Just picked up the 338MXLR this afternoon and thought "some light left--see if the wind is howling at the range" so off I went. Was kinda muddy and about a 10mph wind from 2 o'clock. Pulled it out of the box and checked the bore, so set up to try it out. First shot was about 20" high. Shot again, thinking maybe I flinched, but same result. Sight was about half way up so lowered one notch, shot again. About 16" high. Lowered to last notch and shot again. About 9" high. Also one ft right. Moved sight left and shot again. Moved sight again and could hit 100yd gong, but still right. Shot target, but my bench shooting was not very good as getting dark and was cloudy. Moved sight again to center it and shot second group. One shot out of group was my fault as I misplaced where I put my left hand and at the shot, noticed recoil was different. Second group was 1.3" wide x 3/4" high without the "flyer". Three shots were .3" x .750". Maybe with better light the groups would be a bit tighter.
Kicked about like my Marling 356Win (converted 444), but little sharper crack. Primers are flattened and cratered a bit. Didn't have crony with me.
Here are a few pics.
![Image](http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d149/Bigdog337/004-2.jpg)
Notice that the ight is a little wavy on the upper tang. Its because the tang is not smoothly rounded. Its higher on the right side and kind of flat on the left. Like somebody files a scratch out then buffed it really well. SN on left side of receiver isn't straight either.
![Image](http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d149/Bigdog337/003-2-1.jpg)
Notice that someone doesn't know how to spell "Steel)
Not a bad gun so far. Of course, with the sight set as low as it can go, it seems like it is sighted in at about 350yds
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Would be nice to get it to hit a little closer to point of aim. New front sight time, I guess. Wonder if Marlin (Remington) will send me a taller front sight.
Will see how it does with cast if I can ever get some dies in. Wondered how the quality would be once Remington bought Marlin. Now I know, as the quality doesn't seem as good as the XLR in 45-70 I bought a couple of years ago.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)