Lever Action Build Help!!!

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Hello

The new Ruger made Marlin 336 has caught my eyeball. Apparently, the quality is exceptional.

My goal is to turn one into a general purpose hunting and ranch rifle.

I’m thinking:

Removing the factory buckhorn sights (I don’t shoot them very well) and replacing them with a receiver mounted Skinner Express rear peep sight and one of Skinner’s “bear buster” fixed blade front sights. I’ll put a dovetail filler blank will go where the rear buckhorn was.

Next, I’ll add an 8-round leather ammo buttstock cuff most likely from Barranti leather.

Last, I’ll add a 1” Montana sling lastly.

My thinking is the Skinner peeps are pretty rugged and reliable and look good. The bear buster front should pair nicely and is supposedly quite durable.

I’d like spare ammo in case of the need to press the rifle into an emergency defensive role, allowing 6 in the tube and 8 in the stock for 14 rounds of .30-30 Win on or in the rifle at all times.

I should end up with a gun that looks very much like this one below, minus the light mount:

Thoughts?

 

[Lonegle57]

It will be a good looking gun. If mine, would put a Skinner scope rail on it with the peep in the rear of the rail. Am getting old and a red dot or scout scope works better for me most times. This is your rifle, do what suits you and enjoy.

 

[TheTinMan]

I have 2 new Marlins made in the Mayodan, NC factory. Fit and finish is excellent. The hammer forged barrels are more accurate than my older (but not pre-1955) JM Marlins. The trigger on my 336 Classic is heavy but clean. I do have to point out that you probably can get a used JM (not Remington) Marlin 336 for less money.

Based on that photo, I was going to suggest getting a “cartridge sleeve” (Barranti’s term) with a strap behind to keep it from slipping forward on the stock; however, new Barranti cartridge sleeves incorporate that feature. I threw one out that slipped forward …

If you would like velcro and covering your spare cartridges, you might look at something like this:
Triad Tactical - All Triad Stock Packs™ - Triad Tactical Inc
Does not look as nice on a classic lever action as leather though IMHO.

I have both Skinner and Ranger Point Precision rear sights on rifles. The RPP offers finer adjustment but I dislike the plastic aperture insert. With a Skinner rear sight you are more likely to need a taller front sight.

I found a red dot mounting plate (EGW?) that goes directly on top of the receiver and added a small red dot because at 65 I have CSS syndrome (can’t see ___). That puts the sight much lower than adding a rail and something on top of the rail. I went the rail mount direction with a Rossi R-95 and had to go to great lengths to get the comb up to my cheek - not good for me.

 

[K Harris]

Just like pictured except no butt cuff or light mount. Add a medium lever, like a Ranger Point Precision, and a stainless follower. I like lever guns to be "stripped down". The Skinner Sights are fantastic, and able to do good work at 30-30 ranges once a person learns to look through the rear aperture and not at it.

I think the S&W 1854 Walnut is also a good choice in the Marlin price range. If 44 Magnum is acceptable. It is already set up nice and has the quick empty magazine tube feature. The photo was borrowed from the S&W website.

 

[Rock185]

Glenn, What you propose seems like a very practical set up to me.

 

[30-30remchester]

As someone who carried a carbine over half the Rocky Mountains I have some preferences. Since you asked, that front sight looks very vulnerable to damage. I carried my 94 on horses, snowmobiles, ATV's, motorcycles, a few boats and by shanks mare. I protect my front sights as they were easily put out of commission. I never cared for or would ever personally use an ammo cuff. Completely throws the gun out of balance, making the butt end heavy. I don't like slings on carbines but won't be without one. What I have done for many calibers is, go to the local GOODWILL and by a small shoulder bag. I like the smaller bags made for belt usage that old time cameras had. I then put a strap on it so it can be carried over the shoulder. Usually, can fit a box or two of loose ammo plus a lightweight nylon strap sling inside. I leave this "purse" hanging over the muzzle of my guns in the closet. When I pick up the gun, the purse goes over the shoulder in a single movement. But that's just my preferences.

 

[BigMuddy]

I personally think your choice for a practical all around rifle is dang near perfect. I have a “Bear Buster” front sight on a 444 Marlin and I would say it’s nearly indestructible. Very fast acquisition through a receiver sight. Your choice in cartridge for your rifle is the one I choose too. I’m another one that doesn’t like an ammo sleeve but I see the practical use for them. When made of leather they look cool. Brass cases stored in them for a length of time get kinda green.

My choice for the same application is just a plain ‘ol pre-64 (1940’s) Winchester ‘94 30 WCF.

Dan

 

[Yendor357]

The Skinners look cool. And evidently, they sell a bunch of them. But my experience with the Skinner is the coarse, and limited elevation adjustment just doesn’t cut it. If you’re lucky enough to get the correct front sight, and you’re going to shoot one load only with the skinner, then Bob’s your Uncle.

My choice of iron sights on a lever gun are the reciever mounted Lyman 66LA, or Williams (side) receiver sights. In theory, they’re not as rugged as the Skinner. But I’ve never heard of one getting broken. That Lyman 66 LA has a much larger window of adjustment, and much finer adjustments.

I run a Leupold 1.5-5 Fire Dot on my old Marlin “Texan”. If you and rifle take a tumble so bad that it knocks a Leupold in a good mount out of business, I think you’re going to have bigger concerns than if your rifle is ok.

That leather apparatus on the stock of that gun appears to me to be a solution looking for a problem. If you have a round in the chamber, and 4 in the magazine, you already have 4 more shot than you’ll need. You have pockets, don’t you?

A sling is handy, but I’ll never permanently alter a gun. If it doesn’t come from the factory with a stud in the stock, I’d get out the paracord and duct tape.

