Marlin 336 vs SKS

[goon]

For mostly hunting/GP rifle stuff with a little self-defense type use, the Marlin is a great choice. It will probably be a little more accurate than an SKS and it's easy to mount a scope or add better sights.

The SKS is more of a fighting rifle that would also work pretty well for hunting.

I've never hunted with a .35 Remington Marlin but I did use an old pump action Remington .35 for my first year of hunting. Neat rifle but IMO, it offers little if anything over the 30-30.
- 30-30 ammo is cheaper and available everywhere.
- 30-30, even it's pre Leverevolution loads, is still useable out to 200 yards if the shooter is up to it. I know people who have killed deer at that range with them.
- People claim that the .35 shoots through brush better. My question is why are you trying to shoot through brush in the first place? Shoot through a "hole" in the brush or get closer so you can get a clear shot. Shooting through trees and bushes can drastically deflect any bullet, even one from a .35.
- The rifles in 30-30 are more common used. But in fairness, the prices seem to be pretty close when you find a .35.

If .35 Remington floats your boat, more power to you though. I have nothing bad to say about it, but I also don't see what the big improvement would be.

 

[ECVMatt]

I would go with a 336...

I will say up front that I am partial to Marlin Leveractions, but for me it comes down to carrying the rifle all day. I SKS is just too clunky for me. They are not comfortable for me to carry. A good levergun carries and shoots so well.

I also find the .30/30 a better round. It is found just about anywhere and has good power with little recoil. 7.62x39 hunting ammo is more expensive and much harder to find. Wolf is found in a lot of places, but I would not hunt with that unless forced too. There is no comparison between a Remington Core-Lokt or a Winchester Silver Tip and a Wolf HP or SP. The 123 grain bullet also lacks good sectional density. I know they load a 154 grain bullet, but try finding that at your local gas station/cafe/sell-all store.

Lastly I find the quality of the Marlin rifles appealing. They are built very well and easy to maintain. In a pinch, one screw driver can disassemble your whole rifle. I know that an SKS can be stripped with a bullet tip, but is put together like a tuna can.

This is a really subjective question. I would suggest handling both and seeing what fits you best.

Let us know what you choose and most importantly practice a lot with it.

Matt

 

[Mongrel]

I know that an SKS can be stripped with a bullet tip, but is put together like a tuna can.

Where is this coming from?

I am wondering if it is all hearsay or if it is a false assumption that the SKS shares a receiver with an AK? That's the only way I can figure someone could compare an SKS to a "tuna can".

With as much respect as I can muster, I have to ask if you have ever handled an SKS or field stripped an SKS? I dare say if you had, you would realize that it is no "tuna can".

It is over a pound heavier than a Marlin 336 on average, has a milled receiver and all steel parts. In the hand it feels tighter and more solidly built than a Winchester, which feels downright dainty in comparison. The Marlin's advantage over the Winchester has always been it's receiver, and that makes some difference when comparing the Marlin to an SKS.

I can fall prey to nostalgia just as easy as the next guy, but this infatuation with lever guns over the SKS is starting to look like a kool-aide incident.

Both have their place, but let's keep the cards on the table and play the game honestly.

Again,

With all due respect...

 

[ECVMatt]

No offense taken...

I owned and SKS for about a year and enjoyed shooting it. I guess tuna can is a bit harsh, but it was very roughly made and clunky for me to use. It just did not have the balance or handling characteristics that I am used too when shooting a rifle. In all fairness I sold it to a guy in my hunting club and he really enjoys it.

Like I said in my OP this is really a subjective matter. That is why I suggested that the OP check out both and see what works best for him.

I have hunted a lot with leverguns and I would not suggest they are only for those trying to play cowboys. They work and work well in many situations. There is no cool-aide in my canteen. I just got back from spending some time in a remote part of the Sierras with my family and although I have an AR, AK, and a Mini-14 I took my Marlin 1894 in .44m. It just works better for me.

I just can't imagine spending the whole day hunting through the woods with an SKS. I know it can be done, but it is not for me.

Again, I feel that whatever the OP chooses is cool. Just practice as much as possible with it and enjoy it.

Matt

 

[Mongrel]

We're cool...

at least I can sleep tonight I came back to re-read what I wrote because I was worried it was rude...

My bias is in having come 180 degrees in my opinion of the SKS after buying them and putting them "in the closet" for several years without even firing them or cleaning the cosmoline off them.

