.35 Rem: Marlin 336 or Rem. 760?

[OrangePwrx9]

While looking for a good .35 Rem Marlin, I recently stumbled on a 760 in the same caliber in like new condition for about the same price as a Marlin. Sent me back into rethink mode.

I handload .35 Rem. for a Contender handgun that I don't shoot much anymore. Got plenty of .35 components and would like to get a longarm to shoot them in. I know of the Marlin's rugged reliability and like the two 1894s I have. OTOH, my Dad's old 760 in .30-06 is just as reliable and shoots MOA with good handloads. I learned to shoot centerfire with that gun and killed many a woodchuck with it.

Also, I think the solid front-locking rotary bolt in the 760 would do a better job of limiting the case stretch which the .35 Rem. is noted for. The rear locking Marlin action is more flexible.

Bottom line, I'm comfortable with both action types. Which would a hunter/handloader be happiest with? Which is least likely to have "issues"?

I know....it would make more sense to just shoot the '06 and sell the .35 components on ebay. But my mind doesn't work that way.
Thanks.
Bob

 

[Badlander]

I'll vote for the Marlin. It's the classic .35 Rem.

 

[jmr40]

Although neither rifle is common the 760 is less common and the way I would choose. Of course I would add a Marlin to the collection some day as well. Going with the 760 will allow you to load hotter and to use pointed bullets. Same loads as in the Contender. Not an option with the Marlin.

 

[ArmedBear]

Marlin. .35 cal Leverevolution shoots really well in it.

In the Remington pumps, I'd just get a .35 Whelen.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Well they still make new 35 cal marlins. Not so with the rem so I would snag the pump while the gettin is good

 

[rbernie]

I think that the Marlin carries better and handles better. That's the one I'd get (if I didn't already have one).

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It's really a matter of personal preference -- both rifles have their strong and weak points. Get the one that appeals most to you.

 

[ShakyJake]

Hi OP9,
+1 to what Vern says. Many good comments but you are the one that would be shooting it, it has to be the one most comfortable for you.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[wyohome]

I have a 760 that I have carried until the bluing is gone from the balance point. The balance point by the way is directly at the magazine and is the coldest and noisiest place on the whole rifle. Having said that it has never let me down, shoots a little worse than MOA, and would be my go to rifle due to the familiarity and ease of point. Your mileage may vary.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Think of that 760 as the descendant of older Remington pump rifles, the 14/141. I always thought those, with their helical-twist tubular magazines, were cool.

 

[NCsmitty]

If you pick the 760, you'll find it's a delight to hunt with and shoot in that caliber.

I must say that I agree with others in that the 760 or 7600 is at it's best in the 35 Whelen, and can handle about anything in North America. Quick follow up shots in a potent chambering in a generally accurate rifle.

Here's a link to some maple stocked Remington rifles at Grice's gun shop in PA.

http://www.gricegunshop.com/specials/PDFs/05.19.09/rem-special-runs_05.19.09.pdf


NCsmitty

 

[lefteyedom]

Go with the Marlin. If you like the 760 then it is worth finding one in 30.06 or even better 35 whelen.
The Marlin 336 in 35 remington is a great deer/black bear rifle. Nothing wrong with the 760 but for the same weight you could have much more powerful longer range set up.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got, or had, both.

My Rem.760 was quite accurate. With a load of an over listed max of H322 and a Sierra 200gr RN, it was 3shots touching at 100yds. I killed several deer with it and was generally pleased with it. Yes, it's stronger than most other .35Rem actions and will handle slightly heavier loads than say the Marlin M336. However, the brass isn't as strong as the '06 or .308 class cases and WILL stretch with such loads. Even with partial neck sizing.

I traded the rifle for an S&W Mod 686 with a 2.5" bbl that I shot a National record with in PPC that still stands, so in that regard, I don't regret the trade as I was a typical L.E. officer and was chronicly cash strapped. The reason I was willing to give up the rifle is that it was "noisey" in the woods. Like other poster mentioned, the forend "rattled". I spooked several respectable deer while manipulating the rifle into a shooting position. I had a Leupold MX4 3x scope with a dot recticle. A "near" perfect game rifle, if the forend hadn't rattled. I also didn't like the "reach" for the forend either.

For a "collector/shooter", the rifle is a keeper. For general hunting, I much prefer my current Marlin M336C. It's almost as accurate with a compressed load of H4895, and produces within 50-100fps of the velocity that the 2" longer and stronger Remington produced. For the ergonomics for a woods rifle, the Marlin is unbeatable. Especially when considering that I shoot long guns from the left side due to a left dominant eye. I did have a left-handed safety installed on the Remington that I removed prior to selling it. It now resides on my M1187SP that is my waterfowling "machine".

For a hunting/field rifle, I much prefer the Marlins. In fact I own 3, the others in .30/30, and .45/70. and they all three shoot with or out-shoot almost all my bolt-action rifles. Go figure !
The .338MX is probably going to make #4, soon, and will probably displace a couple of boltactions when it does.