Marlin 336 D in .35 Rem. Experiences? Opinions?

[mannyrock]

Hi Guys,

  I was looking at a Marlin 336 D, limited edition, in  .35 Remington last week. It has a straight grip stock, a very short barrel (I think 16.5 inches) and I believe only a thousand or so were made. (I think they were made up as a special run for a big sporting goods store  in Pennsylvania about 8 or 9 years ago.  I don't know the name.) The barrel is not ported.

   Anybody have any experiences in actually shooting one of these rifles?   Muzzle blast? Recoil?  Pointability?  I am experienced in shooting the 336 in. 30-30, but have never fired one in .35, or with a real short barrel. 

     It would be for using it to hunt deer in heavy woods, maximum range of 100 yards.  But, I don't want to set the woods on fire, or go blind from muzzle flash, or punch myself in the nose with my grip hand, or have my faced singed, or go deaf (any more than normal).

   Thanks for all comments and opinions.

Mannyrock

[Old Grizz]

If you didn't know what you were shooting, the .35 or 30-30, you wouldn't tell the difference from the recoil or the noise. The .35 is a great deer rifle and even with the shorter barrel it will be accurate out to 150 yards. The 336D, I think, had a 22" barrel, but I could be wrong. If it's been chopped to 18", It shouldn't make that much difference as far a accuracy goes. You won't go deaf or burn off your face hair because of a short barrel. I own an 1895G with an 18.5 barrel in 45-70 and shoot Garretts 540 hammerheads in it and have never gone deaf or burned my beard.

Have fun!!!!!!!

[Rangr44]

[I don't want to set the woods on fire, or go blind from muzzle flash, or punch myself in the nose with my grip hand, or have my faced singed, or go deaf (any more than normal).]

Just don't stand in front of it.  (JMO - But, You probably don't care about deaf or singed deer.)   

[big medicine]

I have a 336D and it is a great little rifle. The barrel is actually 18.5 inches. It is a nice rifle to shoot. Recoil isn't bad, it is easy to handle and shoulder and carry. Plus it is a deer killing machine!!

[kevthebassman]

The .35 Rem is a puppydog to shoot.  No noticeable recoil increase between it and the 30-30, at least that I can tell.  I know that I can put 40 rounds through mine in an afternoon without developing a flinch.

I know that once you use a .35 Rem on game, you will never be without one.

[Lloyd Smale]

If the barrel isnt ported its not a D. They were 18.5 inch ported guns  with 3/4 mag tubes identical to the guide guns. I picked up one recently and its a nice gun. I havent had it out shooting though so i dont know how well it shoots other then some really good targets and loads the guy sent along with it. Recoil is fairly mild. Not much more then a 3030 but a little.

[Lloyd Smale]

could be too that if its marked a D that the prevoius owner wacked the barrel off behind the ports.

[jager]

I too have a 336D with a "ported" 18.5 BBL. It is one of my favorite rifles (I've owned 3 other .35Rem rifles) that is very accurate, considering I'm using a Williams receiver sight with a front "fire sight" that is pretty large. It balances well, has little recoil, and is deadly on deer within 150 yards whose range can be extended by careful reloading and a scope. Because "foot pounds" is usually used to evaluate the power of a cartridge, it appears to be no more powerful than the 30/30, which is more than sufficient for deer at normal ranges; but because of it's heavier, wider bullet it usually puts deer down "right now". The first run of the 336D's, which is a "limited" version of the "Guide Gun" was for 500 (I bought no. 9 from Davidson's). The original carbine called the "Marauder", had a 16.5 inch BBL (unported), but hasn't been marketed since the early '60's or late '50's.  If the Marauder is what you were looking at, and it is "reasonable" and in good shape it has some "collector" status and most were "shooters". I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

[LEO]

I have one of the limited runs of the 35 "guide gun" in stainless that Davidsons did 3 or 4 years ago.  It is a great little rifle, it is quickly becoming my favorite rifle.  It carries easy, is quite for a centerfire rifle, accurate, and drops deer right there with very little meat damage.  When I bought it, I thought I had lost my mind, paying about 550 dollars for it but in hind sight, it was money well spent.  For the scenario you described it will be a great rifle.  Oh and by the way, muzzle flash/blast is very minimal as the 35 is a low intensity cartridge and has pretty well burned its powder by the time it gets out of the barrel, there is some but not much.  If you like the rifle, I would buy it, it will serve you well.

[papajohn428]

Just posting here to reiterate the point that recoil will not be a factor.  I have both calibers, and the 30-30 hurt to the point I had to put a Limbsaver on it, the 35 never bothered me, even loaded hot.  Go figure. 

PJ