Your opinions on how long the .308MX cartridge will stay around for?

[sachel.45]

this is from another forum (hope its ok to link it here) apprently it got leaked abit early

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,33104.0.html

[federali]

The .308 MX chambering makes a lot of sense in that you still have traditional woods handiness for quick shots with the ability to reach farther should the need arise. In my thread "Too many new cartridges?" in the rifle forum I raise the issue of cartridge availability as most gun stores simply cannot stock the vast amount of chamberings available.

You should be aware that a Savage 99 re-issue is apparently coming but in which chambering remains to be seen. I've seen Marlins easily out-group their competition. I regret selling the the two 336s I've owned. Accuracy with 99s was iffy. Some owners reported bolt-action like accuracy while most others won't print better than 3 inches. The point is, Marlins have little competition, if any, at their price point. I don't see anyone else offering the .308 MX as this round was specifically designed for a certain gun. As other posters have said, any rifle capable of chambering the .308 Win. will not be offered in .308 MX.

For those of you loading .30-30 bullets in the .308 MX, be sure to change the expander plug in your sizing die to .307.

[DC]

 I know that I am jumping in on this a little or even a lot late.  I have seen one of these in a local shop and wondered about it for a while.  I just looked up the ballistics on the Hornady site and was really impressed.  This is a 300 yard round for sure. 
I for one hope that it lasts.  I understand the problem for reloaders but wonder if there is bullet that is blunt enough for use in the tube or if another manufacture makes a plastic ballistic tip that would work safely in the rifle. Some of use like the ease of carrying a lever gun but live in areas, like Idaho, where I am that almost require that a person be ready for longer shots.  I don't know if I would run out and buy one because I too would like to reload and would like to try some different weight bullets as well. 
I sure hope they stick with it but expand the ability of reloaders to make this what it really can be.

[whelen36]

yes , marlin has stuck with thier chamberings in the past but , marlin has been sold to the firm that also owns remington , so can you really trust the values of the past and think they'll keep it around if it isn't doing so well
i'm hoping they will , as i'm always in favor of something that will aid to the classic lever action designs .
and i'm really looking forwards to the new .338 marlin express. sounds like a more potent version of the .33 winchester and i find that extremely interesting.

[Syncerus]

Personally, I'm surprised the cartridge has outlived this thread.

[DC]

 From what I have read about a lot of other cartridges, a rounds success and staying power is largly dependent on hand loaders getting ahold of the cartridge and bringing out the best in it.  In this case I could see some real potential if bullet makers would manufacture bullets that can  be used in a tube feed. 
One person said that he would use the same bullets as his 30-30 which would be fine but it wouldn't be the same as using a non blunt bullet.  One would think that Horandy or another mfg would jump on this and make suitable pointed bullets in 4 or 5 different weights to allow the rifle to be much more versile.

[Autorim]

I think it's a flash in the pan and will not last as a viable cartridge.

[federali]

In the mid-80s, I took a gamble on the 7mm-08 Rem. and won. Lucky me. I'm inclined to agree with many of the posters here in that the .308MX will never be picked up by other manufacturers as the .308 Win. and its derivatives dominate the short action scene. This marketing ploy was tried with the .307 Winchester and that went no where. Considering that the .30-30 is available in the Hornady leverevolution ammo, I don't think the range advantage of the .308 MX over the .30-30 is sufficient to warrant a gamble on this round.

I like what a previous poster said about loading spitzers in a .30-30 with but one round in the magazine. However, the .30-30 traditionally was loaded with bullets of .307 diameter. Handloaders may need to change the expander plug in their dies.

[guns-o-fun]

Well, its 2 years later and it's still here.  My only complaint is that while the recoil energy is not that high, its one of those calibers with "snappy" recoil.  Kind of stings from the bench.  BUT, it puts them in the 9 and 10 ring from 100 yards every time.  Have not shot it on the 200 yard lane yet.

