Thanks for the input guys. Slamfire, thanks for the loading data. What did Marlin charge you for rebarreling?
It was quite reasonable, in the $200.00 range. I called them up, asked them what they could do, almost went the octagon barrel, but that would have about doubled the price. I always wanted a octagon M1894. Some day….
And what was great, I got to talk to the lead gunsmith. I told him my shooting experience, and I wanted a good barrel. Found out that barrels today are just about perfect compared to my 80’s barrel. I wanted a barrel that was tighter than the SAAMI .431” for rifle barrels. All my bullets are .429”. Said he air gaged a bunch, and all were within .0005” or some tiny figure, and I was not going to get a “tight” barrel. But I did get a nice and smooth barrel.
One day I will make some pictures of the forend modifications I did with my Marlin. I soft soldered the forend hanger into the dovetail. So it no longer rattles around. I also used Acura Glass gel and made the back of the foreend tight in the receiver socket, and put a couple of epoxy pads in the foreend just at the upper ferrule. The fore end does not rattle now, and is tight.
Because the forend is tight, I observed a phenomena that I could not before. That is when that forend creeps out of the socket, due to recoil, the point of impact changes. Mostly vertical changes.
I was very pleased with Marlin Customer Service. Rebarreling prices are fair, turnaround quick. Just wish the barrel had deeper grooves, were .429" and had a tighter twist. Do not know why they have that 1:38" twist. It does not like my 290's.