I've never had any issue with 285-310gr cast bullets out of Marlin's 1:38. In fact, they print as tight as the gun will go for 3 shots of full-power or +P ammo. Think as you will, though, naysayers. Most guys don't understand twist rates anyway. I recommend the Marlin. One reason the Marlin wins for me is that it is straightforward to file the cartridge stop back and shoot longer-than-standard rounds, thus making more powder space in the case, thus making the Marlin that much more of a powerhouse if desired, and it still feeds 44 Special stubbies like butter, too. So I get 23gr of H110 under heavies, and they shoot as fast as 240gr factory ammo, and for me print into an inch for 3 past 100yds.
I'd buy an older one though, manufactured by Marlin, and with the Ballard Rifling.
