Finally, a new Marlin that works!(XT-22 .22 Magnum review)
I had gotten two Marlin lemons in the past 2 years, and I'd inspected Marlins at the gun shop again over the past 2 years, and passed them by because of obvious problems. Therefore I was very hesitant to purchase another one, but I had wanted a .22 magnum rifle since I regrettably sold my old one in the late 80's, and there was a really nice looking one on the gun store shelf last week and I loved the feel of it and the way it was classically styled like a centerfire rifle, the nice bright blue finish on the barrel and frame and the tough looking and yet easy to shoulder with rough surface panels that, like checkering on wood, make the rifle very easy to get a good grip on. Then the woman at the gun counter told me it was a Marlin and I had to think for a minute. Obviously, I didn't think too long and I bought it, hoping for the best, and that's what I got. I took it out shooting today, with 50 rounds of Winchester 45 grain Dynapoints.
I had thought the bolt to be a bit stiff when I had first cleaned it, but during firing, it proved to have the perfect level of resistance. The "pro-fire" feature on the trigger that simulates a two-stage trigger I could take or leave, to me, it was redundant and unnecessary, I found a proper hold on the rifle to matter much, much more and once I found my groove, the rifle put every round right where I aimed it. I was rolling cans and making them fly and knocking one into another in no time. I was having fun, but two things I needed to do to this rifle became apparent to me.
1. I need to put a sling on it, it's a big heffer of a .22 and long and carrying it around in my hand was a bit awkward in the woods, it would travel better on a sling, over my shoulder and..
2. This rifle has enough power and range that I need to get a scope for it, to use it to it's full potential. I don't want a toy scope either, something decent, and I wonder if they make see through .22 scope rings so I can still use my sights at close range? I believe this rifle could be effective quite a ways out, at least 150 yards with a good scope. With this baby, I could thin out the coyote packs out here that SERIOUSLY need some thinning. I might need some of the really high velocity rounds (1900 fps or better) but I have no doubt this rifle can do the job.
Well done Marlin, a very nice rimfire rifle.
P.S.: If any of you have read my posts on the Savage forum, you know how much I love my MkII in .22 LR, and it is a fine rifle as well, but the styling of the Marlin is superior, the Savage looks like a toy next to the Marlin, The Marlin looks and feels like a proper rifleman's rifle.
Good for you and glad you like it. Fiocchi has a 40gr JSP and a 40gr JHP 22WMR that is serious coyote medicine. (1910 FPS at the muzzle) Got a picture?
Good for you and glad you like it. Fiocchi has a 40gr JSP and a 40gr JHP 22WMR that is serious coyote medicine. (1910 FPS at the muzzle) Got a picture?
Grrrrr.... You ruined my joy by asking for a picture. I don't even have a working camera right now. And for all the trouble it would be squeezing a pic through a hosting site, I really would love to post one because in my opinion the rifle is quite handsome. I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll try to find a pic of an identical one to mine on the net and post a link. I can do that much.
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'There is nothing new under the sun. It has all been done before.' -Sherlock Holmes
Heres a pic of an XT-22 but this one is obviously in .22 LR as the magazine is much thinner in profile. But so help me, I couldn't find a picture of the .22 mag synthetic anywhere, even the Marlin website has a picture of a .22 LR on the description page for the .22 magnum!
Similar, but not quite the same. I'll try to borrow a camera and take a picture of mine next to my Savage, the difference is like the difference between Twiggy and Jayne Mansefield.
post edited got beat off the mark on identifying stock while typing up my post
Good choice buying the XT I have been wanting one for a while and just waiting to have the money to get one and I will be going for .22mag seeing I already have a .22lr but as I did with my X7 first thing would be that it will come out of stock for trigger adjustment down to its minimum setting.
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When camping please remember Deuteronomy 23 verses 10-14
Last edited by gamehunter; 07-31-2012 at 04:06 AM.
Glad you are pleased with your new Marlin. Picked up a Model 925M a few years back and have been very satisfied. Is accurate with CCi 40 grain HP. As for scope I mounted a Redhead 2x7 and it has proved satisfactory for holding zero. As far as a sling I picked up a Uncle Mikes camo with the threaded screws which screw into studs. Good price at Bass Pro Shop in case you are interested. I too was looking for close range coyote rifle that would not break the bank. Bolt is a bit stiff but lubed with Break Free CLP and is smoother. Good luck with yours.
post edited got beat off the mark on identifying stock while typing up my post
Good choice buying the XT I have been wanting one for a while and just waiting to have the money to get one and I will be going for .22mag seeing I already have a .22lr but as I did with my X7 first thing would be that it will come out of stock for trigger adjustment down to its minimum setting.
Mine's already got a slightly lighter trigger pull than my Ruger New Vaquero, I wouldn't want mine any lighter. It actually does trip kind of like a good SA revolver.
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'There is nothing new under the sun. It has all been done before.' -Sherlock Holmes
I bought a Marlin XT-22r last week, and the front sight was mounted squish, tilted at about a 45 degree angle. Got another one and after mauling it over Ive yet to find something wrong with it.
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