Ok Marlin men. Give me the low down on the XS7s. I'm looking to buying a new .308 hunting rifle in the very near future, I'm sick of trying to find decent SPs for the Mosins and wanting a little more common caliber. I don't like the fact that I will have to work on the 770 to cure sticky bolt, I mean thats fine with a 65+ year old war horse, not a brand new rifle. The Axis looks like horrible to me, I can't get over the shape of the wrist plus the bolt, or at least the 3 I picked up at the LGS did, hangs on opening.
So, next in line is the XS7, good looking rifle, smooth action, adjustable Accu-trigger, and feels great in my hands. I want to know how accurate they are and if there are any common problems with them. I tried to find reviews on them, but I'm coming up empty handed.
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I have it in .308-24" bull barrel/free floated the barrel/polished the bolt and mounted a Harris bi pod. It's heavey but shoots pretty good-it's not a Remington or a Savage-but if you keep that in mind for what you paid for it-then there is no problem....Decent rifle for a budget gun....
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My son bought the XS7 in .308 for hunting and it is a very nice light rifle. It will do everything you ask of it (sub MOA after a good day at the range tweaking in the scope). Now then, the XS7 is about 6 & 3/4 lbs and a smidge over 7 &1/2 lbs with scope. For a 24 year old that is in great physical shape recoil isn't something he notices but I do. That is the only negative but it's not my gun. I do have a Weatherby Vanguard in .300 WSM that doesn't kick nearly as bad but it's about a pound heavier out of the box.
So bottom line, you won't go wrong with a Marlin if that is your choice. However, I would like to make a recommendation, try a few other brands and see which one fits you the best. Also, I consider cost of ammo .308 and 30/06 is everywhere in all price ranges, 7mm-08 costs more and I don't see it much in SW Ohio. Oh yes, I believe Marlin now lists all their rifles as the X7 line in a wide variety of calibers (based on same cartridge variants of the .308 or 30/06). They also have a heavy barrel version and I will admit that has piqued my interest. Will probably get one just for the sake of having one and seeing what it will do.
My cousin has one in 7mm08. it not the best shooter but it hunting accurate with 120 gr nosler bt it about a 1.5 inch gun at 100. Looked at the new ruger American for a cheap gun it not to bad. It reminded me of I TC icon abit but they only come in 3006 and 270.
Again guys, thanks for your comments. I will ordering my XS7 tomorrow. Found the best local deal yesterday, but it was at their closing time so gonna go back tomorrow and lay some money down. Now, to save up for some good glass. I've got a few scopes that will be good enough to break it in. One more question, what kind of break in procedure do these have?
I wouldn't own an Axis, poor rt out of the box-stock is biggest issue and I was taught that break in was 1 shot clean and repeat for ten (10) rounds....
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1st Thing - Clean you gun real good.
2nd Thing - Weatherby has a break-in process on their website that I followed when I bought my first Vanguard in 300 WSM. It's posted below so you don't have to search all over creation to find it. With special thanks to Weatherby for posting it in their FAQ section and making it simple enough for anyone to follow. TWO BOX BARREL BREAK-IN
This barrel break-in procedure requires two boxes of ammunition to complete. Start out by shooting one round at a time, cleaning the barrel thoroughly after each round and allowing it to cool. This process should be followed for a total of ten rounds.
Then take the remaining thirty rounds and shoot ten three shot groups, cleaning the barrel thoroughly after each group and allowing it to cool completely before firing the next group. Once ten, three shot groups have been fired the barrel is adequately broken in. At this point the rifle can be sighted in and used.
3rd Thing is optional- One of my son's friends that recently started shooting bought a simple laser bore sight unit. I got to tell you, that little device made the initial adjustment so darn easy, that we were on the paper with the very first shot. We usually had to start on the 25 yd line and cross our fingers and hope we hit the paper.
Have fun with your new rig. Take care of it and it will be a reliable friend.
Scope crosshair alignment. Use a Plumb Bob. I made mine from a heavy nut and a piece of cord about 7 feet long. Tied it to a nail on a rafter and I had a perfect vertical line - I align my scope vertical crosshair vertically with the Plumb line and the horizontal crosshair will be correct. It's a lot easier.
Sorry for the delay. I picked her up on Saturday. Got all the factory gunk out of it. Threw on a scope, rings and sling that I had laying around. Sling and Millett rings will stay. The scope is just there til I get a better one.
Yeah. This is my third new rifle and fourth new gun overall. I must say, it was much easier to clean up then my Arsmcor AK22. Now to find time to get to the range with her. It kills me to get a gun and have to wait to shoot it.
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