Most marlin 336's have a 20 inch barrel but the xcr has a 24 inch barrel. Out to 125 yards it's hard to beat a 3030 or 35rem. Also Remington makes a carbine 742 and 7400 with a 18.5 inch barrel I think it'd be hard to beat and it comes in 243 308 270 30-06 and 35 whelen any would work. I'm acually thinking amour getting one in 35 whelen to use as my brush buster. I'm not sure of the weight on either the Remington or marlin but they will weigh less than what you got I think it'd be worth it just to have a backup