Marlin 308MXLR

[Bolt]

I am considering purchasing a new Marlin 308MXLR lever action rifle. I was wondering if anyone has or know someone who has used this rifle. Is it good or bad and does it have any known problems, also any other suggestions for a .308 lever action rifle?


Thanks

 

[jakk280rem]

winchester m88.

 

[NCsmitty]

The Marlin 308MXLR is not chambered for the 308 Winchester, it is Marlin's own proprietary caliber, the 308 Marlin Express. It's not quite as powerful as a 308 Win, but is a step up from the 30-30 cartridge.
The XLR rifles seem to be decent, and a couple guys here have them. The 338 Marlin Express is a fairly potent round, and should be considered if you're looking at the Marlins.

Here's a ballistic table to compare the different rounds.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_ballistics_table2.htm



NCsmitty

 

[cmdc]

The Marlin Express rifles have had a ton of issues lately, and their QC has taken a nosedive. I bought a 308 and a 338, both MXLRs, in early 2010, and both had to go back to Mariln for their dreaded 'barrel droop', which caused them to shoot so low that the bullet was hitting the dirt 50 yds in front of a 100 yd target. Sent them both back to Marlin in Sept. of last year, they had them for two months, sent them back, same problem. Sent them both back in. At that point they offered me a refund, which I declined, as I wanted them to fix them. Got the 308 back a couple of months ago, and we could at least bore-sight it, but haven't shot it yet, and they still have the 338. This is an ongoing problem for them, ever since they were taken over by Cerberus and moved their manufacturing facility, so it is not unique to me. Those who have rifles that work really love them, but it is a crap shoot right now to get a good one.

 

[cmdc]

As far as other lever guns, I have a Browning BLR in 7mm-08, and think it is great.

 

[Smokey in PHX]

As cmdc stated Marlin is struggling with some problems. I have a 30-30, older model Marlin which is great and a variety of 22 caliber Marlin rifles which are very accurate. My favorites in 308 Winchester are two model 99 Savages, truely wonderful rifles in all aspects.

 

[Cajun]

If you can find one that was made in the Old Marlin Plant you will be good to go!!It's a fine rifle and a fine cartridge!! I have one and love it!!Hornady and Remington both make ammo for it and if you Handload it will open up alot more possibilities!!!The newer ones that are being made by Remington are having some issues and I have heard some pretty bad things about them!!!With that said like I said if you can find one that was made in the Old Marlin Plant you will have a fine rifle!!!!

 

[CraigC]

Not much keeping somebody from obtaining and older Winchester 94 .307 and loading it with Hornady flex tips, as another option.

 

[helotaxi]

My understanding was that combo (.307Win with long ogive flex-tips) would not cycle through the action. The .308MX is a slightly hotter cartridge than the .307 and essentially is the equivalent of the .300 Savage.

My MX shoots low as crap but I think I've got is taken care of thanks to a set of Burris Signature rings with offsets. I got it on zeroed at 100yds without the inserts (elevation maxed on a Vortex Viper 2-7) and a 5 shot group was in the 1" range. I swapped the mounting setup to add the inserts because I wanted a 200yd zero.

The overall fit and finish are very nice. I've got a feeling that the receiver boring fixture is off at the factory and the barrel is not aligned with the receiver because the receiver is machined crooked. Otherwise mine appears well made.

 

[Mike Sr.]

a lot of talk about this barrel droop on Marlin Forums....