[dpe.ahoy]

Yep, even I broke down and bought one this year.  Haven't taken anything with it yet, in fact, I haven't taken anything this year at all!   But, I think the 308 ME is a very good cartridge, seen many positive responses over on Marlin Owners web site.  Same as the 300 Savage and what's wrong with that?  Faster than a 30-30 and 30-30AI, and not much under the 308 Win.  Pretty damn good place to be in a line up if ya ask me.   DP

[hoosierdome]

I have a Marlin 308 and .444 love both of them but I am a little worried about the staying power of the 308 so with that in mind I’ve acquired 400 once shot cases, they will out last me. I also have a 30-30 and the Marlin 308 is a much better all around choice, in my opinion. I don’t want to upset the diehard 30-30’er but I wouldn't take a 300 yd shot with a 30-30. 

[mrussel]

I hope the climate isn't as grim as all of you predict.  3 years ago, Marlin decided to poll the leveraction enthusiasts and find what they wanted in a new offering.  They really did listen, and heard we needed a long range weapon.  This was their answer.  I bought the stainless steel Marlin, and so far have been very impressed.  Ammo has been no problem, and I've even worked up a few cursory handloads.  I would be hard pressed to surpass the ammo in accuracy and quality even providing I'd found the bullet as a component.  This is a problem with many of us.  I do cast and reload, and find the buying of factory ammo a little tiresome.  However, I don't intend to plink with the higher velocity stuff, and will reserve it for hunting.  My shots at deer this year were both long range, and I  now can say I enjoyed the enthusiasm that goes with shooting my 270 (Marlin) at longer range deer.  I got one at 405 yards, and one at about half that.  Here in the Midwest, we have a need for longer range, and while I prefer to bow hunt, this gun will definitely be my answer for when I need to harvest deer.  Its a hunting and killing machine.  That bullet simply knocks a deer all out of proportion to the exterior ballistics.  Big Medicine had good luck with it on elk, and I'm probably using mine as a backup on my bear hunt here in a couple of months.  Long live Marlin, and long live the 308MX!

Lever gun with the range of a 30-06? This looks like one to me http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=015C&mid=534070

[Ghostman]

I'm really surprised it's lasted this long.

The factory Lever Revolution rounds are loaded to pretty decent velocities but handloaders will never match Hornadys velocities. At best max handloads top out at 2550 fps out of the 24" barrels.

A 30-30 AI 150 grain handload can get close to the 308 ME velocities (2500) with a 24" barrel.

Regardless of the Marlin marketing hype the 308 Marlin will NEVER be or equal the 308 Winchester in power, accuracy or popularity. To me the 308 ME is a useless cartridge.

[ba_50]

Ten days!  

Dang here in Bama we have a two and a half months gun season and another five weeks of bow season before that. Many folks here stick with bow the entire time tho and are at no particular disadvantage.

I've heard the terrain argument before and I will not judge it as I've not been there done that or got the t-shirt. BUT I do know that every year folks hunt open terrain with bow very successfully and also with muzzle loaders and neither is a very long range weapon even if using a scoped inline muzzle loader.

Graybeard,

I've driven through Bama lots of times and it has a lot more timber than Illinois and most places I've seen. I can see why getting close shots there wouldn't be as difficult. Once the guns go off in Illinois those deer disappear or lay out in the open.

A Savage 20 ga bolt action slug gun would be nice in Ill but I still use a Win M12 field gun which is a close range shooter. (longest kill was 125 yards). A .243 or 30/30 would be better but the politicians don't listen to me.  I'm not an archery fan anyhow.

Guess I got off topic here, sorry.

[Smoke-um if you got-um]

My first post and I thought this was an interesting topic....
When Marlin came out with the 308MX I found it curious that it was a cartridge that, in my opinion, had minimal chance of success. It was also my opinion that if it was to be successful then a cartridge that could be fired in a Std. chamber 308 would have been a better choice, by simply shortening the neck(similar to a 300 Savage). The Std. 308 would then be impossible to chamber in the 308MX but the 308MX would/could be a reduced recoil round and chamber fine in the Std. 308. Even better, why not just make the round a true 308? I just wonder what they were thinking since this is , by nature, a profit oriented venture ?  I just don't see the 308MX being a popular enough round to justify any kind of longevity. And if they discontinue the 30-30 336 they might as well just cut their own throats and be done with it. I wonder who championed this new round and for what purpose inside the company ??  If it had been my money, instead of Hornady's, going into the new tooling just to produce the ammo this discussion would be a moot point. I believe it to be likely that neither Marlin(Rem.) or Hornady will ever see a profit from this, in my opinion, marketing miscue. 

