Rye Miles #13621 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Question for you Marlin guys, what’s a good OAL for .38’s in a JM Marlin .357. This rifle is about 15 yrs old. Thanks, Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Culpepper 32827 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 1.440 ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Pretty much agree with ShyAnnie. RYE: If the timing ramp is worn somewhat, something closer to 1.5+ will probably give better, more reliable feeding. If the timing is good, the 1.4+ should work good. If the timing is very good, a 1.38 would even work well without any issues. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Load up 10-12 dummy rounds with mixed brass and start by seating the bullet at the crimp groove. What do you have for COAL when loaded like I said? If you have the POS plastic mag follower, get a metal one ASAP. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.A. Stranger Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Mine runs the best at 1.53 since day one and I've tried many different lengths. I load with 125 gr. TCFP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawdog Dago Dom Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 1.42 with a Carty/Spur Marlin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Spade Mikey Wilson Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 It took me a lot of trial and error to get both of my Marlin's to feed reliably in 38 Special. I use 1.38" OAL with a 125 Gr. Round Nose Flat Point bullet. I could never get the cone shaped flat point bullets that I use in my pistols to feed consistantly in my Marlin rifles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Culpepper 32827 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 I've got 4, 2 short stroke,, they need 1.440 and under,,, my other two run anything I put in them, but they taint exactly stock either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 3 hours ago, Cheyenne Culpepper 32827 said: I've got 4, 2 short stroke,, they need 1.140 and under,,, my other two run anything I put in them, but they taint exactly stock either ShyAnnie, Is that correct "1.140". Thats something like shooting those 148 grain hollow base wadcutters that are fully seated almost flush with the case mouth. Admittedly, I set up one of my Widdermatics to run those flawlessly, but it wasn't short stroked. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Back when I shot a Marlin, I just loaded 130 grn slugs and crimped in the crimp groove and they worked just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slow Mo Dern Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Hi Rye, I have 2 JM Marlins that like a 158 grain RNFP bullet in a 38 Special Starline case. The length is 1.511". They feed pretty good. You don't seat the bullet down all the way at this length. Seat it to get a length of 1.511" and give it a good crimp. These are both stock Marlins. I learned this from Telegraphy Ken years ago. Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 The wife's likes 38 special brass with 125 gr LTC bullets seated out to 1.507. It also feeds 147 gr RNFP seated to 1.501. Like Slo Mo Dern's neither bullet is crimped in the groove but about 1/2 way between it and the lube grove. One caveat is you have to add a little more powder than the minimum publish load. By seating long you have a little extra case volume that has to be accounted for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Culpepper 32827 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 7 hours ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said: ShyAnnie, Is that correct "1.140". Thats something like shooting those 148 grain hollow base wadcutters that are fully seated almost flush with the case mouth. Admittedly, I set up one of my Widdermatics to run those flawlessly, but it wasn't short stroked. ..........Widder oops,, ! 1.440 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 1.410 RNFP crimped in the groove but it will feed out to 1.510 ok Imis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 Okay thanks guys, I'm at 1.46 with a 125 grainer and they feed fine in my 73 Uberti .357. I'm not a Marlin guy but I'm getting a good deal on one Saturday! Can't pass up a good deal!! I'll check it out on the range! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catlow4697 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 I hate good deals they cost me money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 3 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said: Okay thanks guys, I'm at 1.46 with a 125 grainer and they feed fine in my 73 Uberti .357. I'm not a Marlin guy but I'm getting a good deal on one Saturday! Can't pass up a good deal!! I'll check it out on the range! Is that to the crimp groove? OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 29 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: Is that to the crimp groove? OLG No it’s OAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 33 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said: No it’s OAL My bad- Should have asked-Is the bullet crimped at the crimp groove? Who's bullet are you use'n? OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 10 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: My bad- Should have asked-Is the bullet crimped at the crimp groove? Who's bullet are you use'n? OLG Probably His bullet..... Sorri Lumpy, I couldn't resist..... ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 2 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: My bad- Should have asked-Is the bullet crimped at the crimp groove? Who's bullet are you use'n? OLG YES it's crimped at the crimp groove. 125 gr RNFP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted May 19, 2019 Author Share Posted May 19, 2019 Well folks I bought the Marlin. It's a 24" and my .38's feed just fine. Great shooter, very accurate and I forgot how light these are compared to the 73's and 66's. This is an older JM Marlin, love it!! I just may be a Marlin convert! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrel Cody Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 4 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said: Well folks I bought the Marlin. It's a 24" and my .38's feed just fine. Great shooter, very accurate and I forgot how light these are compared to the 73's and 66's. This is an older JM Marlin, love it!! I just may be a Marlin convert! Now Rye, you know the rules, pictures or it didn't happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted May 19, 2019 Author Share Posted May 19, 2019 18 minutes ago, Tyrel Cody said: Now Rye, you know the rules, pictures or it didn't happen Okay, I'll get 'em up today or tomorrow, I don't wanna break the rooles!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted May 21, 2019 Author Share Posted May 21, 2019 My new used Marlin, this was a rifle used by one of our sadly deceased pards, Tom Tube. Great shooting rifle and it may make me a Marlin convert! BTW 1.46 OAL length works great! Thanks for all the responses. Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Nice rifle Rye. Ya done good. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted June 4, 2019 Author Share Posted June 4, 2019 UPDATE: I used the Marlin for the first time this weekend and I cleaned the shoot!!! The rifle shoots great and my 1.46 OAL works flawlessly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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