Marlin 336RC

[joed]

I never considered myself a lever action person though I'll admit they're cool for what they do. And I do have a Winchester 94 .30-30 that I picked up in the safe.

Recently an old friend died and left me his guns. The last one, that almost got missed is a Marlin 336rc that was found buried in the closet in a leather scabbard.

When I picked it up and looked at it I first thought it was recent manufacture because it just looked new. Last night I traced it to being made in 1968, that was a shock. I don't even think this thing has been fired.

However, it is a .35 Remington which is a cartridge I know nothing about. Then again I know nothing about Marlin 336's. Are these decent guns? And how is the .35 Rem as a cartridge?

I'd appreciate any info on this.

 

[jim243]

Congratulations, you got an excellent gun. Just a little more recoil than a 30-30 but very manageable (not bad at all). But the 180, 200 and 220 grain bullets for that caliber are butt kickers. Enough energy to pickup a deer and slam it to the ground. They are not long range rifles 50 to 150 yards would be your best shot. (mines zeroed at 75 yards) Super accurate with the micro-grove rifling.

Again congrats.
Jim

 

[Abel]

When I picked it up and looked at it I first thought it was recent manufacture because it just looked new. Last night I traced it to being made in 1968, that was a shock. I don't even think this thing has been fired.

However, it is a .35 Remington which is a cartridge I know nothing about. Then again I know nothing about Marlin 336's. Are these decent guns? And how is the .35 Rem as a cartridge?

The 35 Remington is one of those cartridges that performs far better than its on paper ballistics might suggest. The Marlins that I have run do very well with Remington Core-Lokt 200gr. I use mine for deer hunts that put me within 150 yards. The deer go down with authority and the tissue damage is great. My 336C in 35 Rem. is my go to deer rifle when the chips are down. Hornady loads the Lever Evolution in 35 Rem, and I bought a box to try because of all the great reports that I've heard about both accuracy and killing ability. I have not tried them yet, but if they do better than core-lokt, I'll be a huge fan. There are many folks who handload a 180gr speer flat point to about 2300 fps with great results. I wouldn't mind a handload with a 200gr core-lokt going 2250 fps or so.

 

[CraigC]

Great rifle and a great cartridge!

 

[Salmoneye]

336's of that era are better than 'decent'...

.35 Rem is my preferred caliber in a 336...

I load .357" 'pistol bullets' with light loads of Red Dot for plinking and varmints, to 220 grain Speer...Factory loads usually are 200 grain, and devastating on deer and black bear...

I am actually 'playing with' a Speer 250 grain .3585 bullet right now...

Won't fly fast, but it should hit like a ton of bricks...Or 3/4 ton anyway...



Congrats on the new to you Marlin!...Be careful, or you will become addicted...

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/

 

[fordisto]

This one was my grandfathers. It was made around the same time as yours.
I killed this deer with it this past hunting season. Very good combination of rifle/ cartridge. If you don't like it , I know a few folks who would.

 

[Abel]

FORDISTO, HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's how its done!

 

[stonecoldy]

Joed, sorry to hear of the passing of a friend.

I have a newer manufacture 336 in .35 Remington, this rifle will shoot 1" groups with both Hornady FTX and Remington Corelockt ammo, 200 grains at 100 yards.

That rifle is a keeper. Used Marlins (pre-Remington manufacture) keep going up in price. Marlin Owners is a excellent forum dedicated to,well, Marlins for any questions. Ammo for a 20 count box locally is going for close to $30 unfortunately.
Sad that we can't use such a rifle in Ohio for deer hunting, but can use muzzleloaders and newer shotguns that meet the same effective shooting distance of a .35 Remington.

 

[rori]

I'm truely sorry to hear about your friends passing. He did you a huge favor in leaving you such a fine rifle and it would honor him if you took very good care of it and went out and use it for what it was intended for which is maybe the best medium range deer and black bear cartridge and gun available!!!!! I have owned 2 Remington 141's and presently own a early ballard rifled Marlin and they have all been tack drivers and both the 141's were my go to black bear guns and dispatched them with authority. Try it you'll like it!!! FRJ