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The 336 Club

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can i join?

my fathers friend just called and said that he found a good deal on some kind of marlin 30-30 for 275 bucks and a nice scope. i have yet to see it, but i am assuming it is a 336 as the place he got it had no other marlin lever action 30-30s listed on their site at the time he got it. he is up in maine right now, and i am just waiting for him to get back so i can see the thing. i cant wait, and had to tell someone. pics to follow if i can figure out how. BTW this is gonna be my first centerfire rifle.:) :) :)
 
News & Sand, welcome.

Wow, so much good stuff to read ... I'll get caught up this weekend.

Sniper, no problem at all posting stuff here from other sites/pages. I just think it's a great idea to post sources when we can so that others can get credit for compilations, and - more importantly - so that readers can verify details if they wish to (for those that don't know we are people of integrity). :cool:

Cliff ... great article. Have only scanned it so far, but this part is amazing ...

"It is a tough target to shoot because [it] is located almost 1130 yards from the firing line!"

:what:

And it only took him 70 rnds to hit it. :D
 
What's the best lightweight scope mount for a 336?

I have one, but I ditched the old steel leupold mount. Too much weight throwing off the balance.
 
Welcome Stars! It could be 1895 or 336, or some other model I think but I'd bet 10 bucks it is a 336A,C of some kind at that price, but then again, I am no Marlin lever gun afficianado.....I can't even spell afficianado!
 
scope mount?

Hey Nem. and Scout,
Nem, as you know I have the xs scout scope mount on my 336A. It weighs next to nothing. I think it is aircraft aluminium(if I spelled it right). I have handled 336's with traditional scopes and they were o.k.
But I have found so far that I LOVE my scout scope mount.

Hey Nem. How do you post pics on the thread? I want to post my pics and I am not sure how to do it.
Thanks,
e'trode.
 
Posting images

Hey E'trode, thanks for the info on the XS mount. I haven't seen one yet, but I was betting it'd be really light weight. I'm betting also that I'm going to end up with one on my 336. :rolleyes:

As for posting pics, here are directions from the FAQ (see above on the menu bar):

"To attach a file to a new post, simply click the [Manage Attachments] button at the bottom of the post composition page, and locate the file that you want to attach from your local hard drive.

After posting, the image attachments may display a thumbnail."
Click to expand...

Now, if you want to embed the image directly into the post (other than the thumbnail, which should be there if you follow the directions above), then after posting, click on the thumbnail in the post, which will load the image (if you right click on it and select "open in new tab", it will open in a new tab).

Copy the URL of the image (which is now on the THR server) into your clipboard. (On a PC, you can copy the URL by highlighting the URL and use the keystroke <Cntl C>, or in the edit menu of your browser, select "copy".)

Then, re-open your post with "Edit" button. Put the cursor at the position where you want the image (usually at the bottom, but not necessarily), click the Image icon
insertimage.gif
, enter the URL (that you copied to your clipboard) in the dialog box that you opened. Click OK. The full image will now be part of your post.

I suggest trying to be reasonable with image sizes though. If the images are too large (wider than a normal post, say) or too numerous, they will seriously slow down page loading times for readers. (You can visit any of the "post pics of your {enter gun name here}" threads to get a taste of that.

To speed up loading times, these days, I often just post thumbnails instead of full images. It just makes things faster.

But, YMMV. :cool:

Lemme know if you have any questions about making that work.

Nem
 
Nematocyst,

It was a traditional mount, I'm not a big fan of scout mounts. I'm thinking of finding a good quality lightweight rail to mount where the factory holes are drilled.
 
rail mount

Hey Shoot,
XS makes a full legnth rail mount for the marlin 336. You can see it on their website. I almost got it but I decided on the scout scope mount only. The full rail also can have the ghost rings included in your order.
Have fun.
 
well, its here

And its a 336 alright. it is infact a 336w with the checkered stock, which i think means that it is newer:confused: :confused: . the serial number list on page 11 doesnt seem to work, as it starts in 95, with no letters(anyone care to help). it has a BSA scope, which i know nothing about, but it seems pretty basic to me, but that is ok. it has see thru weaver mounts, and the crosshairs on the scope were not even level when i first got it leading me to beleive it was rarely shot. i like the quality of the irons, but i am not sure if they are factory sights. the marlin website says that it comes with factory installed flip down irons, but the sights on it are fixed, but easily adjustable. All in all, i am very pleased with the price. in fact, i was told that the man at the counter asked if it was marked wrong at 275 instead of 375. but they honored thier price anyways. i cannot wait to shoot it tomorrow, as it is the first official day of my april vacation. will a box of 20 rounds be enough to sight it in. i plan on sighting in the irons at 50 yards, and the scope at 100. your help is greatly appreciated, and i am proud to be a member of this club. i think i will have this gun the rest of my life.;) ;)
 
Sand, that's good news. Congrats on the new acquisition. Don't it feel nice?

will a box of 20 rounds be enough to sight it in.
Click to expand...
My guess is, probably not. I'd carry a couple of boxes.

