Marlin 336c (lever action in 30-30) as first rifle

KBE6EKCTAH_CCP

KBE6EKCTAH_CCP

The thin end of the wedge
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TLDR : is said rifle a good, versatile first rifle with iron sites at 100m ?

The long story is that I finally have the opportunity to get a shooting licence at my in-laws and finally buy a rifle.

My fiancee 's dad lets me shoot his old .22 LR around their huge property, and he also takes me shooting his huge fuckin WWII Mauser in 8x64S at the shooting range.

So I have access to both these rifles but honestly, the recoil on the Mauser takes away the fun for me.

So I'm thinking about buying said rifle to take to the range or eventually shoot it on the property (say at 100 meters) if the noise doesn't isn't too much or maybe even hunt small to medium game like pigs or deers.

I know that a 22LR is a better starting rifle but I already have access to that.
For some reason I love the lever action and I think that 30-30 is a good caliber for the simple use that I'll make of it.

So, thoughts? Both on the caliber and on the marlin 336c.

Txs in advance.
 
My grandfather killed more deer with his .300 Savage, Savage Model 99 on irons than my dad did with his .243 and .300 WinMag Winchester Model 70s combined.

My dad's uncle killed more deer with his Model 94 than my dad did with his two model 70s as well.

I know nothing of the Marlin in question but 30-30 is a cartridge that can be used to hunt as long as your shot placement is good.
 
I have a 336c. I enjoy the rifle. The iron sights it comes with are not the greatest. It does have a little kick to it. But nothing horrible. Longest I spent shooting it was a couple of hours and went through about 200 rounds. Shoulder was a bit sore the next day. But not horrible. 30-30 is a good round for small to medium sized game up to about 100 yards. Beyond 100 you really are starting to lose energy. Also the round really starts to drop. If 100 is your max it is fine. But if you are looking to go a bit farther may not be the best choice. Not saying it is not possible . But with a 100 yard zero your looking at an almost 9 inch drop at 200 yards and down to half the muzzle energy. If you plan on making a clean kill beyond 100, you really need to be confident in your shooting.

I only use the iron sights so I keep myself inside 100 yards with it. If I think I might be shooting past that. The .308 comes out.
 
Damn if I'm not mistaken 200 rounds is like 300€ where I would be purchasing the ammo.

Is a 30-30 an acceptable noob caliber ? Or maybe too powerful ?
 
Fantastic rifle. Was one of the go to calibers for a long long time.


Marlin lever guns are pretty much the best for that type of gun imo, I have several of them. The factory sights suck but you can get a pair of skinner Alaskans for like 125.00 later on if you want to upgrade.

New Marlins can be a bit rough in the action but smooth out and break in nicely over time. I usually send my levers off to mule and he makes them into oversize loops for me, I just think it looks cooler and handles better.

Good rifles Marlin lever guns.
 
.30-30 is certainly not what you'd consider a 'too powerful' round. its just about the acceptable minimum for most medium game. Not the greatest range but within its engagement envelope its got great accuracy and terminal effect. similar to a 7.62 soviet ballistic wise.
 
ironwolf said:
Fantastic rifle. Was one of the go to calibers for a long long time.


Marlin lever guns are pretty much the best for that type of gun imo, I have several of them. The factory sights suck but you can get a pair of skinner Alaskans for like 125.00 later on if you want to upgrade.

New Marlins can be a bit rough in the action but smooth out and break in nicely over time. I usually send my levers off to mule and he makes them into oversize loops for me, I just think it looks cooler and handles better.

Good rifles Marlin lever guns.
Click to expand...

I also read that Marlin levers are the best. I was originally interested by the winchester 94, but I read on many occasion that the Marlin is simply more reliable and robust.

Currently I am contemplating these lever 30-30s:

- Marlin 336c (most likely I'll get this one, it also seems like the shortest of the 3)
- Henry 30-30
- Winchester 94

Not interested in the ones with external magazines.
 
RerouteToRemain said:
I have a model 94, fun, but the bullet drop is terrible.
Click to expand...

Yeah I guess I don't care too much since I'll be shooting at say max 100 meters.

I want a short, light and simple rifle that can easily be taken into the woods.
 
KBE6EKCTAH_CCP said:
Yeah I guess I don't care too much since I'll be shooting at say max 100 meters.

I want a short, light and simple rifle that can easily be taken into the woods.
Click to expand...


Ever consider then 1895 guide gun in 45-70 or the Marlin 1894 in 44mag or 45lc??? (I'd say the 38/357 but good luck finding one).

You could also check out the Chiapa Alaskan takedown model too.

If you're not dead set on a lever gun you could check out the ruger 77/44 or 77/357.

You could probably even find an older Remington 700 adl (pre sps) that has iron sights or something like the ruger guide gun.
 
They're called "Remlins" now.

Marlin was bought by The Freedom Group sometime around 2008-2009, and they transferred all the Marlin equipment to Remington Factories, and Remington took over production of "Marlin" guns.

To say they were garbage is a hilarious understatement.

They went from being some of the finest production rifles in the world, to being compete and utter garbage. The stock fits were horrible, there were torque marks all over the barrel finish, screws were stripped out, actions locked open or close and were full of burrs.

