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Shooters preferring the lever-action rifle are likely to fall into certainly one of two classes: those that wish to see the classics preserved, and those that’d like some trendy updates. The excellent news is that there are levers accessible to swimsuit either side, so if a contemporary, tactical lever isn’t your factor—don’t get one. However whether it is, you need to most likely try the Darkish Marlin 336.
What’s the Darkish Marlin 336?
If we wish to clarify the Marlin 336, now we have to return to 1948. That’s when L.L. Hepburn and T.R. Robinson designed it. The 336 got here after the Mannequin 1893, and though there are some anticipated updates to the gun, it’s nonetheless a Mannequin 336 (even with tactical stuff on it). The modernized Darkish Marlin 336 was first launched in 2019 and has since loved some adjustments. In the present day two variations of the Darkish Collection 336 can be found: one with a polymer inventory and one with a hardwood inventory. For our functions, we’re entering into the hardwood inventory model.
As for this particular rifle, the Darkish Marlin 336 is a lever-action rifle chambered in .30-30 Winchester. Whereas the unique gun had the anticipated smooth, lighter-colored aesthetic, the Darkish mannequin appears to be like precisely as its title suggests—darkish. The hardwood inventory has a black net end. Its options, together with the Picatinny rail, give it larger versatility than the older fashions provide proper out of the field.
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What are the scale of the Darkish Marlin 336?
One of many issues that makes the 336 even higher is that it’s compact sufficient to make a very good brush or truck gun. The Parkerized barrel is 16.25 inches in size and the rifle’s general size is 34.5 inches (though you may precisely seek advice from it as a carbine with that barrel size). The shipped weight is 7.65 kilos, which means it’s empty and doesn’t have optics or equipment on it but. It has a capability of 5 +1.
The rifle has ample options, a lot of that are tactical. There’s a Picatinny rail already in place, which means you’ll be able to throw an optic on it with none sort of delay. The included iron sights are an XS Sights Ghost Ring rear peep with a big entrance put up—so you’ll be able to run it proper out of the field for those who don’t care about optics. A braided Paracord sling is included—in black, after all—and the loop has extra Paracord wrapped round it. Oh, and the barrel is threaded for a suppressor, which is extraordinarily good (threading is 5/8×24). With this lever, you’ve got choices.
How does the Darkish Marlin 336 shoot?
For those who’re new to levers, you may hit a studying curve working the Darkish Marlin 336. However even in that case it’s a simple platform to be taught, and it may be mastered with a bit of apply. It does have a hard and fast inventory, which means you’ll be able to’t simply alter the size of pull, however that’s nothing uncommon. It is a side-loading lever that may be reloaded with first rate velocity for those who put some apply into it.
The gun shoulders easily and, due to its shorter barrel, it’s properly balanced and pointable. Certain, there’s a time and place for longer barrels, however this isn’t it. 16.25 inches is loads for deer searching or use as a brush gun. Attain to the set off is snug and my hand matches within the loops properly. With irons, it’s straightforward to get a very good cheek weld.
Working this gun with the included iron sights, it’s usually correct. Some shooters jokingly name the group dimension it produces “minute of useless deer” as a result of it’s technically correct sufficient to drop a deer, and it’s true. Utilizing irons the Darkish Marlin 336 is a dependable shooter on deer out to about 100 yards. Your eyes may do higher, however earlier than you strive it on a deer, strive it on paper and see the way you do. Actually, with irons, it’s finest at 50 yards. Because of this we do issues like add optics for searching.
Working the 336 with Optics
I’ve run the Darkish Marlin 336 with just a few totally different optics together with varied Riton riflescopes and a few purple dots. Scopes are my private desire for searching over purple dots, however you may actually go the purple dot route with no points. Mounting the optic is simple due to the Picatinny rail, and that addition helps you attain out and contact targets at larger distances with improved accuracy. That’s a should for searching, and everyone knows that is largely a searching rifle. With a scope, teams tighten to hover beneath 2.0 inches at 50 yards and three.0 inches at 100 yards—when taking pictures from the bench, taking gradual, measured photographs.
The set off on the gun leaves a bit of one thing to be desired. It’s common, however a bit of tough—one thing that’s solely smoothed out marginally with time. In fact, there aren’t a number of levers on the market with superbly clean, crisp triggers, so it isn’t a shock that this one’s a bit stiff. Utilizing my Lyman Digital Set off Pull Gauge, I obtained a median pull weight of 5 kilos, 2 ounces.
This lever’s been put via lots and it reveals—the black webbed end on the inventory isn’t as wear-resistant as I’d like. Even so, it’s a well-made rifle (appearances aren’t every part). It’s by no means skilled any sorts of failures and cycles every part it will get—together with Hornady LEVERevolution .30-30 Win 160 grain FTX, Federal Fusion .30-30 Win 150 grain SP, and Remington Core-Lokt .30-30 Win 150 grain SP. This isn’t the kind of rifle many people will run at unbelievable size as a result of its being designed extra for searching, however I can say it’s cycled a whole lot of rounds reliably.
Are you able to hunt with this gun?
The Darkish Marlin 336 is sort of made for searching, however the tactical options make it clear it might double as a house protection rifle—for those who’re so inclined to make use of a lever for defending your property. It’s extra life like to say the gun is supposed to attract in a distinct group of shooters—the sort of hunters and shooters that need these trendy aesthetics and options. The .30-30 Win stays a searching caliber and a very good one at that.
I’ve used my 336 on feral hogs and whitetail deer with nice outcomes (my favourite was a fast double on does in my dwelling state of Texas). There’s a motive this caliber is a basic that’s hung round for properly over a century. For those who’re feeling the necessity to get nearer to the searching roots of earlier generations, this gun will do it whereas nonetheless providing you with trendy advantages. It’s one I take pleasure in sufficient to make use of right here and there though it isn’t my common deer rifle.
Do you have to get a Darkish Marlin 336?
It is a nice lever for those who’re trying to get into lever actions and wish straightforward options to issues like optics. The hardwood inventory model is good as a result of it’s strong and provides some weight to mitigate felt recoil. That mentioned, the polymer inventory model that’s being provided now that Marlin is beneath the Ruger model is a superb rifle as properly. It comes down to picking the rifle you like. However one factor’s for sure—you actually ought to have a .30-30 Win lever-action in your gun assortment.
Learn Extra: Lever Actions: An American Rifle For Hunters
Specs
Producer: Marlin
Mannequin: Darkish Collection 336
Caliber: .30-30 Win
Capability: 5 +1
Barrel size: 16.25-inches
Barrel end: Parkerized
Total size: 34.5-inches
Empty weight: 7.65 kilos
Sights: XS Sights Ghost Ring rear with massive put up entrance
Optics prepared: Sure, Picatinny rail
Threaded: 5/8×24
Try the Marlin Darkish Collection lineup right here.
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