I sold that .357 Marlin to upgrade to either a .35 Whelen...

by rob , Friday, December 19, 2014, 20:47 (3631 days ago) @ John Meeker

or a .35 Remington 336 Marlin (post Remington). I wanted one rifle for a go-to hunting rifle. I settled on (not for) the Marlin and ordered it. When it came in it was a travesty of crapmanship. Horrible fit and finish and the stock wasn't even fully inletted. Sent it back and didn't get either of my original options. I kinda regret not getting the Whelen now but that was then. I know some folks practically think it an unpardonable offense to sell a good gun but honestly, the more of them I have the less I shoot. That is a fact. I just don't have the time to keep up with enventorying components for umpteen different calibers nor do I even remotely have that kind of time to shoot anymore. Having a few that cover the bases, shooting and hunting with them on a regular basis and being a responsible husband, taking care of my home and working for a living seem like a lot better plan than accumlating for the sake of accumulating. Anyhow, I'm thinking of replacing the Marlin but the elusive go-to all around do-it-all rifle still sings the siren song to me. A .243 would probably be the most reasonable but it couldn't get anymore boring either!