10 degrees and a .30-30 Marlin

[Guy Miner]

Made it out to the range for an hour or so today. Would have liked to stay longer, but at six to ten degrees... It just wasn't as appealing as usual. Still, I had this "new" 1970's Marlin to try!!! Since buying it a few days ago I've cleaned the bore, disassembled, cleaned and lubed the action, then put it all back together. Had some 170 & 150 gr Remington factory ammo, and I set up at the short-range part of our gun club. Oddly, I was the only shooter this morning... Weird...

Loaded it up, nice being able to hold six cartridges in the mag, and fired it a few times from standing at 25 and at 50 yards. The little Marlin appears to have been used quite a bit over the years. Not only is the wood dented and scratched, and the metal finish worn, but the newly cleaned and lubed action is slick! Nice... I'm not a fan of the "buckhorn" sights and will be doing something about them. Still, all my shots from standing hit the paper plates I stapled up at 25 and 50 yards. The impact was well right, so I should make and adjustment, but I think I'll just change out the sights instead.

Fired a total of 10 rounds, all from standing. Recoil? Hah! None to speak of. A good reason to like the .30-30 cartridge! The Marlin carries easily, points quickly, functions flawlessly and is a breeze to shoot. It's a given that the wood will be re-finished. What to do about the sights??? Williams or Lyman peep sight? Easy to do and I like them. That also lets the rifle retain that wonderful easy-carry inherent to a lever gun. Or, maybe it's time to scope this thing and see what it can really do out there at 300 yards or so... I always have to consider that. Am thinking this rifle is getting peep sights...

Oh yeah - I also put 20 rounds downrange at 300 yards with my .308 Win, prone, sitting, standing and prone again. It was shooting good too - no surprises. Not as fun as the lever gun though! Am very glad I've got a nice warm house to be inside right now... Starting to thaw out!

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

That rifle will work just fine! It is strange that you had the range to yourself. I can't imagine what people wouldn't take advantage of such a clear, bright day. It is interesting to note that the rifle shoots a little to the right for you. It is certainly a handsome little gun.

 

[JD338]

Guy,

That Marlin sure looks like fun! I am starting to really like those Marlin levers. It was a joy to carry my 1895 Guide gun this past season.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Yeah, I've got to admit, I'm starting to really miss my .45/70 1895 Marlin...

The .30-30 doesn't tempt me to build T-Rex loads though... :grin:

 

[JD338]

Yeah, I've got to admit, I'm starting to really miss my .45/70 1895 Marlin...

The .30-30 doesn't tempt me to build T-Rex loads though... :grin:

Yes sir, I know what you mean. I have a couple good loads for the 45-70 with a 300 gr PP and a 405 gr SP. The little voice in my head keeps saying try the heavy weights. :lol:

The 30-30 is the classic American round. Its easy on the shoulder, wallet, and does the job on its intended game at 200 yds or less. I have been thinking 30-30 for a few weeks now.....

JD338

 

[HeathSexton]

I really like the old marlins with no checkering and the no cross bolt safety, my .35 Rem is a 1976 model. I have a Weaver 1-3x20mm scope on my .35 and on 1x it has a 90' FOV, super quick on target. I am getting a new Marlin 30/30 that is going to be wearing a Williams WGRS peep.

 

[old #7]

I've cleaned the bore, disassembled, cleaned and lubed the action, then put it all back together.

Thats one of my favorite things to do when I get a "new to me" gun. :grin:
congrats.

 

[C.Smith]

Keep us posted on the sights you get for the Marlin. I'm with you on not liking the buckhorn sights.

Corey

 

[FOTIS]

I love mine!
My better half's last X-mas present to me!

 

[cloverleaf]

You tough cuss you- you just cant pass a chance to shoot a new toy..... :wink: Fun rifle I'll bet. Dont fix her up too much, it wont be as much fun to play with. Got friday off. Its supposed to get to 17 degrees here. wonder if Im that tough or crazy? Nice you could get out! CL

 

[super-7]

some xs sights and leverevolution ammo nothing safe to 150yrds.

 

[Guy Miner]

Well, I had this unemployed 2.5x compact Leupold sitting around doing nothing, so I grabbed a Weaver base for $8 and now the 336 is scoped.

 

[russ808]

Ten degrees....BURRRRR

 

[C.Smith]

That should do the trick nicely.

Corey

 

[DrMike]

Guy,

That scope looks very nice sitting on top of the Marlin. In these hard economic times, it is nice to see you providing employment opportunities for out-of-work scopes. An unemployed scope is a pitiful sight.

 

[big rifle man]

about three years ago I was in one of my local gun shops when I noticed a Marlin sitting in the corner with a number of other rifles. It was in .35 Remington and was in pretty good shape with just a few dings on the stock. The asking price was $250.00 so I snapped it up. I refinished the stock and scoped it with a Leupold 1.5X5. I checked with Marlin to get its age and found it was made in 1947. The rifling I believe is ballard and it shoots great. The .35 is dead simple to load for and I'm looking forward to taking it out for a deer hunt. My first deer rifle 50 years ago was a Marlin 336 "Texan" in .35 and I sure wish I could find another one of those.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

A friend of mine has a Marlin .35 Remington. We've shot 5 or 6 different factory loads through it, and it shoot them all under an inch. It's made me a real believer.