Marlin 308 Express
- Thread starter thekid856
- Start date
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
They aren't available yet. I had my first chance to handle a Marlin XLR today, what a beauty!! The 308 express would take full advantage of it. 
Personally I don't get what the appeal is. If your hunting at ranges that require a high velocity cartridge using a spitzer bullet...then why do you need the quick handling characteristics of a lever gun? I know "need" and "want" are different things, but personally ill stick with traditional levers and bolt guns.
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
Slimbo said:Personally I don't get what the appeal is. If your hunting at ranges that require a high velocity cartridge using a spitzer bullet...then why do you need the quick handling characteristics of a lever gun? I know "need" and "want" are different things, but personally ill stick with traditional levers and bolt guns.
I had no interest in this cartridge at all until I handled the XLR. Now I can see the appeal. My 18.5" lever gun is a tack driver, change to a 24" barrel and suitable caliber and it would be a very versatile hunting rifle. I have no intention of selling my bolt guns, but the 308ME is starting to interest me.
Need and want probably answer your question, but let me add another idea. I like my lever for short to mid range hunting, but if there is a good chance some of my opportunities may be at longer ranges I'd likely carry my bolt action 270, and "make do" with it in the areas of close cover that I'd prefer my lever in. This would make that unnecessary.
Of course It's mainly just an excuse to buy another rifle.
I looked at a new Marlin today, I didnt even realize they added a cross bolt safety. They have sure dressed up the gun from the older models. I am a die hard pump rifle hunter but like a few said you never have too many rifles and its nice to be able to take out a lever again.
Mumptia said:
I think that Marlin and Hornady are just getting carried away a bit, with the success of their 30-30 Lever-evolution. On paper their 30-30 offering is a ballistic improvement over any 30-30. The same can not be said about this .308 Express Marlin. Nothing significant over the tried and true .308 Win. which has been and is still available in lever actions. This is probably just going to be an odd ball rifle that is hard to find ammunition for. That’s also what the .307 was!
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
Covey Ridge said:I think that Marlin and Hornady are just getting carried away a bit, with the success of their 30-30 Lever-evolution. On paper their 30-30 offering is a ballistic improvement over any 30-30. The same can not be said about this .308 Express Marlin. Nothing significant over the tried and true .308 Win. which has been and is still available in lever actions. This is probably just going to be an odd ball rifle that is hard to find ammunition for. That’s also what the .307 was!
I don't think it was their intention at all to outdo the 308win. They wanted to reproduce it's performance in a round that is more suitable for use in levers with a tube magazine.
And they want you to have to buy all your ammo from Hornady.
Covey Ridge said:I think that Marlin and Hornady are just getting carried away a bit, with the success of their 30-30 Lever-evolution. On paper their 30-30 offering is a ballistic improvement over any 30-30. The same can not be said about this .308 Express Marlin. Nothing significant over the tried and true .308 Win. which has been and is still available in lever actions. This is probably just going to be an odd ball rifle that is hard to find ammunition for. That’s also what the .307 was!
On paper, I wasn't as impressed as I thought that I would be with the Leverevolution. I posted these range results in a previous thread.
Hopefully, they can out-perform the Win 150gr. Silvertips on deer size game "cause they sure don't on paper.
gitrdun said:
gitrdun:
I am not sure why you are disappointed with those results. Only 39 fps slower than the factory claim, does not seem like a big deal? A quick check of my Lyman 48th Edition, shows that your 2361 fps is faster than Lyman’s fastest published load from a 24 inch barrel for 150 grains.
Now a 10 grain heavier bullet, shot faster, and with a higher BC should mean flatter trajectory? Too bad you could not test those flat pointed silvertips, against the evolutions down range near your expected maximum range?
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cariboo_kid said:I don't think it was their intention at all to outdo the 308win. They wanted to reproduce it's performance in a round that is more suitable for use in levers with a tube magazine.
And they want you to have to buy all your ammo from Hornady.
Then what's next? A rimmed squishey pointed bastard version of the 30-06?
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
Covey Ridge said:Then what's next? A rimmed squishey pointed bastard version of the 30-06?
Yipes! Don't give them any more ideas!
44Bore said:Yawn. They just re-invented the .300 Savage which has been around since 1920.
44Bore
No arguements there.
It's still nice to have another lever on the shelf.
Now if Marlin and Winchester would just put a clip in their lever rifles..............
Mumptia said:
Winchester did have a clip in a lever rifle and it went the way of the doh doh bird
and I do not think that marlin knows how to maufacture clip guns larger than rim fire
Anyway I can not remember one.Marlin needs a gimmick or their levers will follow winchester never to be seen again, at least ones made on this continent.
Great responses, Wow. I do prefer a clip fed gun myself, I have a BLR very nice gun but the lever stroke is short and its in my opinion not as smooth as the Marlin levers. Have a winchester lever, great bush gun but again nothing in a decent round. I have browning/remington pumps,semi's,and bolts,just like a variety in the gun cabinet when I reach for a rifle. I also have the concern that it will get hard to find ammo for, like my 35 Whalen and even the 300 savage is slim pickings. My favourite all around gun is still my 7600 30-06, its great up here in bush country where the deer dont stand in a field in heards and look at you.
Marlin Express
Its al quite simple folks, all gun manufactures have to create a stir for those big Gun shows. I dont really care for the Marlin 308 express but I like that they are trying to create a buzz in the market at least. They had to follow up on their soft tipped ammo hype to keep things moving for them. Iam scared however to see what will come out next from some of these guys. Maybe yet another 300 mag of some sort or the new & improved 303 Savage express
HHB
Its al quite simple folks, all gun manufactures have to create a stir for those big Gun shows. I dont really care for the Marlin 308 express but I like that they are trying to create a buzz in the market at least. They had to follow up on their soft tipped ammo hype to keep things moving for them. Iam scared however to see what will come out next from some of these guys. Maybe yet another 300 mag of some sort
or the new & improved 303 Savage express HHB
