[2shotal]

Picked up the 338MX this afternoon. It is a 920 s/n (2008) and I bought it from Shiptons Big R in Billings, MT (about 2800 miles from South Florida) thanks to a member who posted seeing a couple of them placed in the clearance rack. BTW, to my knowledge they still had 2 more as of last Monday.

As I'm filling out the paperwork at my FFL, I open the box and the first thing that I see is:

Oh NO..... not me ..... after a few deep breaths and with trembling hands I pulled the rifle out of the box and placed it on the counter with the top of the receiver lined up with the edge of the counter, and to my surprise it looked straight .....

Here are a couple of pics of when I got it home:

I decided that it was best to spend some time chatting with my better half for a while, have glass of wine and dinner and wait for her to seat down to watch TV b4 I would do anything with the rifle. Trust me, that was a long wait.

Here are some pictures showing the stock fit to the receiver:

I then proceeded to install my 3-9x40 ProStaff Nikon, and use the Bushnell boresighter as the next to final check that the rifle was OK and here are some pics:

Then, when I looked through the scope I noticed that I was way low, and needed to come up quite a bit. Sure enough, I ran out of clicks 1/3 of the way there ……. Oh NO, not me, I checked and rechecked and sure enough way too low. I then remembered the envelope with the shims and decided to see what was inside

And after reading the instructions, proceeded to install the dang plastic shims which were a PITA to install. It helped, but no way Jose, still a long way off. By now I’m really frustrated and POd and then I noticed that the lens objective was resting on top of the rear sight horn. Dang, I had not put it down, and I said to myself could that be the problem, I put it down and readjusted everything but it made no difference. I thought to myself … oh oh …I just bent an almost brand new Nikon. After a few choice words, I decided to take it all down (including the shims) and to install my other Nikon which is a 3-9x50. Not what I wanted to (it is too big), but I needed to see if it was the dreaded droopy syndrome or my screwing the smaller scope. Fortunately, I had an extra set of extra 1” high Weaver rings, and went ahead and installed it.

Alleluia, with a few clicks, I had the cross hairs perfectly lined up with the Bushnell boresighter with plenty of up/down and windage clicks to spare. It is not very clear but this is a picture of what it looked like through the scope:

And here are some pictures of what it looked like at the end of a very frustrating evening, but with a so far happy ending:

And the whole lever family (top=1961 39A, middle=1969 336/35 Rem, & 338MX)

Of course I’m not happy that I probably messed up an excellent scope, but I rather have that problem than the barrel problem with the rifle. I’m hoping to take it to the range this coming Saturday, and that will be the final test. I’ll wait until then to vote on Hal’s poll.

Forgot to mention, the action feels good.

 

[Rachethead]

I suppose my experience was simply a case of dumb luck, as there had been no mention here of misaligned barrel/frame problems when I purchased my 338MX (sn #9100096X); but I've had no complaints whatsoever with my 2009 model. Congratulations on your latest acquisition, and I hope you find owning your 338MX a very rewarding and satisfying experience. Sorry to hear that your first attempt at scoping your MX was nothing but frustration; although it does seem your second attempt was successful. I personally like the big 50mm scopes, and have a 50mm Leupold mounted atop mine; but it does appear the Nikon, somewhat larger than the Leupold, might be just a tad large. But all that really matters with rifle/scope combinations is performance; so if that Nikon scope gives you the ability to shoot your MX well, that's all that really matters! My 338MX with its big honking scope is depicted below.

 

[1895Gunner]

Al, good looking rifle, congrats! Hopefully the range says - ya got a good one. Good choice on dinner and wine 1st............

 

[2shotal]

Thanks Ratchethead ..... from looking at your picture, I would say both the Leupold and the Nikon scopes are about the same size. I'm looking forward to going to the range this coming Saturday and she how well the rifle/scope/factory FTX combo does. If I get to go, I'll post results and pictures afterwards

 

[dpe.ahoy]

I got my fingers crossed. I would hate to put someone on a bad one. DP

 

[jnicol6600]

Nice lookin rifle there. Hope it shoots straight for ya. I bent a leupold once. a real bummer. Wish I had the money right now Id try to buy one of the others.

