Looking for a big bore lever...

[dk17hmr]

I want something a bit different. Not really interested in the common ones, 444 marlin, 450 marlin, or a 45-70, all good rounds but to common, I like different. I keep looking at the 375 Winchester. I have searched the site and gotten some good info, and it looks like it will fit the bill for me.

My intentions are to have a big bore lever action that shoots cast bullets for a hunting rifle, up to and including elk sized game......I think a 235gr at 2100fps would be just fine.

Also looking at the 375 because I can get a contender barrel chambered in it.

Anyone have an opinion as to what rifle I should be looking at. Looks like Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 are the only options. I would like a peep sight and a rifle I wouldnt mind packin up the mountains every day......price also is important, as this is going to be a hunting rifle not a show peice. I dont want to spend a ton of coin on a rifle I would be scared to take up into the hills.

[C A Plater]

There are some out there. I took home a .375 Marlin about a year ago I found on used rack at a local gun store. I've seen a Savage 99 in .375 and will forever kick myself for not jumping all over it when it was available.Unfortunately if you see one now it won't be anywhere near cheap. I seem to see more Big Bore Winchesters for sale but that could be that they are easier to spot with the distinctive beefed up receiver.

[JesterGrin_1]

Here you go. :) Marlin in 375 Winchester. You do not find these often. http://www.gunsamerica.com/950733713/Guns/Rifles/Marlin-Rifles/Modern/Lever-Action/MARLIN_MODEL_375_CARBINE_375_WINCHESTER.htm#

[chaos]

WOW ! That looks like a NICE 336A or SC


I went through the same thing with Ar15's, went with a 50 beowulf. Pain in the **** to get components and brass for.

I stick to standard stuff anymore. 45-70 is what i'd go with. Bigger hole the better when hunting esp with cast slugs.

If that gun was just $200 cheaper, it would be residing in my safe. Nice find!

[missionary5155]

Greetings
I would also recommend the 38-55 in a modern lever. The cartrige is as big and the new rifles will take the pressure.
The 375 Win. will have a faster twist that will make shooting a heavy bullet easier. But if you are going to shoot light weight 235´s the slower twist of the 38-55 will be kinder to a cast bullet.
Just my observations being an owner of both.

[excess650]

Didn't the Savage 99 come in a 375/38 caliber at one time?

Savage chambered the Model 99 for the 375 Win cartridge back in the late '70s when the cartridge was introduced. The 38-55 was discontinued in the Model 1899 prior to 1920.

The Marlin 336CB in 38-55 has the 1-18" twist and will handle the loads you're referring to. Ranch Dog has loading data with pressure info on his site.

I've never seen a 336CB that was "inexpensive". The 38-55s seem to be in the $800 range. Likewise, the Marlin 336ER in 375 Win is a scarce item. I don't know when I saw an 1894BB last....and the Ruger #3 in 375 Win?

Its time to "think outside the box". While there are lots of 45-70s and 44s out there, they recoil rather stoutly with HV loads. What seems to be abundant, and under loaded is the 336 35 Remington. Because it was chambered in some weak designs, pressures are generally held to 30-32K. The Marlins are capable of considerably more. Take a look at Ranch Dog's data for the 35 Remington. Note that his pressure goes up to 42K, and velocity with 195gr bullets approach 2400fps!

[excess650]

Did the Savage 99 come in 35 Remington? thanks

No. It was chambered in 358 Winchester as was the Winchester Model 88.

I'm thinking a 99 in 300 Savage could be rebarreled to 35 Remington and shouldn't require any modification to the rotor. An 1899 in 30-30 could be rebored to the 35-30/30, but doing 38-55 requires reworking of the rotor and ramp for feeding.

[Ranch Dog]

Here is another option if you are interested in the "Thirty-Big Bore". Find a Marlin or Glenfield with the forearm cap (336A, 336SC, Glenfield 30) and have JES Rifle Reboring make it a 38-55 Win. With the Marlin frame, you can have the same performance as the Marlin 375. I have several friends that have had Jesse do this work and are very pleased with it. I suggest the models with the forearm cap in that over the course of time a 375/38-55 Win takes quite a pounding.

[BABore]

Ditto to RD post. I had Jesse do a 30-30 to 38-55 rebore for me last year. Excellent work and you get a chamber and groove diameter that you can work with. My goove came out at 0.376 and the chamber will allow a 0.379 boolit. I size to 0.379 to fill things up. Jesse's 3 groove rifling is outstanding and runs 0.005 deep. The finish is equal to a custom lapped bbl and it only cost $220 including shipping.

