.308 Marlin Express

.308 Marlin Express
.308 Winchester (left), with .308 Marlin Express (center), and .338 Marlin Express (right)
TypeRifle
Place of originUSA
Production history
DesignerMarlin / Hornady
Designed2007
ManufacturerHornady
Produced2007–present
Specifications
Parent case.307 Winchester
Case typeSemi-rimmed, bottleneck
Bullet diameter.308 in (7.8 mm)
Neck diameter.344 in (8.7 mm)
Shoulder diameter.454 in (11.5 mm)
Base diameter.470 in (11.9 mm)
Rim diameter.508 in (12.9 mm)
Rim thickness.063 in (1.6 mm)
Case length1.910 in (48.5 mm)
Overall length2.600 in (66.0 mm)
Primer typeLarge rifle
Maximum pressure (SAAMI)47,500 psi (328 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
140 gr (9 g) MonoFlex Tip (Hornady Expanding) 2,800 ft/s (850 m/s) 2,437 ft⋅lbf (3,304 J)
160 gr (10 g) FTX (Hornady Flex Tip Expanding) 2,660 ft/s (810 m/s) 2,513 ft⋅lbf (3,407 J)
Test barrel length: 24 inch
Source(s): 308 Marlin Express LEVERevolution at Hornady web site and C.I.P Data

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.