[deltaecho]

OK, I already have a sweet 336 from around 1960 in 30/30 that works great.

I may be hunting Elk this year...and am considering a 308MX/LR for the task...plus it's smart to have a backup rifle along anyways when a fella is out deer hunting...right .

I can get a used 308MXLR with about 10 rounds through it or a new "floor model...meaning a couple dings" 308MX for around the same price.

Question 1 - I reload and after a quick check across the web...308ME brass looks like it is hard to come by. This shortage causes me some concern and could be a show stopper for me. Any words of encouragement...sources etc. to tame this?

Question 2 - provided that question 1 could be answered so a fella would not be facing ammo shortages....which gun would you suggest? I could see some 250-300 yd shots for white-tails/mulies in my future. I like the looks of both guns, the stainless could be a plus for bad weather conditions during deer season.

Thansk in advance!

 

[Dr. A]

Go get some ammo and choose the gun of your choice. I had ammo only for 3 years and only recently began reloading with the release of the new Leverevolution powder. This powder duplicates factory performance. I love it. I have the stainless, and it would seem that most here have the regular MX. Get what trips your appetite.

 

[Rachethead]

I have both a 308MX and 338MX; and although I like both, the 338MX has become my favorite so that I haven't had the 308MX out of the safe since 2008. If I were going after Elk with a traditional lever gun and considering shots out to 250-300 yards; my hands down choice would be the 338MX/XLR.

 

[deltaecho]

I have both a 308MX and 338MX; and although I like both, the 338MX has become my favorite so that I haven't had the 308MX out of the safe since 2008. If I were going after Elk with a traditional lever gun and considering shots out to 250-300 yards; my hands down choice would be the 338MX/XLR.

Yes, the 338MX is always a possiblity too...only thing is the barrel issues. Is reloading supplies easier to come by than for the 308ME?

 

[Rachethead]

Because there is such a wide variety of 30 caliber bullets and weights; the 308ME offers more reloading opportunities (although the Marlin magazine tube and and overall cartridge length limitations significantly reduce those options) than the 338ME, but other than bullet choices there is no "shortage" of 338ME loading components. But the standard factory 200 grain Hornady LE loading would be an excellent choice for Elk, as we have members here reporting one-shot kills on Bear, Buffalo, and Elk with factory 338MEloads, and a few one-shot deer and coyote kills out to 400 yards. We also have members who have extensively hand-loaded the 338ME and many have posted their results here; you can see those reports by reading past threads. I'm not trying to talk you out of the 308 Marlin, as you are old enough to make your own informed decisions, but as for me, if the 338MX had been available when I purchased my 308MX, I would not have purchased the 308MX. You've got plenty of time between now and Elk season, if possible I suggest you find some guys at the range who have these two models and shoot them both before making any decision. I believe your experience would be similar to mine in that you will find the 338ME to be an amazing cartridge. Like you, if I were in the market for a Marlin 338MX/XLR I would certainly have concerns about gun quality issues, but there are good examples available; just take your time looking for a good example and read the posts here so that you will know what to look for in good/bad examples. Best wishes in whatever you decide.

 

[big medicine]

I think you will like either of your choices. I have both the 308mx and mxlr and the are both nice rifles, I also have the 338mx and that has been my rifle of choice for a couple years now. I killed an elk with my 308mx in 07 and it did just fine but I would take my 338 in a heart beat if going again. Which ever rifle you choose you will probably need to start off with a few boxes of factory ammo.

 

[good ole boy]

Rachethead was dead on.But I like the 308 chambering better personally.It,s also like s/guns,I,ll never own a 12 gage cause my dad has an Ithaca 16 ga that can take care of anything that comes remotely near it.Just check out some of Big Meds past posts on what he has done with the 308MX.But on another note,he too loves his 338MX.