308 Marlin Express

6MM

6MM

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Just wondering, could 300 Savage brass be resized into 308 Marlin Express? I have read that 308 Winchester can be resized into 308 Marlin Express and that got me wondering about the 300 Savage. I have over 100 of the Savage cases and that got me thinking...

If it would work I could justify a Marlin following me home!
 
Thanks for the resources sunray! Not worried about the value of the cases so much especially if this conversion would work.

Is there any one reloading the 308 Marlin that would like a few cases sent there way to see if the 300 Savages could be squeezed into shape?
 
sunray said:
The Marlin is a semi-rimmed case based on the .307 Winchester. It's quite a bit longer than the Savage too. It's 2.450" vs 1.871" for the Savage.
Savage drawing is here. http://www.stevespages.com/page8d.htm
The Marlin here. http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Rifle/308 Marlin Express.pdf
Click to expand...

As usual, Sunray is quick to state so-called facts that are seriously in error. The 308 ME is NOT 2.450" in length, it is 1.910 - 1.920" The 2.450 is COL, not case length.

At that length, it may well be possible to make those 300 Savage cases work, albeit they will have a slightly shorter neck than the original 308ME.

Another issue, that may or may not rear it head is rim diameter. The 307 [parent case] has a bit of a rim for the extractor on the lever action to grip.
The 300 Savage [and the 308 Winchester] are rimless cases, and may not provide enough for the extractor to grip reliably.

That being said, I have seen 307 Winchester Big Bore M94 rifles in which the standard 308 cases worked just fine, so it may work. Only way to be sure would be to make 5 or 10, and then try them to see.

Regards, Dave
 
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