308 Express vs XLR

Zen900 · 01-07-2007, 08:05 PM

The Marlin 308 Express lever gun seems to have made obsolete their own XLR series. The 308 lever surpasses the XLR by a wide margin. The The Express surpasses the XLR in velocity by the same margin that the XLR surpasses the 30-30 in velocity. Seems odd for Marlin to release these two models.

jrchurch254a · 01-09-2007, 03:30 AM

I am a little confused by your post, the .308 Express is offered in both the XLR and the model 336 so I dont see how Marlin has done anything other than provide an exceptional service to their clients. I love my Marlin and wouldnt mind getting a .308 Express just to say I have one. I dont think it is going to last, too many new cartridges out there but hopefully those of us who love the levergun will keep it alive, but my guts tell me this newest cartridge is going to have the same fate as those other two fine rounds, the .307 and .356. Just my two cents. I cant wait to see what else Marlin has in store, it is definately a great company, hope it doesnt get too big for its own britches.

Chief

BattleRifleG3 · 01-09-2007, 07:58 AM

The ability to use regular 30-30 ammo will make the 30-30 XLR still a desireable rifle.

samuel · 01-09-2007, 08:19 AM

The problem the way I understand it with the express and the XLR is in reloading.The bullets arent available for the XLR and the powder and bullets arent available for the .308 express and what I read on it in the january Guns&Ammo powder and bullets wont be available in the forseeable future.Since they are using a special powder with a progressive burn rate,there is no way to reload and get factory spec,s.If anyone has different information I would appteciate hearing it. samuel.

BattleRifleG3 · 01-09-2007, 11:55 AM

The question is will ammo be cheap enough to compete with a BLR or used Savage 99 or Winchester 88?

fredzona · 02-12-2007, 03:09 PM

First let me congratulate Hornady on their development of this new polymer bullet. It is quite a feat of technology to make a pointed bullet nose which won't become stiff & maybe set off a primer in a sub zero environment. While on the other hand not becoming gummi-bear like when fired in 110 degree West Texas heat, thus defeating it's reason for being in the first place.

That being said I am afraid this cartridge hasn't much of a future. There are 2 major problem areas concerning this cartridge. One the bullet will not be available as a reloading component any time soon. Two even if the bullet were available, there is no way the special powder which gives it the necessary velocity boost will ever be available in canister form for handloaders. The powders Hornady uses in it's Light-Magnum series have never been made available to handloaders. And this type powder has to have been used, when one considers the Express case is a full tenth of an inch shorter than a 307 Win.

I also find it odd that a barrel length of 24" is used, this length barrel is normally associated with magnum cartridges.

Zen900 · 02-12-2007, 06:49 PM

I didn't realize anyone had answered my thread question. Thanks folks. It does seem though that you might as well buy the .308 Express and just skip the XLR entirely but then another shooter in this thread said the the XLRs advantage is that it shoots 30-30s too. So both have a niche.

wolfpack795 · 12-20-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen900

The Marlin 308 Express lever gun seems to have made obsolete their own XLR series. The 308 lever surpasses the XLR by a wide margin. The The Express surpasses the XLR in velocity by the same margin that the XLR surpasses the 30-30 in velocity. Seems odd for Marlin to release these two models.

I have the 444marlin in the XLR and a freind has the 444marlin in the blued.
Marlin has 6 XLR models to date 308mx, 3030win' 35rem'444marlin' 45/70, and the 450marlin. Thay also have the same modles in a blue and a 18 1/2" to 22" pipes. the ? you have asked is little unclear.

The XLR series was a joint ventur with hornaday ammo.
wolfpack795

texnmidwest · 01-03-2008, 12:54 PM

I would love to see the 308 Marlin express succeed! I would love to own one. I see it as an equal to my Savage 99 in 300 savage. I love my 99! I also think that this rifle cartridge combo has a better chance of success than cartridges like the 30 T/C. The market needed a lever gun that could shoot 308 performance cartridges. Fills the niche between the venerable 30-30 and the hard hitting 45-70. class. But, I hope their commitment to the cartridge gives it time for the skeptics like myself to get over being scared of owning a rifle in a obsolete cartridge. Especially when no reloading components are available. But even if loaded with conventional powders it may offer longer effective ranges than the 30-30. With out the bullets all it would do is limit the number of rounds carried in the rifle to two. I rarely load more than two or three anyway. Because....

