New Marlin 30-30's: still up to snuff?

[Col. Plink]

I am considering a new Marlin 30-30 lever gun (model 336 I believe), which at WallyWorld in Central Texas goes for around $350. Not bad for American classic, I figure.

Question is, is it still an American classic?

Outsourcing and globalization in general have ruined many a fine American example of workmanship; didn't know if the Marlin 30-30 had become one of them. Thanks!

 

[CajunBass]

I got one last spring. In my opinion it's better made and nicer looking than the ones I had back in the 80's. Shoots just as well.

 

[Maverick223]

Question is, is it still an American classic?

Well kind of...but not really. If by "American classic" you mean a rifle as used on the frontier from days gone by...it isn't. It is a completely different, modern design (by lever gun standards), but a very good one. I consider it (as well as the 1895, which is of the same design) the best of tube magazine lever guns.

 

[Abel]

I am considering a new Marlin 30-30 lever gun (model 336 I believe), which at WallyWorld in Central Texas goes for around $350. Not bad for American classic, I figure.

Its worth every penny, but......for 350, you can afford to shop around used gun racks & pawn shops and locate a pre-crossbolt safety model. They are sittin' there waitin' for you to find them, and finding them is half the fun.

 

[Badlander]

Buy it! You will not regret it.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I bought a 336C recently from a dealer (not Walmart). It is well built and shoots something like 3 MOA. I've never focused too hard on how accurate with this one as it's a hunting rifle.

I know for some non-gun products, the major manufacturers produce a separate line of products for Walmart that are not the same quality as their normal products (there is often a reason it costs less - typically lower quality, which may or may not be an issue). I don't know if Marlin is producing a Walmart only special or not for the Marlin. That would be my only potential concern.

 

[courtgreene]

according to this forum the lower quality walmart specials do not apply to guns but they do apply to scopes,rings,etc... you should probably check that with a more official source though. Remington claims that their walmart guns are the same as guns sold at any sporting goods store. It would seem that manufacturers wouldn't produce lesser quality guns for walmart because (1) they will eventually hit the used racks at other stores and (2) lesser quality guns mean wrongful death legal battles. IMHO

 

[husker]

I would not buy A new cross bolt safety Marlin!!
but then i wont ride a train unless it is being pulled by a STEAM LOCOMOTIVE !!

 

[joeq]

I bought my 336 around two years ago. Not one problem and it is one of my favorite rifles. They are definitely well made and fun to shoot.

 

[ECVMatt]

Another vote for Marlins! They are solid well built rifles. 350 is good new, but like others said they are easily found in pawn shops as well...

 

[emilianoksa]

They cost about $900 here.

I'd buy one, even at that price, if it weren't for the ridiculous cost of the ammo.

20 rounds of 30.30 would set me back $30.

So it would cost me about 60 to 100 dollars just to shoot in the barrel.

I'd really like one, but not at those kind of prices.

For $350, and with US ammo prices, I'd buy one for each day of the week.

The only Marlin I can afford to buy and shoot here is a Mod 60.

Not that I'm complaining about the Mod 60. In fact I'm about to buy one. The cheapest model 60 here goes for about $350, the same price as a 336 in the States.

 

[Abel]

I bought a 336C recently from a dealer (not Walmart). It is well built and shoots something like 3 MOA. I've never focused too hard on how accurate with this one as it's a hunting rifle.

3MOA? Open sights at 100 yards? Or scope? If you are only getting 3" groups at 100 yards with a scope, try different ammo. Many/most model 336 30-30's shoot 170 grain stuff better than the 150....same for the 35 Rem's; they like the 200 grain bullets better in most cases. 3MOA with a scope is a no-go for me.

 

[butcherboy]

my first deer rifle i purchased was a 336 gold trigger model from gandermtn in 2008. great gun, accurate enough for what i use it for. mine averaged under 2 inch groups( but the shooter averaged 3-4 inches) last time it was shot it in 2009 and it isnt even broken in yet.
( i was a new shooter at the time, since then ive shot a lot: handguns, shotguns, rifles.)

i would buy another one. if i had too.

 

[Abel]

mine averaged 3-4 inch groups last time i shot it in 2009 and it isnt even broken in yet.

What? Please tell me this is with iron sights.

