The 336 Club

streakr - that's too bad. Looks like the guy knew his stuff.
But if Marlin can put something similar together for me, I'll probably have to pick up another 336 at some point and get it made into something like yours only in 30-30. I can appreciate the value of more exotic rounds but for my uses I'd rather stick to calibers that I am already equipped with whenever possible. But that will be awhile - I'm already stretched thin and casting equipment will probably be my next project.

Kentucky roughrider - IIRC, both Marlin and Winchester once offered guns that were basically made to order in about any configuration you could imagine.
I'd imagine the reason that they don't do that now is because it would get in the way of mass production. Without mass production, we wouldn't have $200 336's used at our local gun stores and pawn shops. But I still do sympathize with you on that one - straight stocks would be a really cool option.
And on the other calibers, it might make sense now with CAS being so popular but if you're a bean counter at Marlin and you already have 30-30 and 38-55 in production, why screw with that by adding any more calibers? I could see it happening if they got a huge outcry from the public to offer their guns in semi-obsolete calibers, maybe as a limited run.
But I doubt they'd do that without some serious motivation.

New here, even though I've been aware of the site for a few years. Figured my first post (since there doesn't appear to be a sub forum for introductions) should be here seeing as how I just bought my first Marlin 336. Picked it up used at my local gun shop with a pair of Conetrol mounts and a Tasco Pronghorn 4x scope (which is coming off) for $350. The guy bought it last season, used it twice, and swapped it in on a 30-06. Lucky me!

After becoming heavily addicted in the span of two boxes of Hornady LeverEvolution, I've now got my eyes set on a Marlin 45-70. Definitely can't understand how I've gone so long without a 336 now that I've got one...

One thing I could do without is the checkering on the stock and forearm.
Why do they do that anyway?
Is there so much hand-to-hand combat going on between deer and hunters that there is a huge need to allow hunters to get a more secure grip while butt-stroking their prey?

Personally, I prefer the smooth stocks more. They look cooler and they don't grab lint from a cloth when you oil them.
Fortunately, it's not too hard to find a used one without checkering in my area.
The 30-30 is still a very common hunting rifle here in PA so even discontinued Winchesters turn up pretty often.

Hey everybody,

We survived Hurricane Gustav and are now watching Ivan. We should not get too much from him. The G storm killed power and internet for almost a whole week so things were pretty hot down here. I went and stayed at my cousin's house and had to take the whole gun locker since the house alarm would not work. No trees in house or flood waters either. The only real dammage I have to deal with is that my shooting range got totaled by the storm. We will have to completely rebuild over the next month.

Hope to be posting some pics soon and get back to talking shop with ya'll,

electrode1998

Deleted

My ideas liste inpost #1971 were just suggestion for Marlin to add to their product line. I had no plans to change my A model, but now I might. The 336C cowboy sounds good,m yea i might have to buy a C model to have that made.

As deer season approaches I'm trying to shoot more. Got the 336 out of the safe and over to the range a couple of weeks ago. It was sporting a new-to-me used Weaver 4x scope that seemed to work pretty well with these old eyes.

With luck I will load my first PapaJohn loads tomorrow and see how they do either tomorrow or later next week. It's depressing how much ammo has gone up in price over the last couple of years.

Hope that E'trode made it through Ike OK...

"It's depressing how much ammo has gone up in price over the last couple of years. "

Not to mention the price of component bullets, Remington's in particular. They used to be the best unsung bargain around, now they've gone up something on the order of 150%. I laid in a good supply several years ago, and have been hoarding them like Father Goose protecting the flock. I think I paid about seven cents a head for the Remmy Core-Lokt's, now they're around 20. And it's only gonna get worse.

Pine Cone, good luck with the Papajohn loads, I've recently gotten several more reports of good accuracy from people that have tried it. One guy even said what I was thinking......don't try so hard to concoct good ammo, you'll ruin it! Scoop the powder charges, cram a bullet stuck on top, add a nominal crimp, and go shoot. If you seperate the cases by headstamp, meticulously weigh the powder charges and measure every round with a micrometer, you'll prolly get horrid accuracy. I used to shoot benchrest, and know a few tricks, but when it comes to thutty-thutties, The Grizzly Adams attitude seems to work pretty well!

PJ

Loaded up 50 rounds of Papajohn 30-30s on Sunday with a Lee Hand Press which worked quite well. I normally use a Lee Classic Turret press, but I am experimenting with more mobile reloading equipment.

