Went looking for an itch to scratch.....

longwinters · Nov 28, 2011

And found 2. One came home with me. The other I need to ponder for a while. A Marlin lever in "Marlin 338".

Anyone up to speed on any of the "Marlin" calibers?

Long

Guest · Nov 28, 2011

Unfortunately, I think the Marlin chamberings all pretty well answer questions that weren't (and aren't) being asked, across the board. I'm sure I'll hear all about how good they are from a group of folks who think they're great, but my opinion is that they fall into the same category as the SAUMs, RCMs, WSSMs, the 338Fed, and a few others. If it were me, I'd sure be spending my money on something else. And I ~like~ oddball chamberings, as can be evidenced by my safe full of non-mainstream chambered rifles like 8x57, 270Wby, and the like.

DrMike · Nov 28, 2011

dubyam has hit that nail on the head. However good the Marlin offerings may be (and for the rifles in which they are chambered, they are good), I doubt that they'll ever catch on. I imagine that the same is true of the RCM cartridges, which are also very good. These cartridges and rifles chambered in them will be a handloading proposition, and brass will be intermittently available through Hornady until eventually there is no further call for it.

longwinters · Nov 28, 2011

I realize that they are probably calibers that won't last, but I do reload. Course that doesn't mean that the die sets and brass would be readily available. However I did see some Alliant powder for lever guns....thought that was interesting

There is just something about those new lever actions.

Long

SJB358 · Nov 28, 2011

Long, as much as I like the Marlins, I cant jump behind the 338 or the 308. I do think they are excellent cartridges, but the 356 and 358 Wins are more versatile to me. There are only about two or three useful bullets for it and they are limited. I just think a good Marlin in a 35 Rem is about as handy as it gets and if more power is needed, the 444 Marlin, 450 and 45-70 step in. Tons of bullets for them and they are true hammers. Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with the 338 but in the lever guns, the 35's, 44's, and 45's are pretty good. Plus you have alot more selection of hunting bullets. Scotty

HeathSexton · Nov 28, 2011

For some reason the .338 appeals to me. Good snag on that one, keep us updated.

FOTIS · Nov 28, 2011

My buddy bought one 3 months ago. Fun gun!

http://www.hornady.com/support/downloads/load-data

Greg Nolan · Nov 28, 2011

They claim it has about the trajectory and power of a 308 with a larger diameter bullet so it has the horsepower to get the job done. I'm also kind of a strange bird when it comes to calibers. I had a .307 and a 450 Marlin both in Win 94s. An 8mm mauser and 30 Rem vie for space with some mutations of 416 Rem with a 26" fluted barrel and of course the obligatory 416 Wby in case I join Pop on an antelope hunt. I like the oddball calibers and you know what? They usually shoot and kill just fine and go up in value faster. My Model 94 Timber 450 Marlin cost me $430 and sold for over $900 when I decided I needed the 375 RUM. The guy at the gunshop acted like I had no sense for buying it for elk. If you like it and it does the job for you, especially if you reload, go for it. This isn't a popularity contest.
Greg