And keep in mind what a lot of our colleagues say: each rifle is unique. What works well in mine may not work well in yours. I'm trying several brands (Win, Rem, Fed ...) to see which groups best.

Please keep us posted about what you learn.
 
shhotinstudent, I used a Leupold aluminum base and aluminum rings on my 336ss. Works pretty well for me. You can see a pic of it somewhere in this thread.
And I have used LeverEvolution on two pigs, worked well at 100 yds and about 20 yds. Pretty accurate shootin.
 
Hey Sorensen,
I have shot the new ammo and it is a HOT round. Good bit of kick to it compared to the core-locks. I have heard nothing but good reviews bout the new stuff. I took it in the woods and did not see any targets that day. I took it to the range and shot one box to compare to the core-locks.
I'll probably stick with the new ammo but if I don't there is always the core-locks that I have always liked.
Have fun,
E'trode
 
TexAg,

That Leupold mount looks like just the ticket. How sturdy are the rings that go with it? Any difference in quality between these and the more expensive steel mounts?

I'd like to try those Leverevolution rounds too. My favorite of the ammo I've used is Federal 150 gr. flat point.
 
Well, I would post pictures of the 336W .30-30 I bought at Wal-Mart on April 1st, but it had to go back to the factory due to a cracked screw in the receiver on April 2nd:fire: . I don’t have it back yet, nor have I fired it yet, but I do look forward to it.

Reading through this thread has given me many ideas about what I will be considering for personalizations.

When I bought this weapon I was just looking for a lever action in a reasonable caliber. I picked the Marlin due to a few reviews I had read stating that it was stronger and heavier than the Winchester. Another deciding factor was the side eject versus the top eject of the ’94. I must at this point admit that I had no idea the 336 had such a long history or such a devout fan base. Had I know that I would have surely picked one up sooner.

The accessories that came with my gun were broken when I opened the box i.e. the hammer offset was missing the set screw and the lock wouldn’t open. I have no doubt that this box was a fluke, and that in time marlin will make it right. I have a camp 9 and a model 60 so I have faith in their product. Just wish I would have had a chance to at least fill the magazine before I had to send it back.:banghead:
 
It is possible to sight in a new rifle with one box of ammo but unless you are very experienced it is probably better to get to know your rifle with several trips to the range and a variety of ammo brands and weights/styles.

The more you shoot your 336 the better YOU will get. Almost every 336I I've even shot is capable of <2" at 100 yards with its prefered ammo. The first couple of times out I would just try to shoot good groups. When you find an ammo that prints 1" at 50 or 2" at 100 get a few more boxes and then worry about zeroing it.

My 1960 vintage 336 was so finicky it took me several trips to the range before I found a load it would shoot well. Now with its favored loads it will print sub 1" groups at 100 yards. The guy that sold it to me was amazed and admitted that the reason he sold it was because he couldn't get it to group. He only tried Remington Corelokts though and this 336 hated them. Put in a Hornady bullet (150 or 170gr) over a charge of Varget and good things started to happen

100 yard target pic; http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1057735

It takes a while to get familiar and comfortable with a rifle. With enough repetitions your consistency will improve and you will find out what the RIFLE is capable of.
 
Falcon, welcome.

So sorry to hear of the problems with your new 336W. :(

I know you're right though: Marlin will make it right. I hope it happens very quickly so you can get shooting. Please keep us posted. If they're too slow, we'll start a letter writing campaign to Marlin for you. :D
____________

It takes a while to get familiar and comfortable with a rifle.
With enough repetitions your consistency will improve and you will find out what the RIFLE is capable of.
Click to expand...

Mo, your post contains fantastic advice! Just what I wanted to read.

I think that's been my unstated strategy from the beginning with both my 336 and my 39A: just go out to the range a bunch of times, shoot them with different rnds, get to know them first. Work out the kinks (e.g., the FTF on my 39A that we're discussing in the 39A club), break it in. Don't sweat the zeroing thing right away, just look for reliable groups.

Your articulation of that strategy makes me feel confident that I'm not totally in left field by doing that.

Thanks.

Nem
 
Shootinstudent,
I find no difference in the quality and the aluminum base matched with the aluminum rings makes sense as they were made to go together. I think I loc-tited the base, but not the rings, but can't remember for certain. I also have faith in Leupold's offerings as I think they make quality stuff. I have some steel rigns on other guns, but this is aircraft grade aluminum and should easily withstand tons of abuse from a .30-30.

I sighted the gun in with a box of cor-loks and then shot a few LeveRevolution rounds and it never loosened or gave me problems. A few weeks later I shot the pigs and hit dead-on the first one and he dropped right there with a neck shot and hit the second one twice as he was running and my first shot hit too far back, the second shot killed him. The mounts still seem good to go, no issues and I will no doubt be using it again this next fall (if not for coyotes sooner).
 
I went to bed hours ago, but couldn't sleep.

(More irons in my professional fire at the moment than I prefer;
it's all good, but a lot to think about. :scrutiny: )

So, I got up and decided to study about guns, knives and tomahawks.
(I've just this weekend enrolled over on Blade Forum for the latter two...
more on that another day in another thread ...).

