TexasCHLforum.com

Folks,
I am planning to acquire a new hunting rifle. This is a "want" purchase rather than a "need" purchase. I want to add another lever action rifle to my safe and I am fairly certain I want a Marlin 336. I am not a good hunter by any stretch, but I am an avid hiker and camper and am looking for a simple, brush rifle that I can use for New Mexico deer, and also keep around as a camp rifle in the unlikely event of a bear problem at night.
The issue I am having is that a friend of mine (who works at the gun store) is pushing me to get one of the Marlin XLR rifles in 45-70. My buddy makes some compelling arguments, but while I think the added firepower is always nice, for me it is probably unnecessary. I don't know that I would start hunting elk if I had the 45-70, but I like options. I think my heart is with the 30-30 but I thought I would put the question to some other outdoors men to either validate my thoughts or wisen me up!

Thanks

Get both!!

I've spent my life hunting, from the Texas Hill Country where I grew up on a ranch to Mexico, and from Texas to Alaska. I know the lever action 30-30 has been around...well almost for ever, but I would personally vote against it. I know it's killed a lot of game but in my life I believe I've seen more wounded deer that weren't found that had been shot with a 30-30. Granted many were open sighted saddle guns and probably more inexperienced hunters using them but for me I'd just as soon have something else. They just don't seem to have the stopping power I'd prefer. That's my opinion so take it for what it's worth to ya.

A .30-30 is fine for Black Bears. I'd use a 170gr bullet...And sure, a .45-70 is bigger, but .30-30 ammo is easier to find, and cheaper.

I also have the 336 and love it. It's size is perfect for a stalk hunting rifle and can easily be strapped to an a-frame pack. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg, so you won't have to worry about it getting in the elements.

Happy trails!

I've got Win70 .243, Marlin 336C, Win70 30-06, and a Win70 350 Mag. My favorite is, quite frankly, my dad's old 336C. I've taken more than a dozen Coke County deer and only once requiring more than one shot. It's also taken skunks, a wild dog, coyotes, armadillos, rattle snakes, and more than its share of non-descript bottles.

Dependable, straight shooter, cheap and abundant ammo, multiple game capability. What more can one ask.

Marlin Guide gun in 45/70 is a blast to shoot.
Winchester 94 30-30 is also great fun, also a little cheaper to shoot. I have both, and I got the guide gun so that I could hunt anything that walks the planet with a single rifle. That's my suggestion, I'm not independently wealthy so I have to choose wisely when it comes to the ammunition I can afford to shoot. The 45/70 solved my problems by providing a rifle I can use on anything I choose to hunt.

I guess I am a bit old school, had a 336 and sold it many years ago, it was a mistake, a few years ago I purchased another one. The 336 is just one of those guns that everybody should own and will take down anything you would encounter in Texas a good scope and you have a great rifle to the 150 yeard range, more if you practice with it. They are fairly inexpensive and take a beating so no tears when it hits the ground a few times and gets character marks. I pasted in some ballistic information to help confuse you a little more

Cartridge (Wb + type) MV (fps) V @ 200 yds ME (ft lb) E @ 200 yds

30-30 Win. (150 FP) 2390 1605 1902 858
.30-30 Win. (160 EVO) 2400 1916 2046 1304
.30-30 Win. (150 FP) 2480 1747 2049 1017
.30-30 Win. (170 FP) 2200 1619 1827 989


45-70 (300 HP) 1810 1244 2182 1031
.45-70 (405 FP) 1330 1055 1590 1001

I vote 336 in .30-30. It's the best rifle for your situation (out of all options, not just your two). It is a great rifle and cartridge. When you decide to go elk hunting, you will probably want a higher power than .30-30 and flatter than .45-70 (e.g. 7mm mag, .308, .30-06, .300 wsm, etc), something good to a couple hundred yards just in case. At that point, get a good bolt action.

But for the price, you can't beat the 336. Everyone should inherit that rifle along with a Ruger 10/22, a good American shotgun, and a Winchester Pre-64 Model 70.

Since this is a "want" rifle rather than a "need" and you want a 336, then I suggest that you get what you want (The 336) to make yourself happy. Maybe later get the other if you really want it as well.

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Also I appreciate the ballistic chart Salty.
There is no good answer but to get both, but finances being what they are, I will be picking up the 336 tonight. The main reason is that it just seems to be one of those "standards" which should be in my collection. I'll put the 45-70 on my short list however.
I plan to head out to the Gila Wilderness for the holiday weekend and will take the Marlin along. I won't be hunting, but I do hope to catch a few trout!
Thanks guys and have a super holiday!

If your heart is set on the 336 but you want more power for larger game, consider getting the 336 in .35 Remington. While .30 WCF is borderline for elk, .35 Rem is definitely sufficient.

karder wrote:I plan to head out to the Gila Wilderness for the holiday weekend and will take the Marlin along. I won't be hunting, but I do hope to catch a few trout!
Thanks guys and have a super holiday!

Backpacking the Gila Wilderness is what my first wife and I did for our honeymoon. Nice place..... but I think it is illegal to take trout with a Marlin 336.

G.A. Heath wrote:Since this is a "want" rifle rather than a "need" and you want a 336, then I suggest that you get what you want (The 336) to make yourself happy. Maybe later get the other if you really want it as well.