Marlin 336 30-30 for a first deer gun?

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Hello all.

I'm getting ready for my first hunting season with my CORE behind me and my PAL course this weekend.

When an older lady I know heard I was taking up hunting she asked me if I knew what she should do with this rifle in her basement.

I took a look and it's a Marlin 336 30-30 with no scope. The serial number stamped on it starts with a G, which my research leads me to believe it was made in the '50s. It used to belong to her husband. She inherited it but doesn't hunt. I'm not sure how long the Marlin has sat in the basement.

I'm going to have the rifle checked out by someone who knows more than me to see what kind of shape it's in.

If everything looks good should I buy the Marlin? I'd want to put a scope on it.

What sort of price would be reasonable?

As I mentioned, this is my first hunting season and I'll go for a mule deer and white tail deer. Eventually (not this season) I'll want to hunt elk. What do people think of hunting those animals with a 30-30? I'll do most of my hunting in the Kootenays.

Cheers.
 
Marlin was a good product (there has been a change of ownership and so current production has sometimes been questionable). Yours likely would be just fine. It may have what is known as "micro groove" rifling, but that would only be a concern if you plan to shoot cast lead bullets. Not that many people do, so I doubt you would have much reason to worry about that.

The 30-30 has over the years probably taken more game than any other round. It would do just fine for close range hunting--if you learn to shoot it well and limit yourself to close range targets. Elk are very tough animals. The 30-38 will kill elk. It's not the best choice for elk, but it can work. If you can get the rifle cheaply enough, grab it. You will have a darned fine deer rifle, and a rifle capable of taking larger game as well, if used carefully. If you get around to hunting elk, get a second rifle more suited to elk.

There isn't a single round that is perfect for all hunting, and there isn't a single golf club suited for all situations. Don't expect to get one rifle that can do everything well. The 30-30 however is a darned good start.
 
30-30 is a fantastic deer cartridge. It'll also do the job on elk and moose, but it wouldn't be my first choice for them(keep your shots under 100yds and it should be fine). I say help the lady out and take it off her hands.
 
Marlin

The Marlin 336 in 30-30 is an awesome rifle for deer, I just bought one brand new for that purpose here in Ontario. I would however be mindful of the distances you will be shooting, I would say with a scope the 30-30 shouldn't be used past 200 yards if your a good shot. I dont know what the terrain in the rockies is like for hunting but I always thought elk were hunted at extreme ranges. But as far as whitetail and mule deer inside 200 yards it would be a great little rifle.

Have it checked by a gunsmith to see what the bore and chamber looks like. It could be in great shape and you have yourself a good rifle for the next 50 years or it could be rusted and pitted in which case I dont think you would want it. If its in good shape I would think $250 to $400 would be the ballpark depending on condition. Good Luck
 
The .30-30 Winchester is one of the most popular deer cartridges.Every fall many are loaded up and bring home the deer.
 
I recently bought my third 336. I will try to be smarter and NOT sell it.
I have lots of faith in the .30-30 and would certainly use it on deer to a bit over 200 yards and on standing broadside elk or moose to 150 or so.
 
many many deer have been taken with a 30-30, i wouldnt feel undergunned at all with one at all

maybe get a fixed 4 power scope to stick on it too
 
I'll echo what everyone else said and say that it is an excellent starter gun. As the years progress and you gather more firearms, I'll bet that it still may be your "go to gun".
Ammo is cheap and a pleasure to shoot.
Another plus to the Marlin levers is that they are very easy to work on by yourself. Youtube and the MarlinownersForum are loaded with info and tutorials on how to strip them down and completely reassemble them..something every rifleman should know.
(but I'll warn you-"Marlinitis" is addicting and you'll be looking for more Marlins:p)
 
take it! i have the same gun, a 336 RC circa 1950 with the G serial #. they have ballard style cut rifling and are real nice shooters! marlin switched to microgroove in the mid 50's and are no longer made with ballard style in 30-30. very solid well built guns and perfect for deer within 150-200yds. if i were you i'd put a williams peep sight on it as these guns aren't drilled and tapped for scopes. really nice find!
 
I switched to a Marlin 336 after I realized the damage a 300 Win Mag does to a deer at the 100-150 yard range. I hunt in BC so it's ideal for whitetail around here.
 
I just purchased a Marlin 336RC with ballard cut rifling lately on the EE as well. It will be my go to deer rifle this year. I have taken it to the range and am very pleased with it so far. I did drill and tap it and put a low power varaible wide angle scope on it. I like scopes. Irons and peeps are a disadvantage for me. I just see better and clearer, especially in lower light conditions, in the eastern hardwoods in the fall.

I also prurchased a newer Marlin 336W in .30-30 for my dad. He loves his as well. My son will be using a Winchester 94 with a scout mounted scope that he has already used on a nice doe a few years ago. He loves his too.

.30-30 lever in a Marlin or Winchester is synonymous with deer hunting.
 
My first deer rifle was a 30-30, great little rifle to carry and shoot inside of 150yds. Some here have mentioned 200yds, but I really think that would be pushing it. Most my shooting is inside 100yrds, so I prefer levers without a scope, try it at a range without a scope before buying one, you may find you have a great shot using iron sights.
 
I love my Marlin in 30/30 it has taken all sorts of game relaibly including Elk, black bear, deer. With the hornady leverolution ammo I even bang flopped a nice deer at a no BS 265 yards. I am not suggesting you should be shooting deer at this range just that with practice and experience this is an extremly capable gun only limited by the shooter. I load my own cast target ammo and it shoots the lead pills with no issues. If you are going to do a lot of close range bush hunting you might want to hold off scoping your new find and try just the iron sights for a season. Eventough I can't say enough good things about the my marlin I may have to pass it to my son this season as I have a new 50/70 rolling block to play with. I am sure I will want my Marlin back in no time.
 
As to price... it sounds like a "friend-deal" myself - she'd be happy with a bit of money and you'd be happy with your first rifle being a good deal. 200 bucks. And if it needs to be moved on then turn it into a Stevens 200.
 
Get it

My Marlin (with receiver sight now) is the top one in this pic of my 30-30 rifles.

MichelApril2010004.jpg
 
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