Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting BRAND NEW 7600 vs 336ss vs BLR for Northeast

I have owned at least three examples of the models mentioned, still own one of each, and the best way to choose between them is to close one's eyes and grab the first that comes to hand. I don't find enough pluses or minuses to rule one over the other due to function.

If dire circumstances forced me to keep only one it would be the Marlin due to cheap ammo and the ability to clean from the chamber end. The biggest gripe I have with them, and all tube magazines for that matter, is running the rounds through the action to unload. As long as one pays attention and is not distracted all will be fine. I have been around two accidental firings, one by a 13 year old and the other by a grandparent with decades of experience. This is out of dozens of users unloading dozens of times per year over years so it is not common. I have owned several in 30/30 of all eras but am currently down to one in 30/30 and one in 35 Rem. I shot the 30/30s out to 200 yards with a scoped rifle and would be confident of hitting a deer at that range though would be hesitant regarding bullet performance as my longest shot has been well inside 100 yards with a 30/30.

The Browning might be the first to go as magazines are expensive in the event of loss or damage. It is the more accurate of my three which would make selling it a difficult decision. If I would have kept either the 7mm/08 or 243 models rather than a 358 I would have ranked it higher. The 358 is plenty accurate to 200 yards but I don't think I have shot an animal past 40 yards with it. The other two were deer accurate to 300 yards and likely further though the range ran out of room at 300 yards and my furthest shot was maybe 200 yards on a pronghorn with the 7mm/08.

The pump I currently own is an early 760 in 300 Savage but I have owned several others in varying calibers over the years. They were all full sized rifles, no carbines. The newest was bought new from Grice's several years back but I didn't warm up to it. Nothing functionally but the lack of wear did not fit my image of what one of these guns should look like. The ones I had in 30/06, 308, and borrowed in 270 would have kept up with the BLR at all distances but for some reason the 300 Savage guns are not up to the same capabilities.

I believe any of the above will work for your stated purposes. The Marlin will be a bit cheaper to purchase with the Remington next and the Browning last based on pricing around here. Ammo costs will be less with the Marlin if in 30/30 with the other two being a wash. The Remington and Browning will have a somewhat greater range of capability over the Marlin which may or may not have a bearing at some point.

As I said, close your eyes and pick one out. Your needs are pretty basic so they are easily met.

I would agree with humdinger if talking about a carbine in 30/06. I haven't shot a 760/7600 carbine but I have shot 30/06s with 18-20" barrels over a chronograph. They are definitely loud, seemingly as loud as my 300 mag with the BOSS brake on it. You probably don't want to shoot it without some degree of hearing protection. If using standard factory ammo velocity seems to be in the range of a hotter factory 308 load using the same bullets. I suspect similar rounds such as the 270 would have similar outcomes.

If looking at a 308 carbine I would have fewer compunctions. Muzzle blast seems to be less offensive and velocity seems to be less affected. At least the ration of loss was less in comparison. These were with AR platforms.

If it were up to me, I would go to the local gun store and put them on the counter. Pick them up and get a good feel for them. Then decide. All three are great choices.

IMO I love 7600’s. I have 2, a Carbine 35 Whelen and a cut down 308 Win (20”). The Whelen is new and it’s taking a little longer to break in than the 308 did. Blast isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out. Then again everyone is different.

I have 2 Marlins...a 35 Rem and a 30-30. Either would be my second choice.

I had a 358Win in a BLR that I sold. It was very accurate and very nice, however I just couldn’t warm up to it.

Have fun and good luck!

Tom

760/7600 for me. mine is going into season #40 and has killed every deer i've shot at with it. standard 30-06. The old 760 has a steel trigger assembly and the newer 7600 i have feels like something other than steel.
I also used a 336 C for a few seasons and while a nice gun the 760 is more accurate and versatile. I can load "down" the 06 to levels like a 300 savage if i want to (see H4895 reduced loads)

I had a 760 carbine in .30-06 and it was obnoxiously loud. It also produced an orange ball of muzzle flash that was spectacular at dawn/dusk. Was good for leaving you deaf and blind if you took a shot at first/last light with it. Later I bought another with the 22" barrel and that took care of that little problem. If I were going to get another 7600 it would definitely have the 22" barrel. As a side note, my old 336 is more accurate than my 760 or 7600 were and I have no need for another Remington. In fact, all of the half dozen 336's I've had have been more than accurate enough for killing deer at woods ranges and beyond. If I needed another woods rifle I'd find a used JM 336 in nice shape and leave the Remington junk for someone else.

I like my BLR but I prefer my Marlin 30-30 for close fast shots. But I have one of the old ones, made long before Remington took over. The 30-30 with irons is okay to maybe 200 or so but really shines under 100 yards which is what most of my shots are. The BLR is similar, but I feel like it doesn’t reach its full capability without a scope. Also, the BLR has the worst trigger I’ve ever felt. Never used a 7600

7600 35 Whelen.

If you can manage a few coherent sentences, send me a PM with your address. I'm past due on rent money.

None of those----I would look look a Savage 99

steelhead you can dish it out but can not take it. grow up I do like your camo marlin. nice rifle

Guys, I like and appreciate the quality of the older 336s.....but they're TOO heavy for their performance level. IMO.

OTOH




Remington makes some pretty nice "JUNQUE".


Jerry

I was referring to the Remington made 336's in that post but Remington is good at polishing turds and making them look "nice". The 336 is about the same weight as a 7600 carbine and the "performance level" of the 336 is 100% for woods hunting but I know it would be impossible to pound that through your thick skull with a 16 pound maul. At least a 336 doesn't have a plastic bolt cover and rubber o rings in it's parts list and I do appreciate that.

It's a pain to replace those rubber O-rings in a 760. I've done it. Without it they turn into rattle traps.

Yep and yep.

100 yards or less...iron sighted .30-30 works just fine.

This is my fairly new Mossberg model 464 carbine chambered for the famous 30-30 cartridge. It's features include 16 inch barrel, grey laminated stock, angle eject, and tang safety. I mounted a Simmons 2-7X scope and this carbine shoots 2 inch groups at 100 yards with 170 grain Power Point ammo. Mossberg builds a quality 30-30 carbine!

Sherwod

After 4 pages of debate... the decision is....

Marlin 336.

Its just to easy to clean and handy.

A 7600 is a fine choice and you could go campfire and buy both.

It'd be interesting to learn from folks here if their preferences date back to their youth or if they gravitated toward them later down the road.
I grew up with 7600's and bolt actions so they're most familiar to me. I suspect if I started life with levers, I'd have a greater appreciation for them.

My grandfather hunted most of his life with a Savage 1899 in 303. For many years, it was all he owned. My father hunted with two rifles, a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington and a Sako Hi Power in 270. He carried the Marlin 85% of the time I'd bet.

Growing up, the first "deer rifle" gifted to me was a Ruger M77 in 250 Savage. I guess it stuck because for many years I tended to use bolts more than anything. The first rifle I bought was a bolt, the second a 336C in 35 Remington. That also said, I have owned 6 or so 7600s but never could warm up to them and they are all gone now. The last few years I have carried the Marlin 95% of the time. I think Dad was right about the lever but I also tend to think he was pretty smart to start us out with a bolt.

Not sure if that answers your question.

Then you read too many internet stories and don’t shoot enough. I guarantee you I have shot them more than most and have never had to change one. You scent will scare more critters than a 760/7600 ever will. If a buck heats my gun “rattle” it’s too late for him to do anything about it at that point.