New member from Occupied Territory

[Hunter47]

New member from Kalifornia. I have been an avid Marlin lover since I shot my friends 336 30-30 in College. I currently own a 336ER in .356 Winchester. It was my first rifle and I have been in love with it even after 22 additional rifles (new Rem 336 in 30-30 and 1865 in 44 Mag).

Spring of 2010 I got the opportunity to hunt two Cow Elk on Santa Rosa Island. I figured this would be fun to load up my Marlin 336 in 356 Winchester and try it out. I've hunted pigs with the factory loads but now the lead free restrictions forced me to look at non-lead hand loads. I couldn't find anything on the net so I adapted what I could. I used Barnes Triple shock 200 Gr. bullets. Yes I know you can't use pointy bullets in a lever action. I just turned it into a two shooter. (one in the chamber and one in the pipe). The hunt was mostly 4-wheel drive spot and stalk. My load consisted of 49.9 gr. of WIN 748. With the MOAL required to function in the Marlin the bullets were seated pretty far in. The average Muzzle velocity was 2,283 Ft/sec. The factory 200gr. load with unknown 42.5 gr. of powder was 2,362 ft/sec. Looks like I have more experiments to do. I have access to a range that has target at 200 meters and 300 meters. I dialed in my scope (old Bushnell 3X9 with a ballistic turret) for both and went hunting. My first Elk was early in the morning. Two hunters were in front of us when they spotted three cow elk at the top of the ridge (200 yards). We got out to observe. The first hunter shot the trailing cow and she flattened out after three strides. The others headed down the canyon. The two remaining cows stopped on a little mound of grass. The guide ranged them at 350 yards. The second hunter did not have any confidence at that range so I volunteered. I knew exactly where my gun would hit at that range. I used a stoney point hand held bipod and aimed at her back. I took the shot and heard everyone getting excited and yelling. She toppled over and fell the rest of the way down the canyon (a lot of work hauling the meat back out). Second Elk was much closer (100 yards) the following day. The rifle and round performed well. I can retire this gun to pig hunting from now on or maybe finally take it along for that Bull Elk hunt.

[4Charlie]

Welcome from the swamp. Two Elks in two days has to be a great hunt. Thanks for sharing..

[ehsa]

welcome from north carolina and thanks for the hunting story.good one

[marlin54]

Hello and welcome to Marlinowners from PA.!!

[papajohnabi]

Welcome from Abilene and Goldthwaite, TX! Good story of a great hunt! John

[me]

Hey Howdy Hunter47 You get boat sick... Just run up the coast to the red woods them Elk just lay in a field and watch cars drive buy all day long

[trapper-xx]

Congrat's on the successful elk hunt. How did you get permits for two elk?

[LAGun]

Welcome from the Republic of Texas...

[Mckmain80]

Welcome from Northern Ca. Good eats.

Mckmain

[marlinluvr]

Welcome from South Florida!