Marlin 336 in Pawn shop

[762 shooter]

I stepped into a local pawn shop yesterday and saw a marlin 336 30-30 on the shelf. No box. Fit and finish looks good with walnut stocks. 69 prefix and looks mint. I don't think a round has ever been fired in it. Owner has $400 on it but volunteered that he would take $375. This seems to be not too far out of line with going prices.

Pros:
1. I don't own a 30-30.
2. 1969 born date seems to be in the heyday of good solid Marlin manufacture.
3. As new condition.
4. I have the money.

Cons:
1. I don't have a 30-30.
2. I need rifle in a new caliber like a hole in my head.
3. I have no brass.
4. I have the money.

I'm working through my normal pre-purchase buyer's remorse phase, and I need some feedback. I would be shooting cast exclusively.

Let her sit or rescue?

Thanking you in advance,

762

[Petrol & Powder]

It doesn't sound like you really want that rifle. Save your money until you find that gun that you have to have . When that happens (and it always does) you'll have the money in your pocket for that purchase.

[CastingFool]

if you have the money, buy it. I once passed up a terrific deal on a Ruger Red Label, and regretted it ever since. Every time I think about it, I could kick myself. CF

[richhodg66]

If it's an older one before the safety and when Marlin put nice blueing and good wood on them, I think that's a pretty good price. They're good rifles and the .30-30 is a lot of fun and a good cartridge. Most of the ones I see like that are priced higher than $360.

[RickinTN]

In 1969 the "69" did indeed indicate the year of manufacture. The serial number will be on the top tang just behind the hammer. The rifle will also have the JM proof mark in a circle on the barrel just in front of the action. I have seen samples of the proof mark on both the right and left side of the barrel. If the serial number is on the left side of the action then all bets are off and the "69" does not indicate the year of manufacture, only that it is a "Remlin" rifle. It sounds like you have found a good rifle at a fair price. I will tell you that "Marlinitis" is an easily contracted disease, and the first purchase usually leads to additional purchases. Since this is the case it's good to go ahead and stock up on brass, dies, and molds as you'll probably need them. Looking into the future you may want to go ahead and begin stocking up on 35 Remington supplies as well.
Good Luck, and enjoy your new to you rifle,
Rick

[762 shooter]

No crossbolt safety and JM right side of barrel at receiver, serial No. on top tang. Unfortunately it's sounding pretty good.

762

[Beagle333]

Get it. You don't have to want it, or need it. If you have the money, or the means to get the money, or the credit to someday get the money. Get it. :twisted: (enabler)

[2ndAmendmentNut]

At 375 even if you don't ever shoot it you will gain money reselling or trading it.

[725]

Can you give me directions to the pawn shop? :) Just kidding, of course. Good rifle & good investment even if you decide you don't want/need it. The .30/30 is a fun little cartridge, easy to load for, and a very good game getter in it's own right. Components abound and those 311041 & 311440 moulds fly well and function well in that action.

[Big Rack]

You can always call it your disguised Urban Assault Rifle, I have heard the 30-30 and 7.62 x 39 for the AK-47 are very similar ballistically.

[Gtek]

A mint 69' for 375, I think I would already have 375 less in account. 69' was the year they moved from New Haven to North Haven. Pre 69 had bolts chromed and post move went to electro-nickel due to EPA/Frog Licking/Tree hugging issues. "Marlinitis" is a very real disease, having been diagnosed about thirty years ago. I am in remission at this time, but the disease often flare ups requiring a Marlin safe to deal with symptoms. A fellow once said "You can never go wrong with a 30-06", very true I believe. But if you have a couple of those and a couple 30 WCF's in the house, the skies are blue and the sun is bright. Get the picture?

[TXGunNut]

Allow me to address the "cons": 30-30 is a very forgiving cartridge and once-fired brass will be readily available at a public rifle range near you in the next couple of months. If you'd rather not do that the brass is available new, for now, and will generally be available as loaded ammo. RCBS Cowboy dies are a good value, you likely won't need an "M" type expander because the set includes a good expanding die.
To address the "don't have a 30-30" issue I think that is the most serious one and should be addressed by buying this rifle or one that appeals to you more. It sounds like a good price, I've paid more for Marlins I liked.
On the other hand I'm an unabashed Marlin fan, a thutty-thutty fan and an enabler to boot. Buy it, I seriously doubt you'll regret it. I need to quit buying every nice rifle I run across but I'd likely buy this one.

