The 338 Marlin Express (338 ME) was developed by Hornady and Marlin in 2009 to provide enhanced capability in Marlin's tubular-magazine lever action rifle. It is based on a shortened and rimmed version of Hornady's fat 376 Steyr case, thus offering increased powder capacity over most lever-action cartridges. Hornady's FTX (Flex Tip Expanding) spitzer bullet enhances downrange performance, making the 338 ME essentially the first and only 300-yard elk cartridge in a tubular-magazine rifle. Hornady's load produces nearly 2600 fps with a 200-grain bullet; a zero of three inches high at 100 yards will be dead-on at 300 yards, a lot of capability in a traditional lever action! The 338 ME may be the most versatile cartridge ever chambered in a tubular-magazine lever action, but popularity has been limited with Hornady the primary source for ammunition; Marlin for rifles.
