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Joined: Aug 2003
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While wondering aimlessly through a gun show yesterday, I came across an old Marlin model 62 "Levermatic" chambered in .30 U.S. Carbine. I've seen a couple of these in recent years and always thought "W.T.F.?" What could it possibly be good for? This one was fairly clean {possibly refinished} and for some reason it kind of gave me that tingling feeling. Know that feeling? Worthless as it is, I thought it might make a fun plinker. Can't think of much to hunt with it although it'd do ok on predators out to 100 yards and would make a fun javelina gun but I can't remember the last time I saw a javelina in S.C. I didn't buy it because I have way too many gun projects on the table right now but if I had had some spare cash and nothing to do with it I'd have probably have given it a home. Asking price was $350. Even if it is worthless, that never stopped me before! Might be fun to see how accurate the little .30 could be in something besides the M1 Carbine. Anybody ever owned one of these or played with one? The model 62 was supposedly chambered in .22 Jet and .357 Mag. but the only chamberings I've seen in the flesh are the .30 and .256 Win. Mag. {should have bought one of those a few years back too}. It's kind of an ugly little gun but ugly in a "cute" way.

BP-B6

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I have both, never heard of a 22 Jet version. They shoot well, are a little heavy and don't like hotter than factory stuff, as it batters the receiver. It might help to think of these as the last generation lever guns that were originally in 25-20 and 32-20; which were fine small game/varmint guns. Small spire points in the 30 cal are a doable reloading project.

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I have one of the marlin .30 carbines, I bought it because I have a ruger blackhawk in the same caliber. I've never used it for anything but plinking. It's about like the 32/20. I am thinking about buying one in .256 win. from my uncle. I've seen them in .22 mag. also.

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SCgunNut,

I have one in .256 Win Mag. Haven't shot it in years. But still love it. I've owned a couple in .30 carbine. Sold them both because they showed signs of excessive head space. Brass bulged bad upon firing. If I ever get a chance to buy another, I'll have it rebarreled with a match chamber. Might be a lot more practical. Great lil' guns! I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Like you I have never seen a .357 or a .22 Jet. the9.3Guy


"As you walk thru life, don't be surprised that there are fewer people that you encounter seeking truth than those seeking confirmation of what they already believe!"


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While there was some talk at one time of making the M62 in other calibers, I believe the .256wm and .30 car were the only two cals produced. The rifles were produced for about 6 years back in the 60's and were nothing more than a slightly beefed up version of the Model 57 (.22s,l,lr) and 57M (.22mag). The M62 is fed from a 4-shot detachable mag while the M57 is tube fed. I like both models because of their short lever throw and have shot all extensively except for the .30carbine (which I would dearly love to acquire). One trouble the M62 in .256wm has is an oversized chamber. Winchester quit making ammo for it so the only way to feed the thing is to neck down .357 mag cases. Even using the proper RCBS conversion dies and annealing, I have very short case life--sometimes only a couple or 3 loadings. About the only bullet I find usefull for the cal is the 60 grain flat nose Hornaday. I sure wish I could get more of the hollow points that Winchester had in their commercial ammo. The rifle makes a very good jack rabbit/coyote getter. Steve

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I've got a Contender barrel in .256 and have formed quite a few cases myself, even though I lucked up on a fairly good supply of factory ammo several years back. That stuff is getting so scarce I only shoot a few rounds on rare occasions. I had a chance to get a 62 in .256 about 8 years ago and let it slide for some forgotten reason {lack of funds likely}. I also ran across one of the old Universal Ferrets {semi auto based on M1 Carbine} in .256 a couple years ago but it was too pricey.

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My contender in .256wm likes the reformed .357mag brass just fine--it's only the levermatic marlin that goes thru brass. Steve

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Have had one of the 256 Marlins for some time now and has taken 30 hogs over the last several years with useing hard cast lead, its a great little gun for head shooting


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DaveJ, You cast your own? Which mould? Steve


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