[TXGunNut]

I don't suffer from Marlinitis, BTW, I enjoy it immensely. I often stray and allow a Winchester to follow me home but for me they're mostly toys or eye candy; the Marlins are solid hunting rifles.

[Kevinakaq]

Great price for a 'mint' 30-30 considering it does not have the cross bolt safety. I wouldn't hesitate at all. Great rifle all around and fun to reload/cast for.

[aspangler]

If the owner will let you, remove the bolt and check the rifling. 69 was a transition year and some of them had the preferred Ballard Rifling. My 69 does and it shoot cast just as well as J words and I don't have to keep my speed down to the 1600 fps as recommended by Lyman manual. My rifle also like the 311041 sized to .309. 1.5 inch groups at 100. Get the rifle. you will NOT regret it.

[fordwannabe]

Hell I recommend you get it cause it's just UNAMERICAN NOT TO HAVE A 30-30.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Consider it as an investment. An item that will maintain its relative value over time, or increase in value AND you can enjoy your INVESTMENT. Can also be considered a very effective and politically correct 'personal defense' weapon. Marlin 336's are just very enjoyable. The .30-30 is well-proven and a great deal of information for reloading is available. Do the right thing, invest in your future.

[bbailey7821]

Get it, Dude!

[dilly]

I am in the boat where I have too many calibers for the amount if time I spend at the range. I've decided to shoot more and buy guns, dies and brass less. I think we all go through these cycles.

[runfiverun]

I don't suffer from Marlinitis, BTW, I enjoy it immensely. I often stray and allow a Winchester to follow me home but for me they're mostly toys or eye candy; the Marlins are solid hunting rifles.

I'm just the opposite I use my Winchesters and look at the marlin.
wouldn't stop me from buying this one though.

[Gtek]

"I don't suffer from Marlinitis, BTW, I enjoy it immensely" [smilie=1:

[OverMax]

It's been a long time since I procrastinated over a rifle. How's it feel?

[crazy mark]

If the owner will let you, remove the bolt and check the rifling. 69 was a transition year and some of them had the preferred Ballard Rifling. My 69 does and it shoot cast just as well as J words and I don't have to keep my speed down to the 1600 fps as recommended by Lyman manual. My rifle also like the 311041 sized to .309. 1.5 inch groups at 100. Get the rifle. you will NOT regret it.

Last I read was micro-groove rifling became the norm around 1957. All my post 59 marlins except for some special runs are micro-groove. I could be wrong but I can recheck my source.

[doc1876]

God, you will get no help here!! I am in the buy it column, as sated, later you can always resell it if something comes along you can't live with out. In my case, if it don't get sold, there is a grandson with a keen eye on everything in the gun safe.

[magimerlin]

I have one and love it... shoots great and is very reliable. You will not regret it if you do get it...

[starmac]

No 30/30 ? Seriously, isn't it some sort of law that one has to have at least one? lol

[762 shooter]

It IS strange. I can't believe it myself. I am going to go to the pawn shop tomorrow to see if it is still there and my memory is correct.

Wish me luck.

762

[Mauser48]

I wouldnt pay anymore than 350. I just bought a 1952 marlin 336 30-30 in brand new condition for 400. If you really want it get it. I would not regret it. Enjoy!

[MT Chambers]

You can always call it your disguised Urban Assault Rifle, I have heard the 30-30 and 7.62 x 39 for the AK-47 are very similar ballistically.
Yup, ballistic twins, the 30/30 can push a 170 gr. bullet at the same speed as the X39 can push a 125 grain bullet.......I'd buy the gun and quit teasing us.

[kidmma]

You can easily mount a scope on a Marlin if you need one. :bigsmyl2:

[TXGunNut]

Let her sit or rescue?-762

Well?

[Yodogsandman]

I'm going to say it..at least if it's for hunting...do you like to track your deer or just walk up and start gutting, it's not like it's a 35 Rem.

[izzyjoe]

Good luck, hope you get it!

