Altering my 336 xlr

[Bigahh]

Early last summer I found a used Marlin 336 xlr in 30-30 that had a price I couldn't turn my nose up at. I thought I was a Winchester guy, but after mounting a low powered Leupold on the rifle I suddenly became a 50-50 guy. That action is soooo smooth, I was fortunate to take a nice Buck with it this year at 40 yards. I do agree with Joe a little bit about the stock though, it is a bit bulky, but not as bad as I thought after reading his input about them. My only complaint is the barrel length for what I use the rifle for. 24" is a bit too long for sitting in a tree hunting deer at 50 - 100 yards. Is it a dumb idea to get the barrel shortened 2-4" to make the rifle swing better in my mind, or am I just blowing smoke at myself? My brother says to just leave it where it is, and deal with it, I say it will be a better rifle for close range hunting with a shorter barrel. Any input?

[Tycer]

I have no problem altering a gun to fit my needs. Unless it's a collector.....
A 20" 30-30 loses very little to the 24"

[Chuck 100 yd]

Make it the way you want it. I would and plan to do the same with my
.338 Marlin when I get it. That is the only way I will get a Marlin 20"
SS rifle in .338MX.

[horsesoldier03]

You could shorten it if you wanted. I would seriously think about finding a good buy on one that already had the 20" barrel! My grandfather had a Winchester 94 Commemorative that had the 24" Octagon Barrel. I loved the extra weight outfront, the gun shot excellent off-hand and was easliy held on target. I only wish that I could afford a 30-30 with a 24" barrel!

[El Chivo]

you might try it at 22" before going all the way to 20". I once handled the 1895 45-70 model in 22" with half mag and thought it was the best balanced rifle ever.

If you want to buy a new rifle, I seem to remember something about a guide gun model coming out in 30-30. They had one out in 35 Rem a few years back. Stainless, short barrel (16" or 18"). Could be my imagination though.

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Hey, found it:

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/defa ... tem=336SDT

[O.S.O.K.]

You could leave the 24" barrel and rechamber it to 30-30 Ackely Improved. That'd give you a 150 bullet at 2600 fps if you wanted it. Not that you need it for that type of hunting - but just another thought....

[Bruce]

If it is not shooting bad, there is no way I would change it. Not that I am against experimenting, but my experiences are that a 24" barrel does balance better as the XLR is set up. I have the MX and MXLR in 308 ME and I can tell a difference to the better on the MXLR. As you are shooting a scope, I do not believe you will be able to detect any appreciable effect from a 20" barrel. I think you would have to get down to the 16" plus range to really make a noticable difference.

[JustaJeepGuy]

If you cut it off, you can't put it back. I second the "buy a 20-incher" suggestion.