My new Marlin - 2013 366C

[SwissArmyDad]

For the last few years, I've been following Marlin's transition from being it's own company to being owned by Remington/Freedom Group. I saw first hand the junk that came out of the company during those early stages while they utilized old, worn out equipment. My heart sunk as I intended to pick up a levergun as soon as it was fiscally possible.

I patiently bided my time, wanting that new-gun smell rather than picking up an old war horse.

Fast forward to mid 2013 - low and behold I began seeing 336's on the racks with very acceptable looks and seemingly slick functioning. Having heard that during the hiatus in producing Leverguns, Marlin had replaced old equipment and had developed new processes, I decided to roll the dice and buy mine in October of this year, and I have to say, so far, I'm stoked.

Blueing is deep and shiny, and the walnut stocks are well checkered, and have, to my eyes, a more than acceptable fit to the action. It wasn't until last week that I got a chance to do more than just cycle the action with a set of snapcaps in order accelerate the break-in process.

Range time was boringly uneventful and very fun. I went through a handful of ammo, and though I wasn't focusing on anything other than the gun reliably functioning, I WAS noticing that it was very very easy to keep my groups in the 1-2" arena without too much fuss.


So far I've made these purchases/modifications:

- Uncle Mike's sling swivels
- XSsights "Lever Scout" optics rail
- 3 boxes of .30-30 win ammo (somewhat surprisingly scarce right now)


I've heard from one end of the internet to the other that leverguns are 100 yard guns, but with my lever rail, a quality glass optic, Hornady ammo and a few other tricks to isolate the mag tube from the barrel, i'm hopeful that 300-400 yards are realistically possible.

 

[Leanwolf]

Glad their quality control has picked up. Marlin made far too good rifles for them to be allowed by Remington to put out shoddy firearms. I have several from the old JM company and have used them extensively.

I don't know about "300 or 400" yards but with a 'scope, 200 is certainly possible as long as you shoot accurately.

Good luck hunting and hope you enjoy that new Marlin.

L.W.

 

[aHFo3]

I have found the same to be true. I picked up an 1895GBL 45/70. The bluing was beautiful, the fit was very good, the laminated stock was very good, and the action was quite smooth. The checkering seemed very dull. I don't know if it was the laminated stock material that made the checkering seem soft, but it wasn't sharp at all. It almost seemed as though some of the layers of laminate were very soft fiber materials - almost like cardboard.

I sold it and am expecting an 1895G to arrive sometime soon. I'll let you know how this one is. I figured a solid walnut stock should have better checkering.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

Glad their quality control has picked up. Marlin made far too good rifles for them to be allowed by Remington to put out shoddy firearms. I have several from the old JM company and have used them extensively.

I don't know about "300 or 400" yards but with a 'scope, 200 is certainly possible as long as you shoot accurately.

Good luck hunting and hope you enjoy that new Marlin.

L.W.

Thanks for the well wishes, Leanwolf. As for the distances mentioned, it's definitely going to take some trial and error but I definitely don't see being accurate at that range as impossible at all. People talk about .30-30 not being as flat shooting as other rounds for many reasons, but to me, even a rainbow trajectory that is known and accounted for should be accurate and generally repeatable if you retain your dope.

My only goal is the enjoyment of the challenge and to see what this particular rifle is capable of. I may hit 250 and call it good enough...haha

 

[Davek1977]

Even a scope sighted 30-30 shooting "modern" loads is really a 200-250 yard gun, especially on game (can't wound paper, so thats less of a concern, in my book). Even the best optics and best loads don't make the 30-30 anything other than a 30-30. If you want to shoot at 3 or 400 yards, there are FAR better rounds and far better guns for the purpose.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

.30-30 @ 500 yards...
http://youtu.be/QiQGPmo3hmM

 

[Fleetman]

Just because you CAN do it doesn't mean you SHOULD do it. As already stated, paper wounding is a non-event, game wounding is irresponsible.

 

[herrwalther]

Everytime I walk through a store and see Remington Marlins I cringe. The wood just looks fake and like plastic to me compared to my older Marlins.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

Fleetman, re-read my first post, sir...I never made any mention of hunting at the stated ranges.

As for shooting paper or any other target at that range, whether it is a "non-event" for me or my shooting buddies is really no concern of yours. (If you really think about it.)

Anywho, like i said, i'm going to enjoy the challenge.

 

[xfyrfiter]

I had an old man friend, who had an old mans 30-30 win. lever action, and as he had had that same rifle as his go-to for probably 60 years, and had probably a few thousand rounds through the pipe, I have seen him shoot 400 yards accurately with irons. But he was very accomplished as a rifleman, and had grown up hunting and shooting in the Kentucky hills, and could range estimate almost as good out to 450 yards as my laser. He did not take pot shots at game, and believed in a clean kill. Only shot this far just to show us kids he could still out shoot us at almost any time LOL. At the time I was about 40 so was still a kid compared to his 70.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

That's a great story, xfyrfiter. Thanks for posting that.

That's pretty much my perspective, too. The best shots that have taught me a thing or two, did so with very un-glamorous guns such as leverguns, model 10 smiths, ruger .22s etc.

More about the shooter than the gun, IMO. That being said, the ranges I'm talking about are more about fun and challenge than anything. Good sized deer and turkey can be taken at 50-100 yards easily around here...

 

[DT Guy]

There's an old saying in motorcycling; "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow."

I think it would be a more interesting endeavor to try to group a 30-30 at 400 yards than shoot my H-Bar AR at 100, and hope you have fun with the new shooter!


Larry

 

[Fleetman]

After re-reading my post I think it's more how I said something rather than what I said.....I certainly wasn't implying you were shooting game at that range and my apologies if it was taken that way (and by the way it was written it would surely sound that way)....no offense intended.

My 336 is over 40 years old and I shoot it regularly. I only shoot targets and truly enjoy long-range shooting.

Nice purchase and enjoy your new rifle.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

No harm, no foul, sir! I may very well be posting up my about my "amazing" 250 yard levergun shots..lol.

DT nailed it with his motorcycle analogy, though. Also, I feel very "American" for some reason, in the endeavor of wringing out as much accuracy as possible from this platform.

I know, I know, it sounds goofy..but I definitely feel a certain connection every time I pick up this rifle to the folks who might have carried a lever gun as their main defensive /offensive gun. (I've been a gun owner for years and years. This is my first levergun, though.)

I know the 336 design only goes back to 1948, but as a descendent of the 1893 rifle, I'm hoping mine proves it worth. I think the tasteful, choosey additions I have planned will make it more functional without being too tacticool.

 

[HOOfan_1]

.30-30 @ 500 yards...
http://youtu.be/QiQGPmo3hmM

Accuracy isn't as much of a problem at that range as energy. So, yeah if you are just using it for targets, sounds like a good challenge.

 

[788Ham]

You'd shoot a turkey with a 30-30? Must not care whats left over to eat huh? Your rifle, your turkey….. just saying' !

 

[SwissArmyDad]

Ok, well just an update - My dad surprised me with an XS lever rail for Christmas, and I just installed it.

Definitely a high quality product, and my communication with the company was top-notch and very pleasant from the shipping process, to a convo. about scope recommendations.

To me, a levergun is a working gun, and while I'm pretty good with Irons, I think this mod will definitely help me wring out a higher level of performance from this rifle. I'm' excited to pick out my scope and to get my hands on some hornady ammo to see what this rig can do.

Here's a pic for y'all: