I’ve had many successful hunts using the .35 over the years.

About myself: I was born in Powell, Wyoming and was raised on my Granddad's ranch. This part of Wyoming is quite arid most of the year, more suitable for sheep and antelope than cattle. But Granddad leased several thousand acres from the Forest Service for grazing his cattle to the east in the Bighorn Mts. The western facing foothills, actually. Great mule deer and elk country to this day.

I started out big hunting at 14 with a hand-me-down Winchester 94 rifle in 30-30. The long rifle version with 26 inch octagon barrel and it had a flip up tang sight. I killed my first 3 elk with that old rifle on Forest Service lands leased by Granddad, and on his friend’s ranches. I was taught to shoot into the shoulder. “ Go for bone, boy “ Granddad said. A 30-30 170 grain soft nose will knock an elk down out to 100 yards or so. The trick is shoot into the shoulder joint where the bullet can do a lot of damage. The second bullet is shot into the ribs or head as he struggles to get up. I’ve done it myself and seen it done many times. I feel that the 30-30 is a fine elk cartridge in the hands of a man who watches his distance and places his bullet in the right spot, with his first shot. But it takes 2 shots to kill an elk with a 30-30.

My folks gave me a 99 Savage in .308 for high school graduation. It’s a fine all around hunting rifle but a bit too heavy for my liking. And I like my lever action rifles to have an exposed hammer.

I served in the USAF for several years. An assignment to Wurtsmouth AF Base, Michigan is where I first met the .35 cartridge. This base (now Closed ) is located on the Lake Huron coastline bordered by the vast Huron Nat’l Forest. Great whitetail country with big swamps and mixed hardwood and pine trees. But the terrain is flat and foreign compared to my home state of Wyoming.

I couldn’t talk my Dad into sending me the Savage .308 so I went looking for a hunting rifle. I found a new Marlin 336A
( 24” barrel and 2/3 magazine) for $159.00 but when the guy handed it to me he said it was a .35 NOT a
30-30. I’d never heard of the .35 so he got out a box of shells. I looked at the broad 200 grain bullet and just knew it would be fine on big game. Next I mounted a Weaver 4X scope, leather sling, and hammer extension.

That Fall, I nailed a nice 3 X 3 buck less than 2 miles from the back fence of the Air Base. One shot in the ribs behind the shoulder at approx. 80 yards. and that buck took one jump and fell down. Fine performance from Remington 200 grain factory ammo.

Next year, I went home to Wyoming to hunt. I brought an Air Force buddy with me. He used the .35 Marlin and I hunted with my Savage .308 on our elk hunt in the Bighorns. We shot from just inside the treeline overlooking a wallow. We each nailed nice bulls. The 200 grain bullet from the .35 really hammered that bull. The shot went in about a 16 inches beneath the chin at approx. 100 yards as the bull approached our blind. A spray of water mist marked where the heavy bullet struck, like a cloud. The bull crashed to the ground. We later discovered that the bullet had broken the neck and veered off course slightly to enter the chest. The main artery above the heart was clipped and several quarts of blood were observed within the chest cavity. That bull never knew what hit him. I shot my bull 2 times with the Savage .308 to kill him. The shots were placed into the chest from a broadside angle. We found both 180 grain Remington corelockt bullets curled back like perfect mushrooms. Lungs were destroyed. The first bullet should’ve done the job but elk are known for their toughness.

Next year, I shot my largest whitetail of all time with the .35 Marlin. A big 6 X 6 Michigan trophy that won me $100. in a local big buck contest. He was an old buck that slipped away to live a secretive life in a vast swamp as soon as hunting season started. He was no fool. But his tracks in the snow gave away his hiding places and eventually I ambushed him on a tiny island deep within the swamp. One bullet through the neck at 75 yards dropped him where he stood. He never knew what hit him.

I sold the .35 Marlin when I left for an overseas assignment. Couple years later, I returned to the States and went looking for another .35 Marlin. It took a long time to find another 336A. Marlin had ceased production of this long barreled model in .35 and even used ones were impossible to find. Eventually, a friend in Pennsylvania called and told me he saw one in a local gun store. A couple long distance calls later and it was mine. I have it to this day. It was made in 1957 and differs from my first one in many ways. The stock has a high comb, matte walnut finish, and no white line spacers. No gold trigger either. I upgraded the scope to a Simmons 44 MAG 2X to 7X last year year and she shoots amazing groups.

Hand loading the .35 is no picnic because the shoulder is so narrow. But hand loading extends its killing range by quite a margin. The excellent 180 grain Speer flat nose with 43 gr. WIN 748 produces almost 2400 fps. Nearly identical to 300 Savage 180 grain round nose velocity and energy figures.

This load shoots flat enough for antelope hunting. Yes, I did say antelope hunting. I’ve nailed several with this load. Out to 200 yards the .35 will topple a pronghorn. Just knocks ‘em over. Remarkable to see. That big .35 caliber bullet with the flat nose hits HARD.

Going after antelope with a “brush gun” such as the .35 or 30-30 puts the HUNT back into hunting. A man has to stalk and crawl to get within range. Or a guy can dig a ground blind 150 yards from a stock pond. Either way, its more fun than just blasting away at long range with a 257 Weatherby, like a rookie Easterner. A lot of guys miss out the fun of stalking when they rely on their big booming magnums.

In western South Dakota, muleys descend from their high summer pastures to the foothills in late October. They are not difficult find if a guy uses good field glasses and studies the south and east facing canyons early in the morning. But in the evenings, they’ll be found along the edges of meadows as they look for something to nibble on. A guy who knows the country can kill any muley that ever walked with a “brush gun” caliber. I’ve nailed plenty of them with the 30-30 and .35. Magazine articles like to favor the .270, .308, and various magnums for Western hunts but simple fact is that muleys are not armor plated. A 30-30 bullet will not bounce off a big muley. Long range shots are not as common as the writers make out to believe. 200 yards and less is entirely normal for muleys. A guy can halve that distance by hunting from a concealed ground blind for evening hunts. Muleys are less cautious in the evenings half hour before dark. Sometimes they’re real dummies especially during the rut in mid November.

My favorite muley hand load is the 200 grain Hornady round nose with 33 gr. Reloader 7. 2240 fps makes for a lethal 200 yard shot. But I still like Remington 200 grain factory ammo for mulies and whitetails at ranges under 150 yards. What’s the deadliest mushroom in the forest? Remington corelockt ammo has it all: accuracy, consistent mushroom, and excellent penetration. But for big bull elk, the hand loaded 225 grain Speer is ideal !

We moved to Rapid City, South Dakota in ’94. The Black Hills and surrounding prairies are great hunting grounds. But the very best regions are basically resident only. North Dakota and Nebraska are similar, very little trophy opportunities for non residents. I still like to hunt elk in the Bighorns of Wyoming. Now I pay the much higher non-resident rate but the hunting is worth it.

I’m not clear why the .35 is so far behind the 30-30 in sales. For deer hunting at average woods ranges the .35 is a winner. It does alright on elk too, if a man has the patience to wait for the right angle and watches his distance. Recoil has never been an issue for me. Less than .308 or 30-06. Recoil is so close to the 30-30 that most guys wouldn’t know the difference. I hope more young guys will take to the .35 cartridge because I’d hate to see such a practical hunting caliber die out. I’m thankful that Marlin continues to chamber their carbine for this excellent hunting cartridge!

In summarythe .35 Remington is over 90 years old and still slaying plenty of big game every year, for lots of hunters just like me. Try a Marlin in 35, you'll like it!!
TR

Great writing T.R. Good to see a fellow that enjoys the .35 Remington! I've got me one of those little 336D's and sure enough enjoy shooting it.

The first .35 Remington I ever saw was in 1971, a Marlin, a fellow from NJ came down to hunt on our place. I thought... that bullet's going to knock a hole in something... it did.

This picture is elsewhere on this site but this is a hog I killed with the 336D using the 180-grain Speer FP. I use 38-grains of H4895. It's only going 2090 FPS out of that 18 1/2" barrel but it will knock the tar out of anything!

I'm the hog on the right. Ironically, the fellow on the left is from NJ. He's got a Marlin .35 Rem. also!

TR,
The reason that the 35 lags in sales is because guys like you dont write for the gun rags, if they did I think sales would be right up there with every thing else. Great story!

I finally picked up one this past year, I now have 2 ;) I just had to get a 336D also . A couple of my buddies shot mine and now they also own one. I did find that the load that shoot great out of my 336CS does not shoot worth a crap in my 336D, so it is back to the bench to find a load for it.

The 35 is a fun gun to shoot, it puts a pretty good sized hole in things and doesnt knock the fillings out of your teeth doing it.

TR, great post. We have a 35 rem Marlin. The woman has knocked off a fair amount of game with it. I 've killed two deer with it. We use the Remington 200 gr. core-lokt, and it puts em' down.

Big Med...
I found the 336D a very hard gun to please... load wise. I still haven't had the time to work out a load for the 200-grain Hornady. In the coming week there should be a pretty good entry in the PMII for my "D" with the 180's.

May be a bunch of us ought to start our own magazine and just call it the "gun rag"? Oh... no too much work and it takes away from hunting and shooting.

I read a post on MarlinOwners that said Marlin only chambered 1000 .35 Rem's last year. They would sell more if the marketed one in Wal-Mart like they do the 30-30.

Ranch Dog,
What have you tried so far in the 336D? My load for the 336CS is Hornady 200 gr RN, with 37.5 gr of AA2520 it is a real tack driver out of that, but in the 336D I'm getting 4-6 inch groups at 100 yards.

T.R.-Excellent post!
I am also very fond of the .35rem.,and it definitly kills better than the paper figures indicate.

What a great story T.R.!!!!

I too have a 336 RC in .35 Rem and I love shooting it. There is not much diference in recoil between that and my .32 WS, and I am patienty waiting for the means to load for it. Like someone else pointed out about theirs, mine likes the 200 gr. Remingtone factory stuff.

Ranch Dog,
What have you tried so far in the 336D? My load for the 336CS is Hornady 200 gr RN, with 37.5 gr of AA2520 it is a real tack driver out of that, but in the 336D I'm getting 4-6 inch groups at 100 yards.

With both the 180-grain Speer FP and 200-grain Hornady RN, I've tried various loads of Rld7, W748, and H4895. Lee's Modern Reloading II shows the H4895 being the best powder for the cartridge/bullet combo and it was. I'm pretty much limited to the Alliant and Hodgdon line of powders, and not a complete line at that, without an overall hassle to obtain others.

Actually for what I'm hunting and killing with the 336D, the Speer 180-grain bullet is perfect for the rifle.

Michael

Great story on the 30/30 and 35Rem.
This should be forwarded to every hunting and gun magazine in the country hoping some one will revisit the 35 Rem. and print again what can be done with the 35 R.
It is not the cartridge that has failed us, rather , the bigger, faster ,must have gun of the month that have killed the use of the 35 Rem. Thus now it will die since Ammo is rarely seem on store selves.
If your going to need to travel looking for Ammo , your are soon not wanting to own the gun .
I have a '54 336 RC bought used, and just love the gun. Ammo is not that easy to purshase as every one wants the new for the market high speed calipier.
Now with reloading we can clearly see the 35 Rem did and has now a place along with the 30/30 and 356,358 W.

Get on the band wagon fella's Show Marlin not to drop the 35 Calipier. Buy one today or shoot more ammo and drive up the demand.
Otherwise the 35 Rem , as the 32Rem, is sure to die.

T.R. - I really enjoyed your story; .35 calibers are my favorite.
I know my nickname is whizzum300, but that's because my real nickname was Whiz as a kid so when the .300WSM came out it sort of stuck. I don't even own one anymore!! My favorite .35Rem is a 50's vintage 760 pump. It no longer wears glass; just a nice and fast ghost ring. Here in the east it rules the whitetail swamps and mountain laurel havens that the "big boys" feel safe in. As far as the .35 dying out I can't say I agree at least in this part of the country. My friends gun store sells the most ammo for hunting season in this order:
1) 30-30
2) 308
3) tie; .35Rem-30-06
4) 7-08
5) 300 Sav
He even keeps a rack of 30-30's and .35Rem's that we call the rent-a-rack. Guys will buy one of these guns which may have some hunting use apparent; use them for the season, and then trade them back in after the season is over. Guess they don't want to scratch them purty little beanfield rifles in the woods.
I do feel however that these calibers are probably alot tougher to find out west, but theres plenty to go around here in the east.
Regards,
whizzum

Maybe Marlin/Winchester/Browning will give us some variations of the 35 Rem for it's 100th birthday (in 2006?). Or (gasp) maybe Remington will chamber their classic bolt gun for this cartridge. Or do you think that other cartridge will get all the fanfare?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that remington will have the classic for 2006. It makes perfect sense as it's their round and it will be 100 years old.

I believe the custom shop has the 35 Rem in the model seven bolt.

Excellent T.R. - I have been using the .35 for over 50 years and just wish I could hunt your part of the country with it.
I have started using Varget in the .35 Rem. with excellent results, 38 grains/ 200 Rem. working best in my '54 Texan so far.
For plinking or varmint shooting, I have found the Hornady 180 gr. HP-XTP pistol bullet to give excellent accuracy in both my 336's. With this bullet over 36 gr. Varget, 5 shot groups run under 2" in my homemade Trapper at 100 yds. and is very pleasant to shoot.
I hope the .35 stays around to it's 100th but am afraid it's days are numbered.
I'm in the business and every season see hunters trying to make up for their poor shooting by going to larger magnums that kick more so they shoot them less and this results in even worst shooting so then it must be that their scope needs more power etc,etc. This plus the fact that a portion of them would not dare show up with a $350.00 rifle when every one else has their gun in a case that cost more than that does not look good for the .35. Dave

Great writing, T.R.! The .35 is a popular caliber here in Fla. for hog hunting. Hits like an '06 without the recoil. AWESOME knockdown for the less-than-100 yd. shots common here, heck, I'd say 75% are 50 yds. or less. 200 gr. Remington Core-Lokt for me, too. I haven't killed anything with mine yet, a 1973 C model, but I have been with relatives who have, and it just flattens 'em! The 'whiz-bang Magnums' get all the press, but none of the authors have the guts to say that ONLY GOOD HITS COUNT.....NOT how loud it is, or how much snot it slaps out of you every time you squeeze the trigger, at well over $40 bucks a box!! Let 'em print THAT, and see how many free hunts Winnie sends them on...LOL!! If I ever have the problem of having .35 Rem., .270 Win., and .45/70's bouncing off...I'm bypassing all the WSSSSSM ( ;) ) stuff and going directly to a .375 H+H at least...LOL! Actually if the .45/70 stoked with Garrett's doesn't work, somebody call in an airstrike! Take care, Lee.

I don't buy any of the gun rags but a friend gave me the May issue of Shooting Times. Low and behold there is mention and a picture of the lowly 35 Remington in Craig Boddington's article Top 5 Black Bear-Busters. The mention is just that, that he thinks it a minimum for hunting bear over bait. Who cares what he thinks. He does recommends several leveractions including the 348 Win, 356/356 Win, 444 Marlin, and 45-70.

He also relates that he is not fond of the 444 but then jumps up and down about the 405 Win. Ballistically, they look identical from what I've seen in print.

There are two 35 Rem I will buy given the chance at a descent example, the Rem 600 and Savage 170. Along with my Marlin that will give me a bolt, leveraction, and pump rifle. The fellow that brought me the ST has been really looking for a Rem 7600 in 35 Rem. He found one last weekend at the Tulsa gun show but he just felt that it wasn't in the shape the $600 price tag warranted.

Michael

I don't buy any of the gun rags but a friend gave me the May issue of Shooting Times. Low and behold there is mention and a picture of the lowly 35 Remington in Craig Boddington's article Top 5 Black Bear-Busters. The mention is just that, that he thinks it a minimum for hunting bear over bait. Who cares what he thinks. He does recommends several leveractions including the 348 Win, 356/356 Win, 444 Marlin, and 45-70.

He also relates that he is not fond of the 444 but then jumps up and down about the 405 Win. Ballistically, they look identical from what I've seen in print.

There are two 35 Rem I will buy given the chance at a descent example, the Rem 600 and Savage 170. Along with my Marlin that will give me a bolt, leveraction, and pump rifle. The fellow that brought me the ST has been really looking for a Rem 7600 in 35 Rem. He found one last weekend at the Tulsa gun show but he just felt that it wasn't in the shape the $600 price tag warranted.

Michael
:)
People up here have been shooting bear with the 30/30/ 32 spl/35 rem/ 303B in the eastern bush for generations. Bear were taken as people were on the deer hunt and at times a bear could be taken with a deer licence.
It appears that magazine gun writes need to promote the latest product.
If a bear can be taken with the 38/55, because Marlin needs to sell a rifle chambered for it, so be it , but engery in foot pounds then makes a 35 Rem a good bear stopper.

When you take one of the new super Mags made from Remington and Winchester and use them for short range hunting , you might find your bullets blowing up since they are driven too fast. It is hard to find a good bullet that will perform at 50yrs as well as the 250 yard shot were these cartriges start to reign.
The lastest thing I thought was to revisit some of the rifles that our elders used , and find out why we are not using the same , since so many game animals fell to the rifles.
Revisiting the the cartrige's myself, I am now hunting with the 30/30,45/70 and you what? - a 35 Remington.
One more in the 356/358and I think we got it covered.
Happy

:)
People up here have been shooting bear with the 30/30/ 32 spl/35 rem/ 303B in the eastern bush for generations.

The lastest thing I thought was to revisit some of the rifles that our elders used , and find out why we are not using the same , since so many game animals fell to the rifles.

Revisiting the the cartrige's myself, I am now hunting with the 30/30,45/70 and you what? - a 35 Remington.
One more in the 356/358and I think we got it covered.
Happy

It's amazing how well equiped for all hunting needs our elders were, isn't it? I don't know what we would do without the blingblamblooms!

Somebody really needs to let these people that have been killing stuff with the 35 Rem that it really doesnt do the job :eek: I bet they will be shocked to find that out.

He also relates that he is not fond of the 444 but then jumps up and down about the 405 Win. Ballistically, they look identical from what I've seen in print.

Yet, nothing about my beloved .375 Win.???

RSY:confused::D

Excellant writing T.R. I'm a bit late reading it. I really enjoyed reading your post. a common sense approach
from someone who appears fully confident in hunting guns.
I have just aquired a 700 adl in .308 due to a death.
I have been nudging closer to the .35 remington for the past
year. I have 3 30-30's I treasure. one is my grandfathers handed down to me numbers show it was made about "1950"

I get all worked up about getting a .35 then I read a few reports by so called experts that seem to knock down the
.35 rem capabilities. After reading your post, nothing will
change my mind now. the .35 will be in my hands within 4 months. (takes that long to slowly work $ out of paychecks with out my wife knowing it !)

thank you.

I also like the 35Rem and the 375 Winchester and the 35 Whalen in that order of power as well, weird how the 375win died a good cart, Man its hard to find components for it, My friend got a Marlin 375win in a trade, so of course I started digging up loads for it, I was impressed to say the least, In some articles they mentioned the 35rem/375win/35 Whalen, they tend to think the Whalen shadowed the other carts, as far as I know the 38/55 & 375win & 375 H&H all are the same dia, found out most of the bullets on the market used for the 375win are 375 H&H ammo and the jackets are way too thick for the 375 wins fps, the bullet will not expand and of course the 38/55 is most likely too thin, unless you shot reduced loads. The 35 Rem seems it survived the going into the lost cart section like the 375 winchester, as far as I know the 35 Whalen is still revered and always wanted, another heavy hitter 35 cart. I always like the 35 Rem due to it was a good step up on the 30/30 winchester, one cart that never impressed me for big game hunting. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

I got my 336 with the white spacers and gold trigger as a gift from my dad when I was 13. (almost 30 years ago) I got my first deer with it and I don't see myself ever getting rid of it. I still get it out several times a year just to look at it and wipe it down with a rag.

... the .35 will be in my hands within 4 months. (takes that long to slowly work $ out of paychecks with out my wife knowing it !)


A man after my own heart!! Though not so much not knowing it, as not missing it, I always make sure the "spare" is in plain view, that way I can never be accused of "hiding" it.

Not a bad system.

I guess as we age we shoot calibers that we can relate with (old and slow). The 06, 6mm, and magnums now collect dust. While the 30/30, 38/55, 32 spl., 44mag lever guns get the work outs. 35 Rem is next on my must have list. Seen a lot of them in the deer woods as a young man but thought the old timers that carried them were just to fugal to by a new rifle, now I see the err of my thinking.

Ranch dog: Saw a 35 in a 760 remington pump yesterday at my local gun shop. Being a 760 (not a 7600) can help date it. It had not been shot much, wood was good, metal about 75-80% with a small scratch on the receiver. It had a cheap scope on it and the price was $250. I didn't think that was too bad. Would have bought it but I just gotta stop buying guns! I have a 336 and a model 14 in the 35 so I REALLY didn't need another. This gun is in Mid-Michigan. JOHN

Dang.... I'd have bought it if it was local. Oh well... by the time you add shipping, FFL, etc., gets to be not such a bargain.

Then a .35 Whelen reamer !!! :D

Great story TR!!!

I got my first 35 just a few short months ago from a gent who just did not want it anymore...
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=10592
that's my story, proud to say I'm humbled by yours. I finally got out to shoot that 35, and i too am impressed with it's abilities.
While at a really great gun shop in Maine, i just found an old but pristine Redfield 2.75x scope that has a German "post-crosshairs" reticule. I'm thinking that scope, mounted on my 35 would still allow me a great field of view while helping my ailing [or is that failing] 40 year old eyes. Five years ago I was told that it would be glasses all the time, not just for reading anymore. [I'm SURE we all can relate] So the lyman peep that is on the gun leaves alot to be desired for my sight, so this may be a way to squeeze all the accuracy the rifle has to offer.

Thanks again for an informative posting.
chris~

That story was so good, it didn't even have any typo's! Are you sure you're not a ringer? :cool:

I too was lucky enough to happen upon a good 35 at a better price, and it has quickly become a favorite rifle. I scoped it to test loads, as my aging eyes are the weak link in that equation. After getting one-inch groups at 100 yds., I quickly decided the scope stays. And while I have a well-known affinity for modifying my newer guns, I'm not touching a thing on this one! :p

The funniest part is my 12-year old son, who is NOT a fan of recoil, loves shooting my 336. He weighs about 75 pounds, and every time he touches one off, it bowls him right over backwards. He holds the rifle upright so it doesn't get whacked on anything, then dusts himself off, and begs to shoot it again. Never seen a kid get so attached to a rifle. He also shoots my other leverguns, a 357, a 44 and a 22, but still prefers the 35. Chip off the old block! :)

Mine also prefers the 200-grain Rem. factory loads, and I've decided it's time to take up deer hunting this year. That 35 Rem is just too good NOT to hunt with!

PJ

Excellent stories TR,

I'd love to have the short Guide Gun in .35 Rem, I've seen a couple of them in the shops. I love the Marlin lever guns more than any other. Mine's in .450 and I swear by it.

T.R.,

You once bragged on a story I e-mailed directly to you. Now I'll return the compliment.

Glad you shared the story; it's a classic. Hats off to your writing. It's worthy of Francis E. Sell, George Mattis, or Lawrence H. Koller.

Heck fire! I may have to work up a load for my Marlin 35 Rem. and try for an elk up in the Snowey Range this fall.

June 2004 Shooting Times article by Layne Simpson "the One-Rifle Big-Game Battery - sort of", a nicely written article not devoted to just the biggest and newest of the fastest.

Starts off extolling the virtues of the 336 in .35 Rem.

Great caliber - although I don't have one, I will some day.

Gun writers, (my memory was recently refreshed), are a strange lot. Their purpose is to sell magazines or plug certain products.
Other than that, they, at times, live to stoke their egos.

Ed Matunas, for example, believes that the 35 is a game-maiming proposition, and that any type of action other than a bolt gun is junk.

People like Matunas are the reason I prefer to carry lever guns - which I have more than my fair share of success with, by the way.
Most of that success has come with a 30-30, but I'd really like to add a 35 Remington chambered Marlin 336 one day.


Good Shooting.....

I just got this picture from the fellow I was hunting with and similar pictures are posted elsewhere on this site but you can see the 336D a little better in this picture.

I'm 6'3", 230# and this poor old 35R didn't have a problem taking the wind out of this hog that was quite a bit larger than me.

Michael

T.R.:

I just now read your story and was very impressed with it. Good writing!

I too love the .35 Rem and feel that in the hands of a competent shot, one who has intimate knowledge of the caliber and his rifle's capability can harvest just about any game animal on the North American continent. I've had outstanding success with mine. I've taken many deer and a black bear with the .35 Rem and I'm impressed with it's shooting and killing effectiveness.

My particular rifle, a Marlin 336C likes the 200 grain Federal loads. I'm just starting to reload for mine and expect good things to come from this endeavor. I'll keep everyone posted on my results. By the way, if I ever get drawn for a Vermont or New Hampshire moose permit I intend on using my .35 Rem.

Again, thank you so much for sharing all the valuable and very interesting information in your great piece.

GOOD SHOOTING! :) Range Finder

Rags usually rattle on about cartridges with way more power than you need to get the job done. I prefer lower powered cartridges that are easier to shoot (less recoil), cost less to shoot and are a hoot to shoot (leverguns!).

The old 35 is not headlines anymore but many middle-aged and older hunters will not part with theirs. It is an efficient medium powered rifle cartridge that gets the job done wherever careful hunters are found.

I'm really suprised that Remington and Marlin have not announced a 100 year special edition in 2005. Seems to me the cartridge could use a little positive press to keep going. I would feel badly if Marlin stopped production of this rifle due to slow sales.
TR

Inspired by T.R.'s story, I loaded up my first 50 shells for my Marlin 35 Rem. and headed to the range. Up to now I have fired about 200 rounds of Rem. factory 200 gr. ammo.

Load: once-fired Rem. brass, 220 gr. Speer FP, 36 gr. IMR4064, CCI 200, COL 2.47 (Lee Factory Collet Crimp die)

I had recently removed scope and re-installed Williams 5D receiver sight and brass bead front sight. So it needed to be sighted in.

It was dialed in for 100 yds. in about 12 shots. Then I fired a 3-shot group from a sitting position and got a nice 4" group, dead on the bullseye.

Now that's not benchrest accuracy but it's pretty fair for my 57 year old eyes and irons from a true hunting position. And it's such a friendly cartridge to work with at the loading bench.

Just shot three hogs this past weekend with my puny old .35; Them pigs is just as dead and headed for my freezer! Bet they'd be still running around if they had known it was "only" a .35 Remy I was throwing at them!

Each year I call Remington to request the 35 Remington and it has fallen on deaf ears. Hopefully 2006 will be the magic year. I shoot a Remington Custom Shop Model 7 KS in 35 Remington. With a 1X4 Leupold and the camo kevlar stock the rifle weights in at right around 7lbs. I also hunt with a Remington XP 100R in 35 Remington. I hunt the state of Pennsylvania where I believe there are more 35 Remington pumpguns & 336's per square mile than anywhere else on the face of the planet. I am a 35 caliber kinda of guy! All those so called dead calibers bring 'em to me!! (.356-358-35 Whelen) Has anyone shot the Buffalo Bore high energy ammo in 35 Remington? I may have to try a box. I do not reload so does anyone know of a company that loads pointed bullets in the 35 Rem? Thanks for listening & long live the 35!!!!

I've used Buf Bore ammo quite a lot, including in my .35. Surprisingly, the 220 Speer flat nose does less meat damage at close range, say inside 40 yards, than the factory 200 Core-loct. Seems it's going too fast to expand much, and I've yet to recover one in a pig or deer. Their .45 Colt offering was quite impressive too, and both the 260 grain hp and the 325 grain hard cast were great shooters out of my Marlin 1894 Cowboy comp., and one shot killed two pigs at once! To be fair, the first was a small yearling, that I couldn't see in front of the sow, but the bullet passed through one cleanly and smashed the shoulder and jaw of the sow, who quickly crashed into the brush. As I approached, the piglet gave one last squeal and that enraged the sow enough to rear up on her hind legs and come after me! I'm sure she was working only on andrenaline and motherly instinct, but it was the first time one has tried to take out a piece of my hide, and a follow-up shot really wasn't neccessary as we found the damage from the first shot more than enough, and she would have just expired were she lay if it wasn't for my clumsy crashing through the bush and being a large target.
The BB heavy .35 ammo had twice the recoil of the factory 200's, but the 220 JFN has the same energy and velocity at 100 yards as the 200 Core-loct has at the muzzle. I'm quite sure that it is capable of taking elk at 200 yards, provided you know the exact distance and drop of the bullet plus good shot placement. At 150 yards I believe it is capable of taking most critters in North America, and if a buffalo or grizzly can be killed with a large caliber black powder percussion rifle, then it isn't a great leap to trust a hot loaded .35 to do the same. PS-Just because I believe it's possible, doesn't mean it's common or easy. I'm just saying that if it is within each shooters capability, practice and common sense, it's possible.
Each year I call Remington to request the 35 Remington and it has fallen on deaf ears. Hopefully 2006 will be the magic year. I shoot a Remington Custom Shop Model 7 KS in 35 Remington. With a 1X4 Leupold and the camo kevlar stock the rifle weights in at right around 7lbs. I also hunt with a Remington XP 100R in 35 Remington. I hunt the state of Pennsylvania where I believe there are more 35 Remington pumpguns & 336's per square mile than anywhere else on the face of the planet. I am a 35 caliber kinda of guy! All those so called dead calibers bring 'em to me!! (.356-358-35 Whelen) Has anyone shot the Buffalo Bore high energy ammo in 35 Remington? I may have to try a box. I do not reload so does anyone know of a company that loads pointed bullets in the 35 Rem? Thanks for listening & long live the 35!!!!

PS-the Buffalo Bore heavy .35 220 grain is 2200 fps and 2300+ fpe at the muzzle.

The old 35 is not headlines anymore but many middle-aged and older hunters will not part with theirs.
TR

And you were doing SO well up till now! Calling us middle-aged and older! We are MATURE hunters! ;)

PS-the Buffalo Bore heavy .35 220 grain is 2200 fps and 2400+ fpe at the muzzle.

Ouch, I don't want to have to shoot that too many times in a row! But it's nice to know it's there. Awesome!

Hurump, hurump! I didn't get a hurump outa that guy!
Mature? hardly!
And you were doing SO well up till now! Calling us middle-aged and older! We are MATURE hunters! ;)



Ouch, I don't want to have to shoot that too many times in a row! But it's nice to know it's there. Awesome!

Well I do not mind to be one of them older hunters that put his fancy bolt away for the 35 lever.
I first thought the 336/35 was a bit punky so I sold the micro groved version that I had. Ammo was a bit rare ,and most of the " older Guys" had moved on to something else.
Then I found this 1954 336 RC with ballard rifling and started rolling my own.
Well wish I had this rifle come my way forty years ago. Love it!
Well the 180 gr bullets with H332 and BLC-2 make this ol' rifle shine .
I load the 205 lead bullet over Varget at the range and find the rifle can shoot better than I .
On the bench I can get 1 to 1 1/2 " goups with a 5D peep,so that is not too bad , since I am five years older than the rifle.
Well I got a deal on a BLR 358W and I like this gun too, but , the 336 /35 Marlin has a special place,.
I have to think very highly of one to pick it up and let them fire it , and you got to be special to be allowed to hunt a day with it. :D

Hurump, hurump! I didn't get a hurump outa that guy!
Mature? hardly!

Well, some of us like to try to fool the world into thinking we are mature, but some of them realize that the child stays the same, only the toys change!

Well, some of us like to try to fool the world into thinking we are mature, but some of them realize that the child stays the same, only the toys change! (and get more expensive! :rolleyes:...)

Thanks, Mike. It's nice to know I'm a mature hunter with a .35 Remington instead of a geezer with a .35 Remington. :D There is something nice about a rifle that's light, handy and a mild kicker, but still hits like a truck.

Bye
Jack

Hurump-hurump! Not old geezer, mature hunter!

[QUOTE=Ranch Dog]I don't buy any of the gun rags but a friend gave me the May issue of Shooting Times. Low and behold there is mention and a picture of the lowly 35 Remington in Craig Boddington's article Top 5 Black Bear-Busters. The mention is just that, that he thinks it a minimum for hunting bear over bait. Who cares what he thinks. He does recommends several leveractions including the 348 Win, 356/356 Win, 444 Marlin, and 45-70.

I'm with you Ranch Dog; don't understand how the .35 could be considered "underpowered". My uncle has told me a story several times about killing two deer with one shot using my grandpa's 336 in .35 rem. Shot right through deer #1 and killed deer #2!!!! Deer #1 dropped where it stood, deer #2 didn't go far. If that's not powerful enough, then I give up!!!! ;)

Same here; shooting through two hogs I think shows that the .35 can handle black bear.
[QUOTE=Ranch Dog]I don't buy any of the gun rags but a friend gave me the May issue of Shooting Times. Low and behold there is mention and a picture of the lowly 35 Remington in Craig Boddington's article Top 5 Black Bear-Busters. The mention is just that, that he thinks it a minimum for hunting bear over bait. Who cares what he thinks. He does recommends several leveractions including the 348 Win, 356/356 Win, 444 Marlin, and 45-70.