[swordfish]

They are great shootin' rifles, as good or better than the other Marlins I have, and will be a great investment in years to come, and even better if they do discontinue them. It's hard to tell what will happen with the change in ownership.

When I got my Remington 600 6.5mm Mag people said the same thing, ha...look at them now. I first started reloading because I couldn't get ammo for it, that was a great decision and now I reload for all my guns. I never have a problem with ammo any more. I have more people tryin to buy that 6.5 off me than I can shake a stick at.

[dpe.ahoy]

Well, I finished up the season taking 2 mule deer eith the 308 MX.  Both dropped in their tracks.  There is no reason for the round not to survive, it's a good one.  I also have the 338 MXLR and have to admit I like it better than the 308.  Both are excellent rounds, I plan on keeping both to pass on to kids, both have performed well in the field on game.  The new GMX bullets should take care of a lot of naysayers for bullet performance and give people choice of weights.  I have turned around my thoughts on these rounds since my first post on this thread.  I believe and truly hope both of these cartridges thrive, they are that good.  Choices are good, why limit yourself to the old when you can try the new and play with the old.  I shoot 45-70 to 257 Weatherby, 22 hornet to 338 fed and 338MXLR.  It's all good.   DP

[temmi]

It will last at least 5 years… the 450 Marlin has just been discontinued… A sad day indeed.

The 450 M lasted about 10 years… It too had limited factory ammo and a lot of direct competition from 45/70 users.

Many thought, that if you had to hand load, why not get a 45/70 and you get about the same vels.

Well anyway Marlin Kept it going but a year after Cerberus took them over, well I guess the number did not add up.

I'm guessing the 308 and 338 Marlin will have less time to prove themselves…

Unless they are a hit in that time…


This is only my opinion… and I own a 450 Marlin which is in fact an excellent round and rifle.

All that said it will be a long time before I buy a round with Marlin or Ruger behind it.

[Cabin4]

What are the real advantages of the 308mx I ask? If you want 308 performance in a lever gun, why not just buy a BLR in 308. It only weight 6.5 lbs which is less then the Marlin in 308mx.

I really question what the advantage is overall of the 308mx. If you want to shoot the 308mx you still have to buy a new gun so why not just buy a 308? Its a better performer and ammo is much more easy to come by.

Similar with the 338mx. Although Browning does not chamber the 338mag in the BLR, they do the 325wsm.

[Dr. A]

I've still got mine and still like it.  I tried some reloads with the new Leverevolution powder and 150gr. Speer FP, 160gr. FTX Hornady, and 170gr. Remington Core lokt.  They all exceeded velocities of the 30-30 by 2 to 300fps.  The upper powder applications particularly on the 160gr. bullet were a little hot for my gun, but I easily exceeded factory velocities with the given parameters of the data safely.  (data hot),  I have a 30-06 BLR and bought this afterwards.  I have not shot the BLR since I got this.  I like this gun better because its a Marlin and handles like the gun I grew up with .  Its better balanced and more accurate.  I realize it'll never be as popular as the 308, but find ammo just the same.  Its been popular enough around the midwest for most of our ammo dealers to have it on hand.  I've got over 500 cases and that many bullets, so I'm set for life.  I'm mainly a bow hunter and use the gun late in the season when they've been shot at for a while.  Its ideal for longer distance shots.  Has almost no recoil to me and very accurate.  I've been using it for coyotes as well as deer. 

[helotaxi]

If you want 308 performance in a lever gun, why not just buy a BLR in 308.

I really question what the advantage is overall of the 308mx. If you want to shoot the 308mx you still have to buy a new gun so why not just buy a 308? Its a better performer and ammo is much more easy to come by.

Similar with the 338mx. Although Browning does not chamber the 338mag in the BLR, they do the 325wsm.

All of the above would require buying a Browning BLR which I don't particularly care for.  Ammo is plentiful since all I have to do is go out to the bench and load what I need.

[SLUGO]

I have, and love a 308MX. It goes right along with my 30-30, 444 & 45-70. If people like the BLR they can have them. No offense meant towards the BLR. They are not my thing. I am a Marlin shooter and am saving up my pennies for the 338MX. I really hope the .308 stays around  for a long time, but if it doesn't I have plenty of ammo stored to last my life of hunting.

