One of the local shops has a Marlin lever action sitting on the rack. It is from before the era of safeties and the like.They describe it as a good old honest rifle. Which, I suppose it is. Tagged at 400 something it wears a scope and see through mounts of unremarkable nature. It has been sitting there for at least a year, maybe longer. The reason seems to be one of caliber, as it is a .35 Remington and not the ubiquitous .30-30.

I remember the .35 Remington having some disciples in my youth, but seeing a lot of used guns so chambered in the 90s that presumably were traded in.

A quick online search shows that Hornady Leverlution ammo, with pointed polymer tips, is still fairly readily had, but that most other makers offer only seasonal or limited runs that are unlikely to be in stock.

You would think a somewhat vintage lever gun in a classic medium bore would be a fast seller in Wyoming.Apparently you would be wrong, as it has dust on it.

Should I get it and stick it in the closet in case of a bear home invasion? (Which does actually happen sometimes.)

I had bought an inexpensive old .303 Brit reservation rifle to do current duty as ".30 something caliber rifle that sits around". It was cheap, has character, and at heart is still a fast firing old battle rifle.

But that old Marlin looks lonely. I have a 9mm 1911 that I think I could trade for it (a gun that seemed a good idea at the time). Would getting the .35 be an improvement or offer any advantage over the old .303? What is/was the niche that the .35 Remington was supposed to fill?

There are various large furry things around here, some carnivores, some not. Doubtless one of the local elk may take a mind to go on a murderous rampage. Hence the ever extant need for something bigger than a 5.56/.223. Well that and my latent fear of errant Sasquatch.

Heck yes it's a great round in the Marlin it's an excellent round. The two match each others capabilities well.
The Leverevelution makes it an easy 200 yd round and with a little practice and rangefinder I'd be comfortable a little further.
200 grain .35 caliber bullets are nothing to sneeze at.
Out west I can see it not catching so much of an eye, the craze is long distance. Back east in the timber they are the cat's meow for deer and as perfect a black bear round as there is. Hog hunting rage I'm surprised they haven't surged back in popularity because they are perfect for that too.

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439

A good caliber and a good gun. I have not seen it but Marlin made good guns in that era! I had a very nice mid 60s made.35 .

Scope and mounts on that rifle, need lots more info on them.

Sounds like I would buy it after a little dickering!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Just sold a 1957 version Marlin 35 rem for $500. The Rem core lokt 200 g was the go to round for deer & black bear in the East. These are hard to impossible to find these days, but the Hornady Leverevolution are in stock most anywhere and probably a better round. When you thumb'em with a 35, they stay thumped. I "upgraded" to the 358 win round in sav 99 and a model 71 win in 348. They run a couple hundred fps more with same 200g bullet. If I were in Wyo, I would be looking at the 358 win.

Charlie

Are you a reloader? If so, this would be a good gun to have stashed in a closet with some reloading supplies.

There is a fellow on another forum who manufactures high quality 35 Rem brass from once fired military 308 brass. It looks like good stuff, and gets good reviews. See

35 Remington Brass from 308 1x fired Mil brass

It's a superior round.

I'd buy it at that price in a heartbeat if it functions.

The 35 Remington ain't got any weaker and the critters ain't got any stronger. It won't do anything that the 303 Brit won't do but what it does will be done with more panache.

I love my Marlin 336rc (from 1965) in .35 rem. It's a great field gun with a serious punch. Perfect open sight hunter for the wooded areas up this way.

I have an "adequate cache" of Core Lokt and the Hornady L/R ammo on hand. I usually buy it if I see it and never pass it up if it's on sale. Ammo can be had if you look...especially in season.

Very viable and very competent choice GatorFarmer!

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paws for friendship

I would think that anything (bear and elk included) within about 200 yds would fall down dead with a well place shot from a 35 Remington. It is a great short range gun. One of my uncles had one and never complained.
I would trade the 303 British and keep the 1911 9mm and I am not a 9mm fan, but it would hurt to have one around.

Great old cartridge....I shoot a Marlin 336SS in .35.....It has a 16" bbl.. My favorite deer load is the remington 200 gr. soft point.........If you reload any .358 dia. cast or jacketed pistol bullet can be loaded in it.

