Author Topic: 308 Marlin express (Read 4625 times)

old06 · « **on:** November 08, 2006, 02:26:59 PM »

Any here seen this yet new 308 lever round sounds good hope to see them on the market soon http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=481

holahead · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2006, 03:52:42 PM »

Saw about it on another forum tonight that looks very intersting I would love to try that out.

jvs · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2006, 08:28:13 PM »

I am confused.

Did Marlin ever make a Lever Gun in .308? I don't recall ever seeing one or even hearing about one.

Or is it possible they will come out with one?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2006, 08:33:29 PM »

The .308Marlin is listed at Sports South, not in stock yet, but it's coming next year as they also have several new H&R firearms listed that H&R CS says they know nothing about!

Tim

http://www.internetguncatalog.com/details.asp?ItemNum=41773

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2006, 05:12:38 AM »

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=17104

Tomray is in Marlin production.

jvs · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:14:39 AM »

Well......I read all I need to know about that new 'Thing' Marlin will be coming out with.

If Marlin was going to make a .308, why couldn't they make a .308. Whatever persuaded Marlin to think we need a NEW breed of .308 is beyond me.

There might be a big initial rush to buy one of these, but I'd be surprised if this #^&@$)*% caliber is around five years from now.

Thumbs Down Marlin, Shame on you.

coyote trapper1928 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2006, 11:25:06 AM »

What is the recoil of this new caliber and does anyone have a picture of the new rifle that it will be chambered in?

Thanks,

coyote trapper1928 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2006, 11:28:47 AM »

Why only a 20 inch barrel in the Walnut stocked rifle , but a 24 inch barrel in the laminated stocked rifle? Seems to me that it should be 24 inch barrels in both types of rifles.

dla · « **Reply #8 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:53:41 PM »

I think it has the same potential as the 450. I think reloaders would like it. However, this is a cartridge that begs for rifle performance that isn't typically found in a Marlin levergun.

What do you get when you put a scope on a 24" barrelled Marlin levergun? A clumsy rifle with mediocre accuracy. IMHO.

If you want a bolt gun, buy a bolt gun.

coyote trapper1928 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2006, 03:07:37 AM »

Quote from: dla on November 09, 2006, 03:53:41 PM

I think it has the same potential as the 450. I think reloaders would like it. However, this is a cartridge that begs for rifle performance that isn't typically found in a Marlin levergun.

What do you get when you put a scope on a 24" barrelled Marlin levergun? A clumsy rifle with mediocre accuracy. IMHO.

If you want a bolt gun, buy a bolt gun.

I disagree that a 24 inch barrel on a lever action rifle makes the rifle clumsy. My Winchester Model 94 legacy rifle in 30-30 handles very well. I just wish that Winchester would have selected a better grade of Walnut for the stock and that they would have done a better job at checkering the wood. The checkering on one side of the gunstock is a little rough.

As for accuracy, I got groups that were about 2 1/2 inches to the upper right of the center bullseye of the target at the rifle range. That is with Winchester 150 grain PowerPoint ammunition. Need to get a better riflescope with more magnification for my old eyes!

I have not tried any other brands of ammo yet, so with a new riflescope and different ammuntion, the groups may improve.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2006, 03:25:49 AM »

Quote from: jvs on November 09, 2006, 10:14:39 AM

Well......I read all I need to know about that new 'Thing' Marlin will be coming out with.

If Marlin was going to make a .308, why couldn't they make a .308. Whatever persuaded Marlin to think we need a NEW breed of .308 is beyond me.

There might be a big initial rush to buy one of these, but I'd be surprised if this #^&@$)*% caliber is around five years from now.

Thumbs Down Marlin, Shame on you.

I say "Thumbs up!"

The new Marlin .308 Express is a lower pressure cartridge than the .308 Win or the .307 Win and has a new case. If you don't want one, fine - but that doesn't make it a "#^&@$)*% caliber ".

IntrepidWizard · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2006, 04:21:54 AM »

JVS,why knock a caliber you know nothing about,wait and see and there will be many that want it.I have the 99 in 308

and it is terrific other wise I would be interested.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2006, 09:37:53 AM »

Quote from: dla on November 09, 2006, 03:53:41 PM

I think it has the same potential as the 450. I think reloaders would like it. However, this is a cartridge that begs for rifle performance that isn't typically found in a Marlin levergun.

What do you get when you put a scope on a 24" barrelled Marlin levergun? A clumsy rifle with mediocre accuracy. IMHO.

If you want a bolt gun, buy a bolt gun.

Marlin will offer rifles chambered for the .308 Marlin in both 22" (blue) and 24" barrels (XLR, stainless/laminate). Me, I want the 24" XLR.

And yes, I'll scope it, just like I did my other Marlins. Not everyone agrees with your assessment - if I want a bolt gun I'll get one. I already have a scoped bolt .308 Win, but it will never satisfy my desire for a levergun with similar performance.

loaded4bear · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2006, 11:12:51 AM »

Marlin's a little late...Winchester introduced the .307 Win back in 1982 and it never took off as the folks at Olin had hoped. Idea at the time was to develop a cartridge for the model 94 that would duplicate the performance of the .308 Winchester.

Even with the resurgance in popularity of the lever action (since 1982), I don't see such an offering being very sucessful. People that want a "308" will buy a .308 and those who want better performance from their lever guns will opt for the improved 30/30 ammo, such as Hornady's LEVERevolution line.

Might look good on paper, but don't think it would be commercially viable in the marketplace.

jvs · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2006, 12:46:17 PM »

Quote

The new Marlin .308 Express is a lower pressure cartridge than the .308 Win or the .307 Win and has a new case. If you don't want one, fine - but that doesn't make it a "#^&@$)*% caliber ".

Quote from: IntrepidWizard on November 12, 2006, 04:21:54 AM

JVS,why knock a caliber you know nothing about,wait and see and there will be many that want it.I have the 99 in 308 and it is terrific other wise I would be interested.

The way I see it, this new Marlin has two possible buyers. One is the Marlin Collector, and the other will be the person in search of anything new. I am sure there is plenty of both.

I don't have a problem if Marlin comes out with a caliber that the Marlin Collectors will drool over, nor do I care if a person goes out and buys everything that is fairly new. But nothing in the new Marlin .308 Express makes me want one. Sorry guys, but over the years I learned that if I get excited, it costs me more.

Personally, I would have been much happier and would possibly have been in the market for a standard .308.
Certainly a .308 would have a bigger market than a proprietary cartridge. IMO, I think after about 2 or 3 years, the initial demand will die out and the Market Makers will be rich. It happens all the time. And for all I know, this could be a real collector item in 50 yrs. The positivie side of this is that Marlin is thinking and developing.

All in all I am happier when I spend $11 for a box of .308's than when I pay $20.

I'll shut up now, because we aren't talking about my money.

LEO · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:41:36 AM »

I like the idea of the 308 express my self, I look forward to actually seeing one. I have heard several mentions of the 307 and 356 win. rounds. A big part of the problem these rounds faced was marketing and availablility. They were only offered as a deluxe XTR rifle and they were very difficult to get. I tried for about three years to find one and when my dealer found one he said he could get the rifle but that no ammo or brass was available, not a big incentive to spend money on a rifle. I know others who had the same experience. I don't know if I will buy a 308 express or not, I am waiting to see what the cartridge actually does in the production format and how the rifles offered handle but I am interested enough to wait on purchasing an XLR to see the new rifle/cartridge.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:07:28 PM »

Quote from: loaded4bear on November 12, 2006, 11:12:51 AM

Marlin's a little late...Winchester introduced the .307 Win back in 1982 and it never took off as the folks at Olin had hoped. Idea at the time was to develop a cartridge for the model 94 that would duplicate the performance of the .308 Winchester.

Even with the resurgance in popularity of the lever action (since 1982), I don't see such an offering being very sucessful. People that want a "308" will buy a .308 and those who want better performance from their lever guns will opt for the improved 30/30 ammo, such as Hornady's LEVERevolution line.

Might look good on paper, but don't think it would be commercially viable in the marketplace.

The new .30-30 ammo is a pretty weak sister to the .308 Express.

Here's some specifics...

Hornady LeverEvolution
160g @ 2400fps,
+3.0" @ 100
-12.1" @ 300, 1025fpe

.308 Express
160g @ 2660fps
"3.0" @ 100
-6.7" @ 300, 1457fpe

I'm not going to say the .308 Marlin will be a commercial success, but I will say there is a pent-up demand for a lever .30 with .307 performance. Marlin will sell a fair number.

Pinkerton · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2006, 04:26:02 PM »

I really like the idea, I had been thinking that having a 336 rechambered to 30-30 AI would be great, but now think I'd go this route instead.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** November 17, 2006, 02:45:11 AM »

Here's a question - what offspring might the .308 Marlin produce?

How about a .243 pushing a 95g bullet to 3000fps?

Or a .25 pushing a 120g bullet to 2900fps?

azmike · « **Reply #19 on:** November 17, 2006, 07:36:02 AM »

Maybe T/C can use it in a Contender

. Then, I might be interested. Looks like I'm gonna wait to buy a 309 JDJ barrel till this new round has some time in the marketplace.

Robert · « **Reply #20 on:** November 17, 2006, 08:15:09 AM »

I beleive that this started out as Hornady's baby. When it was first announced, it was called the 308 EXP. Most of the info on it is on the HORNADY website, not Marlin. There was no mention of Marlin in the name. But I guess they decided to throw in together to try and help this new round out a little.

Wildcat Crazy · « **Reply #21 on:** November 17, 2006, 12:48:19 PM »

Does anyone have the case dimensions and capacity?

WC

Levergun 94 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 17, 2006, 04:11:49 PM »

Quote from: jvs on November 12, 2006, 12:46:17 PM

Quote
The new Marlin .308 Express is a lower pressure cartridge than the .308 Win or the .307 Win and has a new case. If you don't want one, fine - but that doesn't make it a "#^&@$)*% caliber ".

Quote from: IntrepidWizard on November 12, 2006, 04:21:54 AM
JVS,why knock a caliber you know nothing about,wait and see and there will be many that want it.I have the 99 in 308 and it is terrific other wise I would be interested.

The way I see it, this new Marlin has two possible buyers. One is the Marlin Collector, and the other will be the person in search of anything new. I am sure there is plenty of both.

I don't have a problem if Marlin comes out with a caliber that the Marlin Collectors will drool over, nor do I care if a person goes out and buys everything that is fairly new. But nothing in the new Marlin .308 Express makes me want one. Sorry guys, but over the years I learned that if I get excited, it costs me more.

Personally, I would have been much happier and would possibly have been in the market for a standard .308.
Certainly a .308 would have a bigger market than a proprietary cartridge. IMO, I think after about 2 or 3 years, the initial demand will die out and the Market Makers will be rich. It happens all the time. And for all I know, this could be a real collector item in 50 yrs. The positivie side of this is that Marlin is thinking and developing.

All in all I am happier when I spend $11 for a box of .308's than when I pay $20.

I'll shut up now, because we aren't talking about my money.

I for one am ECSTATIC That Marlin & Hornady have come out with & collaborated on this!
My FAVORITE ACTION OF ALL TIME is the Marlin lever-actions (ok, more than one action, but you get the picture

).
My favorite round is the 30-30, BUT this is in part because I cannot bring myself to buy an action that is uncomfortable for me, (although NOT unsusable...I AM quite familiar with it

.....just ain't my favorite) but the .308 Wichester is my favorite Bolt cartridge.
A Proprietary .308 round, for the lever action rifle, giving = (or near = ) performance with the .308 W. with less pressure, designed FOR the lever-action is finally what many of us have been looking for.
I am a die hard levergun man. I am a die hard 30-30 man. A bit stubborn about what I like, so I can understand your reluctance, but goodness man! This is what many of us have been waiting for!

My opinion, but I for one LOVE this news.

