Fantasy 336 question

[wulfbyte]

Recently I was browsing in a local retailer and noticed they had a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem incorrectly tagged as a .350 Remington. When I saw it behind the counter I tried really hard to keep my cool (the price was quite low) and asked to examine it. Naturally it was correctly marked on the barrel as a .35 Rem, but it did make me wonder.

I've looked around on the web and I've found nothing out there so I'm asking here: Would it be possible to re-chamber a Marlin 336 from .35 Rem to .350 Rem magnum? I know it would take more than a chamber reaming, but just from the standpoint of possibility, could it be done safely? I would think so because the 1895 is the same action and they went from 45-70 to the .450 marlin without much issue.

I await your collective wisdom.

 

[db_tanker]

this would involve issues with case length I think...the 350 Mag is about the same length as a 30-06 or so, right?

 

[db_tanker]

35 Rem 1.920 case length .460 base
350 rem mag 2.170 case length .532 base

450 Marlin 2.084 case length .529 base



mebbe a rebarrel and some action work and you might have something.

 

[ECVMatt]

Or just try and find one in .356 Win.

I have one and it is great! I am not sure if is reaches the volocity of the .350 mag., but it pack a good punch as is...

Matt

 

[wulfbyte]

A .356 would be great to have, but considering how few were made, I doubt I'll ever see one. I was just thinking about due to the mislabeling of the .35 I saw and seeing the similarity of the .35/.350 to the 45-70/.450.

It did get me looking though and there is a fellow doing rebores of 30-30's out to .356

Maybe I'll look into it for my own Xmas gift.

 

[Hutch]

I'd discourage you from this. I can't quote SAAMI specs, but I don't think you can thin out the chamber metal and boost the peak pressure and keep the gun from scattering. Baaaaaad ideer.

 

[R.W.Dale]

you'll shoot your eye out KID

 

[simpleguy]

You guys make me miss the only gun I have ever sold. I have regretted it since. Marlin 336-ER in .356 Win. Bought it for $225 new and sold it for $200........makes me sick!

 

[wulfbyte]

I'd discourage you from this. I can't quote SAAMI specs, but I don't think you can thin out the chamber metal and boost the peak pressure and keep the gun from scattering. Baaaaaad ideer.

So what you're saying is that the barrel contours are significantly different between the 336 in 30-30 and the 336ER in .356 that you would be against rechambering it. Perhaps I should contact the smith offering that service and find out what, if any steps he is taking to keep his customers safe. I do know that Nonneman replaces the barrel when he does a caliber conversion but his prices are a bit out of my range for the moment.

I wish Marlin would offer a something in a .35 with a bit more heat than the .35 Rem again, but I guess there is always the .308 Marlin now.

 

[db_tanker]

wulfbyte,


you could always save your money and get you a Winchester 1895 repro 30-06 and have it chambered in 35 Whelen.

 

[Hutch]

Still haven't found SAAMI pressure specs, but here's some dope on the case dimensions:

.30-30 - .458 - 1.92
.356 Win - .471 x 2.015
.350 Rem Mag - .513 x 2.13

Rechambering a .30-30 to .356 isn't nearly as bold a move, from an engineering standpoint as it would be to rechamber a .35 Rem to .350 Rem Mag. Again, I can't quote SAAMI specs, but generally speaking, the .30-30 and .35 Rem handloads are shown to peak out ~ 30k CUP. I imagine the .350 RM is > 50k CUP. I'm not trying to be confrontational, I just think it's a bad ideer.

Remember, you'd still have to load flat-nose or round-nose bullets.

 

[wulfbyte]

Rechambering a .30-30 to .356 isn't nearly as bold a move, from an engineering standpoint as it would be to rechamber a .35 Rem to .350 Rem Mag. Again, I can't quote SAAMI specs, but generally speaking, the .30-30 and .35 Rem handloads are shown to peak out ~ 30k CUP. I imagine the .350 RM is > 50k CUP. I'm not trying to be confrontational, I just think it's a bad ideer.

No confrontation noted, and these notes are never very good for conveying the whole conversation. It will never be as good as BS'ing around in the local shop but we make do. I was thinking out loud without much thinking first

I was able to find some references to pressures and the .350 is above the 50k cup mark (not quoting because I can't stand behind the veracity of the sources) so definitely not a candidate for the 336 action or so I am coming to believe. Barring some future marketing miracle from Marlin, I will just have to continue looking for an original .356 or maybe even a .375.

Well, I keep telling myself just one more lever; hopefully I quit lying to myself one day.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Firing a full house .350 mag. would destroy the gun and the shooter. Way too much pressure.

 

[Hutch]

I have 4 Marlin leverguns so far, and have firm plans for 2 more. That I know of. Wonder why their leverguns get sooooooo much more respect than the others?