Author Topic: Marlin 40-65 lever gun (newer style?) (Read 1033 times)

Shane in WI · « **on:** November 24, 2004, 06:53:21 AM »

I have looking at buying a rifle from a friend. It's a modern rifle with the cross bolt safety. The barrel is stamped 40-65 win and I believe, no model number. There are no open sights, it has a bushnell or burris low power scope w/ mounts. The rifle is very nice shape, 90 or 95% condition I would say. Also comes with dies, bullets, brass and load data.
Two questions,
What would this rifle be worth from what I've told you?
Did Marlin build a rifle chambered for 40-65 recently or is it definately a rebarreled gun? How does that affect the value?
Thanks for your help.

Perferator · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2004, 12:29:32 PM »

Shane, I dont have a clue what rifle or cartridge you're talking about here but I'll keep an eye on the thread to see what others find out. If you haven't already, do an internet search on the facts you already know to see what's up.

Perferator

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2004, 02:21:00 PM »

Shane, I think that is a re-barrel. I do not recall Marlin (and I'm no expert) chambering their rifles in a Winchester caliber and that is what the 40-65 Winchester is.

The 40-65, btw, is a great cartridge - an excellent black powder shooter and a heck of a game getter. You would be well served with that caliber.

You didn't say what make the rifle was, Marlin or Winchester. Both carry the cross-bolt safety in the newer models. The lack of open sights and (I assume) a lack of screw holes to mount the sights should tell you this is a custom barrel.

I think that what you are looking at is just a re-barrelled lever gun. You need more information from the owner before you can make a good decision about the price. Just my opinion. Mikey.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2004, 04:17:56 PM »

I'm sure the gun in mention is a rebarrel, as Marlin hasn't chambered that cartridge since the early 1900's.
But on another subject, Marlin has and does chamber guns in many Winchester calibers, such as: .30-30 , .32 Special, .32-20, etc. just to name a few.

Shane in WI · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2004, 04:02:25 AM »

Thanks for the reply's everyone. It is a Marlin Lever action rifle w/ the pistol grip wood stock. There never were any sights installed on this barrel that I could see. I only saw the gun once last year, but I will be picking it up later this week. Gun is in very good condition and with dies and loading components, I'm sure it's worth the asking price. Just curious what you guys think the price should be for such a rifle assuming it's a rebarrel.

Shane in WI · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2004, 04:18:11 AM »

I picked up the rifle last night. I was wrong on one thing, there is 2 screws where a front sight could be mounted, but the gun still looks like a rebarrel to me. It has the pistol grip walnut stock with no checkering, ventilated rubber butt plate and a 1.5 x4.5 bushnell scope on top w/ weaver mounts. I did receive a 3 die set of C& H dies along with boxes and boxes of bullets and load data for the 40-65 cartridge. Does anyone else have load data for this caliber? I didn't find much in my books yet.

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2004, 01:03:20 PM »

marlinman - you are absolutely correct and thank you for reminding me of my oversight. I should have thought that one out before typing it.

Shane - the 40-65 is a popular black owder cartridge. I think there should be lots of information on both black powder and smokeless powder loads for that cartridge. Mikey.

Shane in WI · « **Reply #7 on:** December 10, 2004, 03:26:44 AM »

TM7, thanks for the info. The bullets that came with the gun were 265 and 300 grain SP and the load data uses 3031 powder. Just looking to double check that data before I begin trying it.

Shane in WI · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2004, 04:25:11 AM »

Finally had a few minutes yesterday to shoot the new rifle. Came with only 4 loaded rounds and the rest only components. Fired 2 shots from my bench at 50 yards within and inch of each other 1" above the bullseye. Even though it was only 4 degree's out, I thought I'd take the rifle and other 2 bullets out deer hunting. That was one cold hour, but 5 deer did come in, just about 2 minutes after it was to dark to see the buck's size and age in the pines.
Anyway, the gun was fun to shoot. Didn't need another deer rifle, but with me able to reload for the 40-65, I couldn't think of a single reason not to buy it. Thanks for all the input.