338 Marlin Express

[daisygordoninc]

I'm attempting to duplicate Hornady's Leverevolution 338 Marlin Express.
Does anyone know what powder they use, is it Leverevolution powder?
The loads they list in their 8th edition with Leverevolution don't equal the
speed they advertise in their promotions. Has anyone checked on this?
The hottest load they list with Leverevolution powder is 47.1 grains at 2400 FPS.
They talk about the FTX bullet FPS at 2565? Are they just being careful in
their manual and being conservative in their load information?

[Chuck 100 yd]

Hornady used to claim they are loaded with a proprietary blend and not regular canister powder available to the public. That was several years ago when I bought my .338 Marlin. I don`t know if any changes have been made since. I have only fired factory ammo in mine.
The factory ammo is loaded quite warm. I don`t think I would run reloads that hot.
Stay safe!

[earlmck]

Hornady is using the same "proprietary technology" as their other "Superperformance" ammo. You won't duplicate it with any canister powder. Or even come close. That 2400 fps with the LVR powder has to be real close to top.

[.45colt]

I have both the MX & the MXLR .338. the Hornady ammo is loaded WAY too hot, and like Chuck said I would not run my reloads that hot. I have had many rounds I fired that wanted to tie the action up, when I finally got the brass out the primers were flowing back around the firing pin.
I have not had the problem with the Remington 250gr ammo. it shoots like a dream. if I get my act together soon I will be loading my own for the .338. just have to make time.

[BenT]

The LVR powder is the blend they use for the 30-30. The other calibers use different blends. The guys at Marlinowners have a lot of load experience and data. Accurate 2520 gives the most velocity, but complaints of being temperature sensitive from what I have read over there. No worries though because you don't need max velocity for the 338MX to kill deer.

[daisygordoninc]

The reason I'm wanting to get it "somewhat hot" is because my intended use is moose and big bear in BC.
I know Hornady loads them pretty hot, just wanted to try to duplicate that. Thanks again for the information.

[6pt-sika]

I had a pair of Merlins in 308 as well as a pair of Merlins in 338 . Killed a couple deer with the 308's but never bothered with the 338's . If you notice I called them Merlin' s and like the old wizard all four have disappeared from my possession . Might tell you I wasn't overly impressed with either cartridge , although I wish I had killed at least one deer with one of the 338's just so I could say I did.

[buckeyeshooter]

The reason I'm wanting to get it "somewhat hot" is because my intended use is moose and big bear in BC.
I know Hornady loads them pretty hot, just wanted to try to duplicate that. Thanks again for the information.

Are you comfortable using the gummie on game that large? I frankly, gave up on the Hornady ammo after I had many problems with the bullets 'blowing up' on deer. Last thing I would want is to shoot a Griz and just pee him off!

[Gallo Pazzesco]

I had a pair of Merlins in 308 as well as a pair of Merlins in 338 . Killed a couple deer with the 308's but never bothered with the 338's . If you notice I called them Merlin' s and like the old wizard all four have disappeared from my possession . Might tell you I wasn't overly impressed with either cartridge , although I wish I had killed at least one deer with one of the 338's just so I could say I did.

Pray tell ... what were you not overly impressed with about either of the cartridges.

You owned two of each huh?

ok

uh huhhh ... well ... ummmm

Anyways.

For those interested in the 338, I happen to own one for real and it is the finest levergun caliber/platform I own, and I own a lot of different ones. Read about the cartridge here, it's PDF format (American Rifleman article): http://www.americanrifleman.org/wp-cont ... marlin.pdf


And here are a couple of pictures of mine ... for those that would like to see what the last one that came outta the Connecticut factory looks like.

http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx7/ ... C01556.jpg
http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx7/ ... C01554.jpg
http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx7/ ... C01553.jpg
http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx7/ ... C01549.jpg

[6pt-sika]

I had a pair of Merlins in 308 as well as a pair of Merlins in 338 . Killed a couple deer with the 308's but never bothered with the 338's . If you notice I called them Merlin' s and like the old wizard all four have disappeared from my possession . Might tell you I wasn't overly impressed with either cartridge , although I wish I had killed at least one deer with one of the 338's just so I could say I did.

Pray tell ... what were you not overly impressed with about either of the cartridges.

You owned two of each huh?

ok

uh huhhh ... well ... ummmm

Anyways.

For those interested in the 338, I happen to own one for real and it is the finest levergun caliber/platform I own, and I own a lot of different ones. Read about the cartridge here, it's PDF format (American Rifleman article): http://www.americanrifleman.org/wp-cont ... marlin.pdf


And here are a couple of pictures of mine ... for those that would like to see what the last one that came outta the Connecticut factory looks like.

http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx7/ ... C01556.jpg
http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx7/ ... C01554.jpg
http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx7/ ... C01553.jpg
http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx7/ ... C01549.jpg

Well since they made the 308 in MX and MXLR version I had one of each . Killed deer with the 308MXLR never did with the 308MX . Sold the MXLR outright and traded the MX to someone here . And since they made the 338 in the same configurations I got it in the MX and MXLR configurations as well . Both of those were sold on.Gunbroker when I was through with them . Back when they were still manufacturing in the old plant I'd order one to three each year when the new brochure came out . I'd tell my dealer friend I wanted whatever and when he could get them from the distributors I had them . Got the 308's about three months apart , but s strangely I took possession of the two 338's on the same day . I had these fourguns when I was at the apex of my Marlin a accumulating , had ninety plus at that time . Now I'm down to three 444's . But I gotta say those guns pretty much paid my yearly travel expenses for the last five years to the Philippines .

[6pt-sika]

I had acceptable bullet molds for the 308 and 338 . Kinda wish I had tried them with cast . But at the time I was more interested in jacketed in those four rifles .

[1894c]

Pray tell ... what were you not overly impressed with about either of the cartridges.

You owned two of each huh?

ok

uh huhhh ... well ... ummmm

Anyways.

Not to be offensive, but I'm not sure what you meant by these comments...just wondering... :)

[6pt-sika]

Pray tell ... what were you not overly impressed with about either of the cartridges.

You owned two of each huh?

ok

uh huhhh ... well ... ummmm

Anyways.

Not to be offensive, but I'm not sure what you meant but these comments...just wondering...

I tend to believe he was trying to call me a liar

[firefuzz]

Pray tell ... what were you not overly impressed with about either of the cartridges.

You owned two of each huh?

ok

uh huhhh ... well ... ummmm

Anyways.

Not to be offensive, but I'm not sure what you meant but these comments...just wondering...

I tend to believe he was trying to call me a liar

I could be wrong, but it stuck me the same way.

Rob