Marlin 336 by Ruger

[1006]

I have not shot it as of yet. It looks well put together; everything operates smoothly. Found it in Turin, GA, while buying reloading supplies.

It seemed to me that a new gun for just under a $1000 was a better deal than a well used gun at the current used market prices.

It has sharp checkering, nice looking wood, I think it has conventional rifling—it’s nice.

I will post some shooting impressions after I shoot it.

[huntinlever]

I've heard nothing but good things since Ruger took over. If god forbid my LM Marlin 45-70 ever shoots out, I'd have no problem buying another guide gun from Ruger. Have fun and good shooting.

[376Steyr]

I saw my first one in the wild yesterday at my LGS. It looked like a fine specimen, but I have no need for a 30-30 at the moment. Plus the $1200 price tag on it allowed me to easily resist temptation.

[huntinlever]

I saw my first one in the wild yesterday at my LGS. It looked like a fine specimen, but I have no need for a 30-30 at the moment. Plus the $1200 price tag on it allowed me to easily resist temptation.

I hope by the time I'd be in need of another guide gun, if I ever do, I hope the lever mania has long died down.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Lever guns are becoming the legal and politically correct assault rifles of the nanny states. Might be quite a while before prices come down. Also harder to build than bolt guns.

[sigep1764]

Pics, we need pics!

[scattershot]

Saw one the other day. It was a beautiful specimen. If they are all like that, I predict great things for Marlin/Ruger.

[RichardB]

Do they make them with that Blue state, lawyer safety?

[1006]

It does have a cross bolt safety.

I cleaned it and took it to the range today, and got the iron sights setup for my loads.

There was quite a lot of black crud, presumably carbon, in the barrel—glad I cleaned it prior to shooting it.

So, far the only issue has been noticed while cleaning the gun-the mag tube and barrel have several light scratches in the blueing, which appear to have occurred during the factory assembly process, while sliding the barrel band into position.

The sights required the use of almost the highest elevation notch; the windage was just about right on target without adjustment. The rear sight would benefit from a taller rear blade in my opinion.

[FergusonTO35]

A new Ruglin backed by Ruger's awesome customer service for a grand or less is a winner in my book. You'll pay that much for a Henry, and not much less for a Rossi or a common variant JM Marlin or New Haven Winchester. I don't really care about the pushbutton safety, I'm just glad Marlin never went to the ridiculous rebounding hammer.

[HodakaGA]

I'm in Turin every couple of months. Where are you finding reloading supplies there?

Thanks, Frank

[1006]

Smallwood Firearms—TURIN, GA.

Smallwood has been in business a long time, not located in a commercial area, a retired police officer.

He is on GunAuction.com as “Sandy”.

[1006]

I am going to do the unthinkable and put a scope on it. I can barely see the front sight while tilting my head for the right spot in my bifocals.

Ordered a Leupold 1-4.5x-small and light. Really wanted a fixed 4x with standard crosshairs, could not find one that I liked.

I will put pics up when I get it all put together and some targets shot.

[farmbif]

scope is not unthinkable at all on a marlin. a few years ago I put a leupold vx2 2-7x on my marlin 30-30 texan and never looked back. using Burris low rings and matching mounting rail absolute minimal clearance between the barrel and front of scope. It works so well I will probably put similar scope on others. I really like the vortex diamondback 2-7 35 but it only comes in a rimfire, 50 yard parallax.

[Char-Gar]

They look like a fine iteration of the great Marlin 336. Ruger finally broke the code and trashed the MicroGroove barrel and the 1-10 twist in the 30-30. This new one has a 1-12 twist six lands and grooves barrel. On the downside, they are no longer drilled and tapped from the factory for a receiver sight.

[HodakaGA]

Thanks. I'll stop by soon!
Frank

[1006]

Call him first….last I checked he was open only on Friday and Saturday, but talking about going back to 5days/week.

[FergusonTO35]

I am going to do the unthinkable and put a scope on it. I can barely see the front sight while tilting my head for the right spot in my bifocals.

Ordered a Leupold 1-4.5x-small and light. Really wanted a fixed 4x with standard crosshairs, could not find one that I liked.

I will put pics up when I get it all put together and some targets shot.

Nothing wrong with that at all, two of my Marlins wear them. Another one has a Japan made Weaver 1-3x20.

[35 Rem]

I'm looking forward to the shooting results. Been anxious when a more "normal" Marlin would be released by Ruger than just the 45-70's they've been building. Hopefully they will expand their chamberings to other classics before long.

[koger]

I'm looking forward to the shooting results. Been anxious when a more "normal" Marlin would be released by Ruger than just the 45-70's they've been building. Hopefully they will expand their chamberings to other classics before long.

Go on Youtube, the channel called Target Suite is a good one. He shoots mostly lever guns, new ones and old ones, and he gives a very honest report on rifles. He did one this spring shooting a Ruglin 336 30/30 and it was shooting sub MOA out to 300 yds, yes I said 300 yds!

