I bought a like new .308MX at a killer price about 3 years ago. Nicely finished rifle made in 2008, IIRC. Smooth action, decent trigger and accurate. I put a nice compact 4X Weaver on top and it shot well with what I considered minmal recoil. Not a thing wrong with the rifle, especially at the price I got it for. However, my unquenching desire for medium and big bore lever rifles saw me trading it, even up, for a 1980 Model .375.

The concept and from what I saw, the end product was a winner IMHO and it's a darn shame production got so messed up and Marlin (Remington) pulled the plug on such a promising rifle.

 

I have a 2012 Remlin 308MX which has been outstanding--4 DRT deer to its credit so far. My rifle now has a 2-7X33MM Redfield Revolution scope mounted--switched from the 3-9X40MM model. The smaller scope improves the handling and balance of the rifle. Sure is a shame Marlin has decided to put production of these fine rifles on hold.

 

I have a Marlin 308MX (2009 model) that I have put a Redfield 2x7x33 scope on it. It is deadly accurate with the Hornady 160gr FTX Leverevolution ammo. It is now my go-to-rifle, have harvested 5 deer, all DRT. No problems or complaints what so ever.

 

I've got a 2008 308MX.... With the Hornady 160gr for target shooting it's a tack driver. Zero is at 200 yards. With the 140gr it drops game with no trouble. Still zero at 200 yards. Recoil is less than I expected for a hotter round than my old 30-30.

 

Oh, and make sure you check all the posts on barrel droop......

 

No time to deer hunt with mine yet, but picked up a few months ago. It is a brand new Remlin gun, but I have run 2 boxes of 160 gr Hornady rounds through it. I have not yet had a scope on it yet. But I like the way it feels to the hand and the way it eases up on my shoulder. The size and weight are spot on for me. I look forward to shooting my first deer with it one of these days when I can break away from work. The quality of mine is acceptable and seems pretty nice to me. The finish is great and I like the wood. A more experienced member would probably find flaws, but I have yet to see any. It is very fun to shoot.

 

Mine has performed well on 4 mule deer in the last 2 years using factory LE ammo. Accurate, well balanced and has performance that mirrors the 300 Savage cartridge, that ain't a bad place to be. That performance has gotten the job done for many decades. DP

 

I bought one several years ago and have killed a few Deer with it and mine is scary accurate with the LE ammo!!!!!

 

So I hesitate to post this as I don't own one and I know you are looking for reviews, but the 308 MX and the 30-30 LE both shoot the 160 grain gummies. The MX starts them off about 260 f/s faster, but the 30-30 muzzle velocity is around 2400 f/s in the factory loads. You give up a little speed/energy with the 30-30 LE but not much. You also have a much more common cartridge with many more options (and I'm guessing a cheaper rifle, too...).

I know guys have them and love them, but it's something to think about. Now on the other hand, the 338 MX really offers a noticeable step up in power in a lever gun, but I wonder if it is worth the tradeoff of limited options and more expensive rifles with the 308 MX? Love to hear others' thoughts...

 

My thoughts.... Hornady figured the VAST difference in velocity needed a DIFFERENT 160gr bullet. If someone thinks that the 30/30 is as good for their hunting as any .308 might be, stick with the lightweight. There's a reason why the .300 savage and then, after, the .308 win were developed. Might not matter to you, but does matter to many others.

 

The extra 260 fps the 308 MX starts out with is what provides spectacular kills out to about 100 yards. A .308 bullet loses is hydrostatic shock at right around the 2400fps range. After the first 100 yards performance is equal to the 30/30 at the muzzle. Most game is killed within that 100 yard range so the 308 MX takes advantage of that extra 260fps and results on game animals can be remarkable.
Pb

 

Love my 308 mx picked it up used about 3 years ago topped it with an oldie but goodie redfield 3x9 lo pro. I changed from the 160 to the 140 gr. Hornady monoflex last year. I just picked another one up about a month ago that i found new setting at a local gun shop. It now has a nice corner spot in the safe. Don't know if i even want to scope it yet or just save it for my kids.

 

I have read some comments here about the difference between the 30-30 and 308 ME rounds at closer ranges. I have shot four deer with my 308MX between 40-70 yards and all were DRT. Much more shock to the body cavity than what I have ever seen in any animal that I have taken with the 30-30. I have read reports of Elk and Pronghorn taken at 200-300 yards with the 308MX and the results have been very good--pretty close to the 308 Win. At those 300 yard ranges--the 30-30 (even with the Hornady LEs) just can't compete. If you want a beanfield lever rifle--the 308MX and 338MX are the rifles to get.