When I finally got around to it I was amazed at this little rifle I had heard so many negative remarks against. "It's junk". "It's cheap". "Don't even clean it". Blah...blah...blah...I was pleasantly surprised at how well put together they are and how ingeniously designed they were. Compared to just about any other gun I've had experience with, the SKS was the most natural for me to figure out how to strip and reassemble. It would never occur to me to think of them as "cheaply made" or "poorly designed". I also don't find them heavy, clunky, or awkward. Rather, I find them balanced, compact, and handy. As an added bonus, due to my rather...ahem...small stature (5' 6") the original wood stocks fit me just right. This allows me to shoulder, get on target, and fire faster and more accurately than I can with many other rifles I have shot. I guess people might think that I've drank the kool aide because I'll go toe-to-toe with them against many other rifles in support of it.

Now, I appreciate my Marlin 336 just as much, but on a different level. The Marlin is a 'slow' gun for times I want to just get in the zone and shoot. Takes me back to simpler times before the shooting sports were dominated by the "need for speed" and ammo loadouts were approaching over 200 rounds...Better? Nah...*different* that's all...

As long as you can hit with it, it don't really matter what it is...

 

[Ignition Override]

I know zero about Marlins or 99% of other guns. But how about rifles for self-defense?
In a dirty/dusty combat situation with no gun-cleaning for hours, a buddy who is a marksman on a rifle team (AR-15) and a recent veteran of Iraq had comments.

I asked the marksman (who has no 'combat tng.', except when he flew P-3s armed with 'sensitive munitions in the fleet') whether he would prefer his AR or a Russian-made rifle in a dirty environment.
He said: "Probably an AK-47".

The young veteran of Iraq (now at Ft. Riley, KS) would not give me a straight answer. Maybe he is unfamiliar with Russian-designed rifles, but said: "Well, our rifles would jam up with one grain of sand".
My SKS is reportedly just as rugged and reliable as an AK. Not pretty at the back of the receiver, but from the bolt forward it is beautiful....all business with the classic covered front sight.
With the cheap Wolf ammo, you can shoot it often. Can't imagine buying a gun to leave it in a closet most of the year...even a good Mauser, M-14, FN-FAL or a typical hunting rifle.
A single SKS jhp round will stop a fair-sized two- or four-legged animal, armed with long, sharp feral pig fangs, or a feral professional criminal mind with a handgun.

 

[Mongrel]

Well, my only first hand information about our service rifle's performance comes from two kids I know. One was with the 82 Airborne and the other was with the 2/8 Marines. And yes they both went there and did "that" and brought home the pics to prove it.

When I asked them if they had any problems with their weapons they said-"What?" "What kind of problems?".

Now one of them had never shot before going in but later qualified 'Expert' before shipping out and the other one is a total gun nut who also qualified 'Expert'. Niether one has any need whatever to lie to me or to their parents about such a thing.

I've heard conflicting accounts on it, but I'm pretty confident it isn't the issue it's made out to be.

Perhaps some of the guys here who have "btdt" could comment?

 

[ojibweindian]

Mongrel

My "BTDT" report comes from my step-son, who's currently on his 2nd "BTDT" tour. He's still a fan of his M4. He also is rather religious about proper maintenance/cleaning of his weapons, too.

He's an opinionated young man, and doesn't shovel out BS, nor tolerate it. So, if he says the M4 is just fine, I believe it.

 

[Pilot]

I have two Russian SKS's and a Marlin 336c .30-30. The SKS is more fun to shoot but the Marlin is more accurate. I hunt with the Marlin and plink with the SKS at the range.

 

[elmerfudd]

Serious short range hunting rifle: Marlin 336. Better scope mounting and accuracy. Lighter. If you're going to primarily use it for hunting get the Marlin.

Plinker that can be used for hunting or defense but is less than ideal for either one: SKS. Cheaper ammo. Faster shooting, faster loading, more rugged. If you're going to primarily use it as a range toy or for SHTF, get the SKS.

 

[Mongrel]

Roger that!

My "BTDT" report comes from my step-son, who's currently on his 2nd "BTDT" tour. He's still a fan of his M4. He also is rather religious about proper maintenance/cleaning of his weapons, too.

He's an opinionated young man, and doesn't shovel out BS, nor tolerate it. So, if he says the M4 is just fine, I believe it.

thanks-that's good to hear re: M4. Buddies kids had nothing but praise for them in that environment. And, like you pointed out, you can play cards or you can maintain your weapon.

May God bless you stepson and keep him safe over there.