Rifling - Ballard vs Micro groove in .35 Rem

[Range Gypsy]

Here's my delemma,
I decided I want my next marlin to be in .35Rem, I've heard good things about accuracy in these.
Within a day my friends (helpful sorts) came up with 2 likely canidates. #1 has date of manufacture 1950 witch will mean it has ballard rifiling. The next is newer but still before the crossbolt saftey it should have micro groove .
I may want to shoot jacketed as well as cast from the .35. My purpose for the gun will be mainly killing paper, with the occasional trip after whitetail but I am always in search of that gun that will make those little MOA goups:rolleyes::

~ Range Gypsy

[Loudenboomer]

I'd go for the 1950 336. Marlin Ballard rifled these rifles for only about 5 years and they are a little tougher to find in nice shape. Old Ballard Marlins are very ez to sell if you change your mind. I have a pair of 1951's and they shoot great.
All this being said Micro groves are fine rifles too.

[Bret4207]

My 35 Rem Marlin 336SC is a 1952 model. Much nicer than the later Marlin, nicer wood, nicer finish, nicer overall. And it shoots cast like a dream. Grab it, do it now, be happy.

[jlchucker]

That microgroove v. Ballard rifling issue comes up every so often. My own 35's are both older models but microgroove and they handle cast bullets very well with no problems (yet). However, given a choice, based on both my experiences with an older, ballard Marlin that my brother lucked into, and also upon what I've read about this issue, I'd surely go with the Ballard version that you've found. The 35 Remington is not a good round--it's a great round! You'll find that out, most likely, the first time you shoot a few boolets through yours. Good luck!

[Rico1950]

1951 Marlin SC 20" bbl. RCBS 35-200-FN, CCI 200, H2O WW, BHN 18, 34.0 IMR 3031. 75 yards with scope.

[nighthunter]

My 35 Rem has Balard rifleing, My 30-30 has micro groove rifleing. Both of them shoot cast beautifully. I think this issue has nearly been beaten to death. I have no gripes about either method of rifleing the barrells. My 2 cents worth.

Nighthunter

[Glen]

I have 336s in .35 Remington that have both Ballard and MG rifling. they both shoot cast bullets just fine.

[northmn]

My 30-30 Marlin has Ballard rifling and is very easy to get to shoot with cast, but I use loads at about 1900. Does microgroove let you do this?

Northmn

[Glen]

My favorite .35 Remington load, for both MG and Ballard rifled guns, is 38.0 grains of H335 underneath the a 200 grain GC cast bullet for riht at 2100 fps. It shoots very well.

[felix]

I second that load, Glen. I use the same with the Saeco 180s because H335 is so perfect for that case and bore size together. I up the load to 40 grains only when using the 160 grain Lyman Thompson. ... felix

[arcticbreeze]

I will 3rd that load with the RCBS 35-200-fp. If I do my part I can achieve close to MOA with my 1973 Microgroove 336 in 35 Rem. Iam just now experimenting with the GB Noe 35-190 Ranchdog copy but H335 still seems to be the way to go.

If there is a difference in barrel length I would opt for the longer barrel, My 24' 336 balances much better and feels lighter Although it is in fact a couple of ozs heavier.

[arcticbreeze]

My 30-30 Marlin has Ballard rifling and is very easy to get to shoot with cast, but I use loads at about 1900. Does microgroove let you do this?

Northmn

My 30-30 is MG and shoots cast very well as long as the boolit fits (big)

[Range Gypsy]

Thanks guys , so much for the input.

After looking the rifles over I still can't decide so I am going to get both.....(don't tell my boyfriend) :wink: And pick the best of the 2. It will be a fun winter project to find the most accurate one with both cast and jacketed.
Thanks for the load data also

~
Range Gypsy

[NHlever]

I shoot the RCBS 35-200 cast from air cooled wheel weights ahead of 35 Grains of AA-2015 (max load in new Lyman manual). It shoots to the same POA as the Hornady 200 gr RN, and groups are around 1 1/2" at 100 yards out of my microgroove barrel. I have an old 24" ballard rifled Marlin that I'm refinishing....... was pretty beat up, but has a good bore, so I'll be making that comparison sometime too.

[JDL]

Thanks guys , so much for the input.

After looking the rifles over I still can't decide so I am going to get both.....(don't tell my boyfriend) :wink: And pick the best of the 2. It will be a fun winter project to find the most accurate one with both cast and jacketed.
Thanks for the load data also

~
Range Gypsy

I love the way you think!! Mum's the word.
JDL

[45 2.1]

Here's my delemma,
I decided I want my next marlin to be in .35Rem
I may want to shoot jacketed as well as cast from the .35. My purpose for the gun will be mainly killing paper, with the occasional trip after whitetail but I am always in search of that gun that will make those little MOA goups:rolleyes::~ Range Gypsy

Take a look here at the 360-220 GC.
http://www.brp.castpics.net/Rifle%20Molds.html
It will do what you want and you won't need jacketed to do it.

[Newtire]

I have an earlier one with Ballard rifling. I loaded up some of those Ranch Dog 190 grainers with 38 gr. H-335 and they chrono between 2163 and 2227 FPS out of a 24" barrel. I put a Lyman receiver sight and decided not to drill & tap for scope. Will have to try it out with my new eyes at 100 yds. At 50 yds. it puts them into 1-1/2" (before Lasik). A good project for next weekend.

Lee was selling a 6-cavity 185 grain round nose plainbase and I loaded up some plunkers with 12.7 gr. of good old Unique for a healthy 1627-1671 FPS and the same accuracy although 6" lower on target.

[Phat Man Mike]

I've been reading about the .35 rem ... I just traded a pistol for a 336 Marlin in that cal... I hope it shoots a good as it's talked about[smilie=6: ok just came back from tradehttp://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h130/ziggytrucker/highpoint%20talk/101_0779.jpg it's a micro groove barrel :)

[jlchucker]

I've been reading about the .35 rem ... I just traded a pistol for a 336 Marlin in that cal... I hope it shoots a good as it's talked about[smilie=6:

Good luck, Mike. If you've never fired a 35 Remmie in a Marlin, your first group should be a very pleasant surprise. And if you handload using the RCBS 200 grain boolet that the guys have been talking about, you'll find that the development of a good load may just be the first one you try. Let us know.

[Phat Man Mike]

well I took the Marlin out and shot 2 rounds in it! guess it's a keeper!:smile: