Help Me Marlin Gurus!

[DDO]

After buying a Marlin 336CB 38-55 last summer I've become a Marlin convert. I love the balance and the fit of this rifle. I've shot the best offhand (2 1/8") and benchrest (7/8")100yd, 5 shot groups I've ever shot with iron sights. (ain't saying I can do it on demand)

I shoot lever action silhouette. For pistol cartridge, I've been using a Rossi 92 rifle, 44-40. It is more than accurate enough, more accurate than the 22 I use for the small bore class. Yet my small bore scores are 12-13 points higher. The Rossi and I are just not a team. I attribute this to the fact the Rossi is muzzle heavy, too much drop in the stock and maybe the lock time. This will be my first year competing with the 38-55 and I expect to shoot it as well or better than the 22.

I want a Marlin to replace the Rossi. Here is the rub, Marlin isn't making the rifle I want, in the caliber I want, though I think they have in the past.
I don't want a 32HR Mag! I don't want a 44Mag! I want either a 25-20, 32-20 or a 44-40! I want an octagon barrel, full length magazine. How readily availalbe are they? What price range? Would it be feasible to rechamber a 44Mag to 44-40? Only you great Marlin gurus can help me.  

Dewight

[John Traveler]

It doesn't look like you can re-chamber a .44 Magnum to .44-40.

The .44-40 standard groove diameter is several thousandths smaller than the .44 magnum. The larger groove diameter of a standard .44 barrel requires .429"-.430" bullets, and this is frequently too large for tight-necked .44-40 case and chambers.  Accuracy will be poor.

Rechambering won't work because the .44 Magnum chamber is larger than the .44-40.

Rebarreling is one answer, and may be the only choice for a competition-quality .44-40, .25-20 or .32-20.

Those Marlin calibers you want are collector's items and priced accordingly.  The ones I've seen cost more than twice what current production 1894 carbines cost.

[Steelbanger]

Seems to me, without having my rule book handy, that rebarreling is against the NRA Cowboy Silhouette rules. Better check before you spend any of that hard earned stuff.

[Slow Jim Fuzz]

I have an 1894 cowboy 24" barrel version in 44 mag that I am thinking about having relined to 38-40.  I have filled the magazine with 38-40 cartridges and run them through.  They will not chamber but will feed.  I know that the same barrel can be opened up for 45 colt so I know that it will handle 44-40 and 38-40.  Now about the rules, well I have not read them.  I just know that I want a 38-40 an Marlin just ain't gonna fill my wish.  My 1894 CBC in 39 spl is a real sweet piece so I have also considered a 45colt CBC to reline to 38-40.  I know this would work in 44-40 also. I would think that a reline job could be done for $250 or less and I am will to spend that to get the gun I want.

[DDO]

Steelbanger
I think you can rebarrel with a factory barrel or have a liner installed.

John

I was afraid that your answer was the one that was going to come up. An aquaintence just showed up at the match last Sunday with a Marlin 44-40 last Sunday. He traded his Win. 1892 with signal set trigger 32-20 for it. Set my heart a lusting!

I may have to settle for a Marlin 357Mag. It's just that I like the old calibers, they are more in the spirit of the game and I think ideally suited for lever action silhouette.

Guess I will just keep haunting the gunshow and shops for another year, saving up. Hoping that Marlin sees the light and chamber some proper calibers. Keep trying to learn how to shoot that Rossi. It's just that I know I will never find that Zen state of being at one with it that I experience with my 38-55.

Dewight

[big medicine]

You might check with Davidsons. I think they have a special run of 32-20. I'm not sure on this but...I remember seeing something about it.