Marlin 336

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NOLAEMT

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So I just traded in my car on a SUV, and now that I have have a truck,I feel like I need a truck gun.

I was thinking about a Marlin 336 in .30-30, it would also double as a deer rifle in the central Georgia woods. I've never had a lever gun before, and it looks interesting.
the local academy sports has new marlins at $399.

Is that a good price for a new one?

Does anyone have a better idea for a truck gun?
 
The 336 is a good truck gun. The model that Academy sells is a 336W. It was originally designed for sale at Walmart. I like it for a few reasons.

1. Its cheaper than a 336C.
2. It comes with a birch stock, which looks great when you remove the dark reddish brown finish that Marlin puts on them and refinish in a more natural color.
3. It has both the barrel bands instead of just one at the end. I despise the cap that goes on some 336 models' forearms.
4. It has a gold trigger.
 
i used to have a marlin 336 and it is a nice little rifle. You'll want to scope it up for any real accurate shooting.

After having one of those, i'd say the saiga 7.62x39 is a superior choice. Same range of power, but less recoil, cheaper ammo. The rifle itself should cost about $50 less than the marlin, but saiga will still be better overall.

Aftermarket options are vast with the saiga, but the 336 is a nice deer rifle if that's what you really want then go for it. The saiga's can be had cheaper than the 30/30's, and so can their ammo. 7.62x39 is perfect for flopping a whitetail, or feral hog, unless you're trying to shoot them in the heart past 300 yards - in which case, the 336 wont do you any better. The saiga's are honest to god accurate too, compared to any of the other AK's. They really are accurate.
 
does the price seem good? It seems reasonable to me, but having never been in the market for one before, I'm not sure.
 
One of my concerns with the Kalashnikov pattern rifles is the potential for this rifles use as a defensive arm, and it living in the truck. while it doesn't matter legally as used in a self defense shooting, juries can be fickle, as can the police. I personally feel like the lever gun looks "friendlier" than the AK or AR and is better for my purposes.

don't get me wrong, I would love to have an AK/AR pattern rifle, but I would rather be sitting at the defense table with a Marlin or Winchester lever gun sitting in evidence than an AK. It is also a less threatening rifle if seen by the police, non-shooters etc.

It will also be only my second centerfire rifle, with a mosin being the first. I would use the mosin, but it is very long, and it has an scope mounted due to the iron sights being so far off they were unusable. I would rather have a smaller, lighter, iron sighted gun for the trunk. I was also thinking mini-14, but the less expensive marlin appeals.
 
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Saigas don't look like terrorist rifles, here is what they look like:

p_saiga.jpg


They dont even meet the criteria for an assault weapon. Russia made these things to sell to america during the clinton era assault weapons ban. They couldnt give us normal AK's, so they gave us these, which is why they are so cheap now. Great rifles though, honestly they are. You can get telescoping stocks and pistol grips in the same package for less than $70 for them, make them real handy.


The mini14's sound like a great idea though, i love those things.
 
I'll look into the saiga some more. I haven't seen one in its stock configuration before. Thanks!

Does anyone else have any suggestions, I'm very open (read: I can't make up my mind).
 
I got my 336 w? for $380

I really like the lever action, if you like "cowboy" guns then you will like it :)


-Saigas can be converted to pistol grip, shorter stock, forend grip. 30round mags/75 round drum. Bulelt guide. $$$ total would be $120 for a basic convert.

One of those 10 round mags(factory) are like $20-$30! and surefire is like $40-50??? you can just convert and use surplus mags $20! :)
 
I love the lever guns. My first rifle was a Marlin 336 in 30-30. I still wake up at night with cold sweats dreaming of the day I sold it. A sad day indeed. I was using a borrowed 336 in .35 last year. Liked it even more than the 30-30.
 
I just reacquired a 336 after selling one in my youth. I had to have the same year, so I picked up a 336 (sometimes called and R.C.) in 30-30 manufactured 1957. It runs incredibly smooth, and shoots 1 1/4" @ 100 yards, and Just over 2" at 200 yards with Harnady ammo. Personally I love guns with just the right amount of break-in. Great truck gun for Washington State.

ydl7g3q
 
do 2 things for your self and i can tell you that you will be the rest of your life:

1. sell the new SUV and buy a Ford Bronco

2. put a good ol' 336 in the passenger seat.

do that and you will be satisfied with your life.... well maybe not you but i sure as heck am.

i love my .30-30 but i wanna pick up a .35. mine has killed beavers, whitetails, black bears, bobcats, coons. pretty much everything we have back home.

the bronco came before any girl and the bronco will be there after any girl so my life is complete minus kids LOL
 
Does Savage still make the rifle/shotgun combo guns? IIRC, they used to make a .243/20ga combo. Georgia has some excellent quail hunting.
 
30-30 or .35?

I too have thought a lot about picking up a Marlin 336. What would be the advantages or disadvantages of either the 30-30 or the .35? Thanks.
 
30-30 has cheaper ammo. 35 is better for larger game like big black bears. I think its a grand idea to own both!
 
Since it will hbe a Hunting rifle, there is no better Truck Gun than a
Marlin 336 in 30-30 :cool:
My 1949 336A shoots Sub MOA at 100yds with the factory open sights and Federal 170gr. ammo :)

Inexpensive
Reliable
Accurate
Inexpensive ammo
30-30 probably has killed more Deer than all other rifles combined
 
I gotta agree with hylander :)

I love my Marlin 336c 30-30. Cheap ammo, accurate with open sites, un-noticable recoil, and here in the Southeast it will put down every critter out there. ;)

If I could only keep ONE game rifle out of all that I own that lever action 30-30 would be it. It may not be the best at anything, ( accuracy ,distance,power etc..) but it covers so many bases so well that it just might be the best all round:)

Good thread :) ,............Tentwing
 
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