Marlin Lever in .356 Winchester
- Thread starter Slooshark1
- Start date
stickhunter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria, B.C.
I was lucky to pick up a Marlin 336ER a few years back and like it very much (but I'm a big fan of 35 cal in general). For me, it is an excellent companion to my Marlin 1894c in 357 Magnum. I had no trouble finding brass or dies. I haven't hunted with the rifle yet, just shot it at the range, but I'm getting it ready for next year's use. The rifle is currently sporting a Williams peep, but I'm going to be scoping it to take advantage of the longer range possible with the round --- I'm currently debating whether to go with a Leupold VX2 2-7x33 or M8 Compact 4x. My current leaning is towards the 4x to keep things simple.
I'll be mounting the scope this weekend so will be sure to post some pictures. I'm currently loading the rifle with Speer's 220gr FP, which is a great bullet and has one of the higher BCs for lever-suitable 35 cal bullets. My next experiments are going to be with the Speer 180gr and some of my cast moulds. I'm hopeful that a Lyman 225gr Keith will work well. The nice thing about the 356 is that with the proper lube, you don't have to sacrifice velocity to shoot cast.
BTW I know you've had the WTB for a while, but keep your hopes up. Since I bought mine, I've seen one or two others listed... not on the EE but elsewhere.
I'll be mounting the scope this weekend so will be sure to post some pictures. I'm currently loading the rifle with Speer's 220gr FP, which is a great bullet and has one of the higher BCs for lever-suitable 35 cal bullets. My next experiments are going to be with the Speer 180gr and some of my cast moulds. I'm hopeful that a Lyman 225gr Keith will work well. The nice thing about the 356 is that with the proper lube, you don't have to sacrifice velocity to shoot cast.
BTW I know you've had the WTB for a while, but keep your hopes up. Since I bought mine, I've seen one or two others listed... not on the EE but elsewhere.
Griffin6869
CGN Regular
- Location
- Cloverdale, BC
Hang in there on the WTB but I see you have been trying since June so it must be a hard rifle to acquire - I was really surprised on how quick I got responses when I posted yesterday for a WTB: lever in 357. None were listed for sale but I received 3 offers to sell me Rossi models in an hour and one CGN'er offered to pass my number along to a friend that doesn't post on CGN. Within an hour the gentleman phoned me and we came to agree on a nice deal (same money as the Rossi's) for a pre-rem Marlin 1984c in 357 in 9/10 condition. Come on guys help Sooshark1 out - post some pics and share your experiences - better yet tell him were he can find one.
No experience with a 356 but I've had a hankering for one for a long time. I've seen maybe 20 come up for sale here through the years of on and off reading the EE, I would have missed a bunch more. Definitely one of the rarer Marlins, I wish I would have picked one up along the line but there's always been some other must have on my list or they're priced in la la land. I've got its fairly close cousin in 375 winchester which I like a lot. But its just tirdy tirdy trajectory with a good punch for sure... The 356 definitely would open up more range. I'd definitely put a scope on one.
Marlin 336 ER - only ever 2441 made - my "go to" big game gun in the late 80s. Shot a few bears using 250 HC Speers with the tips nipped back (to same as the flat on 220gr Speers) - weighed about 246 grs after surgery . Worked real good in the tube mag and killed em now. Since then have acquired a lot of additional 35cal distractions so that rifle hardly gets used any more. But it's a solid rifle and easy to load for. Except for the bore and chamber ya can't tell a 336ER apart from from a Marlin Mod375.
http://35cal.com/photos.html
Interestingly, many 336ERs including mine - had the "micro groove" roll stamped barrel but were actually deep groove Ballard (six groove I think). Ya can't believe everything ya read - even on a rifle barrel it seems. Maybe Stickhunter would check his 336ER on that and report back here for my/our interest. Looking forward to seeing that scope installation too.
My son carried it for moose in 15b in the 90s in this pic - so my 336ER knows your moose hunting area Slooshark1. He came close once to pulling the trigger on a calf but it slipped away with momma not presenting a good shot opportunity. If you got a little time some Friday night I'll bring it with me to the Den - for your perusal - if that interests you. As you know I'm usually there then. Just let me know by PM.
http://35cal.com/loading.html#336er
http://35cal.com/photos.html
Interestingly, many 336ERs including mine - had the "micro groove" roll stamped barrel but were actually deep groove Ballard (six groove I think). Ya can't believe everything ya read - even on a rifle barrel it seems. Maybe Stickhunter would check his 336ER on that and report back here for my/our interest. Looking forward to seeing that scope installation too.
My son carried it for moose in 15b in the 90s in this pic - so my 336ER knows your moose hunting area Slooshark1. He came close once to pulling the trigger on a calf but it slipped away with momma not presenting a good shot opportunity. If you got a little time some Friday night I'll bring it with me to the Den - for your perusal - if that interests you. As you know I'm usually there then. Just let me know by PM.
http://35cal.com/loading.html#336er
