Marlin Levers, I've been reborn

freddyfour

freddyfour

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
208   0   0
Location
Brant County, Ontario
So I was up north a couple weeks ago Coyote hunting and ice fishing with a few guys and finally got my hands on a vintage Marlin 336. Now I have never had one in my hands before and always considered myself a Winchester guy as that's what I know and own................Wow what a difference in how smooth the actions of Marlins are! All this time I thought the Win 1894 was the cats ass, man was I wrong! I almost look at my nice old vintage 1894 SRC with discuss.

Obviously I now have to own my vary own Marlin now and won't be satisfied till I do. So a few questions to get me pointed in the right direction. What is there a difference in the 336 to the 30AS? I like the idea of a non barrel banded for end on the 30AS and also I do not really like the front sight hood on a lot of 336's. What is the difference in C vs W on the 336? Is the Guide Gun or similar models in 45-70 as slick and smooth as the 336? Since I need a new moose gun I am considering the 45-70 over the 30-30 for the extra power, though I do love the 30-30. Last question, I really like the look of the BL and GBL but do not like the laminated stocks, are there aftermarket walnut stocks available?

Thanks for the input

Brian
 
I have a 1977 336 Texan and it is one of the nicest rifles I own.The 30as is essentially an economy version of the 336.They have hardwood stocks and different sites.They were marketed to dept stores (sometimes with a 4x tasco as a package) and sold for quite a bit less than a 336.They wouldn't be worth as much used as a 336 of the same vintage and condition (despite some of the prices on the EE)but will serve the purpose.
 
OP, your moose rifle could be a 336 Marlin, in 35 Remington. They have considerable more power than a 30-30, but still light recoil and just as accurate. Long ago, in the meat hunting days of the great depression, a 35 Remington was a popular calibre among the northern trappers, where moose was the principle game.
I was lucky enough to get a 336 in 35 Remington that was made in 1957/58. When I got it a box with 19 shells in it, came with the rifle. The ammo was CIL Dominion brand, 200 grain KKSP (Kling Kore soft Point) bullets and the price written on the box from some country store, was $5.45!
Not saying the rifle had only fired one cartridge when I got it, but it is a possibility and in any case it obviously had been shot very little.
It was drilled and tapped for a top mount scope, so I mounted a vintage fixed power 4x Redfield. I sighted it in at 25 yards, went to 100 metres and a 3 shot group was only two hairs over one inch. This was with the old Dominion ammuition that came with the rifle. I now have dies for it, so when I get some bullets I will do some serious and enjoyable shooting with it. I will post chronograph records of the 205 grain cast bullets, when I get them.
I too, have owned and shot a few Winchester Model 94 rifles and there is no question, the old Marlin 336 rifles have a very much smoother action.
 
H4831 said:
OP, your moose rifle could be a 336 Marlin, in 35 Remington. They have considerable more power than a 30-30, but still light recoil and just as accurate. Long ago, in the meat hunting days of the great depression, a 35 Remington was a popular calibre among the northern trappers, where moose was the principle game.
I was lucky enough to get a 336 in 35 Remington that was made in 1957/58. When I got it a box with 19 shells in it, came with the rifle. The ammo was CIL Dominion brand, 200 grain KKSP (Kling Kore soft Point) bullets and the price written on the box from some country store, was $5.45!
Not saying the rifle had only fired one cartridge when I got it, but it is a possibility and in any case it obviously had been shot very little.
It was drilled and tapped for a top mount scope, so I mounted a vintage fixed power 4x Redfield. I sighted it in at 25 yards, went to 100 metres and a 3 shot group was only two hairs over one inch. This was with the old Dominion ammuition that came with the rifle. I now have dies for it, so when I get some bullets I will do some serious and enjoyable shooting with it. I will post chronograph records of the 205 grain cast bullets, when I get them.
I too, have owned and shot a few Winchester Model 94 rifles and there is no question, the old Marlin 336 rifles have a very much smoother action.
Click to expand...

I have to say, I always enjoy reading your posts, as they are so informative.
 
H4831 said:
OP, your moose rifle could be a 336 Marlin, in 35 Remington. They have considerable more power than a 30-30, but still light recoil and just as accurate. Long ago, in the meat hunting days of the great depression, a 35 Remington was a popular calibre among the northern trappers, where moose was the principle game.
I was lucky enough to get a 336 in 35 Remington that was made in 1957/58. When I got it a box with 19 shells in it, came with the rifle. The ammo was CIL Dominion brand, 200 grain KKSP (Kling Kore soft Point) bullets and the price written on the box from some country store, was $5.45!
Not saying the rifle had only fired one cartridge when I got it, but it is a possibility and in any case it obviously had been shot very little.
It was drilled and tapped for a top mount scope, so I mounted a vintage fixed power 4x Redfield. I sighted it in at 25 yards, went to 100 metres and a 3 shot group was only two hairs over one inch. This was with the old Dominion ammuition that came with the rifle. I now have dies for it, so when I get some bullets I will do some serious and enjoyable shooting with it. I will post chronograph records of the 205 grain cast bullets, when I get them.
I too, have owned and shot a few Winchester Model 94 rifles and there is no question, the old Marlin 336 rifles have a very much smoother action.
Click to expand...