Tim

jvs · « **Reply #23 on:** November 17, 2006, 09:47:42 PM »

Believe me, I am happy for anyone who thinks this new round is Perfection. There has been more than one Introductory Model that I had to have over the years, so I know what you mean.

I also hope that when you want to buy one, they have a pallet of them in the back of the store. Of course, you may have to wait months and pay a premium if they don't have them in stock. Supply and Demand will take a expensive toll on the impatient. How this release is handled will tell you alot.

As long as you realize that this isn't a .308 Winchester before you buy one. It is a .308 Express, and the only thing .308 about it is that little piece of Copper Coated Lead that flies out of the end of the barrel at supersonic speed.

Marlin has a record of bringing out calibers that succeed. I really hope this is one of them.

Now if they can make a Lever Action in .308 Winchester, I'd be happy.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #24 on:** November 18, 2006, 04:53:17 AM »

jvs -

I don't think anyone has claimed the .308 Marlin Express is "Perfection", but it does provide a solution to a problem for those who want a .30 with better ballistics than the .30-30. The new .308 Marlin outperforms the .307 Win, which puts it much closer to the .308 Win than the .30-30.

Will I have to pay a premium to get one? Perhaps. Will I care? No - instant gratification has its own value while delayed gratification has its own costs as well.

If you want a .308 Win in a lever, try getting a Savage 99 or maybe a Ruger #1 or a Browning BLR. The Express is as close as you're going to get from Marlin.

jvs · « **Reply #25 on:** November 18, 2006, 08:10:36 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on November 18, 2006, 04:53:17 AM

If you want a .308 Win in a lever, try getting a Savage 99 or maybe a Ruger #1 or a Browning BLR. The Express is as close as you're going to get from Marlin.

I have a special place in life for Marlins. If it was just a .308 Win. in a Lever Action that matters, I would have it. Marlins rank higher in my book.

nomosendero · « **Reply #26 on:** November 19, 2006, 01:38:55 PM »

I like Marlins alot as well. But I also like my bolt guns & single shots. I recently bought a XLR45-70 & it is a great shooter. A couple
of days ago I shot a Whitetail Buck with a load that Mac11700 developed for me with devasting results. In my mind this rifle fills a
niche, which for me is Whitetails, Hogs & Bears locally & other animals such as Moose & other animals where the shots will be short to
moderate. Of course the XLR can do more than that, but I look at my rifles as being tools for a certain application. My point is that
I don't have an application for the 308 express. I have a 30-06AI built on a Mod 70 platform that is just as easy to handle as the express with alot more range when needed. I have others above or below it in power, so for me it is a no go. But if someone has a niche & they like it, great! I think more guns being sold is a good thing, so we shall see.

Gunjunkie · « **Reply #27 on:** November 20, 2006, 02:13:00 AM »

Quote from: nomosendero on November 19, 2006, 01:38:55 PM

I like Marlins alot as well. But I also like my bolt guns & single shots. I recently bought a XLR45-70 & it is a great shooter. A couple
of days ago I shot a Whitetail Buck with a load that Mac11700 developed for me with devasting results. In my mind this rifle fills a
niche, which for me is Whitetails, Hogs & Bears locally & other animals such as Moose & other animals where the shots will be short to
moderate. Of course the XLR can do more than that, but I look at my rifles as being tools for a certain application. My point is that
I don't have an application for the 308 express. I have a 30-06AI built on a Mod 70 platform that is just as easy to handle as the express with alot more range when needed. I have others above or below it in power, so for me it is a no go. But if someone has a niche & they like it, great! I think more guns being sold is a good thing, so we shall see.

congrats.. on the hunt..

kennyd · « **Reply #28 on:** November 28, 2006, 04:08:21 PM »

Have you looked at how similar it is to .300 Savage? Same ballistics, case very similar, except for the short neck on the Savage.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #29 on:** November 29, 2006, 04:26:43 PM »

The new (Jan 2007) Shooting Times has more info.

Rim .500", case head .4703", case length 1.9200", COL 2.600". Full dimensions in the article.