[fk]

Since Marlin never produced a .307 I have taked to opportunity to put a inquiry in on a Win 94 AE. .307 the dealer wants $675 for the rifle. This appears to be a little more than I want to pay for one but maybe the right price. Anyone have any ideas whether this is high or low or just right.

With the new FTX bullet from Hornady with this rifle you can use the .395BC or the .330BC bullet this should make it a pretty decent hunting rifle. Hornady says 2550fps with the 160gr bullet that doesn't seem to bad. Another safe queen for collecting.

"fk"

 

[Rachethead]

Have you looked at this Gun Broker auction?
"223675185 CUSTOM MADE MARLIN (307 WINCHESTER)
I've owned a Winchester 307 and; for the kind of money being asked, I'd purchase this custom Marlin 307 over a Winchester any day.

 

[fk]

I don't want to start a war but here goes, a Marlin 336 receiver is not rated for pressure that a Winchester BB receiver is rated for. Marlin did not build any .307 Winchesters so the gun was made by ???? and they want more for it than the Winchester. Price is not the object originality is the key. That is my opinion and I hope no one gets to badly fired up about what I said. I have four Marlins all originals 35 Marauder, 30-30 Texan, 32 Win Special and a 1895 45-70 so I am well represented. I hope everything I said here is correct about the pressure so I will go check to make sure.

1) After checking the Winchester is 52 Cup and the Marlin is 38 Cup.

"fk"

 

[Rachethead]

"I don't want to start a war but here goes, a Marlin 336 receiver is not rated for pressure that a Winchester BB receiver is rated for. Marlin did not build any .307 Winchesters so the gun was made by Huh? and they want more for it than the Winchester. Price is not the object originality is the key. That is my opinion and I hope no one gets to badly fired up about what I said. I have four Marlins all originals 35 Marauder, 30-30 Texan, 32 Win Special and a 1895 45-70 so I am well represented. I hope everything I said here is correct about the pressure so I will go check to make sure.

1) After checking the Winchester is 52 Cup and the Marlin is 38 Cup."

Beg to differ "FK"; Marlin did build a few Marlin 336ER's chambered in 307 Win; they went to writers of the day for field testing and promotion, but Marlin never released the 336ER/307 Win for produciton. As far as strength, the Win Model 94AE action is a special version of the 94 action that was strengthened in order to handle 307/356/375 pressures whereas the Marlin 336 action was sufficiently strong without modifications. You will also be interested to know that operating pressures for the 307Win, the 375 Winchester, and the 356 Winchester are 52,000PSI (not CUP); and that both the 356 and 375 Winchester rounds were successfully chambered in the 336, and both of those models (M375 and 336ER) have both enjoyed decades of success and are highly coveted today. Additionally, it was confirmed here by Tomray that frames for the 336ER models are identical to those used to manufacture the standard 336 models chambered in 30/30 and 35 Rem. Also, several of us have 336's re-chambered to 307 Win and they have worked well with no problems (I also have an M375 and 336ER Marlin, so shoot all three calibers). In your original post, you didn't state that "originality" was your goal; you said you were looking at a 307 Winchester lever but said you'd prefer the Marlin if it was available in 307 Win. I want everyone to be happy so it's no skin off my butt what you buy; I was simply taking the time to point out that you did have a choice if you actually did prefer a Marlin; and I'd be willing to bet the seller has more dollars invested in that custom 307 than his reserve price.
Now, unless you just want a 307 Win Model 94AE solely for the sake of owning a 307 Win Model 94AE, you'd be far, far better off with a 308MX (the 308ME being a better cartridge in terms of range, accuracy and economy of ammunition); and this comment also comes from experience, as I am a former owner of a 307 Win Model 94AE and a current owner of a 308MX. But if you do buy that Win 94AE and need a set of two-piece scope bases; I'll give you a deal on a nearly new set.

 

[jeepster360mag]

But if you do buy that Win 94AE and need a set of two-piece scope bases; I'll give you a deal on a nearly new set.
[/quote]

What do ya want for the bases & what style are they? PM me if that is better. I have a 356 AE that needs a set. Big bore bases are not the same as the standard 94's or so I have been told.

John

 

[jeepster360mag]

I love my win AE 94 in 356. I would like a 307 to go with it. That sounds like a fair price if it is in good shape. I wish Marlin would have just chambered the 307 instead of the 308ME. The new ammo would have been welcome by alot of 307 owners.

John

 

[fk]

I want the Win .307 for collecting and completing my set of BB's. When I said CUP I meant it my SAAMI rifle book say CUP and not PSI. 52 CU for the .307 and the 336 30-30 says 38 CUP. Sorry but I have the book right in front of me. I already own a Browning in a .308 Winchester 20" barrel, beautiful rifle. I probably will pick up a .308 Marlin Express some day but not now. I personally think it will never be a standard so I backed away from it at the time and who knows someday I might find one with a good price on it and walla I have one.

