While not concerning an actual single shot, don t kick me off the island, I do have several S/S in the safe.
Its a cast bullet issue, and where better than to ask here?
I have both an original 1893 Marlin, and a modern 336 Marlin "cowboy" with the Ballard rifling in 38-55.
I was aware that the old Marlin 3855 had large bores but was surprised to learn the modern version does too. Both slug .381
Standard bullet sizer are .376. Both guns shoot a good improved cylinder group, (with cast) pretty much no matter what. Well maybe a modified on a good day.
I annealed a .376 die, and polished it out to looks about right and get bullets .379 Now Murphy appears, and the modern marlin chamber neck is so tight, it won't accept the seated bullets. The vintage gun, does chamber, but tighter than the proverbial bulls butt.
A couple options seem possible. buy another die, polish it not so much, it would then chamber but still rattle down the bore.
I would be tempted to pull the cowboy barrel and polish the neck area a bit, till it accepts the larger bullets, but that would be risky at best.
Shoot way soft bullets, but then they might lead like a bad boy.
I know that one mold maker, can't think of the name right now, who makes one heck of a good mold, offers to bore them, to match the lead mix.
I have yet to contact him. In theory, they drop from the mold, correct size, and just hand lube them. I am not a serious competitor, nor shoot these guns that much. I am just picky
Open to ideas and suggestions, thanks! I always was mystified why Marlin ran their 38 55 bores so much larger than Win.
Ron