[Lonegun1894]

I have 2 of them, and both shoot great. I would say offer $350 for it OTD, and if the guy doesn't sell it at that price, just buy it at the $375 he offered it for. Being a pawnshop, he doesn't have what he's asking in it, and besides, everyone, including him, should know that these outdated iron-sighted leverguns just don't shoot well and don't have enough power to kill a deer, so that should be good enough for a discount. I mean, YOU are doing HIM a huge favor taking that thing out of his establishment before it tarnishes his businesses reputation. Now go get that thing.

[762 shooter]

Thanks to all for your sage advice. I got it yesterday. $350. Still in like new condition. Pics later.

762

[kungfustyle]

Good for you. NOE makes a great 311041 That is right on for coww. I'd say you have a great find.....By the way if you have some 2400, SR 4579, 4198 or 3031 all work great. IF you post on SS section you should be able to pick up 100 or so brass for around $25 shipped...I just got a 30-30 in the spring and did just that. Good luck and post those pictures.

[Shuz]

Good luck with your new Marlin. I've found that WC820 works real well with cast boolits in the .30-30 with boolits in the 150-170g range. Real accurate and cheap to shoot. 1800 fps ain't a bad velocity either. Start at 15.0g and work up.

[thekidd76]

Looking forward to the pics.

[762 shooter]

As promised:

http://i58.tinypic.com/zo9xmf.jpg


http://i59.tinypic.com/2hrj2aq.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/35c1ovk.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/jzi70m.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/2li9a1f.jpg

762

[Clay M]

My first deer rifle was a Marlin 336 .30/30 born in 69.Killed my first deer with it in 70. My dad bought the rifle from the local hardware store for $60 It was a repo gun that someone bought and fail to make payments on. At 13 it was my dream rifle.I have killed a lot of deer with that rifle,and never lost one.
I let my son use it to kill his first deer at nine.It is a great rifle and I will always keep it.

[Gtek]

Just think, you could have spent another hundred dollars and bought a blasted matte finish, probably incorrect timed barrel with gritty guts with gapped wood! No freckling, unmolested screws, very nice dark wood, VERY NICE! Now the work begins, polishing extractor and the bolt. Checking bore for machine cut push under dovetails, make sure scope holes have no carry through into bolt bore, etc.. New Haven, North Haven? If the hammer extension has a circled JM that's about thirty bucks to a purist. If it were mine, complete teardown and walk through. At minimum might want to remove bolt and internal flush of bolt with brake clean and flush receiver group out to rear and re-oil. ENJOY!

[762 shooter]

You nailed it. New Haven and a circle JM on the hammer extension. I just learned about the Marlin Bullseye. It's missing that. At $2.99 I will replace it.

762

[TXGunNut]

Congrats, very nice indeed.

[bob208]

well it is like this I am a Winchester collector, mostly 94's. but if I ever see a marlin in that condition for that piece it would come home with me.

[OverMax]

Way to go 762 shooter. Nice find Sir.

[SMILEY 369]

Nice Find

[wrench man]

I don't hear you bragg'n about how well it shoots!??

[richhodg66]

As promised:

http://i58.tinypic.com/zo9xmf.jpg


http://i59.tinypic.com/2hrj2aq.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/35c1ovk.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/jzi70m.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/2li9a1f.jpg

762

That's a nice one, you did very well.

[Clay M]

My 69 336 has a straight stock and a brass saddle ring.

[TXGunNut]

Range report?

:Fire:

[762 shooter]

Midway package should arrive today.

My NOE Ranchdog copy I've been shooting out of my RGS should come in handy for this rifle.

762

[RickinTN]

It's been my experience the Ranchdog 165 will result in too much engagement with the lands in several Marlin 336's I've tried if seated to the crimp groove, including one '69 model. My mold is the NOE copy as well. I know others have had better experience. My favorite bullet in several Marlin 336's (all of mine except one have short abrupt throats) is the RCBS 30-150- FN. It has the same meplat as the Ranchdog and will chamber when seated to the crimp groove with slight engagement.
Good Luck,
Rick

[Prospector Howard]

Well said, it is just UNAMERICAN!
Hell I recommend you get it cause it's just UNAMERICAN NOT TO HAVE A 30-30.

[Grizzly Adams]

Well said, it is just UNAMERICAN!




