I have more Marlins than any other make of rifle. Not that I planned it that way, it has just turned out that I have kept my Marlins mainly because they shoot mild fun to hand load cartridges, two are pistol loads, the other three, 30 WCF, 35 Rem and 22rf.

I now have less rifles than I have ever had before; I sold off most of my magnum length bolt actions because at my age, I plan few hunts where they are useful. If I need something for the largest game I’m likely to hunt, the 300 mag. Most of my bolt rifles use the 308 case.

For shooting around here, just for fun, you can’t beat the Marlins in 357 and 44, easy to reload and the cases last a long time. I also think the 35 Rem is made to order for the hand loader. I am now thinking about lapping the barrel on my 35 Rem, I hope I don't ruin it! If anyone here has done the lapping and barrel size truing Marshall talks about, I would like to hear about it. In the past, I have casted bullets, but now I would rather buy them. Casting is fun and a cheap way to have lots of shooting ammo, but I no longer hunt for wheelrights and am a little afraid of burns, at my age, this would not be a good thing and as much experience as I have had, I think I could have an accident easier today.

I will bet that in the next few years, I may part with a few more rifles and perhaps a shotgun, but not the Marlins.

My son promised not to sell off the 30-06 and of all the others he likes most is my Marlin model 39