Which one would you buy; .308 BLR or .308 Marlin?

3 Cheers for my choice,
BLR, BLR, BLR

I believe the 308 Marlin will be as popular as the 307 Winchester in time. (not saying much for it)
The BLR with it's box magazine is easier to load and unload and the choice of ammunition is greater and more widely available.
But saying that, if a Marlin trips your trigger then it might be a tough choice.
Happy Shopping.

257 Roberts
 
Another vote for the BLR - a proven, readily available chambering in a great little rifle.
 
With the Marlin you have one choice of a pointy bullet (flextip) unless you go single shot! I am a Marlin fan but would choose a Savage m99 with a 20in. barrel and rotary magazine as my to go rifle. I had one with a 24in. barrel, an EG model that shot a lot better with lighter bullets. If you handload the 308 win. it will leave the 308 marlin standing alone (pun intended).
 
I was a rabid Marlin fan until the big green machine F'd up a century old good thing, but I never really bought into the 308MX and 338MX cartridges.

If I were looking for what you are, I would be looking for a nice clean Savage 99. My friend has a BLR in 308 that he has put through hell and still uses, it just doesn't turn my crank. Then again I'm not you and I don't know what you like.
 
stefK said:
Having a bit of a toss up here...
Click to expand...
Not even close to being a toss up ....... BLR in 308 by a long shot!

1. Tons of cheaper, factory ammo, EVERYWHERE and for a long after the 308Marlin goes bye bye!
2. Better ballistics.
3. Pointy bullets.
4. Better bullet and brass selection for handloading.
5. BLRs are easier to find and sell.
6. Cuz I said so! ;)

.
 
I have had at least a half dozen BLRs over the years and they all performed very well. Accuracy was at least good if not great for a lever action, and they carry and handle very well for me. Never had a quality control issue either, and from what I have seen in the shops and read here, I would avoid the new Marlins like the plague. If I could find a Marlin with a little vintage to it, chambered in 45-70 I would get all over that! But of the two you mentioned, BLR is the only way to go.
 
my blr in 308 shoots less than an inch at 100 yards and i can pick off clay pigeons at 300 yards

that's more than i would ask from any lever action
 
If I were buying the traditional tube fed lever action that a Marlin is, I'd want it in .45-70 to go with that classic style or perhaps in .35 Remington. The new Hornady Leverevolution ammo is a great idea for the tube magazines but it is still a constraint, so if I wanted a lever action in .308 I would choose the BLR for its detachable box magazine and I'd get the take-down too if I could find and afford one.
 
Another vote for the BLR. I don't think anyone mentioned the BLR's detachable mag as a plus, not a big thing but handy.
 
Detachable mag
Readily available ammo
More bullet choices in factory loads
Take down model available
Crazy smooth action right out of the box
Sights are way better on the BLR(I hate the brass bead, and buckhorn)
Fiber optic front sight on some models
No questions about fit, and finish

I'm sure there are more reasons, but these are the ones that come to mind right off the bat.

I am a Marlin fan, and love my 336, but if I was looking for something more, and had the cash the BLR Stainless Lightweight Takedown would be in my safe.
 
Got my 308 BLR takedown this spring and cannot wait to get it out in the bush in a mere 5 weeks! Put a Redfield reveloution 3x9 40 scope on it and have been getting great results on the range. Nice balance, nice lines, nice selection of ammo, nice length....all round nice gun.
 
I had a BLR, steel frame model. Loved it. The bolt is a rotating bolt, operated by a lever. Locks up real solid. I had a 1.5-5X scope on it with a hammer extension. great rifle and a great caliber.

If you have a brain fart you can always buy some ammo locally or borrow some from someone else.
 
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