Why not a Marlin 308 Express?

[bikemutt]

I'm a sucker for a stainless Marlin lever rille; lets see, 2 in 357 mag, 1 in 35 Remington, 1 in 45/70 Govt. A very, very nice one just showed up locally in 308 Marlin Express. Avoid or nibble?

 

[WestKentucky]

You came to the right bunch of enablers. Not my money so SPEND SPEND SPEND.

 

[horsemen61]

I’d get it please post pics when you get it!

 

[bikemutt]

You came to the right bunch of enablers. Not my money so SPEND SPEND SPEND.

Alrighty WestKentucky, you are now my favorite enabler

 

[horsemen61]

So you going to get it?

 

[bikemutt]

So you going to get it?

Looking for negatives, poor accuracy, no ammo available, wife called in said no way, that sot of thing.

 

[Moparnut]

The only downside is the ammo. Hornady still makes it, not sure about other manufacturers. Other than that if you find one in 338 marlin express let me know! Always wanted one. As far as the rifle itself I always thought the XLR rifles were a winning combination, unfortunately a lot of others did not. As far as accuracy goes I have only seen one at the rifle range years ago. Guy had the target at the 200yd line and he was in the diamond. Did that help? If not, get out there buy it and give us a range report.

 

[LoonWulf]

Looking for negatives, poor accuracy, no ammo available, wife called in said no way, that sot of thing.

.....your looking in the wrong place
All i would caution is to buy a bunch of brass if you like it. Just in case case IS possible it will go extinct.
Less likely than some tho as hornady has a habit of actually supporting their products, so i doubt it will happen soon.

 

[HamSlamma]

Go to Marlinowners.com They can help you.

 

[GooseGestapo]

If you don't get it, pm me and let me know where it is.
It'll have company with my 11 other Marlins, two of which are .338 ME's.

Brass and ammo are still available.
Marlin keeps saying they are going to make another run.
I'll believe it when I see it.

Unfortunately they're powerful, accurate, pleasant handling, and attractive.
What's not to like?

 

[Fleetman]

I had a blued one but traded it off because of ammo concerns (2009). I wish I still had it but I think the .338 ME has a better chance of survival over the long haul.

 

[Elkins45]

If I bought it I would buy a lifetime supply of brass at the same time. This is one of those rounds that's probably not going to be around in 20 years.

I have a lever gun in 375 Winchester. I have yet to see a single round of 375 Winchester brass available anywhere at less than scalper's prices. Fortunately it can be made functional by using downloaded loads in 38-55 brass. Can the 308 Marlin be made from any sort of existing and common brass?

 

[bikemutt]

If you don't get it, pm me and let me know where it is.
It'll have company with my 11 other Marlins, two of which are .338 ME's.

Brass and ammo are still available.
Marlin keeps saying they are going to make another run.
I'll believe it when I see it.

Unfortunately they're powerful, accurate, pleasant handling, and attractive.
What's not to like?

Link sent to Goose.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Neither the .308 or .338 can be made from other cases.

However, Hornady has been magnanimous and earnest in supporting cartridges that they have been progenitors of. Also, they have recently made new production runs on oldies such as the .218Bee and .25-35Win. I believe that they'll be around for a while. There were approximately 15,000 .308's and 5,000 .338's made. Marlin keeps stating they plan to make more. I just wish Hornady would make another run of the .338" 200gr FN-Interlocks.

Push comes to shove, RPP could convert them to other cartridges. Bolts, cartridge lifters, and barrels can be swapped.

Thanks for the link bikemutt.

 

[horsemen61]

Bike did you get it?

 

[Newtosavage]

I came across one in a pawn show about 4 years ago. I had never even heard of the caliber until I saw that rifle. I still kick myself for not buying it then.

 

[DM~]

I have a lever gun in 375 Winchester. I have yet to see a single round of 375 Winchester brass available anywhere at less than scalper's prices.

Although I don't look for it, I do see it at a Cabelas from time to time...

DM

 

[GBExpat]

First I have ever heard of the "308 Marlin Express".

 

[Elkins45]

Although I don't look for it, I do see it at a Cabelas from time to time...

DM

Cabbalas where? I may have to give them a call.

 

[DM~]

When I travel to a Cabelas, it's almost always to the one in Dundee Mi. or Grand Rapids Mi..

I think the last time I noticed it, it was in the GR store, but I don't go there often. I did buy a bag of 444 Marlin there and that's suppose to be nearly impossible to get too...

DM

 

[bikemutt]

Bike did you get it?

Negative, passed the lead to Goose. Too many other projects right now