Marlin 336
 

does anyone know much about the Marlin 336 in 30-30? I know they have been around a long time and from what I have read they are great lever guns. I have been looking at some used ones and have found prices anywhere from $325 to $695 depending on the model and condition. I don't know much history on the different models. $325 for one in good condition seemed reasonable to me, any help?

Proud owner of a 336C (I like a pistol grip) in .35 Rem - iron sights of course.

I think everyone who hunts in tight cover should own one of these leverguns (and .30-30 ammo is everywhere) !

Marlin
 

I have owned one for the last 33 years. It has been trouble free and has taken a number of Maine deer. Whoever says the 30/30 Marlin is underpowered is talking out their butts. With in a 150 yds it does just fine. I have seen wild pigs taken with them also. Just try different brands of ammo until you find one the gun likes. If you check out Dicks sporting goods they occasionally put them on sale for the price of used.

Thanks. Do you know if the new plastic tipped pointed ammo can be used in them? I have heard it was made to allow tube mags to be loaded with it but also heard it is not safe to use?????

JB the "plastic tipped ammo" you are speaking of that is made by Hornady is Leverevolution and it was created just for tubular magazines. The tip is soft and you can mash it with your finger. The ammo is perfectly safe for any tube mag firearm.

The other "ballistic tips" on the market aren't so pliable and in theory they can cause a chainfire since in a tubular magazine the tip is resting against the primer of the round in front of it.

As for the 336 in 30-30, since WWII there have probably been more deer killed with that rifle than anything else on the market. Inside of 200yds you are more than properly gunned for any whitetail/black bear roaming the continent. I have a 336 (35Rem) and LOVE IT, load it at the truck and forget having to carry any extra ammo in your pocket. It handles extremely well and quality wise the old Marlin is hard to beat! It will long outlive you.

There are several models but I think the regular 336 blue/wood 30-30 retails new for around $450ish today. Knock off appx 10-25% for most used rifles.

:s4:
HL

I have one, circa 1971, in 30-30 that I have killed deer and javelina with. Love it. I just put a 2-7X 32mm Vortex Viper on it last night and can't wait to shoot it with that scope. I like the Leverevolution ammo. It does a heck of a job as I found out earlier this year on a javi at 90 yards.

I have a marlin 336 w it is a good riffle I bought the big lop for it and change back and forth from the old depending on the weather .Good riffle I have more hogs with it then my 223 hawk eye.

Thanks to everyone for the info. I'm going to start watching the sale ads, I think I would rather spend a few more bucks and get a new one. sounds like a great rifle.

It is IMO a well made rifle that is adequate for deer,pigs & black bear to about 150yds.You wont regret buying one. I've owned 2 336C's over the years and still have one in 35rem.

Buy it..............It will out live you !

.30-30 ammo on every shelve in America.

It's not necessarily limited to 150 yards though. With today's better bullets, 250-300 yards is doable...depending (of course) on conditions and quarry.

Developed from the Marlin Model 36. in 1948. Marlin started using a process they refer to as "micro-groove" decades ago that is touted as improving acciracy. i have had one Mod. 336 ... in 35 Rem. It shot great. The Hornady Leverlution ammo was specifically designed for use in a tube fed lever action rifle such as the Marlin 336 and Winchester Model 94. The Marlin 336's side eject makes is simple to attach a scope, where as the Model 94 requires a side mount system. There is one other often over looked advantage over the Win. Model 94. The lever pivot screw can be removed using a screw driver. This allows for the bolt-ejector assembly to be removed for easy cleaning ... and allows the barrel to be swabbed clean from the breach end. This help reduce the chance of damaging the barrell's crown. Taking a Model 94 down is a chore.

As for the 30/30 Win. round being under powered for deer hunting? I wonder how many deer this round has put in the pot ? Yes .... it is not a 400 yard deer killing machine. Muzzle velocity is not up there with the "big boys", and the flat nosed bullets that had to be used before the development of the Leverlution concept just cannot fly fast, far.

Out to 150-200 yards, the 30/30 Win. will do just fine. And I suspect that'll cover over 90% of the shots that will be taken at white tails this fall !

I don't think you can go wrong with a 30-30 Marlin. Mine is probably close to 20 years old and is still a faithful companion. When I got out of the Marine Corps, I didn't have time to check my sights before deer season and bagged a button buck. It was nice and tender bean fed delacacy.