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S&W Accumulator

It has always had the reputation as being an excellent closer-range brush-busting caliber good for about anything from deer up. There were several other rifles chambered for it, most notably the Remington Models 8 and 81 (TR took a Model 8 in .35 Remington to East Africa on his 1909 safari for use on plains game as part of his gun inventory). Winchester made a few Model 70s chambered for the .35 Remington, which are a Model 70 collector's dream. I think .35 Remington brass is not difficult to locate, and if I had a rifle in that caliber, I would reload for it. I often see .35 Rem ammo at gun shows. Some years back, I was at Federal's factory in Anoka while they were making their periodic run of a single lot of .35 Remington ammo. I don't remember, but I think the production run was only scheduled for about a week.

Be aware that the Hornady LeveRevolution brass has a somewhat shorter case neck than the ammo from the other makers. It can be reloaded with normal RN bullets, but the charge should be dropped slightly below maximum.

35 cal rifle cartridges are popular in Europe,here they never gained the popularity/respect that they should have. 35 Whelen(30-06 necked up to 35) has a following,358Win(308Win necked up to 35) should have been one of the greatest cartridges but was a disappointment in the sales of rifles for it.
the 357 Magnum is considered an adequate deer cartridge,now imagine that 158gr 357 Magnum projectile in a 35 Rem. 38sp,357Mag,35Rem,358Win all use the same .358" dia. bullet. I have 2 Marlins in 35Rem,I don't hunt. To me the Marlin/35Rem is a 'fun' gun. I reload and have used 90gr 380ACP bullets up to 158gr 38/357 bullets.

Here's a 35Rem with Sierra 90gr bullet and 2400 powder.

I've had one .35 Rem rifle, from which I've used one round to kill one deer.



I took this Savage 170 to fill a doe tag with my son, before he was old enough to hunt. We were walking along the top of some coulees in Montana, and I told him we should check behind us once in a while to see if any deer came out after we passed. I had read it in a magazine, and it seemed to make sense and it gave him something to do.

After about a half hour he stage-whispered "DAD". I turned around and there was a big fat mule deer doe standing at the top of coulee we had just passed. I told him to watch his ears and I let fly.

At the shot the doe made a loud WUGH sound and disappeared. What I will always remember is the ball of deer hair hanging in the air where the doe had been.



The load was a K-Mart 200 grainer. K-Marts in Montana always carried .35 Remington ammo when we lived there.

The deer didn't survive the experience, and my son, now a 24 year old soldier, still talks about it.



A 400 buck Marlin 336 in .35 Rem wouldn't last long here in neighboring Colorado.

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Rule of law, not a man.

Back in the 60s when I started hunting, I used to see lots of Marlins, particularly in .35, in the eastern woods. Most felt that the .35 was more effective on eastern game than the .30-30.

It's a great cartridge within its limitations. I own a .35 Marlin, pre-safety. It's the third one I've owned and this one will stay with me.

I've also seen people put 3-9X variables on these fine carbines, a mismatch if I ever saw one. Top the gun with a 1-4X or 1.5-5X, learn to shoot with both eyes open and you'll consistently fill your tag.

I can't add much to what has already been expressed except to say, I bought a Marlin 336 in .35rem back in my earlier 20's and I still hunt with it in the northern NY woods to this day.

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I reckon so

I'm not sure what a .303 Brit "reservation" rifle is...is that a bolt action Enfield? If so, I'd much rather face an intruding critter with a lever action. The Marlin sounds like a fair deal and the .35 Rem. ammo is readily available at a little over $1/round, which may sound expensive but it doesn't sound like you'll be shooting this gun a lot.
Id go for it.

Reservation rifles/shotguns are a unique sub genre of blue collar sporting guns. They are so named from having spent time on Indian reservations where various idiosyncratic modifications take place to keep it running.

My particular current example was once a very late production SMLE, FTRd in 1948 and likely imported in the 1950s. It has been fitted with a Bishop stock that looks as though final fitting was done via jack knife whittling.The original rear sight is gone, a new one, using a stick for elevation adjustment was soldered on.There is also a soldered on front sight on the shortened barrel. It looks like it was lopped off with a hacksaw. An old Weaver side mount and rings is present, but I have no scope to fit it. Eye screws have been sunk into the wood for ersatz sling attachment.

