Myths about the Marlin 336 series?

[fnbrowning]

Can anyone confirm/deny what I've heard about some Marlins?

It has been said there was a heat-treatment change made in the 1970's that makes the pre-1970-something receivers a bit stronger than after the change. True/False?

It has been said that the micro-groove barrel was an engineering change that allowed Marlin to use slightly softer barrel steels to save money. The story goes that ballard-rifled barrels tend to have to be just a bit harder due the the deeper grooves, and shoot better.

The story continues that the micro-grooved barrels are not more accurate than the ballard barrels, and can actually be rougher, with the more mild steel tending to foul quicker.

"They" say that the micro-groove is a marketing gimmick that benefits the Marlin bottom line by saving a few cents per barrel. True/False?

[cam69conv]

On the accuracy I can definatly attest to the following...My friend has a pre 1970 marlin 336 .444 and it shoots great...With his handloads...Dont shoot worth a dime with factories.....I have LAST years model 336 in .444 Shoots the middle out of a dime first four shots till the barrel heats up then it opens up to half inch groups the next 4 shots then 1" groups next four...Barrel is hot enough to fry eggs on the last four and still holds 1" groups...I have a few High dollar bolt actions that dont perform as well as that...Performs the same way with both the Rem 240 grain fp's,, And the Hornady 265 grain JFP's light mag loads...Dunno bout the barrel being stronger or weaker or whatever but all I know is thats absolutely PERFECT performance to me...At 100 yards I have yet to see any lever action perform that well although I am sure there are many out there with Marlin's that can attest to the same thing...Hope that helps ya a little bit

[badger1]

Greetings: I don't know if they have been doing things differently with the 336 marlins in the last couple decades or so but I do know they sure are accurate and built strong. I have used the Micro Groove and theregular rifled barrels and always shoot them well. It is also amazing that the same rifle design can shoot so many differnt sizes, types and various powerful cartridges. Some of those marlins are shooting off the shelf 50,000cup cartridges. Then they tell me to keep my 45-70 ammo at less than 25000cup. Go figure. Badger1 maybe it is more of a political thing than a science thing?

[big medicine]

I think you would be best off by calling Marlin directly at 1-800-544-8892 and ask them. Then you know for sure about accuracy of your questions. I can tell you from experience that Marlin rifles shoot. My oldest is a 1957 sporting carbine with a mirco groove barrel and that rifle shoots 1- 1.5 inches at 100 yards with open sights my newest is a 336CB in 38/55 with ballard rifling, it shoots just as good. Last year in Ranch Dogs postal match my 1895G 45-70 shot a .711 100 yard group, this year not as good only .772, 5 shot 100 yard group. I dont own a Marlin that doesnt shoot. I hand load for everything I shoot and have worked up some good loads The real myth is that lever guns are not accurate :wink:

[marlinman93]

All these myths are false, except for the last one. Micro Groove rifling is accurate, but it is also easier to produce, because it is button rifling, and faster to do. The steel isn't softer, nor is the bore rougher. If anything, a Micro Groove barrel is smoother because it displaces less metal when the button is pulled through. The rifling is shallower, so it doesn't "upset" the bullet as much.