[quietman]

What are the real advantages of the 308mx I ask? If you want 308 performance in a lever gun, why not just buy a BLR in 308. It only weight 6.5 lbs which is less then the Marlin in 308mx.

Lessee- a blued / Walnut 308MX or 338 MX goes for  $470 to $520

Browning BLR 308 $850 to 950. . .  It's more than the stainless / laminate 308MXLR!

Similar with the 338mx. Although Browning does not chamber the 338mag in the BLR, they do the 325wsm.

No,the BLR is not a direct comparson.  There is a huge difference in the recoil of the 338ME and the325 WSM. The 338ME's recoil is down in the 308Win range. It shoots almost as flat as a 180gr '06 but does it with a 200 gr bullet, hit's a little harder, and has NOTICEABLY less perceived recoil than the '06. I've been told that by a number of people that I've let shoot mine, plus there are actual numbers to verify it.

Of course, the biggest critics of these rifles are those who have never actually shot one. Those who have and own levers in other calibers, and even bolt guns have become big fans of them. Me, I'm a lefty, so the 338MX is a godsend. Mine will shoot subMOA all day when I do my part. And because of the recoil I've put 24 rounds through it in one setting, followed by 40 rounds through a 30-30, with no soreness at all (Although I do have a decelerator on it sa Marlin's LOP is too short for me)

You should read some of these hunting reports

Coyote at 370 yds with a neck / head shot - 338 Marlin Express.
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,54765.0.html

Doe at 365 yards with a 308 Marlin Express
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,23582.0.html

338 on a bull moose at 338 yards.
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,51781.0.html

338 on bison
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,56704.0.html

TNPshooter on MO:
Well I just got back from my South Texas "Safari" and took a variety of game with my .338 MXLR - incredible results!  The first deer I shot at about 50 yards and actually hit fairly far back.  It ran about 25 yards and fell dead.  Took the second deer at 120 yards and it walked around in a small circle and fell over dead - I could see good blood spray through my scope!  The third deer I shot at 60 yards head on, dead center chest shot - it dropped in its tracks.

I also shot 4 javelinas at varying distances - all dropped in their tracks.  Two of the javelinas were taken with one bullet, the front one was hit in the heart and the one behind it was hit in the head.

Finally, I shot a coyote at about 90 yards.  The bullet had nice expansion and blew all of the guts out of the other side - a nasty sight!

Ratchethead- deer
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,56738.0.html

spd299- hogs
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,43488.0.html

Big Medicine- 4 deer at +200 yards
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,50840.0.html

Yessir, I see no reason for them to survive with such reports

Actually, the biggest threat to these rifles if they dont' wise up, will be the quality (lack of) of current Remington production methods.

[Cabin4]

The discussion was about the cartridge, not the Marlin lever guns. The fact is the 308 is a better performer than the 308mx off the shelf ammo. 308 ammo is cheaper and more plentiful in a wider variety. In the end, I believe this is what will determine the longevity and or popularity of the 308mx versus the 308. While some may not like a BLR, the simple fact still remains that if your desire is a 308-ish cartridge in a lever, the choice is there for one to choose. If you’re a hand loader, the selection criteria is different than if you don't hand load. A BLR offers the non-hand load shooter more options at a lesser shooting price. Yes, the Marlin gun will cost you less by a few hundred bucks. But what about the long term shooting costs for the non-hand loader? If for every 20 rounds you shoot it cost you $15 more, over 500 rounds, that’s $375 bucks. I don’t know about you, but I will put 150 rounds through my rifle each season in practice before I hunt with it. It don’t take long for the ammo costs to become an issue for the non-hand loader.

From my perspective, I hope the 308mx survives. No harm will come to me. I will always side on more selection for us shooters is better. The 308mx  just simply has an uphill competitive battle to contend with if it is to survive. It’s not a clear cut decision and a buyer does have options and should consider long term costs not just rifle price and off the shelf ammo selection.

[quietman]

The discussion was about the cartridge, not the Marlin lever guns.

Wait, I'm confused here   Wasn't the first thing you said in your original post asking why buy a Marlin when you can get a BLR, and then comparing the weight of the two?

What are the real advantages of the 308mx I ask? If you want 308 performance in a lever gun, why not just buy a BLR in 308. It only weight 6.5 lbs which is less then the Marlin in 308mx.