I'm with you Ranch Dog; don't understand how the .35 could be considered "underpowered". My uncle has told me a story several times about killing two deer with one shot using my grandpa's 336 in .35 rem. Shot right through deer #1 and killed deer #2!!!! Deer #1 dropped where it stood, deer #2 didn't go far. If that's not powerful enough, then I give up!!!! ;)

I'm considering 35 Remington for camp defense because it's always possible to encounter a bear, yet I don't want to get into 45/70 or 450 Marlin with all that recoil. I think it would have enough power, if put in the right place.

And, I may take up pig hunting. I would rather hunt in the 75-150 yard range, without a scope, than to just sit back and blast away.

From what I'm reading, there are more 35 Rem shooters than you might expect, even if they discontinue the rifles, the ammo will be around.

Anyway I'd like to read more comments from those who own them.

From what I'm reading, there are more 35 Rem shooters than you might expect, even if they discontinue the rifles, the ammo will be around.

Anyway I'd like to read more comments from those who own them.


Take a gander at Marlin Owner's forum

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/index.php

There is a ton of info and you'll find that there are a bunch of us who think the 35REM is awesome.
There is a poster on there with the screen name
"35 Remington" who has done an enormous amount of testing with the 35. Do a search for his posts when you get there.

You will be pleased with your choice. My .35 has taken deer and pigs large and small, never had to track a wounded animal or lost one either. Even folks who have gone hunting with me & never heard of it, but then borrowed mine and had success have become fans. Handloading or buying premium ammo for the .35 Rem will further the appeal as well. Buffalo Bore's heavy .35 Remington ammo, a 220 grain Speer bullet leaving the barrel at 2200 fps would be good bear medicine.

T.R.,

Thanks for reworking, and re-posting, this story. I remember an earlier version you put up on the old Marlin Talk. It's well worth repeating as others have noted already.

My .35 Rem. is 1972 vintage and has pretty nasty acne of the bluing on the barrel. But it is a shooter and has accounted for a pronghorn doe and a forkhorn Mule deer.

Your post underlines the value of hunting skills and tactics that get the shooter within reasonable range AND bullet placement. These two factors alone account for 80% (?) of the formula for hunting success.

Thanks again for sharing.

I have an FN Browning carabine automatique from 1910
in 35 Remington, yes he still shoots very well and does everything what a bullet has to do.I find it an universal round.

Anyone here ever try Lyman 358430 in their old ballard rifled 336s?

MC

My 35 rem is a 1970 version, and has served me well...alas....my son (14) has now taken it over whether I like it or not. I have used in in Washington, Michigan, Oregon, Maine, Tennessee, Georgia, and many other places...deer, bear, coyote, and 2 elk have all fallen to this "weak obsolete" cartridge.

Time to get you a new one then! Now my biggest problem is deciding which one of my .35's is going to go shooting with me, my 336C or 35SS LtD.
My 35 rem is a 1970 version, and has served me well...alas....my son (14) has now taken it over whether I like it or not. I have used in in Washington, Michigan, Oregon, Maine, Tennessee, Georgia, and many other places...deer, bear, coyote, and 2 elk have all fallen to this "weak obsolete" cartridge.
:D

Some like the looks of the new stainless models and they are indeed nice .
If Marlin came with a 35 version of the lever that they produced in 30/30 for the Hornady Leverevolution Ammo , I might want to buy an new one.
"But" it is pretty hard to match my ol' 336RC

As far as shootin lead the 35 cal lends itself well to this . I shoot the 205LFN with a gas check (RCBS mould) crimping on the top band, just short of the rifling.
Remington 35 has a few posts on the Marlin owners form that are worth reading. If you have some time read the two postings he has.
Happy shootin'

TR, That was a great post and got my emotions really going. I moved to the US from Brazil about 10 years ago, and there I hunted with my grandfather during my childhood and all I carried back then was a BB air gun. After moving here I was so excited to be in the Riflemen land where westerns always been my all time favorites. amazingly, in one of the local gunstores I spotted a marlin catalog (year 2000) and decided that my very first rifle would be that good looking 336C, and asked the man behind the counter about what it was all that description on the hard hitting .35 as metioned in marlin's catalog.
All I know is after a mounth I was carrying one to my home and couldn't wait to show it to my wife.
My first real gun ever, marlin leveraction, pure western style Chambered in .35 reminton and I was in heaven.
This rifle is now scoped, zeroed, and shot so many times at the range, but never hunted with it...
I moved from CA to NC a couple of years ago got my hunting license and still waiting for an opportunity to live my big dream: First Deer-First rifle and IT's a .35 rem..
Still trying to look for a partner to take me hunting. Here, everyone talks about their hunting adventures and how many deer they have harvested, but soon I'll find a friend, and make my 336/35 go down in the history.

Went to a show in Columbia, Mo a while back and it was a small one. I saw a nearly NIB Marlin and an old so called"RC". I question the RC stamping as it looked quite crisp and was very different script than the factory lettering. For the price I should have purchased it. Just didn't want to hide the purchase from the boss. Didn't care if it were a real RC or not. Good shootin'. Bandito