[rbertalotto]

In 1972, my girlfriend at the time, bought me a brand new Marlin 336 for deer hunting in Maine. (I ended up marrying this gal!)
Over the years it shot a number of deer. One day I was driving my ATV out to the hunting area with the Marlin 336 strapped on the front luggage rack. A bit of the stock was sticking out past the rack and it clipped a tree breaking the stock at the wrist. Luck would have it that the gun was in a soft case and all the wood pieces were accounted for. I returned to the camp and used some 5 minute epoxy to put the puzzle back together. I hunted again that afternoon with it and for many more years.
The gun has seen it's share of bumps and bruises. So at some point, I did a little customization. Cut the barrel down, Gun Koted the whole thing Semi Flat Black and painted the stock with Brownell's Grit Paint. A few more deer fell to this new modified rifle.
About ten years ago I decided to sell it as I simply had no need or want of a lever action. I sold it to a friend at my gun club for $75. But now I have Marlinitis! I contacted the friend to buy it back as I knew he had had some medical problems and wasn't going to be using it. But he sold it to another fellow who sold it to another fellow. Well, finally I tracked it down and bought it back this morning for $150 (inflation?)
So here it is:

Better pictures when the rain stops.

The wood will be replaced, the barrel will be Octagon in 7-30 Waters Ackley, and the receiver will be color case hardened.

Once I get it all done it will be presented to my eldest grandson as his first deer rifle..........

 

[dpe.ahoy]

Like having an old friend back in the fold. Will you gain enough by going AI for the extra expense of dies and fireforming? The 7-30 is already improved over the parent 30-30 case. DP

 

[BR549]

I be he would be happy with it as is for his first deer rifle. That is a Marlin that can take a licking and keep on ticking.

 

[Brian in FL]

I figure that, if you are going to handload for the rifle, going with the improved version might just be a pretty good idea. I believe the dies for it are offered by RCBS at not very much over the cost of standard 7-30 dies. And, in a pinch, you can always use factory ammo in the rifle since the cartridges headspace on the rim. The only problem I see with it is that the brass is pretty hard to come by, but .30-30 cases can be formed pretty easily to work just fine in the Waters cartridge. I've been thinking, myself, of looking for a donor Marlin rifle in .30-30 to convert.

Since it's going to be the first deer rifle for a young one, you might want to consider going with a .25-35 Ackley Improved instead. Brass would be easier to come by for one thing ... just a thought.

 

[Eli Chaps]

Great story.

 

[Abel]

Sweet rifle and great story.

 

[M700]

Agree - nice to get her back again, and I like the plans you've made to turn it into a very special rifle for your grandson.

 

[1895Gunner]

Really good story, thanks for sharing. Boy do I have some Marlins and Ithacas that I wish I could get back from thirty years ago. There was even a single shot stevens 16 ga I would love to get back.

Keep on with your plans, it will live on making more history!

 

[Lil Bear]

Yes, great story. I like the rifle as is. I would love to have a rifle that my grandfather hunted with (wouldn't change a thing).

 

[Brian in FL]

Boy do I have some Marlins and Ithacas that I wish I could get back from thirty years ago. There was even a single shot stevens 16 ga I would love to get back.

I know what you mean. There are a couple of Marlins in particular that I wish I could get back, a very pretty 336CS in .30-30 and a Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum. Fortunately, I have been able to replace them with a couple of equally nice specimens this past year.

And, I really wish that I hadn't sold my Winchester model 70 in .338 Win Mag. And, there are others as well.

 

[.DIRTY-.THIRTY]

I love reading old Marlin tales. Thanks for posting.

A .338 Win Mag Brian? What was the motivation for buying that rifle? And in a Model 70, I bet that was a beaut.

 

[Cajun]

That is an awesome story!!!it's great that you were able to track the rifle down and buy it back after all those years!!!!

 

[chocdog]

Like having an old friend back in the fold. Will you gain enough by going AI for the extra expense of dies and fireforming? The 7-30 is already improved over the parent 30-30 case. DP

YEP!

Chocdog

 

[Brian in FL]

I love reading old Marlin tales. Thanks for posting.

A .338 Win Mag Brian? What was the motivation for buying that rifle? And in a Model 70, I bet that was a beaut.

Like the man said, when he was asked why he climbed such a high mountain, "because it was there." It was one sweet rifle, but it could have used a good recoil pad. All it had was a hard rubber butt plate. I never took a head of game with it, but I would have liked to take a deer with it. I sold it because I needed the money. Marla used to love shooting the beast off the bench, but I wasn't so thrilled with the recoil. I was able to shoot a whole box of cartridges in one sitting, but it kinda wore on me. I think that one day I just might replace that one if I ever go after elk or moose. But, right now, I'm so into Marlin lever guns that bolt actions don't turn me on so much any more. I haven't shot any of my bolt guns, which are some nice pieces, since Marlinitis got hold of me. Of all my bolt actions that I might like to take a head of game with, the one I'd most like to do it with is my little Mauser carbine in 8mm-06 Improved. It's very light and handles like a dream.

 

[.DIRTY-.THIRTY]

I bet it was a beauty sure would like to seen it. Your next .338 will probably be a Marlin ;D ;D .DT