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rockrat
09-26-2013, 09:56 AM
Don't know if any are interested in this caliber, but there were two 338 XLR's for sale at the Cabelas store on the North side of Denver, this past Tuesday. 144th and I-25. If I didn't have one already, I would have nabbed one.
TXGunNut
09-26-2013, 10:44 PM
Interesting cartridge & concept, guess it just didn't catch on. I've only seen one, stuck to my moratorium on new cartridges.
How's it working out for you?
.45colt
10-16-2013, 04:28 PM
I just have to shout a Big "Thank You" to Rockrat for posting about the Marlin .338. I took a gamble on one of them and had it shipped to the nearest Cabelas to my house. they mounted and bore sighted my scope so I could check it for barrel droop and function. it is perfect and shoots Great.
starmac
10-16-2013, 05:05 PM
I just picked up a 308, haven't even played with it yet. I'm thinking the 338 would be a better choice for my use.
blikseme300
10-16-2013, 08:14 PM
Bought a 308 about a month ago and picked up a 338 today. I don't care if the cartridge is uncommon as I simply buy Marlin's to reload for and shoot as a hobby. Bolt guns don't grab my attention but to each their own.

I am still busy working up CB loads for the 308 and am very close to a combination that works for me. It and my trusty 444 will be used during the coming season here in Texas.
starmac
10-16-2013, 11:44 PM
Yea I'm not concerned about it being uncommon. I have not noticed ammo on the shelves here for them, but I haven't looked either. I got some factory ammo (3 boxes) and 85 once fired brass with it. I will just have to get a set of dies for it now.
missionary5155
10-18-2013, 06:09 AM
Good morning
If you like the caliber it does not matter what others think of it.
I got hooked on caliber .41 years ago. I like it so much I have a 336 Marlin in 414 Supermag and a .405 JES (.41-444) in another 336.
The caliber .338 is a good one. Anytime a fatter Boolit thwaps into something good results happen.
I do have a caliber .33 Winchester. There is a world of difference when that near caliber .34 200 grainer plows into the intended target compared to a 200 grainer in caliber 30. When both are impacted at near the same velocity that fatter projectile makes a bigger wallop.
So ignore the nay sayers. They are the ones who go through life missing out.
Mike in Peru
popper
10-18-2013, 12:13 PM
Starmac - I think they discontinued it but if yours is anything like my SIL's, it's a thumper and scary accurate with factory FTX. Shame they didn't make it in W308. Saw an old 308 BLR at the range yesterday - beautiful. Guy said he paid $300 for it new years ago.
starmac
10-18-2013, 01:01 PM
I have been watching for an older M99 in 308 (in my price range) but it would most likely turn into a 358 if I find one. lol
TXGunNut
10-18-2013, 11:47 PM
I have been watching for an older M99 in 308 (in my price range) but it would most likely turn into a 358 if I find one. lol

If the Marlin doesn't work out it would make a dandy .358 as well, right? Brass shouldn't be that big a deal. A friend has the .308 and .338, Popper is right about the factory ammo.
starmac
10-19-2013, 12:06 AM
Is new brass available for the 308's ??
TXGunNut
10-19-2013, 12:28 AM
Based on the .307 Win and similar to the 220 Swift, according to Wikipedia. M99 in .308 would be easier, but what's the fun in that?
starmac
10-19-2013, 12:52 AM
The fact that is a M99 for me. lol
Sagebrush7
10-19-2013, 09:42 AM
I have RD remaining 308 and 338 XLR Lee trim kits. Cheap to the forum members.
TXGunNut
10-19-2013, 11:31 AM
The fact that is a M99 for me. lol

I'm guessing a .358 conversion of a a rifle chambered for the MX cartridges could be a bit of a wildcat, hard to beat an M99 chambered for 358 Win. MX cartridges are pretty impressive in factory loadings, conversion to CB's should be interesting.
starmac
10-19-2013, 01:27 PM
I will keep the marlin as is. I kind of checked online for the hornady leverelution bullets to load, but found no 308's and no back order for them either. There are still 338 and some other calibers in stock. Sounds like it will be a 30/30 with a different headstamp eventually. lol
starmac
10-19-2013, 08:31 PM
I am kicking myself big time. The very first table at the gun show today was a private seller selling off a few of his guns. He had a decent M99E in 308 I should have grabbed and run with it. I wanted to see what else was available before I took it and kept looking across the rows to make sure it was still there, but it was gone by the time I got back,and the guy said that everybody kept looking at it and ignoring the other ones.
blikseme300
10-20-2013, 12:05 PM
Is new brass available for the 308's ??

I found 300 new Win307 brass and have converted 100 to 308me with no problem. I annealed these after forming and trimming and have been using these for CB load development. 307 brass are manufactured seasonally, whatever that means, and are sometimes available on GB.

Hornady bullets and brass appear to be unavailable with no date set for a new run. I was lucky and found Hornady ammunition at one of my local stores. The few rounds I shot showed that these are a good accurate combination with my rifle.
starmac
10-20-2013, 01:55 PM
That is good to know, as I have seen 307 brass once in a while.
I got 65 factory rounds with this and 85 once fired brass, so I'm not hurting, but will keep an eye out for some more.
Good Cheer
10-25-2013, 05:42 PM
Anybody had a 99 rebored to .338? I've got the .338 dies, got the 99... just haven't gotten my round tuit yet. And, info from anyone who has tried it out would be most welcome!
starmac
10-26-2013, 01:10 AM
Which 338?? I have read about one being changed to 338 federal.
Good Cheer
10-26-2013, 07:30 AM
Was it an article?
My plan has been to use a little longer neck.
http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy192/SNARGLEFLERK/338Fed16BDNeck_zpsc77c7ac9.jpg (http://s791.photobucket.com/user/SNARGLEFLERK/media/338Fed16BDNeck_zpsc77c7ac9.jpg.html)

There's a practical limit to neck lengths with a repeater, depending on whether you want to use jacketed as well as cast.
http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy192/SNARGLEFLERK/338maxlengthversusnecklength_zps2c6b6f5d.jpg (http://s791.photobucket.com/user/SNARGLEFLERK/media/338maxlengthversusnecklength_zps2c6b6f5d.jpg.html)
starmac
10-26-2013, 01:01 PM
It was not an article. It was just a guy that had his gun at a smith doing the change over, iirc and I've slept since then, I never seen any follow up on whether it worked or not.

I talked to a smith once about doing the conversion, and it was more than he wanted to tackle.
I would like to hear of someone that has, as I think it would be an interesting caliber in the M99 platform.