We’ve been hitting the hunting topics pretty hard lately. And considering that the season is upon us, we’d like to take the chance to highlight the Marlin 336 Dark Series. Advertised as a lever action for the modern hunter, this is a lever-action you might not think to take to the woods at first glance.

Modernized Hunting Rifle

What does it stand out about this particular “modernized lever-action” besides the fact that Marlin manufactures it? 

Marlin 336 Dark Series Hunting Rifle

According to Marlin, it’s not just blacked-out; it’s also tricked out. If by tricked out, they’re referring to the 550 cord they added, then they’re right on point. Otherwise, you’re still responsible for purchasing those accessories needed to trick out your rifle. Now, they do offer up a scope base chart to figure out the scope portion of your accessories, which could be helpful for those not well-versed in optic accessories.

Now onto the blacked-out look, which was intended to provide a stealthy look. They did this by creating what they call a touch black matte parkerized finish. The rifle also includes a black-webbed hardwood stock, a threaded barrel, a big-loop lever, and an XS Lever Rail with a ghost ring peep so the rifle can accommodate a variety of optics needed to perfect your hunt.

So, if you’re on a man-hunt (I’m kidding, of course, you’re hunting deer and in need of a tricked out blacked-out rifle), you can do so stealthily.

Marlin 336 Dark Series Specs

  • 30-30 Win
  • 5-Shot, full-length tubular magazine
  • 16.25″ Barrel
  • Threaded muzzle – 5/8″x24
  • Parkerized finished metal
  • Paracord Sling
  • XS Lever Rail with Ghost Ring
  • Black stock painted with black webbing
  • Big Loop Lever
  • Paracord wrapped lever
  • Overall Length: 35.5″
  • Approximate Weight: 7.65lbs

MSRP: $949

If you’re interested in learning about the rest of the Dark Series, there’s also the 1895 model. It basically looks the same but comes in a 45-70 gov’t caliber. And while the barrel length still sits at 16.25″, the threaded muzzle and overall length are different.

The muzzle comes threaded at 11/16″x24, compared to the 5/8″x24 336 models. And the overall length is an entire inch shorter, at 34.5″.

Marlin 336 Dark Series Hunting Rifle

Depending on where you live, it may be hunting season already, or you may be getting ready to head out the door in the next few weeks for rifle season. The 30-30 is known for use with deer hunts. So, if you’re looking to outsmart the deer with your blacked out rifle, check out the Marlin 336 model. And if you’re looking to hunt bigger game, the 45-70 may be more your speed.

If you’re new to the hunting world, check out this blog: Hunting 101

What is a 30-30 Winchester Bullet?

The 30-30 Winchester was one of the first-ever bullets to chambered specifically for a lever-action rifle. It comes from the .30 Winchester was created to be the perfect hunting cartridge for deer. It was originally called the .30 Smokeless by Marlin as a way to market a bullet that didn’t send smoke into your face and all around you. It was later named 30-30 Winchester because the weight of the bullet was 30 GR before it became modernized with today’s technology. As a good point of reference, it has the same bullet diameter as the .308 Winchester. 

What Can I Hunt With a 30-30 Marlin 336?

The Marlin 336 Dark Series rifle is a modernized lever-action that most enthusiasts will love to shoot. However, the barrel is only 16.25″, which limits the distance you can effectively hunt at. However, when you’re hunting from a deer stand in the middle of the national forests, you’re not going to be shooting more than 100 yards anyway.

Marlin 336 Dark Series Hunting Rifle

If I were to hunt with this rifle, I’d feel comfortable shooting whitetail, blacktail, coyotes, and varmint. I would never recommend shooting this rifle past 200 yards at any animal because the bullet drop and ballistics are almost impossible to predict for this caliber. 

Why Should I Buy a 336 Marlin Dark Series Rifle?

I can honestly say that I don’t know if I’ve ever met a hunter that didn’t love an old school lever-action Marlin rifle. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of holding a rifle that reminds us of our grandfathers. The Marlin 336 Dark Series will give you improved ergonomics with a much wider lever loop for quick reloads. With a 16.25″ barrel, I’d more than likely prefer to use this rifle as a home-defense rifle, truck gun (for you Texans), or a short-range treestand hunting rifle. 

One thing I’ve always love about Marlin rifles is how easy and accurate they shoot. If anything matters in a rifle, it’s the accuracy and durability of the rifle. Marlin has been a leader in providing an accurate and durable rifle for hunters across the country for over 100 years. My cousin still hunts with his Grandfather’s 444 1895 Marlin from his hunting days in the late 1960s. It still shoots true after 50 years and shows no signs of slowing down. 

Which Optics Would I Use on the 336 Marlin Dark Series Rifle?

You have to understand that you’re not going to be shooting this rifle at 500 yards if you’re hunting any animal. With a 16.25″ barrel, this rifle should give you great accuracy with iron sights or a red dot optic. There would be no point in putting on a scope meant to shoot at 1,000 yards with this rifle. This rifle is meant as a close-quarters to medium range hunting or self-defense rifle. Please keep it simple and enjoy the nostalgia of using a modern lever-action rifle.

 

For more information, check out the rifle, here: Marlin 336 Dark Series