Howdy All,

Just got a new deer blind built, shooting lanes trimmed and my feeder filled. In 6 weeks it's deer season here in South Texas and once again I'm stoked!

My feeder is about 70 yards from my blind so shots shouldn't be much further than that. I will be shooting whitetail pretty much exclusively, not much interested in hogs these days but occasionally a nice one does wander past.

Question: I have both a model 336 in .35 Remington and an 1894 in .44 mag. Part one -- which one would you use for whitetail? (I don't want to get into reloading, I want to buy off-the-shelf ammo).

Part two -- I have two scopes, a Leupold 4x and a Leupold Vari-XII 2-7x, one of which I'd like to mount on the gun I end up hunting with this year. Which do you guys recommend?

I realize we'll all probably be splitting hairs here, but since I've got some options, I want to put my best foot forward.

Thanks in advance for all opinions and advice!

Just my opinion, but I would choose the 35 Rem. with the Leupold 4X, but either scope is just as good as the other.

Any combination of the above. I've shot deer with the .35 and the .44 mag, and they're all still dead. 70 yards isn't far and if you aren't shooting hogs in the dark, scope selection isn't going to be too terribly critical.

Have fun. The factory 200gr. Cor-Lokt in .35 Rem is devastating. My .44 mag loads are most similar to the Federal CastCore 300gr. loading (I use 280gr. Beartooth bullets).

I've never had a 35 Remington, but Years ago I had one of the little Ruger 44 mag semi-auto's. Darndest deer killer out to a hundred yards I've ever used. I was using factory ammo designed for the carbine, I can't remember what brand but it was loaded to around 1800 fps and used jacketed bullets.

Front shoulder shots were devistating and mabe had a two inch ring of bloodshot a few inchs deep. Bullets went all the way thru.

I understand the 35 remington is a dandy deer gun also. As for scopes I like th 2 by 7 for the extra field of view at low power, but I've got a fixed four power on a little Rem model 7 carbine that works very well. go with the one that feels the best to you..

Heck, use them both. In most places in Texas we can kill several deer. See which one you like!

I agree with Ranch Dog. Here's what I'd do; the 2X7 scope would go on the .35, the 4X on the .44, factory loads for each one are very effective in my experience on hogs and deer. My choice for ammo would be the tried and true Remington Core-loct, Hornady Leverevolution, or Buffalo Bore's heavy 35 load. Just be sure to practice and sight in with whatever you choose. For the .44, I'd go with the XTP bullets, Partition Gold, PMC Starfire, all factory stuff, just make sure you get something that cycles well in your particular rifle. Buf Bore makes some really effective .44 mag. and special loads as well.

All -

Thanks for all the good advice. Here's what I ended up doing.

I've put the 2-7x Vari-XII with heavy deplex reticle on the .35 Remington. My blind is exactly 75 yards from my feeder.

I've decided to go with 200 gr. Hornady Leverevolutionary ammo. Shot a few rounds today -- first time I've ever shot the gun and it sure feels sweet. Not a whole lot of kick and the 45 year old 336 swings up great and feels terrific both tucked in and when shooting.

Nice new blind, feeder's been throwing for 4 weeks, lots of tracks... can't wait for opening day!

Excellent choice, you'll be pleased with everything. Be sure to sight in and make sure everythings tight on the rifle. Zero at 100 yards and you'll be dialed in for the season. A good bit of advice that I'll pass along, although I don't know who the author is;
Take one shot with the same ammo you plan on using for every yard you farthest possible shot will be. 75 yards max shooting lane, 75 shots with the ammo you've chosen to hunt with. Not all at the same time mind you-:eek:- but before you go hunting.

Ihave had REAL BAD luck with factory .44 mag pistol loads in a rifle, dang near lost a deer cause if it. I am now giving the Hornady 240 XTP a try, I think they may have them in a factory load.

Ihave had REAL BAD luck with factory .44 mag pistol loads in a rifle, dang near lost a deer cause if it. I am now giving the Hornady 240 XTP a try, I think they may have them in a factory load.

I think that may have to do with the powders used, as they're loaded to burn quickly in a pistol length barrel. I've used the XTP factory load and found it to be more accurate out of a shorter barrel (pre-safety 1894 20" round barrel MG as opposed to a CB II Limited Octag. barrel, ballard rifling.), but takes deer and hogs just fine. However, sometimes jacketed ammo of any brand won't cycle well in the 1894 action, something you'll need to know before getting into the field. If you don't reload, try the premium ammo makers and see what they have in .44 designed specifically for rifles. Just one example, I use Buffalo Bore's heavy .44 special and mag. ammo, both of which have bullets with nice rounded tips that feed and cycle reliably in a lever gun.
Any of ya'll please chime in on info of other premium ammo makers, to be fair. If you do reload, Marshal can point you to the best .44 cal. bullet design for lever gun reliability.

Need help. New to hunting. Is there any difference between a Marlin 336A and a 336W. Thanks

Need help. New to hunting. Is there any difference between a Marlin 336A and a 336W. Thanks

Just in looks, not in function.

Here's a schematic, but it's not exactly correct as the lever is closed yet a fresh shell is halfway out the magazine and the carrier is down. This was done to show how everything works in just one picture.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i79/Bull3540/Marlin3.jpg

Thank you. The store has both the 336A & 336W and they look similar and I didn't know what difference it made.
Bill



Just in looks, not in function.

Here's a schematic, but it's not exactly correct as the lever is closed yet a fresh shell is halfway out the magazine and the carrier is down. This was done to show how everything works in just one picture.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i79/Bull3540/Marlin3.jpg

Thank you. The store has both the 336A & 336W and they look similar and I didn't know what difference it made.
Bill

If they're in the same caliber, and I think they are (30-30), then the difference is the color of the trigger and the type of wood used. The more expensive one will have walnut stocks, possibly checkered, and the other will have a walnut stain on the hardwood stocks, which are birch or similar species. Other than that they mechanics are exactly the same. Interestingly, while the American black walnut is more desirable because of it's appearence, the stained hardwood Marlin uses is actually a bit harder, more resistent to cracking and moisture, so it's a better choice for use in damp or rainey conditions. Of course synthetic stocks would be the ultimate choice for harsh conditions, but later on when you decide that's the caliber and model you're going to stick with, there are several places that sell replacement stocks, from standard walnut to highly figured pieces, exotic woods, curly maple, etc., that are almost drop in replacements for the factory ones. If it becomes your favorite (and I think it will be; "Marlinitus" we call it) you can send it to be reblued, re-stocked, color case harded, or have your current stocks slimmed down or carved to make it special and unique. Maybe we could call it a "tuner" gun?:rolleyes:

Just my opinion, but I would choose the 35 Rem. with the Leupold 4X, but either scope is just as good as the other.
just like what Gismo said

Just got the .35 remington back from the gunsmith. Had the Lyman peep site taken off and the Leupold 2-7 mounted on it and boresighted.

Taking it to the range next weekend and the following weekend is whitetail season. That 1961 model 336 sure looks sweet.

I'll keep you guys posted on my results.