The pin that pushes out the old primer was set in too deep, but I was expecting that so I just loosened the collet, pushed it up and then tightened it again. The resizing die takes some effort if you don't lube both the inside and outside of the neck. With the right amount of lube it's pretty easy. Seating primers was very easy, and the final loading of the bullet on top of the cartridge case was easier than I had feared. I never even came close to dumping IMR 4895 everywhere...

I got the Lee Handpress kit which still needs the dies, a case length trimmer, a chamfer tool, reloading trays and a few other misc items, but it looks like the whole kit (with some power, bullets, and cases) would fit into a large old-fashioned lunchbox. I think it would work best for loads you are familiar with which can be done with a single scoop of power so you don't absolutely have to have a scale, but even with a scale it would still be a small package. I'll have to get a small-to-medium toolbox to put mine into so it is easy to put into my truck without looking too interesting. Then I can reload at the range or somewhere with a nice view.

For pistol loads I'll stick with my turret press, but there is so much handling of the necked rifle cases (lube, size, trim and/or chamfer) that the turret workflow is more like a single stage press anyway so there isn't much time lost using the hand press on rifle cartridges.

Got to shoot the Papajohn load this evening and it sure seems to be a keeper. I need some work before I can match the accuracy of the rifle and load, but I'm very pleased with the results.

The Core-Lokt bullets might have gone up to about 20 cents each, but they are much cheaper than anything else I can get around here.

Papajohn - I followed your advice on trying to use the Grizzly Adams approach over the Rocket Scientist approach. The process is really pretty simple and the results were well worth the effort. Thanks for sharing the load info with us... Next time I'm loading 100 rounds... and I'd better buy some more power and bullets before you get them all.

Now I just have to figure out where all the bucks went to, haven't seen any in the last month... Saw lots of tracks yesterday but no deer.

Pine Cone,
bucks (exspecially big ones) are very good at hiding and some only come out at night. Those might be large does making tracks to fool hunter, watch Jeff Fowworthy's hunting videos, you'll get it.

Yep, the Core-Lokts are a lot more pricey than they used to be.
I was lucky enough to salvage some from some questionable loads I had around (they were given to me so I pulled them down to recycle them).
But for buying new ones I think they're not much less expensive anymore than the "name brand" bullets. That's why I settled on Hornady interlocks.

im just droppin in to say hey guys

In 1968 I acquired two things, a new gun and a new wife. I still have both.

The gun was a new Marlin 336 R.C. in .35 Rem. I picked it because of it's beautiful black walnut stock. Over the years I used it with open sights, had a 4 power scope on it and now have a Lyman peep sight on it.

Unfortunately, like so many people, after a few years of hunting, I decided that I needed something bigger for whitetail. I've used a 7mm08, a .270, and a .308. All great guns, but there is just something about a lever action.

When my son hunted for the first time, I let him use the 336. It had the scope on it at that time. I remember, he shot a nice little 5 point before 7:30 the first morning. As I walked up to him, he grinned and said," I don't see where this is that hard". Over the years since then, he has eaten those words many times. This year he again wants to use the 336 with open sights. I wish him luck.

Since finding the Highroad, and the 336 club, I have again become interested in the Marlin guns. I would like to find a 30-30 in good shape or maybe even a 45-70. I was pawn shopping the other day and ran across a 39A (1964) that I could not turn down. Had been looking for an older one for awhile.

Okay, I am hooked. I need to join the 336 club. From what I have read, there is a wealth of information in this club and some mighty fine folks.

Welcome Jerry46

Hi, Jerry46
Notice you picked up a Model 39a. Make sure you join in the gang on the Model 39 club also. Wealth of info on this great rifle. Also try your hand in the September rimfire challenge in the stickys. This month is a bit funner. Again welcome.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

nem i really enjoy how some people in my thread were saying i was lying


i got a tip for u guys

i had about 8 stray .30-30 rounds in an ammo can rolling around with the rest of my boxed rifle ammo and my .308 in a bandolier, 4 .30-30 fit great on a .308 stripper clip it always bugs me when i have a few loose rounds in a can but this solved the problem great

I must be missing something like a point you were making....

I was going to get one but I got an AK instead because of their risk of being banned and being able to get them since supplies are drying up.I can always get a Marlin 336 and I admit it is a nice rifle and I will consider getting it next time since I liked it.