30-30 vs. 308 Marlin Express

dragansrbin

dragansrbin

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I been looking at either getting:

-Marlin 336XLR in 30-30
-Marlin 308MXLR in 308 Marlin Express




If anyone has any experience with the above, recommendations let me know.

It will be used for deer hunting, and will be taken along my 30-06 rifle for moose and bear

my biggest concern (after doing some reading on here) is the availability and future of the 308 marlin express cartridge, being a marlin exclusive. since I'm kinda leaning towards the 308 vs the 30-30.

Also not sure if the 30-30 is adequate enough for moose/bear

thanks guys
 
The 308 Express is a great lever gun cartridge, but as already stated reloading for it would be a benefit.
Don't underestimate the 30-30 it works great, but personally i would have the 336XLR cut down to 19-20".

Just buy both, and then sell the 308 cheap to me when you decide to keep the 30-30
 
30-30 and buy the gummy ammo or the 170gr stuff and never worry about ammo again. 30-30 as been killing critters big and small for a very long time.

XLR cut to 20" = SWEET SHOOTER
 
I have a .45-70 and a .30-30 lever, both marlins. They are not used for the same purposes.

The .45 is great close in, but it's not a very flat shooter.
 
I'd go with a '81 BLR in .308.

It betters the 30/30, ammo is cheap and easy to find and will do just fine for moose. Better choice than the Marlin for a lot of reasons
 
30-30 gets my vote, great handling, light bush gun, will take down moose and deer. 170 gr, but I would get a pre '64 Winchester. my 2 cents.
308 are great too, but the 308 ME will be tough to feed.
 
Just my 2cents and it is worth what you pay for it. I have a 30-30, 45-70,&308win. The 45-70 is als o a reload required cartridge,. The 308 will do all you will require here. The 308M is a good cartridge but on the way out so not for the non reloader. My vote, if you are stuck on a leaver, is something modern in 308win.
 
WhelanLad said:
can 308 ME be made from 308 WIN brass???

WL
Click to expand...

IIRC 308 ME is a rimmed case, dimensions not the same as a 308 win either. Power level and ballistics close to a 300 Savage. Much of the improvement is the FTX projectile and proprietary powder. So if you do not reload, cant get a supply of FTX and powder then keep looking.

Very useful chambering, killed by the bean counters at Freedom group.
 
The 308M is still alive, the 338M and 444 are coming back too. All great rounds and they might sell....... if Marlin could smarten up and get back to building a decent rifle to chamber them in.
 
SuperCub said:
I'd go with a '81 BLR in .308.

It betters the 30/30, ammo is cheap and easy to find and will do just fine for moose. Better choice than the Marlin for a lot of reasons
Click to expand...

A BLR being superior to a marlin is subjective and not mirrored by everyone's experience. The .308ME is ballistically the same as .308 win, by the way.
 
Go for 30-30 and get some Hornady ammo. You won't be disappointed. That ammo will make average gun shoot well. And 30-30 has been around for long time. I went for a moose with it since our shots are within 100-150 yds.
 
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