It actually has a butt plate, rather than the usual slip on pad

It shoots, the headspace is correct, and has "character".

Personally I would prefer the Hornady ammo for deer; not so sure it is tough enough for hogs or bear. Perhaps someone has actual experience on these critters and can confirm or dispute my gut feelings.

Seems like a good excuse to take up reloading and you can work on the ultimate Bigfoot round while you're at it

You said the Marlin looks "lonely" on the shelf. That's a perfect reason to buy it; I can't think of a better one.

Oh, by the way, keep the Enfield. That way you'll know it will continue to have a good home. It may look rough on the outside, but it's a shooter inside. Not many other bolt actions with 10-round internal magazines.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

It's a great old caliber, and hits harder than its ballistics would suggest. It's a favorite in the north woods, and it's taken plenty of elk in the timber. I have a 336 from 1959, and it's fun to shoot .357 pistol bullets at the range when it's not hunting season. It may be a challenge to find ammo from time to time, but it's out there. The Leverolution ammo gives flatter trajectory, but the old Remington 200-grain Core-Lokt stuff has an excellent reputation, too.

Not a big fan of lever action rifles but the 35 Rem has to be better that my Winchester 94 30-30.
Deer ran like nothing happened when hit with a 170 gr at only 45-50 yds.
And there was no blood trail although I did find it after a search covering a circle of a 100 yds.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

It seems to me that 150 grs are more effective in a 30-30. Some 170's open up a bit slow.

I hate delimas but when cash is available the buy wins.

Your 303 is similar In power to a 30 06. 180 grain and up would be bear medicine.

the 35 is a cartridge thatperforms above its paper ballistics.

Dad bought my bro a like new Marlin 336 in 35 Rem for his first deer rifle. He bagged many deer and later traded it in o. A 30 06. Hes told me many times he regrets not keepi g it. With large bullets it should be fine for close encounters of the ursine types.

I guess if I was concerned about home or back yard issuds I would buy a Rem 760 czrbine in 30 06. Probably use a red dot scope or iron sights.

One needs to remember shots to the body are not stoppers. Think brain spine. I probably would practice on small moving targets, like tying an old tether ball filled with a powder. Have someone stand behind you hold the ball up and shoot as it swings back om the rope.

Practice your full motion on the pump so you dont short stroke.

I remember you purchased a shotgun recently. Double or tripple aught buck for 1st or 2nd round with the rest being slugs, good slugs not the cheap ones that may flatten o. A grizzs skull. A M 12 Win with slugs or buck is what many African guides used when going into the long grass after wounded leopards and lions.

Now you have 2 mord close up choi es plus the 35 rem. If it were me and grizz is what we are talking I think thd 760 carbine in 06 might be the ticket. It would be nice for elk and longer shots at deer.

A rite priced Marlin 35 rem is on my wish list but for different reasons, nostaglia may not be a bear stopper.

Another choice is a Marlin 1895 in 45 70. Ive bagged many deer with one. Lots of Alaskan folks carry o e. Light handy and deadly.

Come to think about it id prefer it over the 760.

Buy it! Try to negotiate but get it whatever you do.

GF..The darn things sell good on this side of the Bighorns. I have a Rem pump..but ya let me know the name of that shop..and I'd have me a Marlin in 35. Wouldn't bother me to shoot an elk up to a 150 yds or so. And if it's been sitting that long..offer 350. Be prepared to buy it fer that though. I gave my FIL an ol Rem 141 to carry on his 4 wheeler back in Md... He shot 6 deer with it..and when he passed at over a 100 still had 14 rounds in that box of ammo.

Great combo! I regret trading mine...

My 1st deer rifle was a m-8 Rem in 35, shot my first deer with it.
I was just a kid and I got wound up in 35s, still am. I have the
8-14-141 yet. Ammo is a little pain, but how much do you need
for a deer gun. I load for it so it doesn't bother me. I have found
all the 35s I've owned, Marlin 336 included, shoot a 200gr RN
bullet the best. The 14 & 141 have the twisted magazine tube
to use spitzer bullets. I tried them, but found the RNs the best.
Shot many deer with the 35 with good results. I shot a buck
running with some does. Bullet went through bucks neck and
gut shot a doe. Killed buck outright, anchored the doe for kill
shot. Plenty of power for anything other than Grizz at reasonable
range for cartridge.