I have a marlin 336cs in .35 rem and love it. I use the hornady rounds and have used rem corelocts and never had a problem killing deer with it. Nice short, manueverable gun.

JB Flatlander,
I have had several 336's over the years, and still have a .30-30 in the safe. I would look for an older one in very good condition, since overall quality was usually excellent. In particular, I would stay away from Marlins that were produced since the company was bought out and moved, because there have been quality issues.

This. I have not experienced the quality issues personally, but have heard reports. If I were to buy a new gun, I'd make sure it cycles properly.

There should be plenty of these on the used market.

I'm a big fan. And if I was you I would look for a nicer used one. The older ones usually have nicer wood on them, and as mentioned there's rumor of quality issues with newer ones. I shot mine last friday to make sure it's all ready for deer season. And did this.
The first two shots were low left. I adjusted the scope and shot the three shot group, then adjusted again and hit right in the center. I shot another group just like the 3 shot group on another target and kept it right in the center but didn't get a picture. This is at 100 yards. COuldn't be happier with a lever gun. Short, quick, consistent and accurate. Tough to beat. I have the Marlin as a "backup" to my remmy 700 .30-06 but the last two years I've found myself just carrying the Marlin.
-Jake

u can find them anywhere between $300.00 and up. i perfer the 35rem.

I am thinking of buying a new 336A, but some have told me about the quality issues. Should I just buy 336 used?

I have a 336 in a 30-30. I got it from my Grandma several years ago. She bought it for her father to use deer hunting. She told me that he would not use it because it was not a Winchester. SO when I got it it was basally new. I found a very old weaver k4 scope and I mounted a old set of weaver bases and rings. I wanted to dress it like it would have been in the 1950's when she bought it. With Sierra 150 gr this rifle shoots amazing. The second picture is my son with the first deer the 336 ever killed. Ron

As Sheridan said, +1 for buy it!!!

I am the proud owner of 4 336's (30-30, 32 spc, and 44 mag)...the 32 Spec is the most valuable (late 50's ADL) in more ways than one (my grandmother rode a bus 150 miles round trip to buy this rifle for my Grandfather for their 15'th wedding anniversary)...they all shoot very well and are the ultimate deep cover gun!

You might want to check out the dreaded, "Marlin jam" which sometimes happens when you cycle the lever and jams it open rendering the gun unusable until you back out the screw that holds the lever. I have two 336s in 30-30 and an XLR in 45/70, the ones made by Marlin not the Remlins, and they have have done it more than once. The best source of info. for the 336 is the Marlin Firearms Forum, you'll find ample info. there including plenty about jam. Still good guns, just be aware this is a fairly common problem.

Thanks for letting me know about the Jam. Good information to know.

I hunted extensively with the 44 Mag and one of the 30-30's and the 32 Spec my grandfather hunted with for the past 50 years and the 44 mag was my fathers only rifle for probably 40 years...combined they have taken an unknown number of deer and 2 elk, several grouse, rabbits, squirrels and so on...never had one of them jam...have heard the new ones by Remmy have some problems but none of mine have and they have to have several hundred if not thousands hours in the woods/range and rounds through them. Most reliable rifles I have ever owned.

Even though the orginal post is 1 1/2 years old and the OPer probably made his decision by now i'll my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I've owned 2 Marlins in 336,one in 30/30 and the other in 35 rem. The 30/30 killed alot of deer.The only wierd thing with that gun is it didn't like Rem.ammo,not that it was any less accurate with it, i averaged about 2 misfires per box. The only ammo it did that with. But those misfired shell would shoot in my BIL 336.Easy solution...don't shoot Rmington ammo.

Then i started bowhunting,i had 3 at that time.I sold the Marlin 30-30 the Remington 78 in 30-06 and keep the Marlin 336 in 35Rem. The 35 is one of my favorite guns that i've owned.With plain old Winchester Super X's i get slightly under 2" groups @ 100yds.

So to sum it up yes i really like my Marlin in .35 Rem.!!!!!!!!!!

My Marlin 336C is 40 years old now..............never jammed once !

Must of got lucky ~ huh

+1

My 32 spec is over 60 years old and the 44 mag is 40+....and both of the 30-30's are about 35 years old...several thousand rounds later all total...and I too musta got lucky ;)....never once a jam...