[bjstone]

I'm seriously considering one of these rifles for target shooting. I have two questions: 1. which caliper would offer the greatest range? 2. Which scope will do it justice?

[big shrek]

Caliber-kinda depends on your size & strength...for my 6'3 big-boned frame that means a .30-06
for others, a .308...for smaller folks, the other smaller calbers...that's with a B, by the way

Also depends on what you intend to hunt...for white-tail...7mm-08 is great...and low in recoil...
but recoil isn't very bad on the Marlins due to the OEM bedding and recoil pad
.30-06 is quite comfortable,
where on my Uncle's Remmy 700 it felt like a metal-buttplate 12-gauge...

[nathangdad]

in terms of caliber I would go with my two favorites - the .243 Winchester and the 7mm/08 although I feel the 7mm/08 would be best for you.

[338RUM]

For long range the 7-08 is where it is at (since it isnt available in 260) it will launch the same weight projectiles as the 308 and will launch them flatter. Only problem is factory ammo is not cheap, but considering you are shooting "long range" I assume only carefully assembled handloads will be used which will knock my factory ammo problem to non existance.

[gamehunter]

I have an XS7 stainless in 7mm08 and I like it a lot, it will very soon be getting the chamber reamed out to .284 win (06 case capacity rolled into a short action) after doing a lot of research I originally wanted to go .284 Shehane but thought I may be pushing my luck on a short action, as for optics I would be looking into a burris fullfield 2, leupold VX series, zeiss, Nikon or nightforce for good quality optics.

Also to help you with ammo the X7 in 7mm08 loves 150gr federal blue box and 120gr privi partizan ammo (good plinking round). The only thing I have had to do to help improve accuracy as I had a shot stringing issue was remove the two pressure pads in the fore end of the stock to get the barrel fully free floating and also sand the left rail of the barrel channel to stop the stock making contact with the side of the barrel (only do this if the barrel is making contact with the side of the barrel channel), Oh and a boyds aftermarket stock make these rifles look very pretty

[Bish.41MAG]

Calipers hold your break shoes on, oops I mean brake shoes. No wait break shoes. oh yeah brake shoes. Guns come in different Calibers.

I have this gun in .06 and I'm 5'7'' 135 with my boots on. It's a fairly low recoil gun in my opinion. I shoot 150 gr. box ammo out of it and the gun is dead on. If you want a lighter caliber I'd go for the .243 (great for target if that's all you're doing) but I'm bias because that's probably my favorite caliber. My XL-7 deer rifle wears a good scope but not so good that it out prices the cost of the gun. I suggest a leupold or a redfield. I use VX-1 3-9-40. American made scopes. Great warranty.

All opinions. Best of luck in matching the gun for your needs. I don't know how far you shoot or what all you plan to use it for. I'm outside in deer/bear season rain, snow, sleet or shine and walk some pretty tough Appalachian Mtn terrain doing my best to try and not to fall and bang the gun around. If I do - I don't want my scope to fog up - And if it does I enjoy that Leupold will fix it free of charge - for life.

[Michael Allen]

I have it in .308 and like it. The most I've shot with it so far is about 125yds, but have no complaints to that. What ever caliber you choose I'm sure you'll really like. Haven't heard of any one going wrong yet with this rifle.

Scoped with a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x