By the way……Ammo….. my gun shoots the Hornady 160 g Leverevolution sub MOA for 3 shots. With the Leupold 1.5-5, of course.

 

[Baggy Wrinkle]

The Marlin 336 I bought about 20 years ago patterned like a shotgun. So, I put in a trigger kit from Wild West Guns and got it down to 3 MOA-ish. Then, I shifted to Hornady LeverEvolution ammo and added a Leupold 2-7 scope and got it down to about 1.5 to 2 MOA most of the time. For a woods bear buster, a ghost ring sight with the better trigger should be perfect. I really like the proposed setup.

 

[chief38]

The new “Ruglins are reportedly a very descent quality rendition of the lever guns. They have fixed the problems and horrible QC that came out of the Remington era.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In concept, most of us are on the same page. The choice of how we perform that concept is what makes life interesting!

My go to lever gun is a 20-year-old JM Guide Gun in 45-70. Has an AO (Akley Outdoors) scout type scope rail with a 34mm Burris Red Dot. The back of the receiver has a Wild West peep sight with "Ears" to protect it. On the buttstock is a nylon/spandex slip on cartridge holder for 8 rounds. The shoulder sling stud goes through a hole I poked in it, it doesn't slide anywhere. I have a number of slings with QD rings that work, normally no sling is attached. (The theory being: A gun belongs in your hands not on your shoulder!) I use a sling if I plan on skinning animals or climbing trees. I also have scabbards for horseback or ATVs.

I have never dreamed of installing a light rail or bayonet lug!!

My carry ammo is in the Lever Action category of ANTI-BEAR ammo. 400 grain Cast RN @ 2150 fps. Not quite 4000 ft. lbs. of energy! I practice 5 shots as fast as I can at 50 yards, so far that runs 1.6 seconds and 1.5" group. (Recoil can bring tears to your eyes!)

Ivan

 

[hkcavalier]

I have not had great luck with leather cartridge loops, at least here in the moist Pacific NW. Pull the cartridges after sitting around for 6 months and the cases are a lovely shade of green. There is probably an oiling/waxing technique I am skipping...

Nylon is ugly but far more functional for me. I do like the forward cartridge loops as they are more practical than those on the buttstock, and muscle memory is easier to develop yanking cartridges from there and on into the loading gate. If you want to get really trick, there are companies that will drill cartridge holes in the bottom of your buttstock and secured with a strap + button snap.

 

[burneyr]

I quite prefer the XS Sights Marlin DRC Winged sight set. Sold with two different sized apertures so you can have quick and dirty or fine(er) aiming.

I've got a few different XS models on different lever rifles and 100% satisfied with them all. BTW you'll only use two of the three holes on the front sight depending on the screw spacing on your rifle. XS includes a clean filler piece for the unused hole.

Marlin DRC Winged Ghost Ring Sights (Sights Only)

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Butt Cuffs in addition to being unattractive. Throw the balance of the rifle off while adding unneccesary weight. Any iron sights don't work at pre sunrise or post sunset........A good scope does. However it your gun......Add all the "doodads" you want..........

 

[white cloud]

It will be a good looking gun. If mine, would put a Skinner scope rail on it with the peep in the rear of the rail. Am getting old and a red dot or scout scope works better for me most times. This is your rifle, do what suits you and enjoy.

This is how my Marlin is set up. Receiver sight and a red dot. It makes for a fast handling rifle that works for deer when the sun starts to set.

 

[mtgianni]

Slings look ugly until you have to slide the animal you just shot the 2 miles to your truck. They become very attractive then.
If you can run a 4 wheeler to your stand, or are horse packing and guided it's a different story.

 

[30-30remchester]

Slings look ugly until you have to slide the animal you just shot the 2 miles to your truck. They become very attractive then.
If you can run a 4 wheeler to your stand, or are horse packing and guided it's a different story.

Spoken from experience it sounds like. I dislike slings on "fast handling" firearms like a carbine or shotgun, but I wouldn't be without one. I just don't put the sling on till it is time to drag out or climb cliffs. On shotguns or carbines, I build my own slings
out of nylon straps. Keep it close at hand. Slings on either make for poor shooting. The heavier the sling, the more the gun moves. Just try shooting trap with a sling on your shotgun. The barrel is all over the place as the sling sways with the movement of the gun.

 

[Faulkner]

I agree that a Marlin 336 makes a dandy general purpose hunting rifle. I bought one of the last Remington produced Marlin compact model, the 336Y. It has the 16 inch barrel and 3/4 inch shorter stock which makes it real handy to transport or tote in the woods. I added a Buffalo Brand leather stock ammo carrier and a Amish made buffalo hide leather sling.

I installed a safety delete kit on mine, as well as a Marlin factory large loop. I then sent it off to Lee Hadaway at the Arms Room in Colorado to do a takedown conversion and action job on it. I considered the Skinner sights, but I'm not a fan so I left the Marlin buckhorns on.

I've already taken several whitetails with it, a couple of coyotes, and one feral hog. I have several deer rifles but this compact lever gun is my current favorite.

 

[Gunhacker]

I've been swapping out the factory buckhorn sights on all of my marlins with this inexpensive aperture "bullseye" sight: MARBLE ARMS RIFLE LONG BULLSEYE REAR SIGHT

Nothing fancy and it works. You retain the original elevation adjuster to use with this sight.

 

[Farmer17]

I have a JM Marlin 30/30 and I love it staying factory original. However I have a small, light Weaver V1-3X scope and I mounted it low and it will put bullets in the same hole at 50 yards. The gun doesn't look as good scoped but it sure does shoot well! The Weaver is a "true 1X" and it's like using a red dot at close range or on moving targets. Turn up the magnification and it helps see the target through the brush, tree limbs, or in dim light. I don't want any other accessories on the old classic gun.