Current Production Marlin 336 Quality

[cdb1]

I believe so.

 

[DocRock]

According to the Marlin website all 336 variants still use micro-groove rifling. Mostly because they shoot the .30-30 and .35 Remington cartridges, I would think. Not many people hand load lead bullets in these, so they still use micro-groove, which works great with JSP bullets.
Since its' a bread and butter production rifle sold everywhere, they probably don't want to retool to Ballard rifling when it isn't necessary.
Many customers wouldn't notice or care one way or the other anyway.
The 1895 and 1894 series rifles are a different matter, and all have Ballard rifling.
Remington doesn't seem inclined to change JM Marlin rifling or twist rates that existed before the big changeover, even if the 1894 .44 Magnum and .45 Colt could benefit from it.

Thanks. I thought microgrooves had gone. I know the 444 is all Ballard cut now.

Btw, the microgroove is no good for cast is another interweb myth. I load a lot of cast in a 1968 30-30 microgroove and, as long as the bullets are sized .310" and kept under 1800 fps, they shoot just fine.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I’m a Marlin affectionado.
I have several Remlins.
One of two 2016 M1895’s I bought on clearance at Walmart for $265 each shoots like this, at 50yds with Lee 400gr .458” FN @ .460” over 20.0gr #2400:
.338” MXLR with REMLIN barrel and reciever isn’t too shabby either (100yds 5-shots, 200gr FTX over enough LVR for 2,600fps

 

[Old Stumpy]

Btw, the microgroove is no good for cast is another interweb myth. I load a lot of cast in a 1968 30-30 microgroove and, as long as the bullets are sized .310" and kept under 1800 fps, they shoot just fine.

I had read this several times. It stands to reason that since their .22 barrels work with micro-groove that lead bullets in .30-30 would as well. By ensuring that the bullet O.D. is large enough and the velocity is low enough
there should be no problem.
However, I still read where people just can't get them to shoot well in some rifles.

 

[Dunross]

So the current production is generally back up to snuff ?

I believe them to be.

 

[pirkfan]

I have a bunch of pistol caliber lever guns, and the 2019 year 1894CB in 45lc has the best trigger of the bunch, just possibly the best trigger I've ever experienced in a long gun. Fit and finish is good, no problems at all to this point. Nice, nice gun.