I am looking into buying a lever- action rifle? Browning vs. Marlin.?

Question

I am considering the marlin 308MX .308 Marlin Express
and the Browning BLR Lightweight '81 Takedown 308 Win.

I was curious to see if anyone owned either of the two, and their pros, and cons of the two rifles.

Uses will include hunting,plinking,target/range.

Answer 1

My Browning BLR is not a .308, nor is it a takedown, but I would not swap it for an armload of Marlins.

Don't get me wrong, I actually like Marling M-336's and M-1895's, but that BLR is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned.

I've not read much about the new Marlin .308 Express, but I expect it is an effort to put .308 Winchester performance in a lever action. It ain't likely to happen. They might manage to reach pressures similar to the .308 Win, but they lack proper bullet designs.

As you probably already know, you can't use spire point bullets in a rifle with a tubular magazine. I suspect that the .308 Marlin Express factory ammo is using some sort of trick bullet with a soft plastic or rubber nose in an effort to achieve .308 Win ballistics, so you would be limited to a small range of bullets for reloading unless you use flat-point bullets.

I'd be more likely to buy another Browning in .308 Win, than to buying a Marlin in a new caliber that probably won't last long in the market.

Doc

Answer 2

Marlin Lever Action 308

Answer 3

Both are good rifles and have virtually the same ballistics, but I think I would get the Browning if you are planning on the .308 Winchester round. The Browning feeds from a box type magazine and can handle regular .308 ammunition with pointed bullets. The Marlin has a tubular magazine and you must use flat pointed bullets or some of the newer bullets with polymer tips to preclude the recoil from igniting rounds in the tubular magazine. The .308 Winchester round is a very common cartridge while the .308 Marlin Express is new and unique and you may find difficulty finding it from time to time. I'm unfamiliar with the 308 MX cartridge so can't offer an opinion. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Browning Lever Action 308

Answer 5

My Grandpa also had a Marlin 336 in .30-30. He got it around 1950 (circa) and used it for thirty plus seasons, then my uncle took it and he's still using it. My uncle has told his wife I get it next.....we'll see!

I don't have a lot of experience with the Browning, but from what I've seen they are also fine rifles and have many loyal followers.

I will echo some advice that's already been said: Do yourself a favor and don't invest in experimental calibers unless you have a tolerence for risk.

If you are a one or two rifle guy, stick with the proven and popular calibers that you can find in any hardware store in any small town.

Only fools like myself who have way too much invested in oddball sizes spend their hard earned cash on risky investments.

Remember, experts can tweak any caliber to "perform" great on paper and the Sales and Marketing folks keep demanding "new improved" calibers to sell new rifles and of course, the fool writers at the outdoor magazines eat this stuff up and go on and on about how this new caliber is 'revolutionary' and 'will set new standards', etc. etc.

Part of the fun of having guns is shooting them. If you are spending a lot every time you pull the trigger, you wind up pulling the trigger a lot less. Just my 2 cents. Happy shooting!

Answer 6

I fired both Browning and Marlin rifles.Id say go with the Browning if you have the money,Im not saying Marlins are bad but Browning just makes a nicer rifle.More expensive too.

Answer 7

i would rather have a marlin. my grandfather has a marlin model 336 in 30/30 and loves it. i like marlin more than that browning.
get the marlin if you have to have a lever action, but i like the Remington 700 sps.

Answer 8

You get what you pay for and that's it. The same question came to mind when people asked themselves whether to get a Browning .22 lever gun or Henry. Both are good but one is made a lot nicer and costs more.