Marlin 336
 

What does everyone have to say about them? Include the good and bad. What kind of distance would I get out of one w/ a nice scope? Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

RE: Marlin 336
 

I have a 336 in 30-30. it is my favorite gun that I own. It feels solid and handles great.
The Bad: Well with factory ammo i was only able to get groups to average 2.75" at 100yds. (cheap Rem, Win, and Fed ammo)

The good: With the new Leverevolution ammo from Hornady my groups are averaging just over 1.25". This is on a bag and against my shoulder not a gun rest or vice.

My daughter killed her deer at 125 yards and I would feel comfortable out to 175 to 200.

RE: Marlin 336
 

For Marlin info, go to http://www.marlinowners.com/board

RE: Marlin 336
 

Marlin makes the best lever rifles on the planet. you won't be disapointed if you aquire one. They are quite acurate,strong reliable and a cinch to take apart and reassemble.

RE: Marlin 336
 

You have to own a lever gun. It's required.... ;) See, no gun cabinet is considered complete unless it has a lever gun in it! ha ha ha...

The Marlin 336 is the better option over the equally famous Winchester 94. The action is stronger and it's a tad more accurate. The side eject is a serious bonus if you want to mount a scope on it.

I own a Marlin 30AS (cheaper version of the 336) and love it dearly. There is just a certain vibe to a 30-30 lever gun that can't be explained. Grab one and you won't be disappointed! Keep your rounds to around 100 yards (possibly 150-175 with the new Hornady Leverevolution) and you will bring home venison like so many generations have done before! :D[8D]

Edit: Check out this link: http://www.1stconnect.com/anozira/SiteTops/weapons/3030faq.htm

RE: Marlin 336
 

ButchA said it all...very nicely I might add.

RE: Marlin 336
 

Is this a good option if I'm buying my first rifle or should I look at getting a rem. 700 or something bolt action? I am not that experienced so I'm not sure how well I would do with something that shoots as far as a bolt. I'm sure the 30/30 should suffice in areas where I'll be hunting. Distance will most likely be around 100 yrds and less. I also have an 870 w/ rifled barrel that I'll be using in places I can't use a rifle. Is a 336w/ a good scope something that you guys would reccommend for someone just starting out when compared to a bolt? Just curious. I will most likely make up mymind before season and pickone up. I just don't see myself shootingsomething arouned 200 yards yet with my lack of experience and shooting. Thanks for the help in advance.

RE: Marlin 336
 

Troutman, the 30/30 will fit the bill nicely. Trust me... you will love it and not want to part with it. It is very easy to use and a sweet shooter. A Rem. 700 mag will have more recoil and not really have the quick snappy action of the Marlin 336.

100 yards and/or less? ....Easy. Get the Marlin 336. Possibly get it with a 4x32 fixed scope or an even better 1.5-4.5x32 Bushnell on a low weaver mount system.

Let me post some photos for you, to help you decide.

Butch A.

RE: Marlin 336
 

Here is my current Marlin 30AS without a scope (it had an old Glenfield 4x32 on it, but it lost its "zero" and broke, so I took it off). I kind of like it "Plain Jane" with open iron sights. It's quicker, easier, and lighter without the scope. I just limit myself to under 100 yards and I'm fine.

RE: Marlin 336
 

Here is how it looked originally.... Marlin 30AS with old Glenfield 4x32 scope:

RE: Marlin 336
 

ButchA,
I take it that you're a lefty b/c I noticed your bow being lefty. If so, How does it work for you with the bullets coming out the right side? Do all the 336's eject bullets on the right side? Just curious. Another question. I've noticed that some 336's have their scope more towards the front of the gun (forward)compared to where it was when you had your scope on. Are the 336's drilled and tapped if I was to buy one in the store or from a dealer? Final question. You said that a 1.5-4.5x32 scope is a good choice. Would a 3-9x32/40 be too substantial for a 336? Thanks a lot for the help in advance.

RE: Marlin 336
 

Troutman

My setup looks exactly like Butch's. Scope is in the same place. I've not seen them forward.
I have a 3-9x32 on mine and it works fine. I've never needed any more than 4X though in the field. The only reason I use the 9 is when I am shooting at targets 125-150 yrds after the shot so I can see where the bullet hit ( I didn't have a spotting scope when I bought the 336 which was my first gun)

RE: Marlin 336
 

Yup... I'm a lefty. Left eye dominant and shoot lefty. Always have been. Try to make meshoot righty would be like... " "

The Marlin 336 is a true side eject and doesn't cause any problems or interference withshooting leftyat all. The shell just eject straight out, up over my right arm.

The only thing I am careful with (hold my right elbow/forearm down a hair) is my boyhood Marlin Model 60 .22 rifle. I grew up shooting that lefty and can remember my dad teaching me how to hold it so my right arm wouldn't get biffed by a fast ejecting shell (a little .22 shell wouldn't hurt anyways.... but you get my point).

The 336 does come drilled and tapped for a scope. The 3-9x32 or 40 would be okay, but a bit much for a 30/30. Some guys put big scopes on them, others put smaller fixed 4x or the even smaller adjustable 1.5-4/5x on them and have great success.

Some people put scout scopes on them. Those are the ones that are mounted way up near the barrel. I've never used one and don't know how well they work, but to each his own...

You can easily get a smaller scope mounted on the 336 and bore sighted for next to nothing. Weaver makes a great solid one piece base for the scope rings (I still have mine, but W/O the scope itself).

Good luck!!!

Butch A.

RE: Marlin 336
 

Thanks again!

