Marlin 336 questions

bill c68

bill c68

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I just picked up a Marlin 336 (RC) and I have a few questions...

First, how do you guys like the marlins? accurate?

Second, I notice on this one the bbl and the magazine make contact at the bbl band, is this normal or does it have an improper bbl band? my Winny doesn't touch.

Third, I read on my box of Hornady LEVERevolution ammo that some lever guns may need a new follower to feed properly, has anyone tried the Marlin with this ammo?
 
My 444P is based on the 336 design. I love it. :)

It's certainly accurate, sub moa with some loads.

The mag tube is held by a screw that attaches into a dovetail in the bottom of the barrel on mine. If tightened right down it will pull the magazine tube up to touch the barrel. Mine was like that for the first range trip, then I decided to back it off a bit to keep the gap between the two even for the length of the tube. If anything, accuracy has dropped a hair since I backed it off, but I'm not sure.

With the new XLR series they changed the system a bit to keep a consistent setup for accuracy at long range. With the standard model some people put a rubber o-ring between the barrel and mag tube.

I can't help with the ammo question.
 
I have a model 1895GS in .45-70, a model 444S in .444 Marlin and an old model 1894 in .44-40. On the 1895GS the tube appeared to be touching the barrel but on the other two there appeared to be clearance. However, on all three it seemed as though the metal end cap on the forend may be exerting a wedging action between the barrel and mag tube. To try and eliminate this, I added just enough shim material between the mag tube and dovetail insert, to allow for a visual amount of clearance, between the barrel and the barrel top saddle area of the metal end cap. There seemed to be a slight accuracy improvement in the .444, but overall for the most part, no significant change in accuracy, or point of impact. As a result, I went back to what had been 'factory original'. By all means though, experiment a little. It may yield better reuslts for you than it did for me. As far as the follower aspect, I couldn't say as I've stuck with the more traditional style and shaped ammo.
 
The 336 in 30-30 I just sold is VERY accurate, scoped. It could print the first two rounds touching, and if given enough time to cool it would drop the third on top. That's with home loads mind you!!
 
Well, took her out today, midly impressed, I got a few one hole groups ( 2 shot) but a few rather large groups as well. I will blame it on the 4.5X scope at 100, hard to see!

My groups at 50 were very good.
 
cariboo_kid said:
I totally agree on the low mag scope, makes it very challenging. I'm beginning to question my choice in magnification.
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I bought a 1.5-4.5X, which is great for what the gun is intended for, just hard to sight in.
I could and should have bought a 1.5-6X for a few bucks more, I guess I was impatient.

Maybe a different target with a clearer bull might help.
 
My model 336 30-30 will print cloverleaf groups touching at 100 yds using a 3x9x40 compact scope. Barnes x handloads. I hunt with it on 3x and crank it up to 9x at the range. Doesn't seem to be a lot of drift of point of impact. I like the Marlin design and believe it will shoot better than most of us can hold with the right ammo. I have also run some factory fodder through mine which delivered rather average 1.5-2" groups, but that's still a dead deer at 150 yds.
 
I used a 3 to 9X scope to work up accurate handloads, then put on my old Tasco 1 to 3.5 scope for hunting. I found it to deliver excellent accuracy and I preferred the very compact size; it affected the rifles' handling less than a larger scope.
I've owned 2 Marlin 336 rifles, both would group 1" at 100 yards when I shot well.
 
Win94 said:
Marlin's rock. Our 4 month old's middle name is Marlin. What more can i say??:D
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So what, do we have to wait for a winchester thread for you to tell us his first name is winchester? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
 
I recently purchased a 336XLR in 30-30. It groups 3".....or I should say "I" group that with factory open sights. I just received my new XS Ghost ring in the mail. I don't think that I'll ever put a scope on it, at least it's not my intention for now. I love that 'lil gun.
 
I have a 336 RC in 30/30 and it will group a 3 shot clovorleaf all day long.It isn't pretty since someone once shellacked it but great to shoot
 
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