Need input, Marlin 336

Thoughts on project (will be sold after completed)

  • New wood

    Votes: 10 43.5%

  • Remove scope

    Votes: 3 13.0%

  • Add Skinner Sight

    Votes: 6 26.1%

  • Rechamber

    Votes: 8 34.8%

  • Convert from barrel band

    Votes: 3 13.0%

  • Full overhaul

    Votes: 5 21.7%

  • Octagon/ half octagon

    Votes: 1 4.3%

  • Leave As is

    Votes: 6 26.1%
  • Total voters
    23
p_ham

p_ham

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
2,772
Location
Fallon, NV
So I picked this rifle up as a possible project gun. It's a Marlin 336CS in 30-30. Serial comes up as 1984 (I think).
Overall it's in nice shape, bluing looks good except for some wear on the muzzle. Stocks are original but have been poorly checkered, lacquered and way over sanded.

So here's the question: i don't INTEND to keep it, what do I do with it?

1: New wood- send it
2: rechamber to 38-55, 30-30AI, 7-30 Waters, 25-35, 219 Zipper...something else
3: complete overhaul- high grade walnut, color case harden/rust blue, New barrel.
4: convert from barrel band to forend endcap (requires barrel)

What say you enablers?
 

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+1 on 7-30 Waters

But an interesting thought would be .357 Remington Maximum for those states that allow straight wall in shotgun zones. Not sure how much bolt mod would be required?
 
Ben Lamb said:
35 Remington

Strip & refinish the wood, keep the barrel band. 1/2 & 1/2 bbl and skinner sight.

Make it a badass classic Northwoods gun like Marlin intended.
Click to expand...
+1

Except I’m keeping it 30-30 if it’s going up for sale. Use the skinner with the option for warnes or Talleys in case somebody wants to scope it
 
noharleyyet said:
Yes to all, 7-30 Waters
Click to expand...
How'd I know you'd say that?
Caseknife said:
I vote "complete overhaul" and keep us updated on every step. Your work progress is fun to watch and the end products are always beautiful. 30-30AI unless the bore is too rough.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the kind words. The bore is in good shape, so the AI is possible.
Ben Lamb said:
35 Remington

Strip & refinish the wood, keep the barrel band. 1/2 & 1/2 bbl and skinner sight.

Make it a badass classic Northwoods gun like Marlin intended.
Click to expand...
I think it's going to get new wood regardless of what else gets done..unless somebody bought it 'as is'
I've got an old waffle top in 35 that's a lot of fun.


RealMuddyboots said:
+1 on 7-30 Waters

But an interesting thought would be .357 Remington Maximum for those states that allow straight wall in shotgun zones. Not sure how much bolt mod would be required?
Click to expand...
It would require a 35rem bolt, but would make an interesting restricted state gun.

TN2shot07 said:
+1

Except I’m keeping it 30-30 if it’s going up for sale. Use the skinner with the option for warnes or Talleys in case somebody wants to scope it
Click to expand...
I forgot Skinner makes the combo setup..
30-30 would definitely be the widest available chambering.
 
oldbutnotdead said:
You forgot do NOTHING....and just sell it...Why redo a gun that has a history? Not everything in life needs to be "renewed".
Click to expand...
That's also an option, added to the poll.
Some folks like vanilla ice cream. Some prefer Cookies n' Cream.

Bullshot said:
Straight buttstock, beaver tail forend, big loop lever, engrave everything, make it weird
Click to expand...
A beaver tail would beg to be put on a 219 Zipper.
 
If you’re going to keep it, then by all means, rechamber it to something cool that you’ll use. I feel like it should remain a brushy cartridge though. I don’t see the need for a flat shooting cartridge in a lever gun. As for the wood, if you’re gonna use the gun, I’d leave it be. If you’re gonna be Mr Gentle with it, then do as you please. Personally I like guns that someone else cosmetically roughed up a little bit. It makes me feel better about using it without worrying about dents and dings. As long as I’m not rough enough to harm it functionally, then I did no harm. I’m a sucker for a minty old rifle, BUT then I end up worrying so much about it that I have a hard time using it to its full potential.

If you’re gonna sell, I’d either A) sell it for what it is, or B) replace the wood with sole original-ish wood from the same era.
 
p_ham said:
That's also an option, added to the poll.
Some folks like vanilla ice cream. Some prefer Cookies n' Cream.


A beaver tail would beg to be put on a 219 Zipper.
Click to expand...
What’s wrong with letting the guy who actually wants to keep the rifle decide?(not saying that you shouldn’t be able to change it if you want). If I was moving into some East woods, I’d probably be looking for a rifle just like that. I’d rather buy it as is and use it as is instead of changing the cartridge or fixing the wood. Where I live, I’d probably change to 7-30 Waters or 30-30AI, just because I like being different.
 
ImBillT said:
If you’re going to keep it, then by all means, rechamber it to something cool that you’ll use. I feel like it should remain a brushy cartridge though. I don’t see the need for a flat shooting cartridge in a lever gun. As for the wood, if you’re gonna use the gun, I’d leave it be. If you’re gonna be Mr Gentle with it, then do as you please. Personally I like guns that someone else cosmetically roughed up a little bit. It makes me feel better about using it without worrying about dents and dings. As long as I’m not rough enough to harm it functionally, then I did no harm. I’m a sucker for a minty old rifle, BUT then I end up worrying so much about it that I have a hard time using it to its full potential.

If you’re gonna sell, I’d either A) sell it for what it is, or B) replace the wood with sole original-ish wood from the same era.
Click to expand...
ImBillT said:
What’s wrong with letting the guy who actually wants to keep the rifle decide?(not saying that you shouldn’t be able to change it if you want). If I was moving into some East woods, I’d probably be looking for a rifle just like that. I’d rather buy it as is and use it as is instead of changing the cartridge or fixing the wood. Where I live, I’d probably change to 7-30 Waters or 30-30AI, just because I like being different.
Click to expand...
The ideal situation would be somebody says "I want that rifle" or "build me that rifle."
 
New wood is definitely in order. Case coloring on a 336 would be pretty awesome, or go high gloss blue. 7-30 is really gonna narrow your shoppers though, I'd stay with the 30-30. My .02 which is worth exactly that.
 
I don't know why the 30-30 gets beat up so much. People around here want something that'll kill out to 800 yrds and so sit in the pines with shots out to 80
 
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