Marlin 30-30 lever action
- Thread starter jo_go0
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My shooting buddy just bought one a couple weeks ago, not at academy. We went shooting yesterday, and he let me shoot it a little. I thought it was a nice shooting rifle, loaded fine, chambered fine, shot fine. I saw the academy ad in yesterday's paper for $318, and I thought... dang, I bet he paid more than that.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I took a nice 9-pt whitetail today with my Marlin .30-30. No complaints at all.
Edit: Should have noted that mine is a 1964 vintage 336 RC with a straight stock, not a recent manufacture.
Edit: Should have noted that mine is a 1964 vintage 336 RC with a straight stock, not a recent manufacture.
Last edited:
NailGun
Member
I have used one for years, and it is my favorite deer gun. For shots up to 150 yards or so, the old 30-30 does a wonderful job. I put "see through" scope mounts on mine, and topped it with a 3x9 scope. Great brush gun. Sadly, out here in SD, it no longer sees much action. 
By the way, Welcome to The High Road!
NailGun.
By the way, Welcome to The High Road!
NailGun.
Sounds like a good deal to me.
Standard Marlin 336 in .30-30 holds six rounds in the magazine, one in the chamber. Throw a butt cuff on it, and you have nine rounds on the stock.
Ammo is available everywhere. Federal .30-30 sells for $8.37 per box of 20 rounds. Standard ammo is good out to about 150 yards, Hornaday's new leverloution ammo with the polomyer tips extends the range. Rounds do a good job on deer, and will serve on two-legged predators without a problem. The .30-30 lever action is a must-have in the gun safe, and the Marlin 336 fills the bill nicely. This also makes a nice truck gun, too. A lever action is also pretty much seen as non-threatning to the sheeple because of exposure in Westerns.
check this article out: http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/Marlin336CS.htm
Do not put a scope on it before shooting it with irons.
Standard Marlin 336 in .30-30 holds six rounds in the magazine, one in the chamber. Throw a butt cuff on it, and you have nine rounds on the stock.
Ammo is available everywhere. Federal .30-30 sells for $8.37 per box of 20 rounds. Standard ammo is good out to about 150 yards, Hornaday's new leverloution ammo with the polomyer tips extends the range. Rounds do a good job on deer, and will serve on two-legged predators without a problem. The .30-30 lever action is a must-have in the gun safe, and the Marlin 336 fills the bill nicely. This also makes a nice truck gun, too. A lever action is also pretty much seen as non-threatning to the sheeple because of exposure in Westerns.
check this article out: http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/Marlin336CS.htm
Do not put a scope on it before shooting it with irons.
Heck yes, it's a great gun. It's a classic. And it's very well made.
The Marlin 336 was my first centerfire rifle. I've owned one since I was 16 or 16 (I'm 40 now). If I had to keep just one rifle, that would be the one.
The .30-30 is a fine deer round within a reasonable range (150 yards or less).
Buy it, use it, you'll love it.
trainwreck100
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I think $318 is a little steep, but it's probably one of the most fun and effective guns you'll ever own. They are handy, handle around easily, and seem to be pretty tough. Great guns.
ECVMatt
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I have a few Marlin and like to find them at pawn shops..
Marlin has made millions of them and they are quite easy to find. I usually pay about 150 to 200 for one. All that said, I still buy new ones to support Marlin.
They are great guns and very accurate. They are extreamly easy to clean and take apart if you are so inclined.
I say go for it!
Matt
Marlin has made millions of them and they are quite easy to find. I usually pay about 150 to 200 for one. All that said, I still buy new ones to support Marlin.
They are great guns and very accurate. They are extreamly easy to clean and take apart if you are so inclined.
I say go for it!
Matt
Manedwolf
member
As someone else mentioned here, they have multiple purposes, the least of which certainly isn't that post-disaster, you can wander about with one on your back and not scare the whimpering sheep, since it's "just a western gun" to their mind...despite the fact that 30-30 will put down a two-legged predator rather quickly.
Lancel
Member
AStone
Member
Um, hmm.
My first centerfire rifle was a 336.
(Regret letting it go during financial hard times.)
Can't wait to get my hands on another one.
Soon. Very soon.
.30-30 rules (at least to 150 yds, for shooters who understand 'trajectory';
further with those Hornady Lever-evolutions, I'm told, but 150 is good enough for me...).
Walmart carries 336W for $299.
After deer season, I may be able to get a used one for $200.
Should complement the 870 nicely.
Ah, .30-30: a quintessential American caliber.
Especially in a CAR.