Now you're saying we're only talking about cartridges. Funny, but many of the other posts in this thread bring up the rifle too.

I don't know, but when you say why buy a 308ME when you can get a BLR in 308, sounds like you're talking guns AND cartridge. Plus they are lever GUN cartridges. When others here say why not get a bolt in XXX they bring the guns into the mix.

And in reality, you can't talk about one w/o the other. The lower perceived recoil is because of the powder used in the cartridge and the weight of the rifle, so it applies here too.

The ME series handle superbly, point quickly and shoot accurately. That makes people more interested in the rifle AND chambering. Plus the hunting reports I posted point out both the effectiveness of the round and the accuracy of the rifle.

There's more to these than just numbers on a ballistics table.

[Cabin4]

The discussion was about the cartridge, not the Marlin lever guns.

Wait, I'm confused here   Wasn't the first thing you said in your original post asking why buy a Marlin when you can get a BLR, and then comparing the weight of the two?

What are the real advantages of the 308mx I ask? If you want 308 performance in a lever gun, why not just buy a BLR in 308. It only weight 6.5 lbs which is less then the Marlin in 308mx.

Now you're saying we're only talking about cartridges. Funny, but many of the other posts in this thread bring up the rifle too.

I don't know, but when you say why buy a 308ME when you can get a BLR in 308, sounds like you're talking guns AND cartridge. Plus they are lever GUN cartridges. When others here say why not get a bolt in XXX they bring the guns into the mix.

And in reality, you can't talk about one w/o the other. The lower perceived recoil is because of the powder used in the cartridge and the weight of the rifle, so it applies here too.

The ME series handle superbly, point quickly and shoot accurately. That makes people more interested in the rifle AND chambering. Plus the hunting reports I posted point out both the effectiveness of the round and the accuracy of the rifle.

There's more to these than just numbers on a ballistics table.

Wait, you’re confused...... ahhh lets take a look:
Its fair to bring up the BLR because it’s the only platform available that gives you the real 308 cartridge in a lever gun. If we are going to have a discussion about the sustainability of the 308mx lever gun, how can you possibly divorce the discussion from the BLR 308? Even Marlin Firearms marketing materials directly compares the 308MX to the 308 performance! They are directly going after the BLR market and they are trying to convert some bolt buyers!! Hard for me to comprehend how anyone could disagree with this premise. Okay, so be it. Have it your way. Argue that point with Marlin, I guess....

You brought up that the 308MX is an advantage over the BLR because Marlin offers the gun in Laminate, stainless! and the Marlin costs less! How important is that in comparing 308 to 308MX cartridge performance or sustainability?? I was just responding to your off-topic comments with a few facts to bring the thread back to center.  I want to talk to the guy that says my 308MX is a better performer because my gun has a laminate stock and it costs less!...lol  I also want to talk to the non-hand loader that says the couple hundred bucks cheaper Marlin is my reason for going with the 308MX! That would be dumb, since over a few hundred rounds you start saving money by shooting the BLR 308 than the Marlin 308MX.

You also said that recoil is a factor. Really, just how many potential buyers of a 308 are going to walk away from the gun because of the recoil reduction of the 308mx over the standard 308? Ahh, let’s see, the 308 is factory loaded and available in managed recoil loads........... If your hand loader, you can manage this yourself. So what’s the recoil advantage? You would have to be nuts, to walk away from a 308 only because of recoil reduction to the 308MX.

Seems like your grasping for straws, recoil, laminate, stainless........ Look, if you like the Marlin 308mx, good for you. I like it too, but I'm not going to manufacture an argument for 308mx as a better anything over the 308. The reality is they both have thier advantages and disadvantages. However, in the abstract, from an overall market view perspective, the 308mx has an up hill battle. Is the 308mx an innovation, NO! Its just Marlins answer for what they beleive is a slightly better mouse trap.

[temmi]

So...


Remind me, what just happened to the 450 Marlin?

[Cabin4]

So...


Remind me, what just happened to the 450 Marlin?

450 marlin. Another example of the "slighter better mouse trap" marketing ploy than any real innovation in cartridge design.

[john keyes]

I wonder if they 308MX brass is the same or can be made from the 54R brass, that would be convenient.  I wonder if Marlin already thought of this. 

[Halwg]

1,000 years.