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Data shown above is for the 270-grain .375 Vollmer Flatpoint bullet.
From Marlin to Magnum—Introducing the Grand African™
We begin with your tired old Marlin…
Then we rebuild it from the action up into our Grand African™—a bold transformation chambered in the hard-hitting .50 Alaskan, capable of taking on some of the world’s most formidable game.
Loaded ammunition is available from HSM. The HSM 50 Alaskan, 450gr A-Frame is designed for serious hunters and shooters who require powerful, reliable performance.Visit https://hsmammunition.com/classics/ for more information on the HSM .50 Alaskan ammunition.
The .50 Alaskan is also offered by Buffalo Bore loaded with the 450 gr. JFN Bonded Bullet @ 2,050 fps with 4,198 ft/lbs of muzzle energy.
Visit: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=164.
Just as a side note, while loaded ammunition is available, we heartily recommend that if you are not handloading your own ammunition, you should get started. Handloading this cartridge not only saves you a truck load of money, it also allows you to explore the full spectrum of its potential allowing you to enjoy your Grand African the year around instead of just a few weeks during big game season. Cases and dies are readily available from several sources.
We begin the transformation of your Marlin into a Grand African by reworking and tuning the action for smooth, reliable Controlled Round Feeding, and a new 22-inch barrel is fitted and chambered for the mighty .50 Alaskan. To keep you fast and accurate under pressure, we install African Express-style sights—because quick, accurate shots can be essential to your survival.
We then restock the Grand African in finely checkered English walnut which is then finished in our rugged all-weather Vintage Finish for timeless good looks in any climate.
The Grand African's shotgun-like balance comes courtesy of our integral Recoil Reduction System hidden within the buttstock. For even greater comfort, we offer our Discreet Muzzle Brake as an optional upgrade.
Other available enhancements for your Grand African include Receiver Sights, engraving, casecoloring, optional .375 Renner Kodiak chambering, and premium grades of walnut to match your personal taste.
The Grand African isn't for everyone. It is a rifle that will be appreciated by the discerning hunter who demands more than mere utility from his hunting rifle. Whether your base rifle is a Marlin 336, 444, or 1895, we’ll transform it into a uniquely beautiful, powerful lever-action rifle—purpose-built for hunting the toughest game on Earth,
the Grand African™.
Price: $3000.00 with an 8 - 10 week build time.
If you intend to go shopping for a Marlin donor rifle, look for a used Model 1895, or Model 336 if a 95 cannot be located. Either way, we'll craft a beautiful Marlin Trophy Rifle for you.
The Taylor Knockdown Value* of the standard .30-06 180-grain load is 21.3,
while the .375 Renner Kodiak, firing the 255-grain Vollmer bullet, generates a Taylor Knockdown Value of 30.0. The standard .30-30 comes in at 16.6.
There have been a few inquiries regarding the new .375 Renner Kodiak cartridge and bit of confusion has resulted from the variations of the same cartridge. There are two variations of the .375 Renner Kodiak as seen above in comparison to the .375 Winchester cartridge which is on the right as A. B. is the .375 Renner Kodiak as designed for the Model 336 Marlin, while C. is a rimmed version that is intended for chambering in the 1895 Marlin.
We realize that as grand as the Grand African is, it's not for everyone. So we have an alternative for the hunter or shooter who wishes to freshen up the tired old Marlin and give it a new lease on life, so to speak.
May we present for your consideration a new service offering.
Introducing, THE CLASSIC.
Data shown above is for the 255-grain .375 Vollmer Flatpoint bullet.
Data shown above is for the 300-grain .375 Vollmer Flatpoint bullet.
For more information about this exciting, new cartridge call
775-453-9355 or email: rjrenner@protonmail.com today!
Introducing the
Grand African
TAYLOR KNOCKDOWN VALUE
The question has been asked, What is the Taylor Knockdown Value and what does it mean?
If we are to consider and believe in paper ballistics alone and ignore actual performance in the field, we would be led to believe that the .243 Winchester outperforms the old soldier, .45-70 Government, in its ability to put down big game.
However, the facts of the matter are quite the opposite as we all know. But we tend, nevertheless, to continue to use simple two-element paper ballistics equations as we seemingly lack for a basis of comparison of performance between various loads. So, we continue to draw the wrong conclusions about a bullet's effectiveness on game when comparing by mere velocity and energy numbers alone.
This puzzling situation is nothing unique to us moderns and has, in fact, been carefully contemplated many long decades ago by the famous African hunter, John Taylor. Taylor early realized that paper ballistics derived from simple Newtonian calculations did not account for the ability of big-bore bullets lumbering along at moderate velocities to put down really tough game with a single shot when compared to smaller-bored, higher-velocity bullets.
