336C marlin in .35 rem

[sms1717]

First off, I have never owned a lever action in my life. 
But, I have been looking at getting the marlin 336C in .35 rem. as this is the only current production rifle available in the .35 rem, right?
I do own an old 760 remington in .35 rem and I am looking to retire it, but I don't want to give up using a .35
How accurate?  Do they jam? Do they cycle fast?
What are your comments, personal experiences with 336C marlin?
thanks

[35Rem]

Great gun, you will be surprised by the accuracy.  Jam?  What's that?  Fast as you can run the lever, there are ways to slick it up, too.  but it's more fun to shoot it to break it in.
Since you shoot a 35 already, I won't tell you how good the round is...

[Lloyd Smale]

mines an excellent gun!

[deerhunter]

Great gun and cartridge combination.

You dont need to slick it up, it will do that on its own.  At night or when you are alone, mount the EMPTY rifle,and practice working the lever while keeping the but against your shoulder, and your eyes on the sights.  You will find you can shoot as fast as a semi auto with it.....only Accurately.

[Warhawk]

These guys can say it better than I can

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_4_49/ai_98124200

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/35remington.htm

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/35_remington.htm

[dahut]

I have been looking at getting the marlin 336C in .35 rem. as this is the only current production rifle available in the .35 rem, right?
Right.

I do own an old 760 Remington in .35 Rem and I am looking to retire it, but I don't want to give up using a .35
Sell it to me. I'll keep it healthy and going strong.

How accurate?  Do they jam? Do they cycle fast?
Accurate as you need; 1-2 MOA within it's range limits. Jams? Not in my experience, since you are the motive force. Stroke it true and it works. Fast cycling? Now why would that be a worry, for those quick "follow ups?"? Friend, if you are happy with the speed of your pump rifle, you can do as well as with the Marlin.

What you DO get with the old 760 is inches of useful barrel and a stronger action. The .35 Rem, as loaded nowadays, is only a  shadow of it's potential and to make matter worse it's put up in a stubby 20" tube. Working pressures keep going down, too, as the old guns it was first chambered for age. Currently it's down to 35,000 cup from a former 38,000. I suspect it was once even higher, as Remington used to have an Express loading that one can only wonder at.

NOTE: The following is only my opinion.
Having said all that, I suggest that in strong actions like the Marlin, 40,000 cup + isn't un-doable. It's going to be a tad higher with the 760. The brass is plenty stout so as not to worry, and the bullets range all over, from .358 pistol bullets on up to 200gr SP. Stout loads on the order of 2300 + fps are easily done and are hell on deer. Buffalo Bullets offers a 220gr lead bullet at an advertised 2200fps - they aint doing that with compressed air!

Better yet, it really is very versatile and is a reloaders silk purse. This only grows better in the 760. Loads that start to be edgy with the 336 are meat for the 760. To be fair, the 336 IS a nice piece of work and you should try one. It will be a culture shock for you, though, so be ready for that. It is stout and stiff, where your 760 is long and silky.

If you are not a reloader and shoot only factory ammo, then keep the ranges under 150 yds and shoot the Remington 200 gr Core-Lokt or the Hornady LeveRevolution ammo. Either will knock 'em down thumpin' good.

I have 2 Marlin .35 Remmy's and I like them. One I use for light, "plinky" loads with pistol bullets and lead pills - the other I just obtained and hope to work up max loads in, using SPEER 180 gr bullets and a heap of H335 stuffed in the case. If only they had a 22" barrel on them... Oh, and I would LOVE to work with the 760, too (hint, hint    )

[papajohn428]

dahut makes some excellent points, to which I'll add a few of my own.  My 336C dotes on warm to hot loads, but still shoots pistol bullets into tiny clusters with 9 grains of Unique.  My favorite bullet is the Rem. 200-grain Core-Lokt, either in factory loads or handloads.  My gun was bought gently used, and shot the best group of ANY levergun I've ever shot, 0.042" for three shots at fifty yards, with the 200 CL and 40.5 grains of Varget.  I load with Lee Collet Dies, and swear by them for both accuracy and long case life.  The Speer 180 is also an excellent bullet, and can be pushed to some impressive speeds for a 100-year old cartridge. 

As for speed, I'm a big fan of the Scout Scope idea, my 336C wears a 4X Simmons, and hasn't wiggled an inch in about 1500 rounds.  The forward-mounted scope allows a natural carry style at the balance point, and getting on target with both eyes open is as simple as raising the gun and looking over the receiver.  The 336 is not subject to the "Marlin Jam" like the 1894 is, and every one I've shot has been bobble-free with every bullet profile tried.  I own three, and each one is slicker than the others, if that's possible.  A 336 is NEVER a mistake, unless you're worried about becoming a victim of "Marlinitis".  It's incurable, inscrutable, and more fun that anything I know.  A tad expensive.....but I'm worth it!   

PJ

[dahut]

40.5 gr of Varget is stout and will fill the case to the neck, as all hot loads should. It may even compress under the bullet, again a good thing for consistency. I'd guess that goes to around 2200 fps and THAT is good for the .35 Rem. Varget is not the dynamite of powders in the .35 Rem, as I understand things, but that oughta do well, enough.

As for the 336, well it is proven over and over. Compared to the 760, it is light and solid, real handy. Where the old Remington gets a little "luggy" after carrying it for awhile, you'll find the 336 to be an all day carry. Sling it, for sure.

PJ's method of scout scoping is also one of the best going. It really fits the handy Marlin. Much better than some big honkin' 3x9 scope that has to be crane lifted onto the top of the action.

[NYHunter]

I've had mine for 40 years. You won't be sorry. If you ever decide to you don't want that 760 .35 Rem anymore let me know.    But I'm I'm sure the waiting line is a mile long.   

[ihuntbucks]

I love my 336C .35 Rem.I use Speer 180 r. SPFN over 38 gr. of H4895.Works well,shots well.Like it much better than my .3030.But will give you the Marlin "fever",cuz I also own a 95 in 45/70 ....love those levers....Rick

[Mannlicher]

Mine is a 1957 model.  I found it at a gun show, and walked out the door with it for a song.  It came with an old 4X Nickel scope, which I removed.  Now it wears an El Paso Weaver steel V4.5 variable 20mm tube.  Shoots just fine.  I like the 200 grain Remington Core-Lokt cartridges.

[tomhargrove]

i don't have a 336-c but i do own a 336rc in .35rem and it has never failed me on hog or deer  or function what else can be said for a fine rifle

[azmike]

I always thought the 336 was ugly and chunky, until I bought my first one, a 336rc in 35 Rem.  Now I have two, and the only rifle I like better is my G2 carbine.  Marlins are great in any caliber, IMO.

[35Rem]

I always thought the 336 was ugly and chunky, until I bought my first one, a 336rc in 35 Rem.  Now I have two, and the only rifle I like better is my G2 carbine.  Marlins are great in any caliber, IMO.

But you thought the marlin was ugly and chunky??

[KYBOY]

I really liked mine. Good gun and with the right loads would really supprise you.