Author Topic: Opinions on the 336 SS Marlin 30-30? (Read 2308 times)

demented · « **on:** November 18, 2007, 08:12:12 PM »

For some unknown reason, I've begun wanting a stainless 20" Marlin 336. AS I can buy a blued 336 as low as $300 and the SS model will run me $450, I do wonder if stainless steel is worth the extra $150. Next question: Will standard 336's do well with Leverevolution ammunition? Thanks, gentlemen.

six_gunz · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2007, 11:00:04 PM »

I'd pay the extra $150 for the stainless, especially for a Marlin in SS. I'd say it's a good investment. Haven't tried the LeverEvolution ammo yet but want to one of these days. Read the forum, there's a lot of talk here about that ammo.

six_gunz · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2007, 11:10:32 PM »

Here's a couple
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,130596.0.html
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,129274.0.html

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2007, 12:00:23 PM »

I wouldn't spend the extra for the stainless. I wish my 1895GS was the blued version. I got a real good deal on the stainless Guide Gun and I couldn't pass it up. I think blued is nicer looking and it shoots just as well.

six_gunz · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:17:41 PM »

I agree that the blued version looks better but the corrosion resistance you get with the stainless is well worth the money spent and looks wont make it shoot any better.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:30:29 PM »

I have a stainless 45-70 in Marlin 1895 xlr and love it. Have a laminated stock. Looks good to me, and don't have to worry about rust. Clean out the barrel as normal, but outside, just rub with an oily rag occasionally. I have a Ruger 77 stainless about 20 years old. Easy to clean, just wiped off the outside. No rust anywhere.

Foggy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:44:12 PM »

They will "rust" and require as much care as a Blue Steel rifle

six_gunz · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2007, 04:04:29 PM »

Quote from: Foggy on November 20, 2007, 01:44:12 PM

They will "rust" and require as much care as a Blue Steel rifle

The stainless "can rust" if subjected to constant poor storage conditions. I've worked with all different grades of stainless for years and guarantee it will not require the "same care" as a the normal blued steel. Do you store your guns in a salt water tank?

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2007, 01:47:53 AM »

I have both stainless and blue steel rifles. The stainless required far less care. I have to make sure I coat the entire rifle inside and out on blue steel with a good oil to keep it from rusting. The stainless doesn't require near as much outside the bore and barrel attention.

Keith L · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2007, 05:06:12 AM »

I started using stainless a few years ago when I had rust problems after a few hours in the field on a rainy day. My stainless guns can take a dousing and be fine until I get home to dry them off. Here in Wisconsin the norm during hunting season is rain and snow, so I want guns that can put up with that. The gravy is I like the looks of stainless.

S.B. · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2007, 03:28:16 PM »

I wish they would start making them in .35 Remington?

demented · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2007, 04:21:40 PM »

Thanks for all the replies! I decided to go ahead an order a 336 in stainless steel. I want this rifle to be sorta like my right hand, I intend on it and I becoming constant companions when I'm out on my ATV, tractor or whatever I'm doing. Much less eyebrow raising than a typical magazine fed military type rifle and even more so effective than any handgun I can think of. I carry a 6" stainless .357 when out in the "boonies" I think the Marlin added will complete the parfect pair.

six_gunz · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2007, 04:04:35 AM »

Quote from: S.B. on November 21, 2007, 03:28:16 PM

I wish they would start making them in .35 Remington?

I'll be 2nd in line behind you to buy a 336 stainless in .35 rem

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2007, 05:09:12 AM »

I saw one on either Gunbroker or Auctionarms last night.

melsdad · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2007, 06:13:20 AM »

I have a 336cs in 30-30 that I absolutely love to use. The gun is lite, accurate, and fast handling. The lever revolution 160 grain rounds work really well out of my gun, as you can see below.

Here are a few pictures of targets using the lever revolution 160 grain rounds.

This is at 100 yards, the big hole is from my slug gun. the loose shot was my fault

As far as the extra $150.00 for stainless go's, I would just buy the blued rifle. The stainless rifle will still rust if not taken care of properly.

ratgunner · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2007, 04:47:29 AM »

Quote from: demented on November 21, 2007, 04:21:40 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I decided to go ahead an order a 336 in stainless steel. I want this rifle to be sorta like my right hand, I intend on it and I becoming constant companions when I'm out on my ATV, tractor or whatever I'm doing. Much less eyebrow raising than a typical magazine fed military type rifle and even more so effective than any handgun I can think of. I carry a 6" stainless .357 when out in the "boonies" I think the Marlin added will complete the parfect pair.

Sounds like an 1894c would be perfect.