 

[Halwg]

Al, I haven't been happy with Nikon scopes, anyway. I sold my 3-9X40, but I think my brother put one on his 338.

 

[2shotal]

Al, I haven't been happy with Nikon scopes, anyway. I sold my 3-9X40, but I think my brother put one on his 338.

After reading about your experience with the Banner that came with your 338 and speaking with 1895gunner, I decided that I liked what I read/heard and the 6" eye relief. I looked in the internet and found a NIB Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9x40 (Bushnell's # 713947) for a very good price and ordered it. I'll delay the range first test for another week or so that I get the dummy rounds back from Lee and est how it cycles with dummy rounds vs. live rounds. This gives time for the new scope to get in, install it and boresight b4 I do the final zero in at the range. While I wait, I'll take my time and do a nice cleaning/lube job.

 

[Halwg]

If you don't have any, at least pick up one box of Hornady factory LE ammo. Use it as a control in your gun. The factory LE shoots very, very well in my gun, to the point that I may actually use factory ammo for hunting. I have shot one box of factory and have another for testing against my handloads. I think I'm going to pick up a couple more boxes.

 

[308/338]

Picked up the 338MX this afternoon. It is a 920 s/n (2008) and I bought it from Shiptons Big R in Billings, MT (about 2800 miles from South Florida) thanks to a member who posted seeing a couple of them placed in the clearance rack. BTW, to my knowledge they still had 2 more as of last Monday.

Glad to hear all is well you got me worry for a minute. I too have 338MX serial# 92xxxxx a 2008 vintage. It came to me with a cycling problem. I sent it back to NH. CT. it came back with a list of work done to it, not something I could fix at home. It works fine now. It scoped quick and easily for me and it was accurate out to 100 yards the fast time at the range.
I have not heard or read yet that the #92xxxx [2008] 338MX have the dreaded barrel droop yet. At the being of your post I thought Oh boy here it comes. Happy ending is what I like.

Good luck at the range.

TO NY

 

[2shotal]

If you don't have any, at least pick up one box of Hornady factory LE ammo. Use it as a control in your gun. The factory LE shoots very, very well in my gun, to the point that I may actually use factory ammo for hunting. I have shot one box of factory and have another for testing against my handloads. I think I'm going to pick up a couple more boxes.

The brown truck already delivered 6 Hornady factory boxes of 20 rounds each plus about 400 FTX Hornady 200 grains bullets, and about 150 Hornady cases. I'll reload at the start just to do my own testing with Ramshot TAC, A2520, and maybe a couple of more powders, and see if I come up with something similar in accuracy/speed at a cheaper cost, but I have a gut feeling and based on what I have read thus far, that like you, I think I'll be using factory rounds for hunting. Time will tell. I still have to get it to the range and see how it shoots.

 

[CalvinMD]

Ok here goes...i'll probably end up on everybodies sh1+ list for saying this and yes I realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder and especially since this hobby of ours is pretty much a "whatever floats your boat" kida of thing....BUT...It bugs the heck out of me to see any levergun with a scope that has an objective larger than 33mm ....anything bigger looks flat out silly to me...it ruins the sleek lines of an otherwise beautiful piece of engineering....its as though you are strapping the Hubble telescope down to a Kentucky flintlock....Ok there it is ...I had to say it...My apologies to everybody who sees and thinks different..guess I'm just weird...If I ever get so blind that I need a "honkin" piece of glass on one of my Marlins just to see and shoot something a fair bit out there... that will be the day you see my entire collection in the classifieds....Sorry again if I struck a nerve..what can I say..must be turning into a grouchy old fart

 

[2shotal]

levergun with a scope that has an objective larger than 33mm ....anything bigger looks flat out silly to me...it ruins the sleek lines of an otherwise beautiful piece of engineering....its as though you are strapping the Hubble telescope down to a Kentucky flintlock.....what can I say..must be turning into a grouchy old fart

Yes on all accounts ;D ;D
and you'll have to admit that a 40mm is going to look a lot better than the 50mm I show in my pictures above. I have a 2-7x33 on my 336 35Rem, which is great, but I'm almost 67, and I got the 338MX for those once a blue moon 200-300 yds deer shots, and a 2-7 is not strong enough at that distance.

