336 at the range

[ditto1958]

I had my Marlin 336 at the range today with some hand loads. I need to do my part, and that's not always a given, but when I do a good job a 336 can really shoot. The range only goes out to 100 yards, but out at that distance, it will do 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups.

Before packing up, I also fired off two 3 shot groups with my H001. The first one was nothing special, but the second one was 3/4 inch.

I think I'm through with poking holes in paper for awhile. Back to shooting steel and shotgun clays next week. It's much more enjoyable for me.

[JEBar]

35 or 30-30 ??

[ditto1958]

35 or 30-30 ??

I had the 30-30 out today. The 35 doesn't currently have a scope, so I don't try to shoot groups with it. Getting 35 dies is next on my reloading agenda.

[JEBar]

nice shooting .... an 1 to 1 1/2 inch group at 100 yards speaks well of a 30-30

[Deadwood Dutch]

Very nice shooting, thanks for the report!

[RanchRoper]

Nice job. I was looking very seriously at the Marlin 336 in 30-30 before I discovered the Henry rifles. Nice rifles from what I could see. Some forum guys were saying they had quality issues for awhile, but sounds like all good now.

[Henry88]

Nice job. I was looking very seriously at the Marlin 336 in 30-30 before I discovered the Henry rifles. Nice rifles from what I could see. Some forum guys were saying they had quality issues for awhile, but sounds like all good now.

Apparently still a lot of people griping over at the Marlin Owner's forum, RR; at least with the lever actions. I guess if you get a good one, you're good to go, but if not > Horror Show of customer "no" service.

Yes they start at 1/2 the cost of a Henry, but really not even in the same league. And some of the new Marlin models are quite pricey too.

I am happy with my Kentucky model XT-22M. I also own a JM stamped model 25N. I was just comparing the bolts last night. Some cost cutting efforts can be seen (25 year difference), but I love shooting them both, and they work well for me.

[RanchRoper]

I saw a few Marlins at the local gun shop, and a couple of them looked pretty good. An 1894 straight grip one (?), not sure the actual model, but looked like a cowboy rifle anyway. I think it was 30-30. Looked very much like a '94 Winchester but about $500 less.

[ditto1958]

The Marlin I was shooting today was made in 1982. It's a beauty.

Remington really screwed up royally when they moved Marlin lever gun production to Ilion. They have since then improved things greatly, but they had a LONG way to go. They did tremendous damage to the Marlin brand before turning things around.

Marlins made in Mayfield, Kentucky did not seem to suffer the same quality control problems.*

As for lever guns, if you want brand new, buy a Henry. Or find a nice gently used Marlin with "JM" stamped on the barrel.

*Remington is a really messed up company. The Kentucky plant made good products, but Remington closed it and is moving production to a new plant in Alabama. The Ilion, NY plant where all the problems seem to be, not just with Marlins, but also with Remington guns, remains open.

[DWD445]

Good times sounds like. With you on the clay. Did some trap for the 1st time today. Had a ball, will share in a new thread !!