He postulated that the missing element of the power equation was bullet diameter. Including the bullet diameter in the equation provides a three-dimensional view of the power dynamic while providing insight to the large, slow moving bullet's seemingly magical ability to take down big game like it had been struck by the hammer of Thor.
In order to more fairly compare bullets and their effectiveness on game (disregarding other variables, such as bullet design i.e. jackets, ogive, metal temper, etc.), Taylor devised an equation that included the all-important bullet diameter which changes the performance values tremendously and provides a much more accurate basis of comparison by including the frontal area, that is, the striking area of the projectile. This is the actual surface area by which that all-important momentum is transferred into the target. Appropriately, it is termed the "Taylor Knock Down" formula.
The Taylor Formula
The formula is very simple to calculate where the muzzle Velocity (expressed in feet-per-second) is multiplied by the Diameter of the bullet (in thousandths of an inch) times the Weight of the bullet (in grains) and the product thereof is divided by 7000 (the number of grains in 1 pound). The resulting number expresses a Knock Down Value which then becomes the new basis of comparison. The higher the Taylor value, the greater the knockdown power.
As an example, let’s take our old standby, the .30-06, launching a 180-grain bullet at 2700 feet-per-second. By multiplying the Velocity, 2700 fps, by Diameter, .308, we get 831.6 which is multiplied by the Weight in grains, that being 180. The product of 149,688 is then divided by 7000 which provides a Taylor Knock Down value of 21.384 or simply 21.4. Using this formula, the .300 Winchester with the same 180-grain bullet churns up a Taylor value of 24.3.
However, the .45-70 with its factory-loaded 405-grain bullet loafing along at around 1300 feet per second renders a Taylor value of 34.4. Not exactly what you had expected, I'll bet.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call and we will do our best to help you.
Introducing The Classic – A Modern Take on a Timeless Marlin
Give your trusted old Marlin 336 a new lease on life with The Classic treatment — our custom reworking of the legendary lever-action rifle, purpose-built for hunters who appreciate performance, style, and tradition.
We start by reshaping the factory stocks, reducing that traditional Marlin clubbiness and slenderizing them to create a cleaner, more refined profile. This not only improves the look but significantly enhances balance and feel in the hand. It’s remarkable how removing just the right amount of wood, from just the right places, can transform the rifle’s handling and overall effectiveness.
We then install new high-profile sights that will get you on target quickly and accurately.
Next, we apply our proprietary Vintage Finish — an all-weather treatment that offers durability in the field and a timeless, classic appearance. Checkering is available as an option. As part of the process, we also eliminate the factory barrel bands, a modification that often leads to noticeable gains in accuracy. We also shorten the magazine tube to hold 3 rounds which improves the appearance as well as providing better handling. However, we will retain the original magazine tube length if the customer requests it.
The result is a rifle that looks better, feels better, and shoots better — all while honoring the rugged heritage of the original.
But The Classic isn’t just about looks — it’s built to perform.
We equip your Classic with high-visibility sights for faster target acquisition and improved accuracy in the field. And for hunters with aging or tired eyes, we offer an optional aperture-style receiver sight, providing precision aiming without the need for a scope.
Need more punch than the classic .30-30 can deliver? We’ve got you covered. Our custom barrel services include precision rechambering to the more powerful .307 Winchester, or full rebore and re-rifling for proven big-game rounds like the .38-55 or .375 Winchester.
And for serious handloaders seeking maximum performance, we proudly offer the exclusive .375 Renner Kodiak — a high-power cartridge that delivers commanding results in the field.
The .375 Renner Kodiak is based upon the 45-70 cartridge case which is necked down to accept the .375 bullets and the rim reduced to fit the .30-30 bolt face. Each .375 Renner Kodiak package includes custom loading dies, loading data, and formed cartridge cases to get you started right. Preliminary load data is shown below. Bullets used are those handcrafted by bulletsmith, Les Vollmer of Vollmer Precision LLC - https://vollmerbullets.com/collections/375-caliber-bullets - who also has a penchant for the .375 caliber.
Hodgdon IMR 3031 powder gave the best overall performance according to QuickLOAD and is so listed along with some other options. However, it will be up to the individual handloader to develop the best loads for his particular Marlin.
Call today for more details on the exciting, new .375 Renner Kodiak.
Ready to give your Marlin a new lease on life?
Whether you're looking for improved handling, classic aesthetics, enhanced accuracy, or more downrange power, The Classic delivers a complete transformation tailored to serious hunters and riflemen.
Pricing begins at only $1,295.00 (for stock work only). Barrel work must be quoted separately. Turn-around time is usually 6-8 weeks - longer if barrel work is requested.
To learn more or to discuss how we can customize your Marlin 336, call us today or send an email. Let’s build a rifle that honors the past — and outperforms in the present.
Call 775-453-9355 or email: rjrenner@protonmail.com. Either way, do it today!
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