 

[MartinS]

A saddle rifle in production and chosen as long as the 336 is a classic. With no Winchester it is THE canbeboughtnew 30/30. And since the 30/30 is an American classic the 336 so chambered is a DOUBLE classic.

 

[Maverick223]

What? Please tell me this is with iron sights.

I don't really understand the claims of 3MOA+ either. Every one that I have ever shot (with a scope or good quality irons) was capable of 2MOA or better (averaging about 1.5in. @100yds).

 

[butcherboy]

abel, i had an experienced shooter help me sight in my rifle. he was able to get under 2 inch groups @ 100 yards. i being a very new shooter at the time was able to get 3-4 inch groups. it was the case of the gun shooting better than the person.

 

[Abel]

abel, i had an experienced shooter help me sight in my rifle. he was able to get under 2 inch groups @ 100 yards. i being a very new shooter at the time was able to get 3-4 inch groups.

With a scope?

 

[Maverick223]

i had an experienced shooter help me sight in my rifle. he was able to get under 2 inch groups @ 100 yards. i being a very new shooter at the time was able to get 3-4 inch groups. it was the case of the gun shooting better than the person.

Nothing wrong with that; keep shooting and it'll come.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Hi Able, I'm reponding your reponse to mine above. On my cell phone so I have limited functional control and I can't quote what you said above.

Yes, it has the 2.5 X Leupold Scout Scope on it. With other accurate bolt guns w scopes, the best I typically do is 2 MOA groups. With the 336, its usually 3 MOA w the 2.5X scope. I don't spend a lot of time fussing or worrying to try and get better groupings. I should also mention that I shoot 10 round groups and drop 2 rounds. Typically, I put up the Champion Deer targets that look like a picture of a deer. If the shot is in the lung area I'm happy. I mostly shoot the LeverEvolution ammo through the 336.

 

[lesgeaux]

If you are considering it, get it now if you are able. I got mine 2 years ago for 275.00, so as you know prices are most alway going up and that is why the price is as you see it. If there is an Academy sports by you check the price there as well. It is a solid shooter and from what I have read and knowing the accuracy of mine they are consistant, and good for about 1.5 moa Others complain about the crossbolt safety, I like mine, if I do not want it on, it stays off. I do feel more confident with it on when I am unloading after a days hunting.

 

[Abel]

Yes, it has the 2.5 X Leupold Scout Scope on it. With other accurate bolt guns w scopes, the best I typically do is 2 MOA groups. With the 336, its usually 3 MOA w the 2.5X scope. I don't spend a lot of time fussing or worrying to try and get better groupings. I should also mention that I shoot 10 round groups and drop 2 rounds. Typically, I put up the Champion Deer targets that look like a picture of a deer. If the shot is in the lung area I'm happy. I mostly shoot the LeverEvolution ammo through the 336.

Hey, a ten shot group is usually bigger due to the barrel warming and shooter fatigue. Its no easy task to create a 1.5" group with five or more shots. The only advice that you'll get from me is to keep up the good work & don't be afraid to experiment with different brands of ammo and different weight bullets. But you are correct; your rifle is Minute of Deer accurate.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't know if Marlin is producing a Walmart only special or not for the Marlin. That would be my only potential concern.

Generally the version sold by Wal-Mart is the 336W. The difference is the hardwood stock vs a walnut stock on the "C" model. The "W" model is not just a Wal-Mart version though, I have seen them at my local gun shop, usually for 20-30 dollars more than at Wal-Mart.

The one pictured in my post above is a "W."

 

[heeler]

Since I fall into the camp of absolute loathing of that ugly crossbolt safety and that crappy checking of the stock I would head over to GunBroker or some other auction site and buy a much prettier and better crafted 336 pre crossbolt safety Marlin made in the 70's or early 80's.
That's what I did and could not be happier.
Mine fires 3 shot groups of 170 grain Corelokts in a one inch circle.
Spend a half an hour looking at some of them on these sites.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Hey, a ten shot group is usually bigger due to the barrel warming and shooter fatigue. Its no easy task to create a 1.5" group with five or more shots. The only advice that you'll get from me is to keep up the good work & don't be afraid to experiment with different brands of ammo and different weight bullets. But you are correct; your rifle is Minute of Deer accurate.

Thanks for the encouragement. I did find that attending an Appleseed helped.