Buy some factory ammo and save the brass to reload. When there is no .35 ammo on the shelf, no problem. I wouldn't expect that .35 is going to get MORE popular over the next years, which is a shame, but probably true.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

If I wasn't so wedded to the .45-70, I would have bought that .35 already. One of the all-time best Levergun rounds.

I have a whole rack of classic deer rifles. I'm not much for shooting paper, so I would load for Varmits to get some trigger
time on them. The 35 I loaded with 158 gr JHPs/357s. This made
a good groundhog load at up to 100yds. It definitely open up on
them. Never had to shoot one twice.

Nothing wrong with the 35rem. I shoot it in a Mod8 and a Model 81 Remington (wish I'd kept the Mod14 'C'grade).
I don't hunt anymore and haven't for years, but I wouldn't feel under gunned with either in the NE. Nor would I w/the Model 8's in 25, 30 and 32Rem. You just have to realize their capabilities.

I wouldn't ditch a .303 either. No matter what it looks like, if it's minute of a deer accurate,,it's pretty much right there in the 308 / 30-06 performance range.
Just add the rim.

Back in my much younger days, I saw quite a few Remington 14/141s in .35 Rem (I think they were also chambered in .30 Rem, basically a rimless .30-30, maybe other calibers also). I do not remember the last one I saw. What happened to them? Another, but considerably more offbeat, rifle available in .35 Rem was the "Standard" (Standard Arms Company). A very unique design from the early 20th century that could operate as either a semiautomatic or as a pump gun.

Garb that .35 man! That's a great deal on a great cartridge and rifle combination. I've had several .35's,..... all excellent weapons and did the work on deer or Hog's. I preferred the Remington or Federal 200 grain soft points but the Hornady round is a bit zippier and would extend your range. I wouldn't take it after Elk or Large Bears, not that you couldn't, but I prefer something a bit larger for them. Grab it friend.

The 35 rem has been one of my go to "deer hammers" for the past several decades. I shoot the 200 gr load or my handloads in my super 14 TC, scoped with a Burris EER. I have harvested several deer with this combo. The 200 gr soft point clocks at around 1900 fps in my TC and the recoil is "brisk".It is basically a "bang - flop" proposition when the round is placed correctly. In a lever gun, it would IMO make a great woods gun.

Also - thank you "cowart" in post #5 for the source on converted 35 rem brass. Factory 35 rem brass is hard to find. Most vendors list it as a seasonal run. So it looks like the link you provided will be a good source.

I agree with other posters. Marlins are great rifles and 35 Remington is a great round for short to mid-range.

I checked ammoseek.com and there were 46 sources listed -- all either Hornady or Federal.

http://ammoseek.com/ammo/35-remington

I have one similar to the one your mentioned.

Here is a picture right after I got it. It also has the see-thru scope mounts:

Attached Images

336 35 Rem.jpg (166.8 KB, 587 views)

Seems like all the advice is to get that rifle...and I agree.I have one(10 years old or so) with a Nitrex 1.5-5 scope and I reload for it. I like the 180 Speer Hot Core but also load 200Rem Cls and the Hornady bullet. It`s a DRT deer gun in my part of the world. There is a forum called marlinowners.com and although it is devoted to all Marlins there is quite a bit of talk/info on the 35. If you visit the site go to the reloading section and look at a long post by a fellow whose moniker is "35 Remington". In this particular post he handloads all the available deer/big game bullets to approx. 110% of factory specs. In other words the 200 Corelokt is moving out at 2200 fps+- and he has samples of projectiles from point blank to 200 yards. The 200 CL gets his vote. I suggest you see and read his and other posts and become a reloader if you`re not already. Good Luck,I don`t think you can go wrong. John

The late hunting writer John H. Wootters, Jr. knew deer and he knew rifles. He told me that he felt the .35 Remington, like the 7X57mm Mauser and a few other rounds, just works better than its paper ballistics suggest. I think the same is true of the .45 Colt.

