Can a winchester or marlin 30/30 rebarrel to 38-55

[manofthe45]

Provided I can find a smith to change the barrel can a winchester or marlin 30/30 be rebarreled to a 38-55

[LONGTOM]

I don't know about the Marlin, I would think so but I do know the Winchester can be done with very little effort.


LONGTOM

[STUMPJMPR]

I know the winchester's were made in 38-55 and they were newer production.  I'm not real sure about the marlin. You may be able to find one somewhere reasonable.

[Longfin]

Model 336 Marlins are easily rebored to 38-55 and several other calibers. I have one that was rebored from 30-30 to 38-55 and it is a sweet shooting rifle and easy to reload for. Mine was done by Jesse  Ocumpaugh and you can find information on his services on the Marlin Owner's Forum under Industrial Partners. Look for JES Rifle Reboring. Also you will find threads there from myself (Longfin) and others discussing our experiences with load developement and hunting. On Marlin Owner's there is a section devoted to the 38-55 and other non-traditional cartridges. If you decide to have one rebored to 38-55 give careful consideration as to what you want the groove diameter to be so that you can easily find bullets to match your bore. I decided on  .376 with a 1:15 twist so that I could use the Hornady 220 grain JFP. But do look at your bullet choices. I understand that Marlin may still have some 38-55 barrels that they will change out for you These were from the Cowboy rifles, probably 24" and would look great. Something over $300.00 for that service if still available. Howver, these barrels maybe bored to .380 and bullet selection then become problematic; bullets can be found from custom makers. Hope this has helped.

[Oldtimer]

.38-55 was the first caliber that the Winchester 94 came out in.  They were still having problems with pressure in the .30-30, so the first .30-30's came out in late 1895.  You might need to change out the cartridge lifter.  Factory .38-55 is like an overgrown .22 Magnum, but loaded to 1800 f/s, it is a totally different animal.  I have used .375 Winchester cases in a pinch, but only for lead loads.  The pressure levels of .375 are too high for a standard 94 action.  The .38-55 started life as a target round, so you can expect excellent accuracy.

[mattl]

I have 2 94's in 30-30 and another 94 in 38-55.  There is a noticeable difference in the side wall thickness of the reciever in the 38-55 compared to the 30-30 reciever.  Due to that alone I would not attempt to convert one. 

[Hank08]

I have 2 94s, one original made in 1897 and one made in 1974 that I converted with a barrel obtained from Numrich arms.  Easiest conversion I ever did.  It was chambered and all sight and other cuts were done.  I was surprized when it screwed up tight with the sights dead on top.  Headspace was perfect.  Shoots great.  I shoot 287 gr. FPGC bullets at 1800 fps.  that load is super accurate.  I also use that load for 600 yd. cross stick shoots in a 38/55 hiwall with a 32" barrel.  It clocks 1900 from the 32" barrel.  I don't shoot that load in the old original 1897 gun.  I really think it's strong enough but drop the load to 1500 for that old gun.
It's too nice to take a chance.
H08