New old 336 ???'s

[rebAL]

After firing box of 170 grain rem soft points I noticed 2 issues.  1.  After first 2 or 3 tight shots, further shots not grouping as barrel heats up.  I realize it could be me and I only have open sights so far, but is this normal, and if so can it be easily corrected?  2.  empty shells eject fine but following shots occasionally get hung up and need to be coaxed into chamber.  Perhaps it's me but...?

[rebAL]

I'm going to guess from lack of replys that this is normal.

[mannyrock]

 
   1.  Wandering shots are normal as the short barrel heats up.  But, when shooting from a rest, what part on the gun is sitting on the gun rest?  Many people put the forestock or tube magazine on the rest.  This will make the problem much worse.  Marlin's group significantly better if you place the bottom on the receiver, just forward of the lever, on the rest, leaving the forestock and barrel "free-floating".
   Also, if you have a micro-groove barrel, and there is the slightest bit of rust or pitting in the barrel, the shallow grooves really fill up with burned powder quickly and the groups get bad, unless you run a brush or patch through it every 5 or 6 shots.  Try smoothing the barrel just a bit with JB Bore Paste.  Only 3 or 4 passes, because it is an abrasive.
    2.   Problems with feeding.  The lifters do wear out with age.  Order a new one from Brownells.  They are pretty easy to put in yourself.  It will probably cure the problem.  If not, then your rifle is really worn out and short of spending $300 on custom work, you probably won't be able to fix it. 
   Hope this helps.l
   Mannyrock
 
 
   
 
 
 

[piero]

Sounds like the rifle to me.  These guns tend to shoot best when the bands on the forend and tube are not overly tight, some people sand some wood away on the forend where the band wraps around it so that it just grips tight enough to hold the forend firm.  The reason for this is because it puts stress on the barrel in an unnatural way, though this mostly causes larger groups and not "walking" groups.  Marlin barrels are button rifled, which causes internal stresses and may lead to these "walking" groups you are seeing.  Try taking 5min breaks in between groups and let the barrel cool, if this is the problem, POI should not change.
 
As for the shells sticking, try giving it a good cleaning and make sure the chamber and bore are bone  dry, this will keep oil from burning and forming gunk in your chamber.  Also check your extractor for wear, it's just a piece of thin spring steel and may need replacing.
 
BTW, i'm no expert, just repeating tips i've heard from people on forums like this one.  Best of luck and hope she serves you well and for many years to come.  Hold into the wind--piero

[Swampman]

Keep the rifle vertical (at the sholder) and operate that lever like you mean it.  They aren't meant to be operated in a timid fashion and don't try to watch the ammo feed.
 
Your accuracy sounds normal and is acceptable for hunting.

[rebAL]

Thanks for all replys.  I just got it back from dealer who had gunsmith work on it.  I wasn't able to talk with smith but dealer said it only needed cleaning and polishing.  Just mounted scope on it and will give it another try.