S.B. · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2007, 05:59:15 AM »

Maybe the 1894S, the C isn't even stainless, like the original post asks about?

demented · « **Reply #17 on:** November 25, 2007, 10:17:28 AM »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the .357 basically run out of steam past 100 yards or so? Actually, I had thought of a .357 lever rifle, but assumed I'd be better equipped out to 150 yards or therabouts with a 30-30.

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2007, 03:48:36 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on November 22, 2007, 05:09:12 AM

I saw one on either Gunbroker or Auctionarms last night.

The stainless .35 I saw is on Gunbroker.

six_gunz · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2007, 01:47:52 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on November 29, 2007, 03:48:36 PM

Quote from: Swampman on November 22, 2007, 05:09:12 AM
I saw one on either Gunbroker or Auctionarms last night.

The stainless .35 I saw is on Gunbroker.

You must be referring to the 336XLR in .35 Rem? I haven't seen them list a stainless carbine in .35 Rem on the Marlin site. Hoping for it someday!!

Swampman · « **Reply #20 on:** December 01, 2007, 12:06:50 AM »

No this one was like the Guide Gun. I believe only about 500 of them were made for Davis. It had a nice Burris scope and they wanted $800.00 for it.

ratgunner · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2007, 11:09:44 AM »

Quote from: S.B. on November 24, 2007, 05:59:15 AM

Maybe the 1894S, the C isn't even stainless, like the original post asks about?

True but then he has to carry TWO kinds of ammo.

Quote from: demented on November 25, 2007, 10:17:28 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the .357 basically run out of steam past 100 yards or so? Actually, I had thought of a .357 lever rifle, but assumed I'd be better equipped out to 150 yards or therabouts with a 30-30.

So will a .44 and a 30-30 wont go much farther before it does as well.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #22 on:** December 01, 2007, 05:24:15 PM »

Quote from: ratgunner on December 01, 2007, 11:09:44 AM

Quote from: demented on November 25, 2007, 10:17:28 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the .357 basically run out of steam past 100 yards or so? Actually, I had thought of a .357 lever rifle, but assumed I'd be better equipped out to 150 yards or therabouts with a 30-30.
So will a .44 and a 30-30 wont go much farther before it does as well.

Not necessarily the case – there is quite a difference in long range performance between the three cartridges when fired from a rifle.

For example, a .357Mag 125g @ 2200fps falls below 1000fpe at around 55 yards. Stretch that out to about 135 yards with a 240g .44 Mag at 1880fps. A .30-30 delivers 1000fpe way out to 245 yards when pushing a Speer 170g to about 2200fps. Zeroed for a max 3” rise, bullet drop is under 8” at 245 yards – not bad for a “100 yard rifle”.

ratgunner · « **Reply #23 on:** December 02, 2007, 05:01:35 AM »

Yes the 30-30 has an edge on the 357,but compare apples to apples .A 158 grain .357 at about 2100fps in an 18.5" barrel to a 160 grain 30-30 in a 20" barrel.Now how do they compare ? As for the .44,well the .357 shoots flatter,but the .44 has more energy. ;)Who zeros a 30-30 for 3" high at 100yds anyways? ::)And what size groups are you getting at 245yds?There is more to ballistics than just trajectory.Now with that said I must admit he says he wants to be good for 150yds,and I agree the 30-30 is the way to go.

S.B. · « **Reply #24 on:** December 02, 2007, 05:47:32 AM »

Your forgetting to look at and figure in the Ballistic Coefficients of both bullets involved?

ratgunner · « **Reply #25 on:** December 02, 2007, 09:50:14 AM »

You are correct the 30 has a higher BC and is better for longer shots.The .357 does have more frontal area/bigger caliber though I don't know if it would be of any signifigance.Like I said the 30-30 is the better choice for 150yds.But beynd that it's no longranger either.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #26 on:** December 02, 2007, 01:44:56 PM »

I have a Ruger 77 stainless. I taped it up with camo tap to avoid the shine. I loaned it to my brother, went through a divorce about 12 years ago, and just this fall took the old tape off the barrel and receiver. Had to use alcohol to remove some of the sticky from the tape being on there so long. This rifle after 10 years of neglect, had absolutely no rust. Maybe if you put it under sea water it will, but under normal storage inside a home, it should never rust. The only thing that might rust are blue steel parts. Stainless with composite stocks or laminate stocks can take a lot more abuse and neglect. Also, I read one of the gun rags a few years ago, and stainless barrels are harder, and will last about twice as long as blue steel. They said the average blue steel barrel should take 10,000 rounds in a lifetime while a stainless barrel should take 20,000. Stainless is nickel steel while blue is carbon steel. Carbon will oxidize as well as the iron causing the rust. Nickel doesn't.