Description
The .308 Marlin Express is a cartridge developed in 2007 by Marlin Firearms and Hornady. It is based on the .307 Winchester with a goal to duplicate .308 Winchester performance. The cartridge uses a slightly shorter, semi-rimmed case similar to that of the .220 Swift to function in lever-action rifles. As introduced in Hornady’s LEVERevolution line of cartridges, it is the highest velocity production cartridge designed for lever action rifles with tubular magazines. It is chambered in Marlin’s Model 308MX and 308MXLR rifles using the Marlin Model 336 action.
The .308 Marlin Express was designed to produce performance similar to the .308 Winchester. This would give lever-action hunters improved performance over their .30-30 Winchester rounds. Due to the round being used in a tubular magazine, the round requires the use of a flat nose or round nose bullet. Also the Hornady FTX bullet can be used due to its soft tip that allows it to be used in tubular magazines.