I picked up every Marlin I ever came across in a gun store after Remington started making them, and I couldn't find A SINGLE ONE that had a front sight that was centered, they were all twisted to the side and dis-aligned.

The Freedom Group even issued a public apology, basically saying that they we're trying to overhaul their production, and saying they hope they didn't put a nail in the coffin of this once beloved product line.

If you can find a pre "Remlin" rifle, than I would absolutely buy it, but they're expensive, given the current state of affairs.

God damn shame I tell you qwhat.
 
mattw4466 said:
They're called "Remlins" now.

Marlin was bought by The Freedom Group sometime around 2008-2009, and they transferred all the Marlin equipment to Remington Factories, and Remington took over production of "Marlin" guns.

To say they were garbage is a hilarious understatement.

They went from being some of the finest production rifles in the world, to being compete and utter garbage. The stock fits were horrible, there were torque marks all over the barrel finish, screws were stripped out, actions locked open or close and were full of burrs.

I picked up every Marlin I ever came across in a gun store after Remington started making them, and I couldn't find A SINGLE ONE that had a front sight that was centered, they were all twisted to the side and dis-aligned.

The Freedom Group even issued a public apology, basically saying that they we're trying to overhaul their production, and saying they hope they didn't put a nail in the coffin of this once beloved product line.

If you can find a pre "Remlin" rifle, than I would absolutely buy it, but they're expensive, given the current state of affairs.

God damn shame I tell you qwhat.
Click to expand...


I've heard they have improved from those times. All mine are jm stamped Marlins from before that. I'm not sure I'd buy one without checking it out first but like I said, I've heard they have improved.
 
ironwolf said:
I've heard they have improved from those times. All mine are jm stamped Marlins from before that. I'm not sure I'd buy one without checking it out first but like I said, I've heard they have improved.
Click to expand...

I'm feeling that the current consensus is that they're "hit or miss".

Some are garbage, and some are ok.

So obviously don't buy one without checking it out, or having someone check it out who knows what to look for. And even then, it's going to be impossible to tell whats going on inside the gun.

So IDK, I personally wouldn't take the chance.
 
mattw4466 said:
They're called "Remlins" now.

Marlin was bought by The Freedom Group sometime around 2008-2009, and they transferred all the Marlin equipment to Remington Factories, and Remington took over production of "Marlin" guns.

To say they were garbage is a hilarious understatement.

They went from being some of the finest production rifles in the world, to being compete and utter garbage. The stock fits were horrible, there were torque marks all over the barrel finish, screws were stripped out, actions locked open or close and were full of burrs.

I picked up every Marlin I ever came across in a gun store after Remington started making them, and I couldn't find A SINGLE ONE that had a front sight that was centered, they were all twisted to the side and dis-aligned.

The Freedom Group even issued a public apology, basically saying that they we're trying to overhaul their production, and saying they hope they didn't put a nail in the coffin of this once beloved product line.

If you can find a pre "Remlin" rifle, than I would absolutely buy it, but they're expensive, given the current state of affairs.

God damn shame I tell you qwhat.
Click to expand...

Well fuck me, good to know.

Not sure where I could find a second-hand pre-crappy production Marlin 336 in France, though.

I think I also read somewhere that winchester also started producing its 94 in China or something and that it became shit.

Greedy fucks.
 
mattw4466 said:
I'm feeling that the current consensus is that they're "hit or miss".

Some are garbage, and some are ok.

So obviously don't buy one without checking it out, or having someone check it out who knows what to look for. And even then, it's going to be impossible to tell whats going on inside the gun.

So IDK, I personally wouldn't take the chance.
Click to expand...

I think the biggest issue and the only one I've read recently was canted barrels but you could tell by looking at one in person. I've also been told that if you end up with one, the company really hooks you up, send them the gun, they fix it and work the whole gun over. They shouldn't have to because they should never leave the factory like that but they seem to be making a real effort to fix the issue.

And I hope they do because I want an 1895 guide gun. I have a bunch of nice Marlins, 1895 in 44, 45lc, 357mag, a 444, 450 guide gun, 30-30. Need a 45-70 though and in not a big fan of buying used.
 
KBE6EKCTAH_CCP said:
Well fuck me, good to know.

Not sure where I could find a second-hand pre-crappy production Marlin 336 in France, though.

I think I also read somewhere that winchester also started producing its 94 in China or something and that it became shit.

Greedy fucks.
Click to expand...

Ya, it sucks, their rifles were amazing, both in form and function.

It's not unheard of to find a new one that's decent though, you just have to inspect it, or bring someone along who really knows guns to inspect it.
 
KBE6EKCTAH_CCP said:
Well fuck me, good to know.

Not sure where I could find a second-hand pre-crappy production Marlin 336 in France, though.

I think I also read somewhere that winchester also started producing its 94 in China or something and that it became shit.

Greedy fucks.
Click to expand...


Aren't cowboy style guns pretty much the only thing you can own in France? Like lever action rifles and single action revolvers? Why not join a shooting/gun club and track something down through there.

And i don't think they farmed their work out to China lol but their guns did taken five for a bit.
 
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