After reading for a while, I had a thought: I hadn't removed the stock buckhorn rear sight from my 336A since installing the XS GR's.

So I did it tonight. Simple operation with a punch and hammer; slid right out to the left.

Suddenly, even after that little modification, it felt like a different gun. First real modification of my rifle is complete. It was a ritual of sorts, an act of making it mine.

Since then, while doing minor chores around the studio (2500 SF feet up and downstairs), I've been carrying the 336 around with me on a sling, and sometimes just in hand balanced in front of the lever.

Yes, it's the dead of night here, my studio is in a ... um, dicey part of town - mostly deserted this time of day - and I always carry a weapon here at night.

Usually, it's my 642. Occasionally - like after recently watching (from an upstairs window) a SWAT team in full regalia with 3 - count 'em, 3 K-9 units scouring my neighborhood for a fugitive, I carry the 870, especially when I'm down stairs.

But tonight, just for some variety, just for a trial experience, I carried around the 336 with 4 in the magazine, 0 chambered, safety on.

Interesting experience. It felt so natural, and much more balanced than the 870, less bulky.

So, I just had to sit here for a while and write this essay in the 336 club, to express what I'm feeling about it.

Now don't get me wrong: I love the 870P. It'll always be part of my tool kit, especially in the base camp kit (including my studio, which I consider "camp 1").

But tonight, I started having strange thoughts.

"Hmm. Maybe my user name should have been Nematocyst-336."

See, I came to THR a year and a half ago seeking knowledge and advice about a SD shotgun. I didn't have one then. Had only a pistol: SW 3914 (which wasn't working for me, and after a lot of discussion in "pistols" traded it for a K9, which I've since replaced with 642 and 686 ... but I digress).

But I wanted an 870 for base camp SD, that could also be pressed into action as a hunting tool. I already knew, from research, looking at and handling them, and because I owned one as a kid, that I wanted an 870. I just didn't know which 870. So I came to THR to find out, to research, to ask for advice.

I gave myself the user name Nematocyst-870 because I'm a biologist, and "nematocysts" are interesting defensive and food procurement adaptations found in several kinds of animals - mainly jellyfish, their relatives, and things that eat them and incorporate their nematocysts into their own bodies. The are fired from specialized cells called cnidocytes. Some are even lethal to humans.

Nematocysts: coiled threads fired w/ hair triggers from cnidocytes in Cnidaria for self-defense & prey capture.
Some inject paralyzing toxins. One of the fastest biological processes, occurring in a few microseconds.
​
Even in this neighborhood at this time of night, I feel very secure with my 870 nearby. It's never more than about 30 steps away when I'm here. I hope I never have to use it for SD, but I'm glad to have it here.

As you know, it's only been recently that I added my 336. I had one once - a 336C in 35. Rem - in my 20's, thirty some odd years ago, but had let it slip away in those financially troubling times called "grad school". And have pined to have another one for years.

This one is it.

I had an 870 before, also, in 16 ga. But I liked my 336 better. The 336 was my last long gun to go during that financial hard place.

But in reality, especially tonight, I've had to begin to entertain that I may be more of a rifle guy than a shotgun guy.

And, curiously, I had another thought tonight, sort of out of the blue while I was toting around the 336: nematocysts are single projectiles, not multiple. They're more like rifles than shotguns, yet subdue prey with authority.

So, I guess in a sense, I'm really Nematocyst-336, at least when I carry that one.

At other times, maybe I'm Nematocyst-642 or -686 or -39A.

And of course, sometimes, I'll still be Nem-870.

But, for right now, I feel like Nem-336.

But what ever I'm carrying at the time, you can just call me ...

Nem ;)

...who is going back to bed soon ...
 
Nem, be careful with punching sights in and out. Most dovetails are cut so that you need to go right to left when installing a sight, and left to right when removing. I can't be sure about the dovetail on your particular rifle, but that is the general rule. Oh, and you can get a nice blank slot filler for the dovetail that will make it look a little nicer. I think I use the Marbles version and I bought it from Brownell's.
 
LeverEvolution: I'd like to try some of this ammo, but haven't gotten around to it yet -- mostly because I haven't felt like taking the time to re-zero my sights with it. Thing is, the traditional .30-30 softpoint bullets seem to have killing power within their effective range that exceeds what their ballistics would suggest. The new Hornady ammo looks to make the .30-30 into a true 200+ yard gun, but I'm not sure that's what I want out of the .30-30. To me, my Marlins are handy rifles chambered in an effective cartridge for the shooting distances I would typically use iron sights for. I have a scoped .30-06 bolt gun (CZ550FS) for further out.

On a side note, the LeverEvolution .30-30 is flatter shooting and gives a nice velocity boost, almost putting it in the same territory as the new .308 Marlin cartridge (almost, not quite) according to early results people are seeing. I think the .308 Marlin had better bring something to the table in effectiveness if it's to gain any real popularity. Maybe it does, we'll have to wait and see.
 
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