Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

Marlin C.B. 38-55 with 6 in the mag. tube


stepnmud#33546

Recommended Posts

My Marlin C.B.38-55, 24" barrel has grown while resting up in the safe. Have had this rifle about 12 years and had shot it at several side matchs and hundreds of practice rounds with excellant results with close to MOA at 100 yrds.Mostly with Unique or blackpowder loads. The 100 ct. brass I had bought to begin reloading is Winchester original 2.130" with 245 gr. cast bullets. All this time, I was under the impression that 5 rounds was maximum magazine capacity as No. 6 round would not quite stuff in the tube. Recently at a CAS montly match a fellow shooter was using the same rifle and shooting Cody/Dixon category and I noticed he was loading six rounds in the mag. and having great results with his blackpowder loads. For some reason that had not occurred to me was that using 2.08" brass would be just enough to allow the No. 6 round into the tube. Have since purchased some Starline 2.08" brass and will start loading 6 at the loading table as opposed to loading 5-plus one, while on the clock. I know it shouldn't be a revelation, but just catch me off guard,cause I was positive that the 24" barrels could only handle 5 in the the magazine. I can still can learn a thing or two. :blush:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 38-55 case length has been a source of confusion for some time. The original Ballard 38-55 had the longer 2.130" case length.

 

From what I've heard, the shorter 2.08" Winchester 38-55 came about as a result of them re-issuing the '94 in 38-55, but as a cost-saving measure used the 30-30 cartridge making equipment (keeping in mind the 38-55 is the parent case for the 30-30) and just made them .05" longer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a 336 CB with a 24" barrel and a full length magazine tube. The overall length of my reloads is 2.515 inches. I can get EIGHT rounds in my mag tube (just tried it, to make sure). You should be able to do the same. If you can't get more than 5 in the mag tube, suggest you pull off the end cap and check the spring and follower assembly. Could there perhaps be some sort of a spacer in the tube. If I remember correctly, Marlin installed a spacer in the pistol caliber model 94s, so you couldn't load more than ten rounds. Perhaps one of those was installed in your 336 by mistake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How far wrong can I be. :rolleyes: Dutch Al is totally correct and these Marlin CB 38-55 hold easily 8 rounds. Happy with the results and glad I brought it up. Now just need to start shooting it again and more often. B)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.