RE: Marlin 336
 

When i started deer hunting 11 yrs ago now i started with a 30-30 and i have not looked back since. My first 30-30 was a savage bolt action i wish i still had that gun. then i got a marlin 336 it had a high mounted scope that i didn't like so i took it off and replaced the brass front sight with a fiber-optic sight. when i got out of highschool my parents bought me a winchester 94 A.E. Blackshadow with a 24 inch barrel in 30-30. i kept both 30-30s for a couple of years. the marlins feel s stronger built and r a lot simpler the take a part and fix both my 30-30s shot about the same when it came to accrecy, but when it was snowin or rainin i grabed the marlin cause i knew it could make it through the weather. my winchester will be retired at the end of the year cause i'm getting the 336 XLR.

pat

p.s. get the stainless steel 336

RE: Marlin 336
 

I love my marlin 336 in 35rem. If it is with in 170 yards I can put it in the boiler room every time. That is a little far to some for the 35rem but my marlin holds 1.35 inch group at 100yd off of the bench (some times a little better). Mine has the micro grove barrel and loves Winchester 200gr ammo. I put a Simmons atec on it which might be a little over kill, but in SC we can shoot till one hr after legal sunset. I will never get rid of this rifle. If it fits you, you will love it.

I picked the 35 for the bigger holes but my brother has the 30-30 and loves it to.

mello

RE: Marlin 336
 

My first gun was a Marlin 336 in 30-30, and I love it. One important Marlinfeature that most people overlook is the safety. The Winchester 94 doesn't have one, and if you cock the gun and decide you don't want to shoot it, it can be very easy for your finger to slip while trying to lower the hammer.

One disadvantage with a lever action thoughis it's harder to use the hammer with a scope, since the scope and hammer generally has a small clearance. Marlin does include a hammer offset, so you can use it from the side, but I don't like it as much.

I'd stillsay go for it, since the Marlin is an excellent firearm.

RE: Marlin 336
 

Excellent 100 yard big game rifle. I would opt for the 35 Remington cartridge.

RE: Marlin 336
 

I have no personal experience with the Marlin vs. the Winchester, but my grandfather was a gunsmith, and from his perspective bolt actions were the only way to go ....HOWEVER, .. he always said that if someone wanted or needed a lever gun that Marlin was the way to go. He took many Winchesters and Marlins apart to repair or modify and he said that the Marlin seemed to be a better built gun. He also felt the Marlin had a stronger and more secure lock-up when the bolt closed.
Once again, I'm just repeated a smith's opinion, not personal experience of my own.

RE: Marlin 336
 

I can't think of much bad about the 336. It and its' predecessors have been in production for so long, most all its' shortcomings have been eliminated! It's well suited for what it's made for-woods range shooting of deer & black bear.

What caliber are you talking about? It has been made in some calibers that are much better suited for longer range shooting than the .30/30!

If I were buying one, it would be a .35 Rem. This is a much better load for killing deer up to 150 yards than the .30/30. although neither isparticularly well-suited to ranges of much over 200 yards!

RE: Marlin 336
 

This performance is not the gun's fault-it is an ammo problem!

RE: Marlin 336
 

Nope! But they DO eject empty, fired cartridge cases out the right side-after the BULLET has flown away!! Every one of them works this way.......

RE: Marlin 336
 

Marlin 336 is an excellent choice. .35 Rem is well-regarded; mine is a 30-30. Ammo less expensive with 30-30. I've owned .270 and 30-06, and like the Marlin better. If I'd started with a 336, I'd have never gotten anything else. It is accurate, carried well, and is classy. I've got a Bushnell 1.75-4x32mm scope on low weaver mounts, works great.

Killed a doe today, heart shot through top of neck at about sixty hards. Load was 150gr Fed power-shok; it hit right where I aimed. Instant drop, not a kick. I'm confident shooting to well over 100 yards; I think the rifle is prob good to 200 or so. I'm happy with it, I recommend it.

RE: Marlin 336
 

That's just what I was thinking, too! If the bullets are coming out either side, then there is something seriously wrong no matter which of your hands is dominant!!

Mike

RE: Marlin 336
 

Out of al the Marlins I own, the 336 in 30-30 is my favorite. Last year I took an eight point at 205 yds and he fell in his tracks. I use a Leupold 2-7X32 along with the new Hornady Leverevolution ammo with great results.

RE: Marlin 336
 

My Marlin has worked out well for me. It was my first deer gun and I highly recommend it as a first gun for others where shots are limited to under 150 yards. When I got it, I mostly hunted the woods where shots were limited to around 75 yards or so. Mine's topped with a cheapo Simmons 3-9X40 scope that's done well for me. But now that I hunt the occasional field, I sometimes wish I had a nice bolt action in a flatter shooting caliber. Either way, I love that 336 and will always have and use it. They're nice, well-built guns with a tried and true design. And the .30-30 will kill a deer (arguably has killed more than many other cartridges).

RE: Marlin 336
 

I love my Marlin 30-30 and since the Leverevolution bullets came out a few years ago it is my favorite rifle again. Those bullets put new life and purpose into a legend in my opinion.

RE: Marlin 336
 

I have Mar 336C and Win pre-66 94 and will always grab the 336C first!

RE: Marlin 336
 

The Marlin 336 was my first deer rifle (used)thirty four years ago. I had a Bushnell Banner 1.5 to 4X scope on it with see through mounts on it. It was a very handy rifle and I felt comfortable out to 100 yards with it, but the place we were hunting at the time would sometimes present us with 300 yard shots. I hunted with it for a couple of seasons and then traded up to a 30-06. I would love to have a 336 to hunt where I do now, where a 100 yard shot would be a long one.