308 Marlin Express

BTBowhunter · 08-26-2008, 03:54 PM

Anyone here own one?

I love lever actions and like the concept but am wondering if anyone here has any experience with either of the Marlin rifles chambered for this caliber

UncleNorby · 08-28-2008, 10:08 AM

Nope, don't own one. Wouldn't mind having one though.

To me this gun makes sense if you intend to scope it. If you don't scope it, you really won't benefit from the gun/ammo's higher performance, as your accuracy will be limited by open sights.

Personally,I don't like the look of a scope on a lever gun, so buying one of these is not a priority for me. I have an 1895SS in 45/70 with a peep that is awesome.

wjyarkiell · 09-02-2008, 09:02 PM

i bought a 308 ME this summer. Beautiful looking gun. If the quality of the gun had been half as good as the gun looked i would still have it. The very first time i tried to jack a shell in, the gun locked up and i couldnt move the lever forward or back. i had to take the lever, bolt, and ejector out and then pry the shells out. I sent the gun back to Marlin. Their head guy looked at it and sent it back. The gun still locked up. i sent it back to the factory again. They look at it and send it back again. I finally think that it is fixed but my brother got it to lock up again. Then when it wasnt locking up, it would sometimes not pick up the next shell in the tube magazine. so id work the action but no shell would chamber until i worked the action once or twice again. I got rid of the gun and got a springfield scout squad instead.

I will say this though about the 308mxlr. when i did shoot it and it worked, the gun shot very good. But with the experience ive had with Marlin, im never going to buy another marlin lever gun again.