restamped. I've got a Lyman sight on the way, too.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180831/900a85cc92df75fccc50b63b0c746afd.jpg

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[1Hawkeye]

Tex, I just found a new in box pre-safety marlin 336 carbine in .30-30 I'm thinking about picking up and sending to jes to turn into a.38-55 did you just send the barreled action?

[Texas by God]

Tex, I just found a new in box pre-safety marlin 336 carbine in .30-30 I'm thinking about picking up and sending to jes to turn into a.38-55 did you just send the barreled action?
Exactly that. That's all he needs and you save a little on shipping.
AND I loaded a dummy cartridge with the .379" boolit and it chambered. Forging on.

[Ramjet-SS]

this gets better every post I am looking forward to the range report.

[maglvr]

Since the Win. has been D&T go for it! What could be any sweeter than carrying a 38-55 Win. carbine?

[Chad5005]

boolit fit now waiting on the range report,im sure it'll be a shooter

[Texas by God]

I think she lost a quarter pound. Lyman sight is on the way and bidding on a Redfield :-) I'm thinking of Unique for its test firing but it'll be a few days yet.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180901/1350982f8f7432f425690e83dd93d438.jpg

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[Chad5005]

it looks good,keep us posted you've got me intrigued with this build

[Texas by God]

I sized some boolits down to .375" to try along with the as cast .379" in it. I lubed them with LLA last night and I hope to load today.

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[Texas by God]

I couldn't stand it so I fired a test round with no rear sight. Clay pidgeon at the 40 yd berm. Missed it by that much. The load is 9.2(1cc) grs Unique, CCI lrp, .379" Lee 256gr. I chuckled because of the lack of recoil. Thank God for the rain or I would have kept wasting ammo.
My Lyman sight is inbound and I let the last minute buzzard have the auctioned Redfield after running the price up for his trouble[emoji6]

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[KMac]

I am glad it worked out for you.
That is a nice setup you got there. Please keep us informed as much as you can on your range testing.
Those Marlin 36G’s are notoriously accurate because of the short magazine tube and the way it attaches to the barrel.
I have a Marlin 36 from 1947 and it looks almost just like it except it has a 24” barrel.
Did they name the 36G in honor of the old model 36?
Been looking for one of those 36G’s myself to send to JES for a rebore to .405 JES.

[Texas by God]

I am glad it worked out for you.
That is a nice setup you got there. Please keep us informed as much as you can on your range testing.
Those Marlin 36G’s are notoriously accurate because of the short magazine tube and the way it attaches to the barrel.
I have a Marlin 36 from 1947 and it looks almost just like it except it has a 24” barrel.
Did they name the 36G in honor of the old model 36?
Been looking for one of those 36G’s myself to send to JES for a rebore to .405 JES.They may have named the 36G to differ from the 336 and the G means Glenfield. From the little I know it was the first Glenfield and Marlin only made 6000. Later some Glenfield m30's had the 2/3 mag- I think. Thanks for your interest.
Thomas

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[Wayne Smith]

The 36G was the Glenfield version, birch stock, short magazine, cheaper version of the 336 but the same action and barrel!

[Texas by God]

A good thing to keep in mind is that ALL Glenfields are indeed JM Marlins. That Glenfield, Westernfield, Revelation, Cotter & Co. etc name will get you the revered JM Marlin usually at a good price.

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[Texas by God]

I did some shooting today by putting the old 5D sight back on. I tried 33 grs of IMR 3031 and the recoil was noticeable to say the least. Luckily I only loaded 5 of those! The rest were the 9.2grs of Unique/.379" & .375" loads at about 1200 fps are much more like it. Once I got the sight lined up I fired 3-.375" & 3-.379" into the group pictured at 40 yds. For grins I fired 3 at 100yds on iron ( the strikes are over the lever in the pic). I'm still trying to run down a steel Lyman or Redfield to complete it and I may put the lower/smaller factory front bead back on.
Thanks, JES Reboring. Fanboy here!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180908/8308ab1b35d01279b800eaf98e1e64ca.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180908/2268e12c6a8a79e60a5f1bed1343139e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180908/012b01ecec5e54bc0a3e545543f1080d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180908/ed3fdd5a6cc58bdc6f70ab82878badc9.jpg

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[fordwannabe]

Which did yours like better .375 or .379?

[Texas by God]

I can't tell any difference so far but not having to size the cases or boolits at .379" is very appealing. I just decap and prime, flare, charge & seat boolit. They are dropp ing at 255 grs average from my 50/50 alloy. I want to work up a load with IMR 3031 at about 1400 fps to hunt with.

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[Texas by God]

No pics today but a blast was had with the .379" boolit shooting reactive targets. The teen loved it as much as his .30 carbine Saginaw.

[Texas by God]

I haven't found a vintage steel sight yet, so I reinstalled the original front sight which mates perfectly with the Williams 5D. With the sight down, anything covered by the front bead at 50 yds will have a 3/8" hole in it.

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[funnyjim014]

Do the Winchester, love the look and feel....throw money out the window, what feels the best to you should be the one.

[Hickory]

That Winchester is a beautiful gun. The Marlin is not beautiful in comparison. I would not touch the Winchester.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Texas by God]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I'm totally biased I think both are beautiful. I'm waiting on a break in the rain to shoot them both some more��

[Texas by God]

It definently prefers the .379" over the .375" boolits. My brother fired a group with all three shots touching at 40 yards. Then offhand we practiced on clay birds on the berm and had a grand old time. Growing up with this rifle as a 30-30, we both agree it never shot this well or was this much fun before!

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[frankenfab]

Great thread, Texas! I have decided to find a Marlin in 30-30 to send to JES for the same conversion. But I really want a straight grip stock.

[TCLouis]

Guess I shoulda noticed that this was 3 pages long, not just starting.
Send that 36 off and revel with the way it delivers lead down range upon its return.

I have great desire and less use for one but somehow/someway I want a 38-55.
Luckily my rule is NO MORE NEW CALIBER molds and thus I am saved from my own weakness.

WAIT, I had a flash of inspiration after posting this . . . Send the least accurate one off!

[Texas by God]

Done and done, my friend. I just loaded 50 more rounds for my-now accurate Win. 94.
It's almost too fun.
Almost.

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[fordwannabe]

TBG, I had my JES rebored Winchester out today. Much prefers .379 and Inhad been using Unique but have been dabbling with H4198 and it is showing some promise. I also ordered some plain base gas checks to try. I will keep you posted on progress, you the same. Ain’t these things cool?

[Texas by God]

I'm trying a fishing sinker/pewter alloy that drops light at 242 grs, still .379" over 10 grs of Unique. 4198 is on my grocery list and it IS fun.

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[shafer44]

Well, the accuracy part will be taken care of by JES!! I only have had one done by Jesse, it being an 1894 Marlin 25-20 that I had him rebore to 32-20. It is super accurate now. 300m, 400m and 500m steel gongs are no problems for this rifle now.