Marlin 322

[Pahoghunter]

I recently acquired this rifle, really nice condition, in 222, it has the Sako L46 action, I loaded some 40gr Hornady bullets with a moderate load of H322. At first things looked good at 50 yds I moved to 100 yds shot a nice 5 shot group, moved up to the next bullseye and and fired another 5 shots the first one hit the 10 ring the second one was about 3inches low and after that I couldn't hit the paper. I moved back to 50yds and fired a shot that went through the paper sideways. Does anyone know the twist rate on these rifles, I tried the patch on the cleaning rod but it doesn't work. The 40gr Hornady bullets are boattail so the bearing surface is small maybe that is the problem as the bore get fouled?

[Daryl]

I suspect it is either badly fouled or might also have a carbon ring ahead of the throat.
The twist will be 14". My 14" twist .222 easily shoots Hornady 40gr. Vmax and Nosler 40gr. Ballistic Tips along with 55's and 63gr. lead tipped bullets.
I do not think this problem has anything to do with the twist.
Indeed, my 16" twist CZ Hornet easily shot 40gr. Vmaxs and the BT's as well.

[JohnHenry]

The micro groove rifling may be "shot out". See the following link.

http://www.marlinforum.com/Bolt-Acti...Model-322.html

[Pahoghunter]

Anything is possible, the barrel was fouled, when I came home from the range I scrubbed it again with copper cleaner. I'm not sure about that 14 twist I'm seeing where some say its a 1-12? Also the barrel could be shot out, just my luck. Next thing I try is bullets in the 50gr range.
Found this at Marlin collectors Assc.


I owned a mint Marlin 322 back in the late 60s for about two months. I could not get satisfactory accuracy from it, and my buddy really liked it, so I got my money out of it. He couldn't get it to shoot either, so he checked the twist. When he realized it had a 1-12" twist instead of the typical 1-14", he switched to 60 and 63 gr bullets, and groups shrank to target rifle tight sub-1/2" accuracy. Note: The 322 has a heavy target barrel and a straight comb. The Varmint King has a 1-14" stainless featherweight barrel and a Monte Carlo comb. Two significantly different models in 222 Rem.

[Old Hawkeye]

John Henry hit the "spike" on the head!!! Marlin never could get the 322 to shoot worth a darn or last very long in 222 Rem with that "Microgroove" rifling. That's the reason they came out with the stainless barreled 422 (it was blackened to look like blue). It didn't work much better. If you don't mind cleaning every 10 rounds it'll shoot fine. Otherwise you would be prudent to rebarrel it to the caliber of your choice or sell it to someone looking for a donor rifle to rebarrel & use those funds for a different rifle. Even if you rebarrel it, it won't be worth any more than it is now. The Sako action is where it's value is. Whether it's a 12 or 14 twist is irrelevant as either will stabilize a 40 grain bullet with ease. Let us know if you decide to sell it, as they make great donors for small cal wildcats. No feeding or ejection issues like the Rugchestertonsavs.

[Pahoghunter]

Back at the range again, this time I used loads consisting of Sierra 50gr PSP FB and 22.5grs of 8208XBR. I shot 4, 5 round groups at 100 yds. In order of firing with no fouling shots, groups measured, 1.486, 1.370, .866, .739. What sweet shooting little gun.

[mulepasture]

PAHoghunter…pm'd you.