Winchester .307

"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.

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

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.