Marlin 336CB 38-55

[1Papalote]

I have a Marlin CB conversion being delivered next week. I have researched and understand that .380-.381 boolits are in order. I have contacted LYMAN and they tell me they have NO mould to accomodate the larger diameter. RCBS looks to be the same. LEE offers a .379. What the heck is one to do?? Who of you have the MARLIN 336CB 38-55 and cast for it???? What are you using? What type of accuracy are you getting??

RCBS COWBOY dies appear to the the preferred die set.

Help!?

1Papalote

[August]

Cowboy dies will expand the case enough to easily seat the bullet. I tried regular RCBS (Ballard) dies and they were very difficult to work with. Took 'em back and got the Cowboy dies, which are a joy to use.

Wait to get your rifle. .379 bullets work great in mine.

[Nrut]

August is right...
Wait until you get your rifle and slug the bore to determine what mold and sizing dies to order...
These MarlinCB,s came in various groove sizes..I bought mine based on an article written by John Taffin stating that his CB had a .379 groove...Mine ended having a .3815" groove and will only chamber a .379" dia. boolit with Win. 30-30 and 38-55 brass and a .380" with Starline brass...NEF Target in 38-55 same thing except it's groove is .381 on the money........:groner:
If you need a boolit mold larger than the off the self mold makers sell you can order a custom fit from Mt. Molds or LBT....

If your Rifle reguires a larger chamber to accommodate a larger boolit that fits your groove then you can send your rifle to a fellow out in So. Calif to ream it out for you or you can buy/rent a reamer and have your local smith do it for you if you prefer not to do it yourself...
Your rifle maybe just fine as it comes from Marlin depending on how far they had their heads up their farthole the day they rifled and chambered the barrel..:roll:
Good luck..

[NickSS]

Mine does fine with .379 dia bullets if I go smaller I loose accuracy. At .375 dia cast they tumble so size your barrel and see what you need.

[BABore]

Look here;

http://brp.castpics.net/Rifle%20Molds.html

There's three boolits I designed for my rebored 38-55. They all drop right around 0.381". Your biggest rub might be the chamber. It's not uncommon for the Marlin to have a big groove and tight chamber. Tight enough that you can't use the proper size boolit. Some have went with the longer, thinner Star Line brass to overcome this. Others have their chamber opened up a bit.

[Pepe Ray]

AND others do it like they did in the HEY DAY of the cartridge.
Use soft alloy and kick it up.
Pepe Ray

[KCSO]

There are 4 of these in my family of friends and so far NONE of us shoot the same size bullet, but each gun shoots it's particular bullet and load very well. You need to be patient here and slug the rifle when you get it, or rather push a lead slug through the bore, hiitting the rifle will only help in extreme situations. THEN order a mould and sizing die. I know it hurts to be inactive but it will help in the end. MY 336 CB shoots a 380 bullet in Starline case into 4" at 200 yards with Marbles peep sights. A 250 grain bullet at 1850 fps does a number on a mule deer too.

[Buckshot]

.............Once you get the rifle and slug it, my suggestions: The Lee boolit from MY mould drops right at .380". If it needs to be a larger OD (if your rifle will chamber it) about the only mainstream maker I know of offering the fatter ones is Saeco.

http://www.fototime.com/A8CC33B25D750D9/standard.jpg

On the left is the Seaco 225gr FNPB. They have a streatched version going 255grs. I have both and they drop right at .381". Both do exceedingly well over 16.0grs of 2400 in my 1893 Marlin. The slug on the right is the LEE.

..............Buckshot

[rockrat]

My Lee with #2 alloy casts near to .381". With WW, it is just under .380"

[sharpshooter3040]

I think you are going to find in the modern barrels that the grove dia is going to fall between .378 and 379. I have vintage rifles that will only shoot the 380 sized bullets. If you must get a mould that drops them big get a 250 grain Ideal 375248, might be hard to find but they're out there. I built a 375 winchester using a Green mountain octagon barrel and it shoots the 375446 gas check bullet at under an inch at 50 yards.

Doug

[358wcf]

Gentlemen, Rest Easy!
I just fought this battle earlier this year, and came up with a VERY EASY solution-
Take a look at Erik's websight- Hollowpoint Mold Service. On it you will see many photos of his excellent work- each is truly a work of art. He offers a service to enlarge the driving bands of molds to drop larger boolits to better fit the bore-
Pictured you will see photos of my Lyman 375248, which Erik enlarged on request, and now drops my 20-1 alloy at .380"-- exactly what I needed to size to .379--
38-55 rifles like, and deserve, a boolit that fits the bore- and Erik will fix you right up! While he has your mold, ask him to hollowpoint one cavity as well, like he did for Chuck- you will love the results.
No further need to worry- a safe, economical, and easy solution is at hand-
"No Worry, Mate!!!"

358wcf[smilie=1:

[KCSO]

Here is my Mountain Moulds 38-55 bullet made for the 336 CB. The bullet from 1/2 ww 1/2 soft lead weighs in at 260 grains with gas check and lube and can be pushed to over 1800 fps with minimal leading it mikes at just 381. I am sending a sample to papa to try. I also shot the Lee 250 and it was accurate with soft lead and black powder but lapped and beagled I could only get 381 from that mould. Currently i am sizing this bullet down to work in my M94 wiht a Numerich barrel that runs tighter than the Marlin at 377.

[Four Fingers of Death]

That is awesoem KSCO! The site is awesome as well! Incredible work! Too many exclamation marks!!!!! :D

Sorry 348WCF, I got my advisors mixed up, no hard feelings. Erik's work is so outstanding, even if I didn't need anything I think I'd have to send him something just to admire the workmanship down the track, My 311291 is looking good for a HP job.

[1Papalote]

My gun was delivered today. I shoved a round ball down the barrel. It mic'd at
.3795. I tried again and got the same value. KCSO. Looking forward to the boolit. I do like the looks of the MM and others posted here and about. I now need to cobble up the funds for dies, molds and brass. Shouldn't be long. Thanks to all.

The Marlin came back with tight fitting wood, fairly matched to the 38 year old buttstock. I am please and eager to get this one shot.

1Papalote

[KCSO]

I'm casting for deer season now and will have some off in the next couple of days . I will send some beagled Lee's for you they are 380 and you MIGHT get by with them.

[1Papalote]

Thanks amigo.