Nem
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Just wish Marlin would offer a straight-stocked .30-30 again ... sigh.
I have a Marlin Mdl 30AW..same as a 336, but it came bundled with a sling, and some minor difference in wood...although right now, I can't remember what that difference is/was.
I have a Tasco 4x32 on mine, with the "see-through" rings, 'cause my 50+ year old tri-focused eyes need a lot of help.
Mine shoots the Rem 170-Gr "Core-Lokt" soft-points the best, Win 170-Gr only a tiny fraction less accurately. Not real good with any of the 150-Gr rounds. Want to try some of that new Hornady stuff "lever-revolution" when I get a chance.
Plus, it is hard to discount that 'John Wayne Cool Cowboy Gun' effect. Another plus, I have put several of Bambi's relatives in the freezer with mine...
I have a Tasco 4x32 on mine, with the "see-through" rings, 'cause my 50+ year old tri-focused eyes need a lot of help.
Mine shoots the Rem 170-Gr "Core-Lokt" soft-points the best, Win 170-Gr only a tiny fraction less accurately. Not real good with any of the 150-Gr rounds. Want to try some of that new Hornady stuff "lever-revolution" when I get a chance.
Plus, it is hard to discount that 'John Wayne Cool Cowboy Gun' effect. Another plus, I have put several of Bambi's relatives in the freezer with mine...
ScottsGT
Member
At $318.00 it's probably the 336A. Still not too bad of a price. I bought the 336C last year at $400 from my local gun shop. There are 3 different versions out there. Go to Marlins website to see the differences. I know the 336C is the top of the line with real walnut stock and a covered front sight.
BTW, great short range rifle. Don't buy it if you are wanting to make the 500 yard shots. I hunt small fields and in the woods, so it is the perfect match for me.
BTW, great short range rifle. Don't buy it if you are wanting to make the 500 yard shots. I hunt small fields and in the woods, so it is the perfect match for me.
carterbeauford
member
Happy Marlin 30/30 lever owners, you say? (raises hand)
Prairie Ghost
Member
Raising Hands here, got a Marlin 336CC in 30-30 and just purchased another find in a pawn shop of a Glenfield 30A (Marlin made) also in 30-30. I would love to see Marlin produce a CB model with a 26" octagon barrel in 30-30 as well.
SSN Vet
Member
I like mine....
....makes a great "first (center fire) rifle"....
The C version has purdy Walnut....and the checkering in cut and not stamped.
use the half cock safety in the field and the cross bolt for unloading.
Just ordered a Williams 5D appeture (peep) site for mine....may go ahead and get their Fire Eye front sight as well.
Decided not to scope it.
....makes a great "first (center fire) rifle"....
The C version has purdy Walnut....and the checkering in cut and not stamped.
use the half cock safety in the field and the cross bolt for unloading.
Just ordered a Williams 5D appeture (peep) site for mine....may go ahead and get their Fire Eye front sight as well.
Decided not to scope it.
SShooterZ
Member
I bought my Dad one a couple of years back because he wanted to do some deer hunting. Really a fun gun to shoot and ammo is plentiful. I would recommend one to anyone and have looked at several myself.
AStone
Member
jo_go0, if I buy a new 336 - leaning towards used right now - it'll be a W.
Please let us know how it shoots. It needs lots of breaking in, so buy lots of rnds for it for the range.
Good time to buy a box of each of several kinds of rnds - 150's & 170's in various manufacturers. Run through groups of 10 from each box, then repeat, keeping careful notes about the results (groupings, etc).
When I finally get to do this with mine (I can't wait!), I'll probably disregard the first set (getting to know the gun, the recoil, the handling, the trigger, the sights, etc) and start evaluating with the second set of 10's.
Have fun, and be safe!
Nem
Please let us know how it shoots. It needs lots of breaking in, so buy lots of rnds for it for the range.
Good time to buy a box of each of several kinds of rnds - 150's & 170's in various manufacturers. Run through groups of 10 from each box, then repeat, keeping careful notes about the results (groupings, etc).
When I finally get to do this with mine (I can't wait!), I'll probably disregard the first set (getting to know the gun, the recoil, the handling, the trigger, the sights, etc) and start evaluating with the second set of 10's.
Have fun, and be safe!