"fk"

 

[jeepster360mag]

So you have a 444 & 450 94 Big Bore already then? I have a 356 & 444 timber. A 450 scares me just thinking about it. I'm sure my dentist would love it ;D

John

 

[pb]

Ratchethead is right, a handful of 307 Marlins were and are out there somewhere. I read about one a few years back that was used to take an elk with the Hornady LE bullet.

I owned a Winchester BB in 307. Sold it on this site 2 or 3 years ago for $500 or $550. I was shooting 150grain Speer FP bullets at 2650 fps with Reloader 15. I dont remember the exact load at this point but it was nice. It shot fairly well and I hunted with it one year.

Actually saw 2 Win BB's 307's for sale in MO. They were asking $800 and $900 for them. In any case, they are nice rifles.
Pb

 

[seatleroadwr]

Win 307 works fine in a Marlin 336 as long as you reload and carefully build up you load. I don't think you will want to shoot full power 307W loads in the 336 though. The rifle works best a little under full power. There is a ton of info on this site and the Beartooth site regarding the 307W in a 336 action. Below are a few links:


http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=44322


http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=35338&highlight=307

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=53835

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,63928.0.html

 

[handirifle]

FK is 100% correct on the pressure levels. the CUP numbers have NEVER been cross compared, to the PSI numbers. They are two different worlds, and measured two totally different ways. CUP actually measures the crushing of a copper pellet in a special chamber. The PSI is just that, PSI measured in the chamber, and outside the chamber. When someone ever publishes a chart that directly compares CUP to PSI and it is verifiable, then we no longer have to guess.

I would not risk my eyes or face, on the word of someone that "knows" something. If Marlin ever published a statement that the 336 action is strong enough to handle those cartridges, then I would do it. Not me. I doubt they will because I'd bet older actions are not as strong and they know it. Flame me if you like, but There's a reason the 307 never went to market, and the others were dropped. I do not think it was ALL about sales either. Not flaming the Marlin, at all. I love my 1895SS and I doubt I will ever part with it, and I wish I could scope my 375, but being a top eject, and a family heirloom, I will not modify it to make that possible.

As for the price, that looks like a fair price, not a steal, but fair, if it is in very good condition. I remember I passed on a 307 a few years back, for $400, when I was looking for a 356, to go with my 375BB. Big mistake on my part.

Unless you see one at a better price, I'd get it. Besides, if you pay too much, at least you have the rifle, better than holding off, and never seeing another one offered.

 

[greyowl]

I saw a Winchester 94 in 375 Win. not long ago in nice condition and $675 was the price on it. I did not ask if there was wiggle room or make an offer so I'm not sure if it could have been had for a better price. Seems like a Winchester in good condition are still bringing a bit of a premium price.

 

[William Iorg]

“Beg to differ "FK"; Marlin did build a few Marlin 336ER's chambered in 307 Win; they went to writers of the day for field testing and promotion, but Marlin never released the 336ER/307 Win for produciton.”

I would be interested in reading anything written by a gun writer testing a 307 Marlin back when Marlin was first looking at the cartridge. I have a fair library and I have not come up with an article of this type.

 

[fk]

I know they built a few prototypes but no production release, they must have know something we don't.

"fk"

 

[Rachethead]

"I know they built a few prototypes but no production release, they must have know something we don't."

They sure did, they figured out quick fast and in a hurry that demand for this model, just as with the 335ER/356Win would be far too weak to justify marketing and production costs; a fact that Winchester also had to face with their 94AE models in 307 and 356 Win. Tis a pity, but that's the way things go in the real world; at any rate, the .307 Win is a great round and I'm happy with my 336/307 Win conversion.

 

[Ricky B]

Accidently stumbled across this girl today at a local store---tag said .307 Winchester, but I didn't get around to checking the barrel. Regardless I thought it was a very interesting looking piece, and it looks to be in very good condition. Not too sure about it's originality, value and usability...but here's a couple of pics. Asking seven hundred, but could probably knock them down to six.

Thoughts?....

 

[V65Magna]

Rachethead, in your 307 conversion do you shoot factory or reloads? If factory, do they extract normally, and have you fired a lot of factory ammo or mostly your handloads? Thanks for sharing.

V65Magna

 

[seatleroadwr]

That's a cool looking gun. If the barrel is in good shape it is probably worth 600.00.

 

[Ricky B]

Well my curiosity got the better of me and I ran back over there to give it another look. Didn't open the bolt/action but the condition of this is really, really nice. Took it up to the counter and asked one of the salesman to tell me everything he knew about it. He's thinking it's a very nicely done custom job based on the 336/30-30. Reworked barrel and receiver, and the custom stock. NO WHERE on this girl does the word Marlin show up. In fact this gun has absolutely zero markings of any type. So I'm tending to agree with the store guy, and that this is (unfortunately) not a true Marlin prototype. Oh well, it's still a bitchin rifle and if anyone here is interested, I'd be more than happy to give them all the details on it---just ping me......

 

[Roan444]

WOW, I think I'm in love with that rifle :-*