[murf205]

I just scoped my new to me Marlin/Glenfield and No matter how "unthinkable" it is (btw, I agree), when you can't see the cotton pickin' sights, you can't hit whatcha' shootin at. If I hadn't found a 4x Leupold compact in the safe, I would have put a 1-4.5x on mine too.[ATTACH=CONFIG]315457[/ATTACH
I am leaning toward an Ultra Dot on my next lever gun

[FergusonTO35]

Leupold M8 is an excellent scope, one of the best ever made. I had one and sold it like a big dummy, so if you ever decide to part with yours let me know! Also, are you sure that one is a 100 yard parallax? Quite a few of them were 50 yard. Don't know if it really makes a difference at typical .30-30 distance, but you might want to ask Leupold to be sure.

[murf205]

It is a 100 yd parallax scope. Leupold doesn't make the fixed 4x in anything but a rimfire model now. I guess you and I are the only people who like fixed 4x scopes. This one has friction adjustments and the full size M8's I have owned gave me a bit of trouble responding to adjustment. The later FX II series had click adjustments...I believe. Heck, I leave all my 3x9 hunting scopes set on 4x anyway. No surprises if a critter shows up at 20 yds or less. I love the compact scopes and wish somebody would revive them. A scope that looks like another rifle on top of a rifle looks a bit weird to me. Out of balance.
As far as shooting groups with the lower powered scopes, I just use a bigger bullseye on my homemade targets.315464

[FergusonTO35]

I love the compact scopes and wish somebody would revive them. A scope that looks like another rifle on top of a rifle looks a bit weird to me. Out of balance.
315464

This 100%. Far as I know, Leupold is the only one still making traditional 1" compact scopes so they will be getting my business for them. I so wish Burris still made compact scopes. I have three Fullfield II's and they are awesome but unfortunately too big for lever actions or carbines.

[huntinlever]

I am going to do the unthinkable and put a scope on it. I can barely see the front sight while tilting my head for the right spot in my bifocals.

Ordered a Leupold 1-4.5x-small and light. Really wanted a fixed 4x with standard crosshairs, could not find one that I liked.

I will put pics up when I get it all put together and some targets shot.


I have an FX II 2.5-20 on my 45-70, and if I have to scope, I'm happy with the setup. My son currently has a Skinner on his 336, but we've luckily kept another 2.5-20 for him, if he finds he needs or wants it. I'd thought we'd sold this other FXII so was looking into that 1-4.5. Looks like a perfect fit. I may even sell of the extra FXII for this 1-4.5.

315506

[1006]

I took my new Marlin to the range with a scope installed. I fired some hand loaded and some factory loaded 150 grain bullets, standard 30-30 jacketed round nose.

The groups were not worth photographing. Most 100yard groups were 3 to five shots, usually two bullet holes were within an inch of each other and the others were 3-4inches away. I am hoping for better results as I get used to the gun. But, I think the trigger pull is the issue-It is very heavy and has quite a lot of creep. I have consistently fired 1&1/2 inch groups with an older Marlin 35 Remington. So, I know that I should be able to do better if the gun will perform.

The hammer forged barrel was very smooth feeling as I pushed patches through it during the first post range cleaning. It did not take much effort to clean. I had fired 35 rounds through it.

[FergusonTO35]

I have an FX II 2.5-20 on my 45-70, and if I have to scope, I'm happy with the setup. My son currently has a Skinner on his 336, but we've luckily kept another 2.5-20 for him, if he finds he needs or wants it. I'd thought we'd sold this other FXII so was looking into that 1-4.5. Looks like a perfect fit. I may even sell of the extra FXII for this 1-4.5.

315506

If you ever want to sell the extra 2.5 FX II let me know!

[huntinlever]

If you ever want to sell the extra 2.5 FX II let me know!

Will do!

[1006]

Well, after mounting the scope with an excellent set of EGW rings, I found the scope to be too high above the receiver. The low mounts were out of stock and still are. I have replaced the standard EGW rings with a set low mount of Warne “Vapor” rings. The bases are Warne, as well. Anyhow, no accuracy data at this time, but here is a picture.316314

[308w]

I can highly recommend Wild West Guns after market trigger.
I put one in my Ruger Marlin Trapper.
Trigger is nice now, about 3lbs ish.

[GregLaROCHE]

I hope Ruger has their act together and are producing decent guns. From what I’ve heard, the mechanical parts are good, just a little shy on the stock fitting sometimes. Maybe there’s hope.

[TD1886]

I hope Ruger has their act together and are producing decent guns. From what I’ve heard, the mechanical parts are good, just a little shy on the stock fitting sometimes. Maybe there’s hope.

Best thing to happen to get Marlin away from Remington.

[firewhenready7]

I love all lever guns

[TD1886]

I love all lever guns

Although I've never had one, I think I don't like Henry's. Might be a bad assumption.

[FergusonTO35]

Well, after mounting the scope with an excellent set of EGW rings, I found the scope to be too high above the receiver. The low mounts were out of stock and still are. I have replaced the standard EGW rings with a set low mount of Warne “Vapor” rings. The bases are Warne, as well. Anyhow, no accuracy data at this time, but here is a picture.316314

I would say that depends mostly on how your face and shoulders fit the rifle. I find medium Weaver USA rings work best on mine.

[Lonegun1894]

Although I've never had one, I think I don't like Henry's. Might be a bad assumption.

I used to say the same thing, until i shot one of their .22s. Now I own a .22 Henry, and still hate the rest. But I'd say try them if you get a chance to fire a few rounds without having to buy the rifle.