Nem
High Planes Drifter
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Ah the Marlin 336. My favorite rifle. Oh, I own 4 or 5 assault/main battle rifles. But I chose to keep my 336 in my vehicle. Permenantly. This will sound crazy, but for a SHTF, no internet service, slow-or-no government response, survival situation, it'd be on my short list because I know I can always find
.30-30 ammo at any deep-woods grocery store or Waly World. The same cannot be said for 7.62 surpluss (for my M1A); I really need to rely on internet sales for that. And you never know when that'll dry up, or the government passes a law banning ammo sales over the net
. The Marlin also makes a fine deer gun, and a fair fighting weapon. Its a hardy rifle. Handy, fast handling, and reliable as they come. I dont think you'll find much bad said about the 336, but then, there isnt much bad to say
For a bit over 300 bucks I say you cant do without one.
.30-30 ammo at any deep-woods grocery store or Waly World. The same cannot be said for 7.62 surpluss (for my M1A); I really need to rely on internet sales for that. And you never know when that'll dry up, or the government passes a law banning ammo sales over the net
. The Marlin also makes a fine deer gun, and a fair fighting weapon. Its a hardy rifle. Handy, fast handling, and reliable as they come. I dont think you'll find much bad said about the 336, but then, there isnt much bad to say For a bit over 300 bucks I say you cant do without one.
ScottsGT
Member
Oh...You bought the W model with the gold trigger. Those are made for department stores with cheaper parts than the gun you would buy at a real gun shop (Please, everyone note that this is sarcasm, and I will not don my Nomex undies!)
Great buy! Now go stock up on ammo and go have a lot of fun. I know it took me about 3 or 4 boxes of ammo (60-80 rds) to get use to the sights and how the rifle handled. I'm used to peep sights and the buckhorns were a throwback to my younger days shooting Dads Marlin .22 I eventually scoped it for light gathering in late evenings in the woods though.
Try some 150 grn. and some 170 grn. to see which one your rifle likes the best. Mine seems to be more consistant with the lighter bullets. Could be me though.
Oh, You might want to wear some gloves for the first few rds. until the action starts to break in if your going to do a lot of shooting on your outings. The lever can make the back side of your fingers a little sore!
(Please, everyone note that this is sarcasm, and I will not don my Nomex undies!)Great buy! Now go stock up on ammo and go have a lot of fun. I know it took me about 3 or 4 boxes of ammo (60-80 rds) to get use to the sights and how the rifle handled. I'm used to peep sights and the buckhorns were a throwback to my younger days shooting Dads Marlin .22 I eventually scoped it for light gathering in late evenings in the woods though.
Try some 150 grn. and some 170 grn. to see which one your rifle likes the best. Mine seems to be more consistant with the lighter bullets. Could be me though.
Oh, You might want to wear some gloves for the first few rds. until the action starts to break in if your going to do a lot of shooting on your outings. The lever can make the back side of your fingers a little sore!
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
The Marlin 336 is another one of those designs that really deserves to be called a classic. It's been around for a really long time, it works very well at filling its niche, and a lot of people really love it. I think it could do without the warty crossbolt safety, so I like the older ones better. I just bought an early '50s 336RC with 'fat' wood and cut rifling (not Microgroove) to add to the accumulation here (can't really call it a collection). Prices on used Marlins seem to have gone up lately, like everything else. I'd say the same was true on prices for new ones. Shop around as always for price, as far as getting a 336 is concerned I don't think you'll be disappointed.
lpl/nc
lpl/nc
SamTuckerMTNMAN
Member
30-30
This fellow I knew told me to come get a gun out of his basement. It was rust-locked, no lever movement, junk. I disassembled it, soaked it in wd40, reworked and oiled it. Man I love that rifle. It shoots as accurate as my .308 under 100 yards, light weight, great deer gun. No matter what you move 'on to', fancy over done tactical assault hover guns, you'll always appreciate the day you got a 30-30 lever action rifle.
st
This fellow I knew told me to come get a gun out of his basement. It was rust-locked, no lever movement, junk. I disassembled it, soaked it in wd40, reworked and oiled it. Man I love that rifle. It shoots as accurate as my .308 under 100 yards, light weight, great deer gun. No matter what you move 'on to', fancy over done tactical assault hover guns, you'll always appreciate the day you got a 30-30 lever action rifle.
st
westernboy
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I have a Glenfield Model 30A, a cheeper version of the Marlin that my family aquired years ago. The way the shells eject is nice because they don't interfere with my scope unlike the Winchester. The only thing that I would like is the large loop lever, but I'm not sure where I can find one; and the 20" barrel is nice but I am looking for a 16" Barrel like what is on the Winchester Trapper model. I take the gun when I dirt bike in GA, and I feel better knowing that I have some defense against gators and black bears. The 16" barrel would be great, since I am only 20 and don't get to carry my pistol. Good luck on your purchase.
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