Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .338 marlin express ?

Can't say how the 338 will do but the 308MX seems to have made it. Leverelution bullets as components are starting to become available. I see Nosler has come out with a similar bullet for the 30-30. Bullet evolution marches on.

I personaly have no use for the338 Marlin Express, bullet and mold availability is a problem for this cartridge and I have a 356 Winchester.
It is funny that we read threads everyday from handloaders looking for a one do-it-all powder for several cartridges and we hear from hunterswho have picked one bullet and powder for their rifle and that is all they shoot. Then we turn around and complain there is only one load available for the 308 and 338 Marlin Express cartridges.
I will say this about the 308 Marlin Express, you need to load very carefully to beat the accuracy from the Hornady ammunition.
For 100% of my hunting I do not need the pointy bullet. These cartridges and rifles do fill a gap. If you dont already have one of several rifles which were previously made for a cartridge of similar performance this is your chance to buy a new rifle with a good cartridge. The Marlin Express cartridges are not any better than the:348 WCF, 307/308 Win, 356/358 Win, or the 33 WCF for that matter but they are made in a new in the box rifle today, at a price a young shooter can just about afford.

Hey, look what I invented - a wheel!

Don't really have anything relevant or pithy to add, just noting this is why marketing people drink so heavily.

The .444 and .35 Remington chug on slowly but surely, the .45-70 seems to have found yet another home, and the weak kneed pitiful old .30-30 (tic) just keeps ruling the roost.

Oh well, the Marlin marketing guy is buying the first "round"...

i cant think of why i would buy a rifle chambered in a new round thats only avail in factory ammo at a premium cost. the listed MV is only attainable in the 24" XLR rifle.
im sure a $200 35 remington would be just as usefull and the purchaser could buy a case of ammo for the difference in rifle cost.

One reason that I am excited about the 338ME is that I have had outstanding results with the 30/30 LE ammo. If they thicken the jacket on the 338 version (like they said they would), it will be some good stuff.

While not for everyone, I bet I can buff the lead off the end of the 210 partition and come up with a safe flatpoint alturnative to factory. This of course will take some experimentation.

i doubt that any shot further than 100 yards with a 210 partition from a marlin would have enough velocity to expand it more than , say, 10-15%.

Well if we push this modified partition at a mild 2400 fps and assume that it has a ballistic coefficient of 0.330; then it is still going over 1800 fps at 250 yards.

Might want to drool over this guys.

The 348DC. 45/70 necked to 348. My 1895 will be going to Dave's shop this winter.I have hundreds of 348 bullets on hand and have grown tired of the 45/70 chambering as it reall overkill for where I hunt.

www.clementscustomguns.com









.348 DC: This is our newest caliber offering for the 1895 Marlin in .45/70 and should prove to be superior to any medium bore cartridge for the Marlin to date. It is made from the .45/70 case necked down to .348 caliber and shortened to 2". No fireforming is needed. Maximum OAL length is 2.55". Bullets are available from Hornady, Barnes, and Hawk along with a few custom makers. Velocities are as follows from a 22" barrel: 180 gr. @2700, 200 gr. @2600, 220 gr. @2500, 250 gr. @2300. The cartridge is easy to load and seems to be at its best with Reloader 15. Conversion to the .348 DC includes a new match grade barrel from 18-24" long, reinstall factory sights if wanted, and a set of Hornady custom dies with all reloading and case forming data. $925 on your 1895 .45/70. $1425 on mine. Many options are available to add to this if desired.

I prefer to use the 1895SS with its pistol grip stock to build big bore rifles. It handles recoil much better than the straight stock. Other chamberings will be considered where feasible. We take proper cartridge feeding of the Marlin leveraction seriously. Everything possible is done to correct any problems. Actions are checked with a variety of ammo and adjusted as needed. An FFL from a local dealer is required before shipment when I furnish the base gun. Stainless base guns are slightly higher and will be beadblasted to a matte finish. Packages can be customized to suit the individual needs of the customer. Stainless barrels can be used when necessary at above prices. When ordering packages with recoil pad installation, please specify LOP desired. On all Marlin packages, the forearm hanger and mag tube stud will be permanently installed with silver solder to keep them from coming loose under recoil. I highly recommend glassbedding of the stock to receiver especially on guns in .444 and .45/70. The stock usually does not fit very well and can split as a result of shooting the heavy loads used in these guns. I can add this service to any package where it is not included for $45. At the present time, I only offer rebarreling for Marlins with round barrels to a maximum length of 24".
I have standardized on using the Terminator recoil pads for all custom installations. I have found them to be of the highest quality and easy to work with. They can be furnished in black or brown.



Clements Custom Guns
2766 Mt. Zion Rd.
Woodlawn, VA 24381

Phone: 276-238-8761 e-mail: Clements Custom Guns