Hi guys,

I took my trusted 336 Marlin to the range this weekend and when I got home and started to clean it I noticed there was a ring in the chamber where the case walls start to come out of the case head.

The rifle shoots great and has had a lot of rounds through it.But has for the most part been taken good care of.

Is this a problem?I would have to guess that the ring is only a thousanth or two deep and 2 millimeters long.

Is this what they mean when they say a barrel has a bulge?

I love this rifle and hope it isn`t damaged but don`t want to blow is up.

Riflemen10x

Hi guys,

I took my trusted 336 Marlin to the range this weekend and when I got home and started to clean it I noticed there was a ring in the chamber where the case walls start to come out of the case head.

The rifle shoots great and has had a lot of rounds through it.But has for the most part been taken good care of.

Is this a problem?I would have to guess that the ring is only a thousanth or two deep and 2 millimeters long.

Is this what they mean when they say a barrel has a bulge?

I love this rifle and hope it isn`t damaged but don`t want to blow is up.

Riflemen10x

10X- I'm having trouble visualizing what you are describing. Could you see the ring in the chamber or were you seeing an expansion ring on the fired brass a short distance in front of the extraction ring cut? Or does it relate to a cut out in the end of the chamber that the extractor end fits into? Better description or a photo would help. It sounds pretty small to be a chamber ring which usually goes around most or all of the chamber and more resembles a circular bulge. What you are describing sounds pretty minor.

Sounds like a rough spot left over from the chamber being reamed. A 'ring' is usually closer to the case mouth. If the cases don't have any trouble extracting, then I would not worry a lot about it. Not like you're shooting a .30-378 Weatherby.

Thanks BCstocker,

The ring is in the chamber and is located in the area at the bottom of the case where the brass walls start to come off of the case.The ring does go all the way around the chamber.It is located where you would see an expansion ring on the brass but it is in the chamber.Your discription of a circular bulge would be a better discription than my first post.Thanks for the fast reply.

Riflemen10x

It's not just polished from the brass is it? I would assume if there was much of a bulge there you would have extraction problems.

It's not just polished from the brass is it? I would assume if there was much of a bulge there you would have extraction problems.

10X: As the two other gents mentioned the location is not typical for a ringed chamber and if you aren't having extraction problems it's probably insignificant. A chamber can be scored a bit when being reamed if a metal chip or cutting gets between the reamer and chamber wall. If in doubt have a gunsmith look at it. My inclination would be to keep using it unless extraction becomes a problem.

Take it to a gunsmith. Let him look at it. He shouldn't charge you anything just to look at the gun and you will know if there is a problem.

Could be that the chamber base was inlarged on reaming to help on smooth feeding ! Or a chip left a mark on reaming ! A ringed chamber lets the brass flow into the ring and you will have extraction problems ! Also a case head seperation on a high pressure load could flame cut the chamber where the case seperated ! JAGG