30-30 vs. 308 Marlin Express

Like many things, the .308 Marlin(based on the .307 Win that isn't exactly easy to find either.) is the answer to an unasked question. Any time you think about buying something new, buy as much brass as you can afford and dies and a shell holder too. Even if you don't reload now. Means when the marketing types discontinue it, you'll still be able to shoot.
You won't find ammo in small places either. So if you go off hunting and find you left your ammo on the kitchen table, you're fornicated.
 
Claven2 said:
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.
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Lets see ..... A '81BLR in 308 would offer ....

1. A better cartridge that both mentioned. Perfect for deer and moose w/o having to use special harder to find RN bullets.
2. No handloading required as the 308ME would probably.
3. The BLR offers a very good magazine sysytem with a very smooth action
4. 308Winchester ammo is EVERYWHERE in lots of bullet weights.
5. Used 81BLRs are easy to find.
6. I'd take a 308 over 30/30 for moose anyday

I don't have an axe to grind against the Marlin. I own a 336 myself, but do think the BLR is a better choice for the reasons mentioned.
 
I hear you, I'm just not a fan if the blr lever can system. It' overcomplicated and harder to strip & clean than a marlin or winchester. If I needed a .308 lever, I would get a savage 99eg in .300 savage or a late production 99 in .308. The internals are much simpler and more robust. .300 savage will kill a moose just fine and can be bought at Canadian tire.

YMMV.

Also, with lever evolution ammo, you can use spire points in .308ME. It's a calibre that will require reloading at some point tho IMHO, as already stated.
 
I hear you, I'm just not a fan if the blr lever can system. It' overcomplicated and harder to strip & clean than a marlin or winchester. If I needed a .308 lever, I would get a savage 99eg in .300 savage or a late production 99 in .308. The internals are much simpler and more robust. .300 savage will kill a moose just fine and can be bought at Canadian tire.

YMMV.

Also, with lever evolution ammo, you can use spire points in .308ME. It's a calibre that will require reloading at some point tho IMHO, as already stated.
 
Claven2 said:
If I needed a .308 lever, I would get a savage 99eg in .300 savage or a late production 99 in .308. The internals are much simpler and more robust. .300 savage will kill a moose just fine and can be bought at Canadian tire.
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Good call. I forgot about the 99 .......... A nice olde 99 in 300Savage would have much more FUDD than a new SS Laminated Marlin.
 
Yeah, but you get Ballard rifling with the XLR and a nose cap with 2/3's mag tube. All +'s for the accuracy dept.
 
In my experience (and yes, I have both), the ballard rifling is no more accurate than a micro-groove barrel. In fact, for jacketed bullets, the MG's often shoot better. Accuracy is acceptable in all my Lever guns for hunting purposes. If you need it to shoot like a bolt gun, skip a tube mag completely and get a Savage 99. Mine shoots MOA all day long.
 
To each their own, I realize that there are many factors that can attribute to accuracy differences. In my experience, with Marlins in the 30-30, 35 rem and 444 calibres they have all been more accurate with the same loads out of Ballard rifled barrels.

I'm basing that experience on an approximate 40/60 ratio (B to MG) and a minimum of 50 / 10 / 20 rifles in respect to the previously noted calibres.
No need to skip to a bolt gun when you can have an equally accurate lever action.
The most accurate rifles outside of 1 browning I've owned were a 336XLR, 308MX, & 444P
 
Son-in-law has a 308 ME, shorter barrel blued version. Not very far removed from a 308 Win as far as jam goes, great rifle. Definitely kicks a lot more than a 30.30! He had a Decelerator recoil pad installed, and also a Wild West trigger that was a huge improvement over the original. He has it scoped, too, and it performs pretty good off the bench. I'd hunt elk with it any time, no problem.

On the other hand, I have a Marlin 336 30.30. LeverEvolution ammo made an honest 250 yd rifle out of it. But it's not quite in the same league as the 308 ME.
 
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