Marlin trade delima!!!

[Tim50]

I have a rifle a gentelman wants & he knows I'm a Marlin fan! He has offered me my choice of either a NIB Marlin MXLR in the 338 Marlin Express or a Davidson's limited run ( 251 made) Marlin stainless 308SDT trapper model. I am going to use which ever one I decide just wondering what some of your thoughts are??? Thanks for any input.

[pastorp]

Tim, those are 2 very different rifles. It might be helpfull to know your intended use for the rifle before we can really comment on a choice. Like do you like bolts or levers. Want to deer hunt or is elk on the list as well. 

Regards,

[mannyrock]

 
   I am not sure that I see any dilema.    It is the "need" that governs whether you take a firearm or not, . . .not the "want", not the "eye-candy."
 
  If you live East of the Mississippi, and don't have a nice woods carbine, then take the Trapper.  If you already have one, then don't take either rifle.  The big bore is a white elephant East of the Mississippi.
 
  If you live West of the Mississippi, then you do not need the super-short carbine at all.  So, the only question is: do you hunt Elk, at medium and close range?  If so, then take the big bore.  If not, then don't take either rifle.
 
  If you live in Alaska, and don't already have a .338 Winchester Mag, then take the big bore.  Otherwise, don't take either.
 
  OK, that's it.  :-)
 
Mannyrock
 
 

[Lloyd Smale]

id like to combine both of them and buy a 338 marlin with a barrel no longer then 20 inch and preferably 16 inch. I think marlin is really missing the boat putting a long barrel on that round. It would be a woods hunters dream gun if it was made in a carbine.

[dpe.ahoy]

If I could only own one centerfire Marlin, it would be my 338 MXLR.  See if you can check the 338 for barrel droop.  Some receivers were drilled and threaded so the barrel was not lined up correctly, not an issue with barrel mounted sights, but with a scope, may need to shim base or scope may not be able to be zeroed.  I don't understand why people knock the longer barrels.    Lot easier to cut em to the length ya want than trying to streach them buggers out a few more inches, if ya know what I mean.    Cheaper too .  DP     

[Tim50]

I am at the point in my live where all my firearms purchased as driven by "want" not need! I guess I was just asking what peoples thoughts were on these two very different rifles in the no so run of the mill calibers! Thanks for the input guys....BUT I'm still on the fence. Not a BAD position to be in...in my mind I don't think I can go wrong either way I go. I just can't figure out a way to get BOTH!!!

[yukondog]

308SDT