.338 Marlin Express

The .338 Marlin Express is a rifle cartridge developed by Marlin Firearms in 2008. It was designed as a big game hunting cartridge that would offer the power of larger cartridges like the .338 Winchester Magnum in a shorter, lighter rifle.

The cartridge is based on the .376 Steyr case, which was necked down to accept .338 caliber bullets. The resulting cartridge has a bullet diameter of .338 inches and a case length of 2.5 inches.

The .338 Marlin Express is capable of firing bullets weighing between 160 and 250 grains at muzzle velocities ranging from 2,200 to 2,800 feet per second. It is a powerful cartridge that is suitable for hunting a wide range of game animals, including deer, elk, and black bear.

One of the main advantages of the .338 Marlin Express is its compact size, which makes it ideal for use in lightweight, short-action rifles. It also has a relatively low recoil compared to larger cartridges like the .338 Winchester Magnum, which makes it more comfortable to shoot for some hunters and shooters.

The .338 Marlin Express has gained a following among hunters and shooters who appreciate its combination of power, accuracy, and compact size. It is typically chambered in lever-action rifles, and a number of firearms manufacturers produce rifles that are chambered for the .338 Marlin Express cartridge.

While the .338 Marlin Express is not as widely available as some of the more established cartridges on the market, it has a dedicated following and is available from a number of firearms manufacturers. It is also relatively affordable compared to some of the larger, more specialized cartridges.