 

[CalvinMD]

I appreciate you tolerating this grouchy old fart ;D ;D as long as you enjoy the heck out of it ..thats all that matters...I might call that place you got your rifle to see if they might have another 338MX....hope they do layaways

 

[2shotal]

I appreciate you tolerating this grouchy old fart ;D ;D as long as you enjoy the heck out of it ..thats all that matters...I might call that place you got your rifle to see if they might have another 338MX....hope they do layaways

I believe they had 3 when I bought mine. The store's manager name is: T. J. Hecht, his email is: [email protected] and phone = 406-652-9118. Now remember, that I have not taken it out to the range yet. From what I have seen, it looks to be OK, but I won't know for sure until I fire a few rounds. Good luck.

 

[dpe.ahoy]

If I get back down there, I'll check and see. DP

 

[VTDW]

Ok here goes...i'll probably end up on everybodies sh1+ list for saying this and yes I realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder and especially since this hobby of ours is pretty much a "whatever floats your boat" kida of thing....BUT...It bugs the heck out of me to see any levergun with a scope that has an objective larger than 33mm ....anything bigger looks flat out silly to me...it ruins the sleek lines of an otherwise beautiful piece of engineering....its as though you are strapping the Hubble telescope down to a Kentucky flintlock....Ok there it is ...I had to say it...My apologies to everybody who sees and thinks different..guess I'm just weird...If I ever get so blind that I need a "honkin" piece of glass on one of my Marlins just to see and shoot something a fair bit out there... that will be the day you see my entire collection in the classifieds....Sorry again if I struck a nerve..what can I say..must be turning into a grouchy old fart

Since I am nearly blind and have a world of patience I will cut you a bit of slack. If you only need a 33mm you don't need a scope at all!!! I am already a grouchy old phart and those 'why scope a levergun' etc statements just torque me off to no end. Not everyone has eyes like an eagle. I will be waiting for your eyes to go and will buy your collection and enjoy shooting those rifles with BIG HONKING scopes on them and you can retore to the old folks home and play bridge and watch TV...er listen to it if you still have any hearing.

Dave 8)

 

[Lonnie]

2shotal, good luck. Hope she's a shooter, please keep us posted, Lonnie.

 

[Quietman2]

If you don't have any, at least pick up one box of Hornady factory LE ammo. Use it as a control in your gun. The factory LE shoots very, very well in my gun, to the point that I may actually use factory ammo for hunting.

I'm kinda in your boat. Mine shoots 5 round groups MOA or better in my 338MX. BassPro has started carrying the 338ME ammo locally.

 

[2shotal]

Somewhat off the initial subject but still related. I just finished cleaning the baby this morning (have not taken it to the range yet - thus is supposedly cleaning whatever came from the factory) and was kind of surprised by how dirty it was. The last brand new Marlin rifle I bought was back in 3/09 and that was an XL7 in .270 Win, I don't remember it being this dirty. This rifle was seating in a display unit at the Shipton's store for close to 18 months, and based on s/n it appears it was manufactured around May-July 2008.

The numbering in the picture, except for 1 and 2 is just show the general sequence. 1 & 2 were the first and 2nd patches thru the barrel. You'll notice on 6 and 8 a little of brownish/mustard color which I tought might be rust, but I put the light to the barrel and everything looked OK. Any ideas of what that can be, and was your 338 this dirty when you got it from the factory? Just curious to know. Thanks.