A question about Marlin Lever guns

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Marlin rifles with "microgroove" rifling won't shoot cast bullets worth a tinker's damn.....or so the story goes. That's generally the accepted standard, but if that's the case then why do their .22 rimfire rifles with microgroove rifling shoot most manner of .22s (which are all lead bullets, or plated) without much of a hitch?
Just out of curiosity, have you tried any cast bullets with a gas check in your Marlin? That might make a difference, even though they probably aren't needed to prevent leading.
I have been kicking around the idea of playing with cast bullets in my Marlin 336 chambered in .35 Remington, but the idea of investing $$$ in molds, powders, new dies, ect, & time have left me sitting on the fence, esp. with what I've heard about Marlins and cast bullets.

As for the Ballard rifling....I've never heard of it. I would assume that if it shoots accurately with cast bullets, that you ought to be able to get some accurate cast bullet loads with it, but as each gun is an individual, all I can say is there is only one way to find out for sure.....buy it and try it!