338 Marlin, anyone shoot it here in Canada ??

Bigjake1907

Bigjake1907

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I'm eyeing up a 338mx, but haven't really found any info/pros/cons from the folks from Canada using 338 marlin guns. There lots on the Marlin owners fourm but I want to here about it from the folks in my home land. So question does anyone here own one, if so what do you like/don't you like about it ? I found a store with some good prices on the 338mx guns, and I'm seriously thinking about buying one. Right now the only down fall seems to be that Hornady is the only company making ammo for it, but it is the "super" lever gun ammo.
 
Remington catalogs a 250gr round nose load, not sure how available it is up here yet. The 338MX should be a fine moose/elk/bear rifle with enough muscle and speed to work to 200-250 yards should the need arise.
 
Family member has the .308 Express, blued version with 22" barrel.

If one has a hankering for a lever gun, probably doesn't get any better. I'm sure the .338 version is no different.

One thing: The trigger on his was horrible for creep. A replacement Wild West from Brownells made a world of difference. Breaks like glass at about 3 lbs. These triggers are cleared for shipping to Canada. My smith charged $20 to install it, took him maybe 20 minutes.

LeverEvolution ammo developed for the .308 and .338 Express is what gives it the kind of performance they can brag about. Doubtful that anything will come along soon that will be able to match it. It's very reasonably priced, very accurate, and very capable. I use it in my 30-30, great stuff.
 
sir_springer said:
Family member has the .308 Express, blued version with 22" barrel.

If one has a hankering for a lever gun, probably doesn't get any better. I'm sure the .338 version is no different.

One thing: The trigger on his was horrible for creep. A replacement Wild West from Brownells made a world of difference. Breaks like glass at about 3 lbs. These triggers are cleared for shipping to Canada. My smith charged $20 to install it, took him maybe 20 minutes.

LeverEvolution ammo developed for the .308 and .338 Express is what gives it the kind of performance they can brag about. Doubtful that anything will come along soon that will be able to match it. It's very reasonably priced, very accurate, and very capable. I use it in my 30-30, great stuff.
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I have a BLR right now and I'm not happy with it at all. The trigger pull/creep is terrible and they're aren't very many places around the GTA that will try and fix it. Apparently this trigger is a pain in the ass to work on. I just bought a Marlin 336BL and love it. I was looking at the 338mx guns when I got the BLR in Jan of this year but ended up walking out with the BLR. Plus is hard to turn down Marlin's 5 year warrenty on the gun.

I shoot the 30-30 Leverevolution and I'm having great results with it so I'm hoping with the 338 Marlin ammo I would be the same. Everything I found online so far from the folks south of the border results are great with the 338, but I wanted to here from the folks in Canada about. Idon't know why but only a couple of places in Ontario carry the 338 marlin rifles, but everyone seems to have the 308 Marlin. I just want to make sure there are no real problems with the 338. Thanks for the info Sir.:)
 
I looked very hard at the 338mx, but opted for a savage 114 classic in 30-06, and a marlin 1895 45-70 instead. That being said, lever guns rock and I can forsee a 338 or a 308mx in the near future :)

Also, I have found the hornady leverrevolution to be extremely accurate in my 45-70.
 
I'd buy a BLR in 358 first. At least you know you will always be able to buy loading components which may not be the case with the 338.



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SuperCub said:
I'd buy a BLR in 358 first. At least you know you will always be able to buy loading components which may not be the case with the 338.



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I don't reload any of ammo, I've only been hunting for few years and it's not something I want to get into at this time. Also I think my BLR is going to go if I get the 338. Not to impressed with the trigger pull, and I'm not to overly happy with the my BLR right now. So there no need to buy another one if I don't like the one I have now.
 
Bigjake1907 said:
I don't reload any of ammo, I've only been hunting for few years and it's not something I want to get into at this time. Also I think my BLR is going to go if I get the 338.
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You might want to check out sources foir 338 before buying. At leat the 358 will allow you to buy comonents to keep you going in a pinch where the brass and bullets for the 338 would be very specialized items.


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SuperCub said:
You might want to check out sources foir 338 before buying. At leat the 358 will allow you to buy comonents to keep you going in a pinch where the brass and bullets for the 338 would be very specialized items.


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That's one thing I'm doing this week. If all else fails with regards to the 338ammo, I may have to go with the 308mx (308 Marlin Express). Every place I've been to seems to have that Hornady ammo instock, heck I even seen it at Bass Pro in Vaughn Mills.
 
Well after going to Epps today I found some out I did not know, 338 Marlin Express ammo is banned in Canada. It's been with the RCMP for the passed 2 years for testing and has not passed there test. Said it's going to be looking like anyway from 2 to 3 more years before they see it for sale. Sales person said the dumbest thing was they're alound to sell 338 Marlin Express guns, but all ammo and parts with regards to the 338 Marlin express round is a banned ammo in Canada. This would explain why there are so many 338mx's on Ellwood's site. They have sitting on these guns for the last 2 years with hopes of it coming but no luck so far. Also this would explain why no one else in Canada has a 338 marlin gun instock.

After going thru a couple of Marlin guns I settle on a 444 XLR shooting 444 Marlin. Really really nice gun and once I find some Leverevolution ammo I'll be able to take take a moose no problem. Thanks to all of those with there help in this thread.
 
todbartell said:
hmmm I guess the two boxes of Leverevolution 338MX ammo I seen was a mirage LOL
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Must have been because I called 7 different places in Canada after and was told the extact samething from each retailer, the 338mx ammo has not yet been approved for sale in Canada by the RCMP. The only place I found that list it on line is Grouse river outfitters, but when I callled he has none instock because they're not alound to stock it,and can't be imported from the US yet. Bass Pro, Lebarons, Gagnon's,Cabelas, Wholesale sports, and few small shops I called when I ask was told the RCMP has not approved the ammo for sale. If this is the case and were every you seen it, I wouldn't want to be caught selling it, because it's classed as illegal ammo in Canada at this time.
 
talked to a fellow that bought a 338 marlin over a year ago and as ammo isnt availabe he couldnt fire it. he was very upset at the small shop in edmonton that sold him the gun didnt tell him ammo was impossible to get
 
Jeepguy said:
talked to a fellow that bought a 338 marlin over a year ago and as ammo isnt availabe he couldnt fire it. he was very upset at the small shop in edmonton that sold him the gun didnt tell him ammo was impossible to get
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That was the good thing about Epps yesterday, the guy I was dealing with told me about the ammo as soon as he seen 338mx on my list of guns. So I had to cross that one off and look at another Marlin.
 
Jake, you haven't exactly been told the truth. Yes the ammo is hard to find but has not been banned. I have a friend that bought the 338 Express a couple months and he bought 3 boxes of shells about a month ago. Mind you he was told they were the last 3 boxes in Canada but if a small store in Alberta can find 3 boxes other stores should be able to if they try. I'm not sure how he's doing for dies but I know he has them on order.
 
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