No, I'll tell you what's UN-AMERICAN, who ever owned that rifle before not dragging it in and out of a truck, not lowering it out of a tree stand on a rope beating it against the tree, and not shoving large amounts of shell's through the loading gate. Now that's UN-AMERICAN😁.

[richhodg66]

Seriously, that is a clean rifle, looks new. You don't find them like that very often, they are hunting rifles after all.

[TXGunNut]

Seriously, that is a clean rifle, looks new. You don't find them like that very often, they are hunting rifles after all.

OP's a lucky man, Marlins (and Savages) of that vintage generally show the signs of being a favorite and well-used hunting rifle. Rifles like that are why some of us cruise used gun racks every chance we get looking for clean old guns. Gotta walk past 100's of rifles before you find one that nice, IMHO.

[762 shooter]

Thanks for the nice words.

I just felt old. Five more years and this rifle will be considered a curio and relic.

762

[prsman23]

Hell I recommend you get it cause it's just UNAMERICAN NOT TO HAVE A 30-30.

The best reason I've ever heard.

[FergusonTO35]

If you care to give it a try the Lee 309-150-RF works awesome in these rifles.

[smkummer]

I was last week shooting with CB member sixpointfive. His 2400 load and the ranch dog bullet out of a microgroove Marlin is dead accurate at 200 yards on a 10" metal plate. He is at least getting 1800 FPS, maybe closer to 2000 FPS. Perfect combination of power, accuracy, economy (maybe .15 per shot with gas check, primer, powder and lead) and recoil that doesn't fatigue the shooter when plinking. If he reads this maybe he can chime in but I believe his bullet is sized to .311 and chambers fine. Caution, if "tinging" the metal plate everytime is boring, then this is a very boring rifle.

[FergusonTO35]

The Lee 309-113-RF works great in these also. I load them for my 336 Texan at hot .32-20 power level.

[762 shooter]

I haven't had a chance to go to the range yet but I have reloaded a few of the Ranchdogs and fired them in my garage at my mulch trap for function, feeding, and firing. I got a minor bit of engraving when chambering but they fired fine and were not keyholing at 10 yards. Seems like it was about 6.5 of Red Dot and should have poking along at about 1200 according to The Lyman Third ED.

I found 55 pieces of brass that I had been saving for this moment for 40 years.

I got the missing Marlin mystery bullseye reinstalled and it looks quite nice if I do say so.

http://i61.tinypic.com/x5cj76.jpg

It's still hard for me to believe that it is 45 years old.

762

[TXGunNut]

It's still hard for me to believe that it is 45 years old.

762

Sometimes it seems a shame to let a fine firearm such as your 336 sit quietly for decades with little or no use...unless of course you happen to be the lucky guy that finally gets some good use out of the old girl. Then it's all good, right?

[hicard]

You really did get an awesome buy. That 336 looks brand new. You will enjoy shooting that rifle for a long time.

[dlbarr]

Late to the party here 762, but congrats on a nice rifle. Ya done good.

Would like to hear that range report....

[762 shooter]

Got to the range for a short session yesterday.

Loaded up some ACWW NOE Ranchdog 311-165-RF sized to .309 and lubed with Ben's Red. Full dressed weight with lube and GC is 169.0 grains. Had to seat to 2.39 COL to be off lands, which is well above the crimp groove. Using a Lyman P-A die to seat and crimp I was worried about boolits being set back while in the tube or while chambering. Tried my best to push the loaded boolit back inside the case. Not happening.

I had some ancient AA 2015 so I loaded up some at 24.0, 24.5, and 25.0. Not much love with the first two but the 25.0 load gave me a cloverleaf of 4 rounds at 50 yds.
Scope is a cheapo thirty year old Simmons 3x9x40 that refuses to break.

My first 30-30 has impressed me. I was surprised that .309 worked and no signs of leading after about 30 rounds. The Ranchdogs fed and extracted without a hitch.

762

[Shuz]

762 shooter--I use WC 820 at 15.5g behind the same NOE bullet you use, but sized .311 and Saeco 7 hardness and have rec'd fantastic results out at 165 yds. Velocity is only 1660 fps, but the SD is 13 and all 4 shots landed in 1" on a steel IHMSA turkey.
My OAL is 2.440 and lightly engraves the rifling on a slight lever close squeeze.