Marlin 336 vs Savage 99?

H Wally

H Wally

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Hi All,
I currently hunt with a winchester 94 and am thinking about getting either a Marlin 336 in 30/30 or a Savage 99 in 30/30 OR .308. I haven't shot either of them and have only had a very brief opportunity to handle the marlin.
I currently shoot 30/30 and 308 and like both cartridges.

So, what're your preferences? Pros and cons to each model? I've read both marlin and savage went through periods of low quality for these models - marlin in the 80-90s and savage 60's-80's. Any truth to these rumours?
 
I would choose the Marlin over the 99's.
The 94's are sweet, but I don't do open sights on hunting iron.
Marlin's are extremely accurate and for the bit of weight gain they
have over the 94's it's a no brainer.
The 99's I have no taste buds for.
Fuggly and klunky.
Sorry Joe Joe, just my hankerings.
 
kamlooky said:
I would choose the Marlin over the 99's.
The 94's are sweet, but I don't do open sights on hunting iron.
Marlin's are extremely accurate and for the bit of weight gain they
have over the 94's it's a no brainer.
The 99's I have no taste buds for.
Fuggly and klunky.
Sorry Joe Joe, just my hankerings.
Click to expand...

Fair enough - I definitely like how easy to clean the 336's seem to be - the win 94's are a pain, and it ALWAYS rains when I hunt so have to do it a lot. I kind of actually like the Savage's looks, and at the end of the day I don't really care how a gun looks if it performs its job well
 
I can only comment on the 99 as I have not had a 336. I think the fact that mine is in .308 is why I like it, .308 being my all time favorite caliber. The model I own is old enough to come with the safety on the lever which I like.

Also the gun seems to attract fur (and put it down) on a fairly consistent basis so I got used to the looks pretty quick.
 
Don't forget the BLR's either.
Different class of lever with the detach mag.
You can probably get away wearing a ka-bouy hat
carrying one of these and have a few more
options for brass differences too.
 
I like both, but prefer the 99 simply due to fond memories of hunting with my grandfather's 99 in .300 Savage. The Marlin is solid and will shoot plenty accurate, and can also be fitted with a scope without any problems. Easier to clean from the breech, with the removable bolt and lever. With the Marlin, you'll be limited to .30-30 or .308 Marlin express (or whatever it's called), so if you want a .308 you'll need to go with a Savage. The Savage should also be plenty accurate for hunting, and if you get a newer model you should have no problems in scoping it. They can't be cleaned very easily from the breech, even when fully torn apart, so that is a consideration for some. You may have trouble finding a decent one in .30-30, but one in .308 should be easy. I know that Marlin went through a QC problem in the late 2000's when they got taken over by Remington, but they seem to have fixed most of their issues now. With the Savages, I don't think they ever had a QC problem, but the earlier (pre 1000000 serial number) models seem to be more highly regarded than the later ones. I think it's more of a "they don't make them like they used to" situation.
 
Savage all the way. Get an early .308 Win or .300 Savage and work up some nice handloads. It will handily take all North American big game and that slick rotary magazine is...well slick!
 
I have a 99 and a 336. Just got the 336 yesterday so I havent had a chance to shoot it yet but I am very excited to shoot it and hunt with it. My savage is a great gun but its old (manufactured in 1912) so I'm always hesitant to take it out in to the bush. The 336 is brand new and not something I am scared to take out. Also as a bush gun its nice and short, another advantage to the marlin. The marlin is also VERY easy to clean even for someone like myself that doesnt have much experience with firearms maintenance yet. In the end you really cant go wrong with either, both are great guns in proven calibers but I'll give my nod to the marlin.
 
You already have a M94 in 30-30. The marlin is too similar.

If you were to buy an older 99 with a rotary magazine in 300 Savage or 308, you would have an entirely different rifle.

You could put a Williams FoolProof on the M94 with a Firesight on the front (that is how mine is set up) and a 3X scope on the 99.
 
Thanks for the comments guys! The reason I ask is because I really enjoy the 30-30, but find the 94 action needs a lot of upkeep and is kinda fussy to pull apart and put back together. I know the 336 is darn simple and easy to strip down, dry out and re-oil, and know very little about the savage 99.

Also, I am becoming primarily a 308 shooter - the 3030 is a great cartridge but I've only got one gun that shoots it :p I guess maybe that says something though... it's my go-to cal and gun... maybe I'm trying to fix a non-existent problem :p
 
I have shot both and now have two 99's in 308 and all i can say is that i love them! The 99 just feel's right and paired off with the 308 makes it an extremely flexible rifle.
i got one for sale pm if your interested.
 
Marlin 336 vs. Savage 99

If you want to scope a lever gun in .30-30 Win then go with the Marlin.

If you want a .30 cal lever rifle with more horsepower than the venerable .30-30 then go with the Savage 99 in .300 Savage or .308 Win.

I have a scoped Marlin 336 in .30-30 and a late 50's mfg Savage 99F in .308 Win.

Like 'em both.

:canadaFlag:
-----------
NAA.
 
I have a 99 in 250 savage, a marlin 45-70' a Winchester 94 in 30-30 and several BLRs in 243, 308, 325wsm and 450 marlin

Based just on the action not on calibre I would rank them

94
BLR
99
Marlib
 
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