 

I'd love to get the 338 but the 308 doesn't seem to offer enough performance compared to the 338ME.
I've been hankerin for a 338MXLR, hopefully someday.

 

Not to mention the 30-30 LE ammo chronographs around 2250fps out of my Marlin 336T and the 308ME ammo chronos 2550-2600fps, there is more like a 300-350fps difference between the loads. I haven't chronoed the 140gr loads yet to see but my guess is they are probably 100fps less than stated on the box.which is true with most factory loads when chronoed. They are usually 100-150fps less than stated in the tables.

 

Picked mine up last year in unfired condition--original purchaser thaought it took regular .308 Winchester ammo. was real disappointed when it didn't, and decided to sell it. I've had nothing but good luck with mine. Took it out over the 4th of July and shot 1-1/2" groups at 100yds, and managed to hit a 55 gallon barrel 3 out of 4 times at 500 yards. Hoping to take it to North-east Montana hunting this year (depends on if I get drawn).

 

If my wife said that, I'd have bought one already!

It certainly would be difficult to get a bad 308MX review from this crowd. So do yourself a favor and find one for the little woman...

 

Re: The first Post in this thread, I am the one that traded my 375 for his .308MX. I already had one and wanted another for my son. We both love them. Mine is my go to rifle for all deer hunting situations. I've killed deer out to 250 yards with mine. It's an extremely accurate killer. I have a Ruger #1 in 25-06, a Browning in .270, 7mm-o8, and 243, Savages in all sorts of calibers but I always pick up my 308 MX when I hit the deer woods. In my opinion it is the finest deer rifle ever made.

 

Ive started looking. Ugh. Guess imma have to sell a gun. How is ammo availability

 

My 308mx is a 2008 version. Topped with a Leupold 2-7x33 it will shoot 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards using 150gr Rem Core Lokts. The LeverEvolution 160's are not as accurate. I have never chronied any of the rounds. I REALLY like the rifle !! I highly recommend a 308mx.

 

I have an "07" prefix 308MX; fell in love with the thing when I first saw her sitting on the dealers display rack in Fayetteville, NC. I hunted with it almost exclusively until my fickle heart laid hands on a 338MX, so now she languishes in the gun safe for the most part; although she was my choice for the only my only deer hunting trip a career change allowed in 2012 and took the doe pictured above. Although my 338MX is special, I can't say a single negative thing about my 308MX; she shoots were I point, and the 6 or 7 deer shot with same to date have all dropped in their tracks. It's one heck of a traditional lever gun/cartridge combo; and neither you, your wife, or any other deer hunter would make a mistake with a 308MX as their choice.

 

I bought a NIB 91xxx last winter. Been siting on shelf at a Gander Mountain for years. Made offer and they took it. I have not hunted with it yet but have spent considerable range time with it. After I got the seating depth right, it is a solid 1/2" two shot gun that maintains poi. Sometimes the third shot will go a little low, still less than an inch. Very pleased. FYI, I think Marlin did something different on these barrels. Looking through a bore scope they appear lapped. Zero button chatter.

 

If you can locate one, the 16.5" 308SDT makes for a dandy woods gun. Unfortunately they only made 250 of them so they don't show up that often. Here is mine along with the companion 30-30 and 45-70 versions.

 

I have to say the same boring thing about my MX, sweet to shoot, not much recoil, surely accurate enough for deer hunting at my ranges out to 170 yards with the Hornady 160 gr. I want to reload for it but I don't think I can do much better. Ammo seems to be available when I've looked, I bought a bunch a couple times. Do a little looking on here as to barrel droop. I saw one awhile back alot like mine at the local pawn place, it didn't stay long, I wish I had snagged it.

 

king strider,

those are sure some pretty guns. stainless makes me go weak in the knees

 

09 .308MX, killed a few deer with mine using bulk 150 grain Winchester Power Point. Didnt have to track any deer....not even a foot, they all died right there on the spot. I love my .308MX, it is a great rifle, light, easy to carry comes up to the shoulder without any adjustment. The recoil is very light, I think your wife would be very pleased with the rifle/cartridge.

Chief