CalvinMD · 01-27-2008, 01:47 PM

I am pretty sure the gun and cartridge will live long and very prosperously too...they 308MX rifles in the traditional blue and walnut are selling faster than they can make them, and more than a few folks who used them this firearms season with great success are spreading the word. The reloading issues raised are really of no consequence to me because I have found with available componants, this rifle continues to amaze me. And when it comes to a serious hunting trip...maybe that trip of a lifetime...the price of that factory premium ammo is still going to be the cheapest insurance of guaranteed performance...well worth the money....so for all those of you who have been wanting this exact type of rifle/ammo setup..and really hated missing out on a 307 or 356 Winnie when they had them ( that now go for 4x original retail if NIB) Take the chance..I'm sure you won't be sorry

01-07-2007, 08:05 PM	#1
Zen900 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 727	308 Express vs XLR The Marlin 308 Express lever gun seems to have made obsolete their own XLR series. The 308 lever surpasses the XLR by a wide margin. The The Express surpasses the XLR in velocity by the same margin that the XLR surpasses the 30-30 in velocity. Seems odd for Marlin to release these two models.

01-09-2007, 03:30 AM	#2
jrchurch254a Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	What? I am a little confused by your post, the .308 Express is offered in both the XLR and the model 336 so I dont see how Marlin has done anything other than provide an exceptional service to their clients. I love my Marlin and wouldnt mind getting a .308 Express just to say I have one. I dont think it is going to last, too many new cartridges out there but hopefully those of us who love the levergun will keep it alive, but my guts tell me this newest cartridge is going to have the same fate as those other two fine rounds, the .307 and .356. Just my two cents. I cant wait to see what else Marlin has in store, it is definately a great company, hope it doesnt get too big for its own britches. Chief

01-09-2007, 07:58 AM	#3
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,609 Images: 13	The ability to use regular 30-30 ammo will make the 30-30 XLR still a desireable rifle. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

01-09-2007, 11:55 AM	#5
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,609 Images: 13	The question is will ammo be cheap enough to compete with a BLR or used Savage 99 or Winchester 88? __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

02-12-2007, 03:09 PM	#6
fredzona Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1	308 Marlin Express First let me congratulate Hornady on their development of this new polymer bullet. It is quite a feat of technology to make a pointed bullet nose which won't become stiff & maybe set off a primer in a sub zero environment. While on the other hand not becoming gummi-bear like when fired in 110 degree West Texas heat, thus defeating it's reason for being in the first place. That being said I am afraid this cartridge hasn't much of a future. There are 2 major problem areas concerning this cartridge. One the bullet will not be available as a reloading component any time soon. Two even if the bullet were available, there is no way the special powder which gives it the necessary velocity boost will ever be available in canister form for handloaders. The powders Hornady uses in it's Light-Magnum series have never been made available to handloaders. And this type powder has to have been used, when one considers the Express case is a full tenth of an inch shorter than a 307 Win. I also find it odd that a barrel length of 24" is used, this length barrel is normally associated with magnum cartridges.

01-09-2007, 08:19 AM	#4
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,081	The problem the way I understand it with the express and the XLR is in reloading.The bullets arent available for the XLR and the powder and bullets arent available for the .308 express and what I read on it in the january Guns&Ammo powder and bullets wont be available in the forseeable future.Since they are using a special powder with a progressive burn rate,there is no way to reload and get factory spec,s.If anyone has different information I would appteciate hearing it. samuel.

02-12-2007, 06:49 PM	#7
Zen900 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 727	I didn't realize anyone had answered my thread question. Thanks folks. It does seem though that you might as well buy the .308 Express and just skip the XLR entirely but then another shooter in this thread said the the XLRs advantage is that it shoots 30-30s too. So both have a niche.

01-03-2008, 12:54 PM	#9
texnmidwest New Sheriff in Town! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 4,775	I would love to see the 308 Marlin express succeed! I would love to own one. I see it as an equal to my Savage 99 in 300 savage. I love my 99! I also think that this rifle cartridge combo has a better chance of success than cartridges like the 30 T/C. The market needed a lever gun that could shoot 308 performance cartridges. Fills the niche between the venerable 30-30 and the hard hitting 45-70. class. But, I hope their commitment to the cartridge gives it time for the skeptics like myself to get over being scared of owning a rifle in a obsolete cartridge. Especially when no reloading components are available. But even if loaded with conventional powders it may offer longer effective ranges than the 30-30. With out the bullets all it would do is limit the number of rounds carried in the rifle to two. I rarely load more than two or three anyway. Because.... __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

01-27-2008, 01:47 PM	#10
CalvinMD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 5	I am pretty sure the gun and cartridge will live long and very prosperously too...they 308MX rifles in the traditional blue and walnut are selling faster than they can make them, and more than a few folks who used them this firearms season with great success are spreading the word. The reloading issues raised are really of no consequence to me because I have found with available componants, this rifle continues to amaze me. And when it comes to a serious hunting trip...maybe that trip of a lifetime...the price of that factory premium ammo is still going to be the cheapest insurance of guaranteed performance...well worth the money....so for all those of you who have been wanting this exact type of rifle/ammo setup..and really hated missing out on a 307 or 356 Winnie when they had them ( that now go for 4x original retail if NIB) Take the chance..I'm sure you won't be sorry