marlin xl7 opinions???

[fishnfool1991]

im thinking about getting a xl7 in .270 saturday what is everyones opinion on it?
thanks

[ArkansasHunter]

I think you'll be do'in pretty dearn good though I personaly would prefer a 308 myself.

There is a huge following of 270 hunters. The rifle itself has made an excellent repatation for it self so how could you go wrong ?

Buy it and don't look back...A.H

[fishnfool1991]

thanks boss! yea im gonna get one in each but go with the .270 first if i like the rifle ill probally get one in .308 or i might get the .308 first lol such a hard choice lol
thanks

[fishnfool1991]

yup

[Heavy shooter]

My brother has a MR-7 which was Marlins first foray into bolt rifles. It is accurate. Sub MOA at 100 in .30/06. He has killed a ton of deer with it. The XL-7 is every bit as good and much lighter so I don't think you can go wrong.

I have a Sako finbear in.30/06 and his $200 (Bought on clearance after they were discontinued) Marlin will consistantly shoot better groups than my $1500 Sako. I'd buy one in a minute if they offered a caliber I didn't already own other than 7mm-08.

[fishnfool1991]

alright sounds good i cant decide which one to get first lol the .270 or the .308 in the end ill probally end up getting both if i like the rifle

[big shrek]

Originally Posted by fishnfool1991

alright sounds good i cant decide which one to get first lol the .270 or the .308 in the end ill probally end up getting both if i like the rifle

Don't feel alone...I'd almost swear that they procreate in my safe...every time I turn around, there's another Marlin in there

I will point out, that if you hunt HOG, you might want to start with the .308

[tappedandtagged]

I just purchased an XL7 in 270 and am very pleased with it. I'm still in the stage of finding what groups the best, so far, Winchester Power Max (hollow points) seems to be doing the best. I've only tried the 20-25 buck range in it so far.

As far as the rifle, sub MOA, and looks good. Get the camo stock, I didn't and regret it.

Edit: and it's only a few bucks more. I just wanted to walk out the door that day and the gun shop didn't have it in stock.

[tarheel101]

I have the XS7 in .308 and am very pleased with it. I first posted the following review on another forum so anyone that has seen this before please bear with me. The two points (minor) that could be easily corrected is the pillar bedding on the rear action screw and weak ejection. All said and done you cannot get more bang for you buck.

Tarheeel

Marlin XS7 308 Rifle Review


Let me say this is just this one rifle and others may be better or worse.


I was very intrigued by the articles and comments I have been hearing about the Marlin XL7 but really didn't want another 30-06 or 270, I kinda liked the idea of a 25-06 but I would have had to spend a lot for dies, bullets etc., I was able to resist until they introduced the short action XS7 and a 308 sounded good to me. Bass Pro had them for $279 and a 10% deal on a credit card got the price down to where I bit. I already had an Intensity 3.8-12x44 scope and a set of Weaver Grand slam rings so I was ready to get started as soon as I got the rifle home.


The first thing to work on was the trigger, it's the Pro Fire that has a release in the center of the trigger that helps prevent accidental discharge. It is probably a lawyer/insurance driven innovation but it works and I find it no determent to controlling your trigger pull. I removed the barreled action from the stock by removing the two #20 torque bit action screws and adjusted the trigger by the instruction in about 3 minutes. The trigger pull is crisp, light enough to shoot accurately from the bench but not too light for hunting, just right.