[zac0419]

Just keep your eyes open and the deals are out there. Those expensive ones on GB have been there forever w/o selling. The owners are really proud of their 375's. I got a great Win for just under $600 and their was another one (shooter grade) that went for $400 something.

I haven't shot it enough to tell you of it's full potential but I love how handy it is. It carries nice and shoulders fast. Great woods rifle. It's coming with on my elk hunt when I move back stateside.

The marlin's are nice too, I just always wanted a Winnie Lever. I knew I would use a peep and the top eject was fine for me. Couple of nice ones on auctionarms right now.

[Artful]

I want something a bit different. Not really interested in the common ones, 444 marlin, 450 marlin, or a 45-70, all good rounds but to common, I like different. I keep looking at the 375 Winchester. I have searched the site and gotten some good info, and it looks like it will fit the bill for me.

Also looking at the 375 because I can get a contender barrel chambered in it.

Anyone have an opinion as to what rifle I should be looking at. Looks like Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 are the only options. I would like a peep sight and a rifle I wouldnt mind packin up the mountains every day......price also is important, as this is going to be a hunting rifle not a show peice. I dont want to spend a ton of coin on a rifle I would be scared to take up into the hills.

.375 Win Big Bore in T/C kicks some but not as bad as .45-70 barrel
I also have the Win 94 and a Ruger #3 in .375 - I would like to find the
Savage 99 in 375 to go with - Marlin and Winchester both have the tubular magazine issue so you need flat point unless you use it as a two shot with pointed (one in chamber and one in magazine then reload)

AA 5744 powder with cast med speed bullets seems to work well for me in most applications.

[Bret4207]

If you could find one, the original Winchester Big Bore 375 came with nice wood and checkering. I had one in the shop and sold it, one of the ones I wished I'd held onto. I bet they're very expensive these days.

[Bret4207]

No. It was chambered in 358 Winchester as was the Winchester Model 88.

I'm thinking a 99 in 300 Savage could be rebarreled to 35 Remington and shouldn't require any modification to the rotor. An 1899 in 30-30 could be rebored to the 35-30/30, but doing 38-55 requires reworking of the rotor and ramp for feeding.

I just was looking through a mid-40's Rifleman and a writer went to some length outlining his desire for a 35 Rem Savage. Too bad it never came to pass.

[dk17hmr]

I am really hoping to stumble into a Winchester at a good price......if that doesnt happen I will look into the rebore a little more.

Is the 38-55 and 375 in modern actions roughly the same than?

My boss has 4 or 5 boxes of 38-55 ammo that he would give me for a good price, so if I cant get a 375 I will start hunting for a 38-55.

[jh45gun]

I would consider anything from 348 to under 40 caliber a Medium bore.

[excess650]

I am really hoping to stumble into a Winchester at a good price......if that doesnt happen I will look into the rebore a little more.

Is the 38-55 and 375 in modern actions roughly the same than?

My boss has 4 or 5 boxes of 38-55 ammo that he would give me for a good price, so if I cant get a 375 I will start hunting for a 38-55.

If you haven't checked out Ranch Dog's pressure data, you should.

The big difference between the 375W and 38-55 is the 375W case is much thicker. The 375W was also designed with a smaller groove diameter and quicker twist.

My Savage 1899 was originally a 30-30 but rebored and rechambered about 15 years back. It is .368"x.376" with 1-12" twist. I spec'd 1-16" so as to make shooting plainbase bullets more doable, but it arrived 1-12". The way it groups with 280gr GC 375449s, I don't even give the plainbase bullets a moment's worry...

If I were to do a Marlin rebore, I would do the same, or no slower than 1-16" twist. A 1-14" might be a good compromise.

BTW, I checked gunbroker last night and saw quite a few 94BBs, several Marlin 375s, and a rebore Marlin from JES. The rebore was the least $, and the Winchesters were high. There were some Savage 375s and 358s, but priced ridiculously.

As nice as the Winchester looks new, how does the finish hold up on the receiver? The regular 94s of that era had a high silicon steel receiver that couldn't be blued without being iron plated first, or some such. They got ugly and there wasn't a good way to redo them.

For a "working gun", I would go with a Marlin and not look back. If you decided that you needed a scope later, its still capable.

[pietro]

FWIW, any .30-30 levergun can be rebnored by JES to .38-55 (.375"), w/o any feeding issues,

or

A H&R Bufallo Classic single-shot can be had in .38-55.............. :bigsmyl2:

.

[Don McDowell]

I want something a bit different. Not really interested in the common ones, 444 marlin, 450 marlin, or a 45-70, all good rounds but to common, I like different. I keep looking at the 375 Winchester. I have searched the site and gotten some good info, and it looks like it will fit the bill for me.