I never even thought of the 35 Rem, is it a lot harder to find a 35 Rem then the abundant 30-30? I do not have any experience with that caliber, what would you give it for range on moose better or worse the 200yds?
 
Not too many hunters seek out a .30/30 for their dedicated moose rifle... not that it won't kill a moose because it surely has, many thousands of times over... but today, there are so many better options that are no more expensive, even if you are stuck on another lever action.
 
I just got my pre Remington guide gun this week from a fellow CGNer.
The serial number says its built in 2000 and has a ported barrel.
I'm waiting for my dies to arrive so I bought a box of factory ammo and went to the range.
All I can say is wow! I love this thing!
Action is smooth and its so accurate. Can't wait to start reloading and trying different loads.
 
H4831 is correct, the 336 in 35 Remington would make a great moose rifle. A little harder to find but not impossible. Put up a WTB ad in the EE for starters.

This one is from 54:

IMGP0455.jpg

35remington.jpg


That rifle is now in the hands of a friend from CGN, his two young boys are stoked about getting it out for their first big game animals in a few years. I hope they let me tag along!

Good luck!
 
hoytcanon said:
Not too many hunters seek out a .30/30 for their dedicated moose rifle... not that it won't kill a moose because it surely has, many thousands of times over... but today, there are so many better options that are no more expensive, even if you are stuck on another lever action.
Click to expand...


Sorry my post may have been confusing. I'm not looking for a 336 30-30 for moose but rather just want a marlin, was only thinking of a GG for moose and now a 336 in 35 Rem!
 
Not much difference in the rifles, from 1954 to /57-58. However, I was wrong on the KKSP bullets. It was a box of 303 British with those markings that I was mixed up with.
I think your box of ammo pre dates mine. The price marked on mine would coincide with the years of late 50s to mid 1960, but I think the Super Clean designation was before that. Maybe Ganderite will come in and straighten it out.
35R001_zpsc4b7d956.jpg
 
:)Nice looking rifle crazy_davey and great pictures:). Years ago, I wasn't able to find one in 35 Remington so I cheated and opted for a Marlin 444S in 444. 'Kissin' cousin to the 336.

Marlin444S444.jpg


Got a Moose with it on a trip to the B.C. interior with my Dad in '71. With the 444, that was the 1st Moose I used it on.

My71MoosewithDad_zps563e362d.jpg


I was never too pleased with the 240gr factory loads and found reloading with the 265gr Hornady to be a considerable performance improvement. It's done well on a number of Moose, Deer and Black Bear since then, for me and a few friends I've loaned it to. Now, it usually makes the trip north for Moose as a spare rifle, should that need occur.
 
Last edited:
I'm a convert myself.
I now favor Marlin levers over Winchesters and sold my last Win '94 a couple years ago for that reason.
Have been looking for a big brother for these 2 for a while...
since I'm partial to straight stocks and full length mag tubes I will likely end up with an 1895CB even though I'd like a 444M chambering...I guess a pistol grip might not be too bad...
marlins1.jpg

Love those Marlin big bores lads!
 
BrotherRockeye said:
I'm a convert myself.
I now favor Marlin levers over Winchesters and sold my last Win '94 a couple years ago for that reason.
Have been looking for a big brother for these 2 for a while...
since I'm partial to straight stocks and full length mag tubes I will likely end up with an 1895CB even though I'd like a 444M chambering...I guess a pistol grip might not be too bad...
marlins1.jpg

Love those Marlin big bores lads!
Click to expand...

Kinda' partial to them as well, but my favorite lever gun and caliber is the one on top. Top down;
- Winchester model 71 deluxe in 348WCF
- Marlin 1895GS in 45-70
- Marlin 444S in 444 Marlin
- Marlin 1894 in 44-40 (By the serial #, made in 1895)

TheLeverfamily.jpg


Forgot to mention. On the 1895GS in 45-70, using loads it's capable of handling with the heavier bullets, the straight stock desigh 'can' be a little hard on the fingers. I'd prefer the pistol grip butt stock and curved lever.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom