I don’t think Hornady is using dishonesty with their velocities on the leverevolution ammo. They use a 24" barrel for their velocities and that is matched up with marlins xlr rifles with 24" barrel. For the most part, the velocities are real close to advertised. Go and grab some Remington corlokt or winchester powerpoint ammo for a 30-06 and shoot it over a chronograph, just be ready for some disappointment. And as for being compact, the 24" barrel marlin is about the same length as a 22" barreled savage/remington there really isnt much difference if you are comparing rifle to rifle. Then rugers "compact" rifle is the same overall length as marlins rifle with a 22" barrel.
I think the 338 marlin is going to fit a void in marlins lineup. They now will have a rifle that is more than capable of elk size animals out to 300 yards. They just dont have anything else that comes close (other than the 308 marlin and some feel that it is a bit small for elk even though it has killed a few).
I have been talking with people at Hornady and it sounds like they will release more information on the 338 marlin in late November or early December so its not going to be available this hunting season.
Jbadams,
I believe dishonesty and trickery is exactly what Hornady used to promote their Leverevolution ammo. Marlin coming out with a line of 24 in barreled XLR rifles at the same time as their Leverevolution ammo wasn’t an accident. Hornady and Marlin teamed up and were working on the new XLR rifles and Leverevolution ammo together at exactly the same time. The Leverevolution ammo would not be much of an improvement without the new 24 in barreled XLR rifles. If any improvement at all.
I also realize that many ammo manufactures lie about the velocity of their ammo. Actually it isn’t a all out lie. They are actually using the same dishonesty and trickery as Marlin. Meaning, that the ammo manufactures are using longer barrels than normal on their test rifles to measure their quoted velocity.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that a 4 in longer barrel and 10 grain lighter bullet with the same cartridge does not equal greater performance from the same cartridge. Higher velocity can be achieved from any cartridge using the same formula. A 10 grain lighter flat point bullet from a 4 in longer barrel would also show a big improvement in velocity. That does not equate to a new improved wonder cartridge.
When I was comparing barrel lengths versus a new cartridge I was comparing Marlins to Marlins. 20 in 336 30-30 barrel with 170 grain flat point bullet to the new 24 in barreled XLR rifles with a 160 grain bullet. The quoted velocity of the new 30-30 Leverevolution ammo is based on the new lighter 160 grain bullet from a new 24 in barreled XLR rifle. My point is there is really not much of an improvement with the new Leverevolution ammo without the lighter bullet and longer barrel. It is using a lighter bullet and longer barrel that is making the real velocity differences. Not a new improved cartridge.
Actually talking about long range shooting with a lever gun is a little silly any way. If long range shooting is what someone has in mind any lever gun is a poor choice in comparison to other available rifle types. I’m not knocking lever guns. I own 6 of them ranging from 22 LR to 45-70. I’m also not knocking Marlins. I love them and own 4 of them. After hunting with Marlins for years and seeing many hogs and deer killed with a 336 30-30 and 35 Remington I see no real advantage to the new Leverevolution ammo or the rifles designed to shoot it. In the real world of hunting the advantage is just about nothing.
I can see some merit in a new Marlin 338 Express. Not as a longer range cartridge, but for more knock down and penetration power for larger game. But if the public is limited to only using Leverevolution type ammo from a newly designed rifle with a longer barrel than I see no advantage. To much knock down power already available with Marlin’s 45-70 and 450 Marlin with a large variety of barrel lengths and bullet selection for the reloader.
I have no intention of owning a Ruger compact magnum in the new Ruger 338 Ruger cartridge. I really have no need for one. But after saying that I am impressed that Ruger actually came up with a cartridge that is actually an improvement. With no trickery of using different bullet design, lighter bullets, or longer barrels to achieve the quoted improvements. In fact you can use exactly the same bullets being used in any other 338 cal rifle and still achieve the same improvement. Plus you can achieve the same velocities as a 338 Win mag with a shorter barrel, not a longer barrel.
Isn’t it great that we can all have our opinions.
Ken
