Rifle · SAAMI · SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.338 Marlin Express
High-performance semi-rimmed lever-action cartridge jointly developed by Hornady and Marlin..
- Caliber
- 0.338″ · 8.585 mm
- Introduced
- 2009
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Parent
- .376 Steyr
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 2009
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Hornady and Marlin
- Manufacturer
- Hornady / Marlin
- Standard
- SAAMI · SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 61 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 46,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 300 yd
- Max range
- 4300 yd
- Recoil
- 22.3 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .338 Marlin Express, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- .376 Steyr
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 8.59 | 0.338 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.35 | 0.368 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 12.52 | 0.493 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 25° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 12.89 | 0.507 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 14.05 | 0.553 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.14 | 0.045 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 7.58 | 0.298 | ≈ |
| Case length | 48.01 | 1.890 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 62.23 | 2.450 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .338 Marlin Express is highlighted below.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .338 Marlin Express, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .338 Marlin Express
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced 2009 for the Marlin 338MX/338MXLR; factory support limited after those rifles left production.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .338 Marlin Express use?
- .338 Marlin Express typically uses a 1:12 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .338 Marlin Express?
- .338 Marlin Express uses a 0.338″ (8.585 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .338 Marlin Express still in production?
- .338 Marlin Express is discontinued; typical availability is limited.
- What is .338 Marlin Express used for?
- .338 Marlin Express is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .338 Marlin Express based on?
- .338 Marlin Express is derived from the .376 Steyr case.
- What are the best powders for .338 Marlin Express?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .338 Marlin Express include Leverevolution.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 – 2015 (Centerfire Rifle) — Velocity & Pressure / Cartridge & Chamber Drawings · grain weights, velocity, bullet ⌀ archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 338 Cal .338 200 gr FTX (338 Marlin Express), Item #33104 · grain weights, bullet ⌀ archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