My intentions are to have a big bore lever action that shoots cast bullets for a hunting rifle, up to and including elk sized game......I think a 235gr at 2100fps would be just fine.

Also looking at the 375 because I can get a contender barrel chambered in it.

Anyone have an opinion as to what rifle I should be looking at. Looks like Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 are the only options. I would like a peep sight and a rifle I wouldnt mind packin up the mountains every day......price also is important, as this is going to be a hunting rifle not a show peice. I dont want to spend a ton of coin on a rifle I would be scared to take up into the hills.

There's a ton of 38-55's on gunbroker etc.
The new 338 Marlin might be interesting with cast.
Don't forget the 348 and the 405 winchester.
358 winchester can be found in the blr ,savage 99 and winchester 88's.

[runfiverun]

doug:
either the win or marlin will shoot the win 38-55 brass no problems.
the win 94 38-55 has a much slower twist than the 375's.
ruger also made some #3's in 375 win,good luck finding one of those.
and think more like 265 at 17-2000 fps.
the win is more accurate and is more cast friendly, but the the marlin seems to recoil less at the high end.
yeah i got both.
they are like a streamlined 44 mag with potential for velocity.
thinking of having the marlin Bbl cut back to 375 supermag length, but i am probably gonna have a 30-30 rebored and short chambered for it.

i think marlin may be making a 335 cowboy in 38-55.
if so that could be a viable alternative.

[JesterGrin_1]

Marlin made the 336 Cowboy in 38-55 from 2000-2004 as far as all of the info I have found on them.

I hope to have my hands on one in a week or so. Then I hope to hunt with it. As for myself I do not really plink lol. If I load for something I load to hunt. And if something is not used I do not keep it. :)

But thus far the weather really is not hunting weather down here since it was in the 90's Today. Wheww and this far into October.

I just now looked at the weather fore cast for where I hunt which is Asherton TX. And it looks like low 80's for the high and high 50's for the low on opening day for Deer season which is Nov,6.

[hornsurgeon]

why not find a marlin in 35 rem and have it rechambered to 358? nothing more is needed with these normally. 358 is no slouch and the animal won't know the difference. shouldn't take much, you could even do thatone yourself with a reamer and headspace guages.

[xr650]

Doug,
You must have got the 06 shooting. Time to trade it off for something else?:p

I am going to start working on my Win 94 .375 this winter. I'll holler at you when I go shoot.

[silverbuzzard]

Browning BLR in 358 Winchester.
At first its not traditional then after a while you realize the pioneers woulda bought one if they could

[405]

Don't know exactly what you mean by "something different" but like another post mentioned, anything less than 45 cal is not a big bore. 45-70 IS the obvious choice for a lever gun, sure enough "hoss" cartridge. But to go rogue and really be different you might look into something like a 45-75 or 50-95 or 50 Alaskan. :)

[freedom475]

The 45-70's are hard to beat as far a big bore... I have a Browning71 348 and I would classify it more of a "high-power" levergun, than a big bore..

Really a very powerful round... when I took it out for its first walk-about I was so used to the 45-70's and muzzleloaders I usually pack that the muzzle blast and flat(er) trajectory was really something.

I was used to waiting for the impact while watching for the white smoke to roll off of rocks when they are hit from accross a canyon... this new gun "Shattered!!" the rocks while the rifle was still in recoil:holysheep

[garandsrus]

Doug,

I have a Win 375 BB and like it very much. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a Lyman peep sight so the installation was very easy. Mine is a top eject model. Winchester also made a side eject so if you planned to put a scope on it you might consider that model also.

I found my rifle at an out of the way gun shop. It looked like it had never been fired.

John

[Old Goat Keeper]

Just 2 notes. Marlin chambered the 375 Wincheser in the M375 which is not a true 336 but a variant. And the Marlin 336ER was only chambered in the 356 Wincchester.

Tom



Savage chambered the Model 99 for the 375 Win cartridge back in the late '70s when the cartridge was introduced. The 38-55 was discontinued in the Model 1899 prior to 1920.

The Marlin 336CB in 38-55 has the 1-18" twist and will handle the loads you're referring to. Ranch Dog has loading data with pressure info on his site.

I've never seen a 336CB that was "inexpensive". The 38-55s seem to be in the $800 range. Likewise, the Marlin 336ER in 375 Win is a scarce item. I don't know when I saw an 1894BB last....and the Ruger #3 in 375 Win?

Its time to "think outside the box". While there are lots of 45-70s and 44s out there, they recoil rather stoutly with HV loads. What seems to be abundant, and under loaded is the 336 35 Remington. Because it was chambered in some weak designs, pressures are generally held to 30-32K. The Marlins are capable of considerably more. Take a look at Ranch Dog's data for the 35 Remington. Note that his pressure goes up to 42K, and velocity with 195gr bullets approach 2400fps!

