Marlin 336 30-30 only loading 5 rounds

[axel4488]

I have had my Marlin for about 2-3 months now and am having a helluva time loading all 6 rounds into the tube. I can load 5 perfectly fine, but the 6th round fights me and will not clear the trapdoor. I tried unscrewing the top of the tube but it won't come off. Right now, I load 5, rack a round, and load the 6th. Any ideas? Should I take it to a gunsmith?

[golfish]

Is it a 20" barrel? You got to get the top plug off and look at the spring and follower

[splithoof]

Is it designed to be carried with a loaded round in the chamber, with the magazine holding five, to bring the total capacity to six?...

[200Apples]

A 20" Marlin Model 336 in .30-30 normally holds six rounds in the tube mag.

The spring and follower may have some surface rust and/or other crud. Once the magazine front cap is removed along with the spring and follower, you can wrap a .41, .44 or .45 cal brush with a patch that has a little WD40, or Kroil, or even gun oil and run that through the mag tube a few times. Clean the follower too, and wipe the spring by gently twisting it's entire length through a lightly-oiled rag.

And so on.

[toro1]

Is it a 336SC? I believe they were only 5 rd tubes, but would need to pull mine out to verify

[axel4488]

It's a Marlin 336 BL with an 18inch barrel. When I first bought it, I was able to get 6 rounds in the tube. I tried taking the cap off, nothing will move it. The cap is smooth with no way of getting a good bite. I am afraid to put more force into it. I don't want to break it.

[jon94520]

It's a Marlin 336 BL with an 18inch barrel. When I first bought it, I was able to get 6 rounds in the tube. I tried taking the cap off, nothing will move it. The cap is smooth with no way of getting a good bite. I am afraid to put more force into it. I don't want to break it.

Are they the same rounds? Some rounds have different over all length.

[toro1]

It's a Marlin 336 BL with an 18inch barrel. When I first bought it, I was able to get 6 rounds in the tube. I tried taking the cap off, nothing will move it. The cap is smooth with no way of getting a good bite. I am afraid to put more force into it. I don't want to break it.

Probably a stupid question, but did you remove the pin/screw that holds the cap in place? If so I would spray a little PB blaster or Kroil through the hole and let it sit for a day.

[splithoof]

A 20" Marlin Model 336 in .30-30 normally holds six rounds in the tube mag.

The spring and follower may have some surface rust and/or other crud. Once the magazine front cap is removed along with the spring and follower, you can wrap a .41, .44 or .45 cal brush with a patch that has a little WD40, or Kroil, or even gun oil and run that through the mag tube a few times. Clean the follower too, and wipe the spring by gently twisting it's entire length through a lightly-oiled rag.

And so on.

Sounds like exactwhat I'd try first.
I'll leave it to the lever pros for specs on what works.

[Fastattack]

Well for what it's worth, I was once able to get 11 rounds into a 10 round C-Mag.
Just say'n.

[200Apples]

Sounds like exactwhat I'd try first.
I'll leave it to the lever pros for specs on what works.

^ ^ ^ Hope you're well, my good man.

jon95420 brings up a good point: cartridge OAL (overall lenth) can vary depending on manufacturer and bullet type.

We're going to call the problem in the OP a "magazine stoppage" for arguments sake.

Here's a whole sticky thread on the subject from the Marlin Owners forum:

https://www.marlinowners.com/forum/336/182201-336-magazine-stoppages.html

[golfish]

It's a Marlin 336 BL with an 18inch barrel. When I first bought it, I was able to get 6 rounds in the tube. I tried taking the cap off, nothing will move it. The cap is smooth with no way of getting a good bite. I am afraid to put more force into it. I don't want to break it.

Doesn't the 20" barreled 336 run 6+1 ? . I would think that the 18" might only hold 5+1.
So there's a screw that holds the mag plug in place, right?
Remove the screw and take off the cap. It might need a little help.
If you can't get the mag plug off then take it to a gunsmith or just deal with loading 5.

[buffybuster]

It's a Marlin 336 BL with an 18inch barrel. When I first bought it, I was able to get 6 rounds in the tube. I tried taking the cap off, nothing will move it. The cap is smooth with no way of getting a good bite. I am afraid to put more force into it. I don't want to break it.

Have you done the math?

6 rounds at 2.55" is 15.3". That leaves very little room for the spring and follower. If you can get 6 rounds in, then I would suspect the spring in in coil bind. What is wrong with 5+1?

[MongooseV8]

Marlin Website shows 6 rounds in the tube.

[axel4488]

Probably a stupid question, but did you remove the pin/screw that holds the cap in place? If so I would spray a little PB blaster or Kroil through the hole and let it sit for a day.

....not a dumb question at all. Went to the range and saw the screw on the bottom. Im gonna crack it open when I get home.

Have you done the math?

6 rounds at 2.55" is 15.3". That leaves very little room for the spring and follower. If you can get 6 rounds in, then I would suspect the spring in in coil bind. What is wrong with 5+1?

Nothing wrong with 5+1, just curious as to why it has happened and if it was known issue with the gun. I have checked OAL on the rounds, they are consistent and when added, do have enough for a 6th round. I am thinking the spring is binding. the 5th round today was starting to give me issue loading.