And by accuracy I’m talking about the 200-yard five-shot group fired by Executive Editor John Snow that measured a wee 1.892 inches and 100-yard groups that averaged close to an inch. But it incorporates enough new features to qualify for our new gun tests, and we’re glad it did because it gave us a new perspective on the accuracy capability of a lever rifle. This latest version of Marlin’s tried and true–for over a half century no less–Model 336 can hardly be called a completely new rifle. At least that’s what we’ve been told or learned firsthand for a century and then some. From the Gun Test: What can be said when a lever-action “thutty-thutty” outperforms three high-quality bolt-action rifles? Well, you might say that lever rifles just aren’t supposed to shoot that way. But that pigheaded attitude deprived me of an unbelievably high-performing lever gun.

For whatever reason I’ve never been able to warm up to the. To my great shame I didn’t buy this rifle–but I wish I had. It made all the other bolt guns in our test–some of the costly semi-custom jobs–hang their heads in shame. The accuracy turned our heads and no one was more surprised than I was at the groups I shot with it at 200 yards. I also own a number of big bore Marlins, none of which I ever plan to part with. 35 Remington which is still one of my favorite deer guns. #2) Marlin 336XLR (Editor’s Choice 2006) John’s Take: The very first real rifle I ever bought was a Marlin rimfire. 204 Ruger ammo go together like apple pie and ice cream. But the stainless-steel Ruger we tested and Hornady’s spanking new. 1 single-shot rifle has a reputation for erratic accuracy, depending on caliber, and newly introduced calibers generally require a shakedown period to work out the bugs. Not only has this prophecy come resoundingly true, bit it has done so in a rifle-cartridge combination that earned our Editor’s Choice Award for 2004. 20 TNT.” Thus read OL’s shooting column nearly three years ago. It will be similar, if not identical, to the. From the Gun Test: “It’s just a matter of time until a factory. This unforgettable rifle is the perfect companion to take afield when the siren song of gophers and prairie dogs beckons in the spring and it is my number one rifle of the last decade. 1 action, a brand new sizzling varmint round and sub 1/2-inch accuracy caused the whole test team to swoon, me included. John’s Take: This rifle stole the show during the gun test in 2004. 1 Varminter K1-V-BBZ (Editor’s Choice 2004)** SHOOTING EDITOR JOHN SNOW PICKS THE 10 BEST RIFLES OF THE DECADE #1) Ruger No.

Types of guns that start with b