[rhead]

I am really hoping to stumble into a Winchester at a good price......if that doesnt happen I will look into the rebore a little more.

Is the 38-55 and 375 in modern actions roughly the same than?

My boss has 4 or 5 boxes of 38-55 ammo that he would give me for a good price, so if I cant get a 375 I will start hunting for a 38-55.

There is a Winchester 94 in 375 win. priced at $400. At least it was on the rack Saturday morning. I do not know if he will ship.

[Tazman1602]

Man you guys are BAD. $225 WITH shipping from JES to turn a ratty old Model 94 into a "custom" 38-55?

I've got an old ratty Win '94 30-30 I've been dying to do something with and now you've got me thinking.................about spending money...................again.

I know JES advertises he can rebore 30-30 to 38-55 or .375 but will the standard '94 action stand up to .375 pressures? I thought Winchester beefed up the action inside to make the big bore models (OK, "mid" bore models...).

38-55 for that price is REALLY tempting.............as is a new mold from BaBore, and Ranch Dog, And NOE, and MIHA.......................

You decide which way you're going to go DK????

ARRRRRGGGGGHHH! It's an addiction!

Art

[dk17hmr]

Well....there is a gun show in a few weeks here in town. If I happen to find a lever gun on the cheap that can be rebored I will probably go that route.

After watchin gunbroker for the past few weeks and getting out bid I dont think I will find a Winchester BB for what I want to pay. Next best option looks like reboring.

Anyone know the turn around time from JES?

[Charlie Sometimes]

I considered the rebore path, and JES was my choice. :smile:
A Norman Johnson in one of the Dakotas was doing it too, a few years ago.
But I'd bet no one can beat JES on turn around time- I think it was about 2 weeks last time I checked, but that has been a while.

The modern 38-55 and 30-30 case are the same length and strength- older 38-55 cases are slightly longer (by 1/8 inch, IIRC).
The 375 Win has heavier case and same length- almost all interchangeable on the right action.
IMHO, a Marlin would take any of them loaded up, as would the 94 BB, and a standard Win 94 the lesser of the 2.
There are several posts on here of those loading standard 94's rebored to 375 dimensions at 375 pressures, etc.
Look those up and read, if you haven't already. I believe it very feasible in most actions after reading those posts. Just something else to consider.
I'd pick up a Marlin 30-30 with the straight grip, if you can find one, and rebore it to 375 Win. dimensions with a 1:14 twist. This way if you ever want a scope, you can do it easily. :smile:
I love the looks of the top eject Winchesters though- just seems right in a lever gun! :veryconfu

[dk17hmr]

I am really considering going with the 38-55 now. My boss has several boxes of factory ammo he said I could have real cheap. The local shop has brass for 375 win and 38-55 so I dont know.

Probably in a Marlin if I go that way.

[Charlie Sometimes]

Is your boss' ammo old factory, or new? New, and it is the shorter "modern" cartridge length, most likely.
If the local shop has new brass, then buy any and all of the brass now, if you know you are going to get either one. It's hard to find sometimes, and is somewhat expensive when it is, so stock up. Chamber for the 375 Win, and just shoot the 38-55 stuff in it. Like the difference in 44 Mag vs 44 Spl., and you always have the other option available if needed. :grin:

[Trifocals]

If you are looking for a .375 Win. lever gun, I would suggest a Marlin. In case you weren't aware, Marlin didn't designate it as a 336. They are barrel stamped "375 Marlin". That is the proper model designation. Some of the Big Bore '94's produced by USRAC were worse than terrible for quality control. Virtually in the same category as junk. I searched for two years for a Marlin at a reasonable price. I finally found one on GUNBROKER.COM. They generally have a few 375 Marlins in their listings. IMHO Marlin lever guns are superior to Winchester's '94's. I am aware that Savage produced some mod. 99's chambered for the .375 Winchester cartridge, but I have never seen one. If you could find one it would be a pretty sure bet it would be a well made rifle. LOL

[bigdog454]

My BIG BORE lever gun is a .454 Casull, It's something different!

[Snyd]

How about a 480 or 454?

[Freischütz]

Although a little more power than you want, a 405 WCF is hard to beat. You can always reduce the bullet weight and powder charge. And if you ever need it, 300gr at at least 2200 fps is available.

[Wayne Smith]

I'm running a 350gr WFN cast from Bullshop at 2100fs out of my 1895 Win in 405 Win. That's an unusual big bore for you. Brass is a little steep but I have 40 rounds of it now.