Is it just my Marlin?

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I picked up a Marlin XLR in 35rem a little while back in like new condition. Beautiful rifle but have yet to find a mould to shoot cast with it. I first picked up a Lyman 358315 mould to try because I had heard that this was “the” boolit for the 35rem, yet was disappointed to find that the action would not close all the way on these boolits. I then tried a few of 357mag boolits in the rifle (158gr SWC and 170gr SWC), but the shorter COL resulted in double feeds. So is it just my Marlin? Or do the XLRs have different chambers then earlier 35rems? Also are there any other moulds you all would recommend to try? I have a Ranch Dog 190gr plain base mould which feeds fine, but I am looking for a GC design. Oh, and BTW I am already in on the group buy for a Ranch Dog copy with a GC, but those moulds might take a while to get cut so I am just looking for a mould to get me by.

[NHlever]

Throats have varied in Marlins over the years, and some I swear don't have one at all. I have used the RCBS 35-200 with great success in a few 336's though, and it has worked well if a little tight in some. (throat length) I have also used the 358156 boolit in a few too, and didn't have any problems.

[Denver]

If you can find one, the Ranch Dog TLC359-190-RF is an excellent boolit that was designed specifically for the 35 Marlins. NOE also had this with conventional lube grooves I believe. You might contact either to see if one is available.

[NVcurmudgeon]

My 1952 vintage Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. feeds and shoots accurately with Lyman 358315, a discontinued NEI clone of it with a little fatter nose, and RCBS 35 200 FN, all seated normally to the crimpimg groove. Lyman 358316 is their original cast bullet for the .45 Rem. dating back to the introduction of the cartridge.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Thanks for the info guys. From the research I have done on these rifles it sounds like Marlin built there XLR line around Hornady’s flex-tip ammo. So I am just wondering are other 35rem XLRs like mine?

[madsenshooter]

Built around the Hornady ammo might explain the short throat, if you look at the ammo, the ogive is way back by the crimping groove. The ammo however would have to be made to cycle through any 35Rem, so Marlin wouldn't have made the carrier on the XLR longer. I'm sure someone else has one and will comment eventually.

[6pt-sika]

I got a Marlin 336XLR in 35 REM when they first came out !

And everything I shot in it did well 8-)

Of course the ONLY thing I shot in it was the Hornady Leverevolution factory stuff [smilie=1:

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Thanks for your input 6pt-sika, but does anyone have a Marlin XLR 35rem that they have run cast through?

[cajun shooter]

2ND AN, If you don't have a answer here why not try the LEVER GUNS forum. They have some nice guys over there also.