Most rifle purchases are personal and often times have nothing to do with logic per se as much as emotion, looks and the old adage, "I just wanted one".
Here is a little of the logical side of the argument and process I went through in my mind at the time.
Ballistic comparisons on both cartridges:
.338 Marlin Express 200 grain LeverEvolution ammo:
Muzzle 100 yards 200 yards 300 yards 400 yards
Velocity fps 2565 2365 2173 1991 1819
Energy Ft.-lbs 2921 2483 2097 1760 1469
Wind drift 10MPH 0 0.9 3.6 8.4 15.4
Trajectory inches -1.5 3 1.3 -7.8 -25.5
.338 Federal with 210 grain Nosler Partition factory load
Velocity fps 2630 2412 2204 2007 1821
Energy Ft-lbs 3225 2712 2265 1878 1546
Wind Drift 10MPH 0 0.9 3.7 -8.7 16.3
Trajectory inches -1.5 3 1.6 -7.1 -24.4
There is a slight advantage in velocity, energy in foot pounds out to 400 yards for the ,338 Federal. Do I personally consider that a big deal? Not really. Most animals are not impressed with ft-lbs of energy anyway, especially big bears. There is also the matter of the Marlin sporting a 24 inch barrel (vs.) the Ruger Hawkeye's handier 22 inch barrel. I also feel the Nosler 210 grain partition is perhaps better suited to the big bears if one had the opportunity to hunt them. Either caliber is capable of taking whitetails, black bear, moose, wild boar, elk, and similar game out to 300 yards and maybe 400 if you practice enough to become proficient with your rifle.
Based on the M77 Hawkeye Standard model, this rifle features a
weather-resistant stainless steel barrel and receiver in Hawkeye Matte Stainless
finish, and a rugged black synthetic stock.
My feeling at the time were that I already owned two Marlin rifles in 45-70 and .35 Rem which were both MOA rifles with the LeverEvolution ammo from Hornady.
I just liked the look and the feel of the Ruger Hawkeye and felt the .338 Federal with a wider choice of ammunition was the better deal for me. The .338 Federal has factory loads available from 180 grains to the 210 grain Nosler Partition. My particular rifle shoots the 200 grain Federal Fusion load the best and it is capable of doing about anything one would want to do with the .338 Federal cartridge. I also was influenced by the possible longevity of the .338 Federal cartridge (vs) the longevity of the .338 Marlin Express. I dearly love my .350 Rem Mag as an example, however it isn't easy finding factory ammo for it anymore. I think however I have found someone locally that I can rust to hand load round for that rifle.
I support all of those who purchased either one. That is part of what made America great....Freedom of choice. I pray every day our current crop of politicians in Washington are not allowed to take that away from us.
Dan
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) 2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The 2nd Amendment was ratified on December 17, 1791 along with the other nine amendments that make up the Bill of Rights. While it is a very short amendment, its exact meaning in terms of what types of weapons are protected is still in contention today.
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