Marlin Forums banner

New 336SS is a beauty

7K views 9 replies 3 participants last post by  3Crows 
#1 · (Edited)
My new Marlin 336SS, 2018 barrel code. The rifle is nearly perfect. And as much as I dearly love my 1977 336 Texan, the new Marlin is better built, straighter and equal in every way.



I am just going to say it, anyone who would reject this new 336SS rifle because it is not JM is just simply being a jackarse for the sake of being stubborn. I am very excited about this fine rifle and cannot wait to get me a deer or pig with it.

3C
 
See less See more
1
#2 · (Edited)
Put some rounds through it. Perfect so far. Every shot has been on the money with no adjustment at 50 yards. Been shooting my steel gong, open sights. My eyes are not good enough really to shoot further without a scope. Which may be next for it.

Took it down all the way and checked her over. Found nothing to correct really. I polished the edges of the receiver to dull the edge where the floor plate inserts. Polished the elevator a little just because I was in there. Lubed it sparingly with Mobil 1 grease and Ballistol.

The innards of this rifle are very clean, excellent metal work. Some unusual things in that they now engrave 3030 in the base of the bolt, and it says Marlin under the top tang (engraved). Pretty neat. Really nice inside.

3C
 
#3 · (Edited)
Well, added a Leupold 2X7X33 VX1. Mounted with Warne QR rings. Will sight the irons for 50 yards and the scope will be zero for 100 yards sounds right for a little 30-30. The Warne QR rings will allow me to use the irons when that may be an advantage, yes, the will reliably return to zero. My eyes just cannot see the irons in dim light, too many years up close to a computer screen and too many lines in my glasses. Besides, if I need open sights, I seem to have a nice 336 Texan about the place.



Also added the Ranger Point Precision low rail mount and their quick take down lever screw. This rifles seems to love the Hornady Lever Revolution stuff. Loading up some home brew with the FTX bullets and Lever Revolution propellent. I was thinking a 34 grain load I found on a website somewheres with the 160 grain bullet is supposed to duplicate the Hornady load.

3C
 
#4 ·
A first for everything, I set up at 25 yards to sight the scope in and right from the box, it was zero. Three holes touching, did it twice! So moved out to 100 yards and got this:




Looks pretty good to me. Just shooting with the fore-stock resting on a sand bag, nothing fancy. I can probably fine tune a little and maybe move it out to a 200 yard zero instead of 100 yards. Not sure what is more appropriate for this rifle an my use yet.

3C
 
#7 · (Edited)
I find it hard to believe that the scope was "sighted" in right from the box! Okay, when I get it on my Caldwell Stinger I will tweak it some. Pretty close to a solid zero.

Not only that but it shoots true on the irons. My rear sight is dead center, no drift. The little lever gun is a straight shooter, I will put it against any similar lever gun. My confidence in it is growing rapidly.

And the SBL:



3C
 
#8 ·
Sent a box of Hornady LR through it and was impressed enough with the accuracy of the round I bought the fixin's to make my own. I loaded the 160 grain FTX bullet in Winchester brass with the CCI 200 LR primer at 34.0 grains of Lever Revolution powder. The maximum load (on the can and on their website) is 35.5 grains. I chose 34.0 grains because somewhere I read that was a good load. It seems to be. I could not shoot 100 yards today but my 50 yard target, I had several groups of three that were touching.

I would be curious how many grains is in the factory LR, I do not think it to be the maximum load. You know, maybe just me, but the LR powder seems to have a different recoil than the 150 grain and 170 grain over the counter Winchester I had been shooting in my 336 rifles. More of a push than a thump.

3C
 
#9 · (Edited)
Too cold out to do anything useful outside. Decided to install the WWG Happy Tune kit I had ordered and the Marlin trigger extension Marlin sent me (free as it should be in the box I would think). This Happy Tune kit consists of the Bear Claw ejector, red anodized follower and Happy Trigger. I had installed these on my SBL and was especially "happy" with the Happy Trigger. Not a cheap addition but nonetheless the Happy Trigger is superb and no more Marlin trigger rattle/flop. The WWG trigger also reduces the pull and feels more like a good target trigger, very crisp and intuitive.

I also ordered the Ranger Point Precision medium loop though I doubt I will install it as I sort of like the stock loop as is. It has not come in yet, will make a decision about that when it does. If I do not use it on this 336SS I am sure there will be another opportunity to install it on another Marlin.

Now with approximately two boxes and a few through her the action is really slicking up. Absolutely perfect function and the rifle is a shooter for sure. Seems to like the Lever Revolution factory loads so I am still cooking up my own equivalent formula. I think I am pretty close to what I want with those I had already loaded up.

Home brew Lever Revolution, 34.0gr of LR powder and the 160gr FTX in Winchester nickel brass and CCI 200 LRP.



Shoots good and approximates the factory load in my two Marlin 336 rifles. Be careful to choose the FTX .308 for the 30-30 as it has the crimp groove in a different position (the box will have 30-30 on the tag some place). I am not trimming brass except to standard length. And here next to some Sierra 170gr JFP over 34.5gr of LV powder, CCI 200 LR primers and Winchester brass, sweet!



Loaded on a Lee Classic Cast (iron) Turret press. Great press for the money, I have the Lee Classic Cast (iron) SS also but seem to use the CCT loading single stage in sweeps.

3C
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top