Marlin 336 Microgroove range report

[arcticbreeze]

Well this is my first experience with cast boolits in the Marlin 336 MG. I have been reluctant and have only been using J-word bullets in this gun. Was planning on trying the Ranch Dog when available but we all know that is not happening. After reading a bunch of mixed posts on other boolits I said what the hay and ordered a 311041 and luckily mine casts at .3095 to .3105 and when put through the 310 sizer it just lubes it and you can see sizing marks on two opposing sides (slightly out of round). If you can't read the target my best 5 shot group (just under 1.25")so far is with 24.5 grains of reloder #7. They were fired at 100 yds off of a solid bench with sand bags under the action and under the butt of the gun. Funny thing is my prior groups with different charge weights will have to be re-shot. The trigger on this gun is lousy, it weighs in at an earth shattering, gritty 9 lbs. 3 oz. So I finally thought of pinching off the shots with one finger on the trigger and my thumb on the front of the lever. the groups immediatly went from 3.5"-5.5" to 1"-1.75". I guess this gun will be worth the money spent on some trigger work.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=30&pictureid=806

[crabo]

Get you a Wild West trigger for the gun.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Eproductpage.Exe/showproduct?saleitemid=259762

It really makes a difference.

I also put an Evil Roy one piece firing pin in it.
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/onepiece.htm

[MtGun44]

Really excellent group! You would be well served with a better trigger. Never had a Marlin
that poor a pull.

Don't you hate it when you get a great group right off the bat. It feels wonderful, but it leaves
little to do in the way of development. Kinda takes the fun out of the hobby to get this good
a result 'too easily'. :bigsmyl2:

Bill

[Firebricker]

Nice group !!! My friend shoots my win 94 loads in his 336 with great results. FB

[arcticbreeze]

Really excellent group! You would be well served with a better trigger. Never had a Marlin
that poor a pull.

Don't you hate it when you get a great group right off the bat. It feels wonderful, but it leaves
little to do in the way of development. Kinda takes the fun out of the hobby to get this good
a result 'too easily'. :bigsmyl2:

Bill

Yeah, I couldn't duplicate that the rest of the day but at least now I have confidence in this gun that I didn't have before this. This is my pig hunting gun for this coming season. And I figure I will have fun trying though.

[arcticbreeze]

Get you a Wild West trigger for the gun.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Eproductpage.Exe/showproduct?saleitemid=259762

It really makes a difference.

I also put an Evil Roy one piece firing pin in it.
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/onepiece.htm

I was looking at the Wild West Trigger and trying to decide between it and having a smith work over the current trigger. Is it really a drop in?

Also what is the advantage of a one piece firing pin?

[Hurricane]

I am sure someone, or many someones will give you the advantages of a one piece firing pin. Probably faster action and/or better grouping. As for me, I think the reason for the two piece firing pin is still a valid reason not to change. The two piece firing pin is a safety featue that makes it impossible to fire the gun without the action being firmly locked. I think that safety feature is important.