John killed a number of deer with the .35 and never found it lacking.

IF this rifle is in really nice shape and not rusted or too worn, I think it'd be a solid buy. I don't like lever actions, but it's one of the best.

I think I'd remove the scope and mount a Williams or Redfield receiver sight.

I think I'd keep the 9mm Colt. If it feeds good JHP ammo well, it's one of the stronger 9mm's and should last well. My son found even M882 9mm ammo pretty effective on men in Iraq, and the Federal HST or the Speer Gold Dot with 124 grain bullets is even better. If you want penetration, the FMJ 9mm rounds will penetrate until next payday. Even Elmer Keith respected 9mm penetration and cted a case where one was used na black bear.

I think a 9mm ball round in the face will reach a Bigfoot/Sasquatch brain. I'd rather use a .44 Magnum, but don't feel that you're helpless with a 9mm.

I think you should consider trading that old "reservation" .303 for a No.4 Enfield in really nice condition, and some are around. Many were sold here in recent years in the factory wrapping! I'd get some new Winchester 180 grain ammo and feel that the .303 was quite adequate for the role you mention.

But if you'd rather have a Marlin .35 in good condition, it's a killer within 200 yards. I think the Remington 200 grain SP will easily reach the vital zones on either Bigfoot or bear. The receiver sight is quick and okay for the range involved. Same for the receiver sight on the No. 4 Enfield.

I'd avoid light .35 bullets. But the basic 200 grain load made the caliber's reputation, which is good.

Frankly if I could have have just one rifle, it'd be a Winchester M-70 Featherweight Classic in .270 or .30-06, with a 2X-7X or slightly higher power scope. Leupold makes a 2.5x-8X that's an excellent idea.

If this rifle is beyond your means, the used Winchester M-70 of 1972 type may be available for a moderate price.

"Frankly if I could have have just one rifle, it'd be a Winchester M-70 Featherweight Classic in .270 or .30-06, with a 2X-7X or slightly higher power scope. Leupold makes a 2.5x-8X that's an excellent idea."

I have a pre-64 M70 Featherweight just like that in .308 Win. which is my favorite rifle.

If you noticed, there hasn't been one bad comment on the .35 Remington. I found it performs way more than people give it credit. One shot kill is the norm on hogs and deer. Never shot a bear with it though. I don't doubt it would do the job just fine. My son has it and left me with the 45/70. I like the the .35 Rem better. Kills without punishing the shooter. :-)

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JIM
NRA Pistol Instr

Are you sure about T.R. using a Model 8 on safari? I cannot find any reference to he or Kermit using a semiauto of any type on that safari let alone a Model 8. An 1895 is listed in .405 as well as an Springfield M1903, H&H double rifle and a Fox No 12 double barrel.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

The .35 Remington is a very good hunting round but as with any rifle cartfidge, it has its place . It is my favorite hunting bullet for brush hunting deer here in the hill country of E. KENTUCKY ,but to hunt game at loner ranges I would use something differdnt. My over all deer size bullet would be a .308 bolt gun or maybe a .270. But to answer your question, YES it is a very good round and teamed up with a good quick action Marlin lever gun, it just doesn't get any better

Indeed he did. There was an article about it in a 1909 issue of Field and Stream which mentioned it, and I also have an early Remington advertising poster for the M8 which verifies that. It shows several camels carrying rifles and .35 Rem ammo, driven by African natives, with TR's shadow over them. TR didn't like to be directly mentioned in advertising as he viewed it as giving an endorsement (a no-no for a former President), and there is also a similar Winchester ad of that period handled in much the same way, by implying use of Winchester products by TR on safari without actually showing him or mentioning his name. See my posting here: thegreatmodel8.remingtonsociety.com Please read the entire posting as it contains the text of the 1909 Field and Stream article.

I just remembered something else. Back over 25 years ago, I played around a little with handgun metallic silhouette shooting when I lived in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Many of the shooters used .35 Rem-chambered handguns for that, either the T-C Contender or that strange Remington single-shot bolt action pistol originally in .221 Fireball.

I have one of the 35 MS bbls for the Contender and one of the XP-100s in 35 Rem with the MS sights