I just inherited the above gun S/N L66xx and have never owned a lever gun but have reloaded for some years, 2 pistol and 3 rifle calibers. Are these 336's accurate? Any guess what year it was made? Will it take a deer at 200 yds? The gun is like new and was stored in a case for about 40 years.

Most 30-30's will take deer at 200yds. Tell us a little more about the gun.

I just got it and have not fired it once, only cleaned it. It is drilled and tapped for a scope but doesn't wear one. The stock is walnut, the steel is blue. What does R.C. mean after the model?

RC = Regular Carbine. L in serial number is for 1954

Fine ole rifle.......yes 1954 mfg date.....

learn how to pull lever.....bolt......ejector & clean from breech.....not muzzle

scope ? 1-3.......1-4.........1-5 something........

Congrats

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/marlin_history.htm

Thanks, that solves part of the riddle. Are Marlins from that era built better than the ones today?

Yes......after the Remington purchase of Marlin.......

Quality control went down the toilet.......2010-2016 ish

Your '54 336 was built by craftsmen who cared.....even after the X/bolt safety was added in '83

Marlin was still building fine firearms.......anything that has the 'MR' serial number I stay away from

Just finished cleaning/tuning/scoping this ole 336 35 Rem for a bud.....'AA' S/N = 1965

https://marlinspares.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Marlin-Date-codes-ver8-396mb2-1024x791.jpg

Thanks Tikka, very informative. Now to find a place to shoot. We just relocated to western NC from western PA where I had a sweet setup at my local gun club. Can't find the same thing here yet.

was born & raised in west PA

never go back there

Small world. I'll never move back, too cold and we are now retired. I have these 4 boxes of ammo bought with the gun in the '50s. I wonder if anyone knows the velocity of these rounds. I intend to shoot them all and reload the brass.