Now I have the stock off I can take a look at the particulars. It's plastic of course, mine is black and you can get camo. Sling studs and a very soft recoil pad are installed. The action screw holes are sleeved with steel tube to keep you from crushing the stock when tightening the screws. It has a raised cheek rest (not Monte Carlo), molded in checkering that looks and feels good, a removable plastic trigger guard., 13 5/16” length of pull, and has pressure pads at the forend (not free floated). It feels good and is comfortable to shoot. I happened to have a Remington ADL plastic stock in the shop while doing this and comparing the two they are nearly identical. If you like the fit of a Remington you'll be happy with this stock, only the Reminton's recoil pad was a little firmer and the checkering pattern was different. I went ahead and took out the pressure pads and free floated the barrel, I had to remove the pads and some more material on the bottom and left side of the barrel channel to get the clearance. My one issue with the stock came when I reassembled the rifle, the front action screw went in and bottomed out on the pillar bedding solidly but when I started tightening down the rear screw expecting the same positive bottom it just kept snugging down until it sorta bottomed out. Then I realized I couldn't retract the bolt because the rear action screw was screwed out into the race-way for the cocking piece. The front screw solidly makes contact with the pillar sleeve and in turn the bottom of the receiver, the rear would do the same but the soft plastic trigger guard spoils the benefit of the sleeve. I crushed the trigger guard with the small head of the 1/4” action screw. I made a cone shaped bushing/washer out of tubing and created an all steel pillar and it still holds the trigger guard on snugly. I shouldn't have to do that to a new rifle but I don't think Marlin would have done much, anyway it works good now. The in-letting for the recoil lug was very loose, so a with a little Accuglass I bedded the lug and nothing more.


Okay now for the action. The receiver is milled from tubing like Remington, Savage and others with a recoil lug wedged between the barrel nut and receiver face like the Savage. Drilled and tapped and supplied with a Weaver style one piece base that I like pretty well, I usually prefer the Redfield JR type rings but this one is working real well with the Weaver Grand Slam rings I used to mount my Intensity 3.8-12x44 scope. The finish is not overly shinny but not as flat as my scope's matt finish, no machine marks, burrs etc. The bolt has groves lateraly that look like Weatherby Vanguards bolt. The bolt handle is shaped like the Ruger 77's with a dog leg and is fluted to clear the scope. The bolts shroud looks a lot like the Browning A-bolts. The bolt release is just like a Winchester Model 70. The safety is a two position situated above the stock and above the trigger like Remington. The bolt face looks like a Winchester push feed model 670 with the slide type extractor on the outboard lug and a spring loaded pin ejector. My only complaint so far is a very weak ejector, it just barely throws the brass out onto the bench. The 22” barrel has no sights and is not drilled and tapped to receive any, it does have a nicely recesses crown. I don't think they missed knocking off something from any of their main competitors, but it came together real well.


I went thru about 40 rounds of assorted ammunition that I had accumulated, some miltary, some commercial and 25 or so reloads using some pulled 168 gr. match bullets. While doing this it seemed that 150 gr bullets were the way to go and I loaded 5 rounds each of Nosler Partition Gold, Nosler Ballistic Tip and Reminton Core Loct. It showed a preference for the Nosler BT's and I loaded 10 using Accurate Arms 2520 (max load), a Fed 210M primer and Hornady Match brass. From a cold clean barrel I shot a 3/4” group 1 1/2” high and 3/4” right. I moved the scope three clicks left and cut the verticle line 1 1/2” high.


My conclusion is it's worth the money and may be the best bang for the buck available. The Savage package rifle cost about the same as my set up cost me but I don't think the scope, rings and bases on the Savage is as good as I have on the Marlin. I also like the shape and feel of the Marlin stock better than the Savages I've had in the past. Nine stars out of ten.


Tarheel

[nathangdad]

in the gun magazines and, it appears, from owners.

The .270 is a very well proven deer hunting round. It is very well established in the marketplace.

Best wishes.

[tappedandtagged]

Here's what my Marlin 270 did. This is the best group I was able to get, although, I don't have a sled like a lot of people have. The gun is capable of better groups than this, but here's what I was able to do from a rest. And the highest shot, yeah, that was my fault. I placed a piece of tape on the backside so the shots could be more easily seen.

Edit: This is a 100 yard shot group.

[fishnfool1991]

was that at 100 yrds? awesome

[tappedandtagged]

Originally Posted by fishnfool1991

was that at 100 yrds? awesome

Yes, it's edited now. thanks

[dmsbandit]

Does this give you an idea of what I think of the Marlin XL-7?

[big shrek]

I'm too cheap to use a sled, I like $40 bipods

[fishnfool1991]

hey dms what caliber were you shootin?

[dmsbandit]

Originally Posted by fishnfool1991

hey dms what caliber were you shootin?

The grand old 30-06.

[Paper]

Originally Posted by dmsbandit

The grand old 30-06.

Mine's the same caliber, and Marlin may have did a bit of copying Savage as far as the barrel nut and Accu style trigger, but it sure works well!!