What can you tell me about the 338 Marlin Express?

[dgradinaru]

What can you tell me about the 338 Marlin Express? Ie. Any first hand expierence hunting game with one? Does Hornadys ammo live up to its reputation of launching a 200gr FTX at 2565fps or is that one of thier marketing markups of velocity? Most data i see launches a 200gr around 2450fps? How do the marlin rifles chambered in this caliber shoot? Hows the avaliblity of ammo and reloading components such as brass, dies, and 200gr ftx bullets? Will this cartridge last or fail to stay around?

Being a bolt action guy this is something different to look at, and of course there are better preforming calibers i use, but wouldnt mind having a lever in a caliber that almost matches 30-06/8x57 preformance.

Fire-away.....................

 

[nowarningshot]

When Marlin fell into financial hard times and was taken over by Freedom group...same bean counters that own Remington....the 338 and 308 ME really took a hit. Sort of like what happened to the WSSM's.

I have never owned either, heard that the 308 was equivalent to a 300 Savage. I would think that the 338 would be close to a 338 Federal....maybe a little weaker. If you got one, then a supply of 338 FTX would be a good idea, would wonder if those projectiles and the brass would be available for long.