My first deer rifle back in 1973 was a Marlin 336. I regreted selling that one, but just inherited my stepfather's. I'm cleaning it up and putting new hardware on it, and will probably use it some this season.

I have one in .35 Rem that I have taken dozens of deer with. I switched to bolt guns several years ago, but I still use the old .35 for treestand hunting in close quarters. It handles quick, and since the recoil is almost non-existent you can shoot it accurately from some pretty awkward positions.

I love my Marlin. My wife hooked me up with some sweet leather for it this past christmas. It's deadly under 100 yards.

Nice leather on there.Whats the piece on the lower strap for?

I think this depends on your POV. Want to buy inexpensive factory ammo? Load small or big (100 gr to 170 gr)? Are you sensitive to recoil? Stretch your range with a spire point bullet?

I'll take the 30-30, thank you very much. A fun gun to shoot, and it's pretty cool to be hunting with a tradition again. Surprisingly accurate to boot. Dead is dead, know your rifle's limitations.

Every time I post, I have to log back in and I can't edit my post.

I will add that I shot my first deer in 1965 with a 336 35 rem.

my thoughts exactly. fantastic, reliable multipurpose firearm. i have one son with one, and i have one myself. my only issue now is, my youngest is almost old enough for his first dear rifle. i really want to get him the 336 for all the reasons mentioned, but don't want him the be disappointed because his gun is the mirror image of his older brother's 336.

+1 on the 336 30-30. Had mine since I was 11. 18 YEARS and always come back to it when I still hunt on drizzly mornings during the rut! I have recently bought a 1895 marlin 45-70 cowboy and Im obsessed with it. I hunt it open sights :d killed 2 deer with it last season it has a 26in barrel but is still really short and i love the octagon barrel but when it comes down to it the 30-30 will do anything i need it to do in the mountain, but the 45-70 is very fun!