Marlin 35 Rem accuracy

[gaileyr]

OK Guys, I’ve got a question. Generally speaking, at 100yds just how much accuracy (group size) should I expect out of a average off the shelf Marlin 336 in 35 Remington caliber? Most of my collection of rifles are bolt actions. But last year I realized most of the deer I’ve taken over the years were at 150yds or less. With the one exception 2 years ago of a 200 lb 8 point at 250yds with a 300Weatherby. I’m pushing 66 years old and carrying around a 8 1/2 to 9lb rifle is getting to be chore for me. I’ve handled the short and light marlin a friend has, and think it might be the way for me to go. But I’m worried about it’s inherent accuracy or lack thereof.

[Graybeard]

It varies rifle to rifle just as it does with all rifle types and chamberings but I'd say that scoped you should have no trouble getting 2" or better from most any Marlin .35 Remington. That's plenty good enough for the ranges to which it's suitable. In my opinion it ain't a 250 yard rifle maybe a 200 yard but to me even that is a wee bit of a stretch.

I shot both a 7-30 and .35 same day at 250 yards many long years ago. Granted both were 14" TCs but I got within 50 fps of the rifle velocity from that barrel. With both sighted an inch high at 100 yards the Waters dropped as I recall at most 3" and the .35 dropped closer to 18" just going on memory. Beyond 200 yards the trajectory is kinda like a rock. To 175 yards I'd not be afraid to use it but over that I really think a different rifle is more appropriate. It's a hell of a killer inside of 150 and that in my opinion is the proper use for it.

[gaileyr]

I hear what you're saying Graybeard. Two inch groups at 100yds should get the job done in the thick brushy type ground I'll be hunting this year. Which is another reason for choosing the 35 Rem. I'll need to anchor the deer right where it's shot. Not sure I'll get a chance at a second shot. Was thinking of using it with open iron sights. But with my old eyes maybe I should start looking around for a scope. An old Weaver or Redfield in the 2.5X fixed power range should do for close in work.

[Graybeard]

Don't matter what ya shooting if ya gotta anchor them rat there ya best be aiming for the central nervous system CNS. A hit anywhere else with anything short of a cannon is just as likely to see them run as fall.

[dpe.ahoy]

I have 2 of the 35 rem Marlins and both wear 2.5 power Weavers.  Just about perfect for them.  Any deer can run after being hit, but the blood trail on one hit with the 35 will be easy to follow.  Last one I took with one was with the Hornady LE ammo and knocked a chunk of hair the size of a golf ball on the off side, she just tipped over, lots of blood where she was.  DP

[kawie]

i just got a marlin 336 an im am very happy with it.i put a nikon 2-7 pro staff on it.ive tried 3 different brands of ammo.winchester 200gr shot with a pattern,remington 200gr coreloc was 1.5 inches,an the hornady LE put 2 through the same hole.this was all shot at 98 yards.the remington stuff was dead on at that distance an the hornady was about 4 inches high at the same distance.i thick you will be more than happy with the marlin 336 in 35rem.hope this helps.Aaron

[gaileyr]

OK, I decided to give the marlin 336 in 35 Rem a try. I hit most of the local gun/pawn shops and finally uncovered just one. Guess they're not very popular in this area. It's in good to excellent condition, built in 1987. Appears to be a not hunted with much Closet Queen. Out the door price was $235. Now, If I can just find an old Weaver 2.5X Post & Crosshair scope.

[Oldshooter]

i just got a marlin 336 an im am very happy with it.i put a nikon 2-7 pro staff on it.ive tried 3 different brands of ammo.winchester 200gr shot with a pattern,remington 200gr coreloc was 1.5 inches,an the hornady LE put 2 through the same hole.this was all shot at 98 yards.the remington stuff was dead on at that distance an the hornady was about 4 inches high at the same distance.i thick you will be more than happy with the marlin 336 in 35rem.hope this helps.Aaron

This post saved me some finger typing Pardner! +1

[Harry Snippe]

i just got a marlin 336 an im am very happy with it.i put a nikon 2-7 pro staff on it.ive tried 3 different brands of ammo.winchester 200gr shot with a pattern,remington 200gr coreloc was 1.5 inches,an the hornady LE put 2 through the same hole.this was all shot at 98 yards.the remington stuff was dead on at that distance an the hornady was about 4 inches high at the same distance.i thick you will be more than happy with the marlin 336 in 35rem.hope this helps.Aaron

This post saved me some finger typing Pardner! +1

I second that
The 35 Rem does more than what is read on paper , and always too a lot more if you roll your own!

[Halwg]

My 35's, both the Marlins and my Remington 760 are plenty accurate for where I hunt.







These are 3 different groups shot at 200 yards.  There is a lot of overlapping, but they were all within 3".  Shot with my handload using H-4198 and Hornady FTX bullets.

[gaileyr]

Halwg, Now that's what I call grouping. I bought a H&R Handi-Rifle in 444Marlin awhile back for Mississippi's primitive weapons season. Yes... I know not exactly what any reasonable person would call a primitive weapon, but they're allowed. Go figure? Ammo was so expensive I tried reloading my own using H4198 and bullets in the 240gr range but found the powder & bullet compo didn't work out. Finally settled in on 50.8gr H335 with a Hornady 300gr XTP. I've got a couple pounds H4198 left over so will try your load. At least it will give me a starting point. Thanks for posting it.

[Halwg]

I also use H-4198 in my 444 with 300 XTP bullets.  Mine is a Marlin 444SS and H-4198, and IMR-4198 work well.  But I like the accuracy of H-4198 in my 35 Remington.  It's not the fastest load, averaging about 2065 fps with 200 gr bullets, and 2205 with 180 gr bullets, but it really groups well out of my Marlins.

[Racer X]

I catch alot of flack at my hunting club because I hunt with a Guide Gun. They all use 300 Win Mags, 270s, 243s, etc. I also have a very nice Remington 700 Laminated Stainless in 7mm Rem Mag, but never hunt with it because the the Guide Gun is so nice to carry. And my Guide Gun will group an inch or less at 100 yards with 300 grain Hornady HPs.

[LouisianaMan]

I've fired only about 35 rounds from my 336XLR in .35 Remington, using the Hornady LE ammo. Most of it was simply sighting in the scope, and then I shot one true 1" group, plus a couple that were barely over that--like 1 1/4" or 1 1/8".

I sighted in 18 months ago at +3", as recommended, and didn't shoot again until last week. First shot was EXACTLY +3", dead center, just as perfectly as if I'd poked the round thru the paper by hand. Of course I couldn't stand success and proceeded to shoot a vertical string of nearly-touching rounds, but I certainly blame that on your humble correspondent, not on the rifle or ammo. Those 5 rounds chrono'ed at 2136fps average, vs. advertised 2250fps.

Last year I killed deer with other guns in the close cover I have on my few acres, but this year I hope to hunt some more open areas with this .35. I believe the rifle & this ammo are a great combo & have high hopes for it & great confidence it will do the job up to about 200 yards in my hands, under good conditions.

Gaileyr, best of luck with yours this season!