Marlin xl7 for a target rifle?

stoop14

stoop14

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This might be a dumb question, I've been reading lots of good things about the marlin xl7 I've been looking at a 308, I was originally going for a sps tactical but I read ppl saying the marlin is just as accurate at 250$ less. Or is the extra money worth grabbing a sps tactical?
 
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I have yet to ever see "Marlin" and "Precision" mentioned in the same sentence.

For aftermarket parts (triggers, stocks, etc) stick with the Rem or Savage.
 
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Actually, more correctly, CGN people prefer the Stevens, and I beg to differ, there most certainly is NOT a ton of after-market mods and accessories.

The Marlin would be a waste of money if you decide you really like target shooting. The Remington is infinitely and incrementally upgradable, and as I have stated on inumerable occasions, the Reminton action is the basis for the overwhelming majority of custom actions out there.

There is a "cult" within CGN that worships the Stevens action, driven largely by those that sell the upgrades, but there is a point of diminishing return with using cheap gun actions to build target rifles.

I would simply buy a rifle you can live with as-is, and have fun with it.
 
I can't really comment with any degree of authority because I have not built a rifle on a Marlin action. I did look one of the rifles over and didn't see anything to hate. In fact, there were aspects of the action I kind of liked. Until I get around to taking one apart, that's about all I can say.
I won't go so far as to say the Marlin would be a waste of money. It can't be any worse than a Stevens!
So, as an inexpensive rifle which gives considerable bang for the buck, the Marlin is probably just fine. As a source for a target action, it becomes questionable. When you are paying for a barrel, fitting and chambering, a stock, fitting, bedding and (perhaps) finishing, paying 500 instead of 900 for an action may be false economy. Regards, Bill.
 
It all depends on what your intended use is as a "Target rifle". If you plan on entering 1000 yard matches with stiff seasoned competition, maybe you need to look at something else, BUT, if you mean a "target" gun in the sense of a gun you can take to the range and shoot at paper targets and get decent groups, and have a bit of fun, but not get TOO serious, I'd say the marlin would be no worse than most. I handled a couple recently, and they actually seemed pretty decent. I am tempted to get one in a smaller caliber just for paper plinking and a "LOANER" gun to give out to buddies in a lurch.
 
Obtunded said:
There is a "cult" within CGN that worships the Stevens action, driven largely by those that sell the upgrades, but there is a point of diminishing return with using cheap gun actions to build target rifles.
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A little off base bud...;)

Who spends hundreds of dollars in modifications to make their rifles shoot?:dancingbanana:

And would you then be the 'high priest' of the Rem XR/Kreiger/6BR cult????:nest:

We all have likes and dislikes. Excellent. There are lots of combos that work, Fantastic.

Constantly slamming something you don't like (not because it doesn't work)with pretty derogatory comments is not building alot of love within this community.

You know I keep my comments as neutral as possible BASED ON MY SHOOTING EXPERIENCE. Stays away from the us vs them debates that pollute so many other forums.

I have drunk the Rem coolaid (several times in fact) and have moved on. Nothing wrong with them at all. But not what works for me right now.

'Nuf said....

The NEW marlin is essentially a Savage knock off (REM can't offer such a rifle under their banner - so why not a sister brand?). The engineering is the same. From what I have been told, the thread pattern on the barrel is the same or pretty darn close to the same.

The use of the floating bolt head is pure Savage with all the good that comes with it.

You can get prefit barrels for these Marlins too so barrel nut headspaced swaps are no different then a Savage/Stevens. The same barrel nut wrench can be used.

Is there much else for the Marlin? not really.

For an action to really gain interest in target shooting, light triggers are a must. As far I as know, no trigger manf is offering a sub 1lb trigger yet.

If someone did build one, odds are someone would make a go of these actions and produce a stock. And so on, and so on.

I have not played with one as I am too busy stuck in the 'cult', but may do so in the future if different parts become available.

I think where the Marlin can really shine is in the varmint, and heavy barreled LR hunting arena. Just spin on a quality barrel and have at it. With a bit of snooping, someone may already be making aftermarket stocks????

Jerry
 
"Who spends hundreds of dollars in modifications to make their rifles shoot?" by Mysticplayer
Practically everyone that buys a Ruger 10-22 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I had to add that as it amazes me that someone buys a gun for 299 and then spends 800 dollars to turn it into a shooter. Like the 10-22 crowd. I'm sure the marlin will shoot every bit as good as the savages.
I thought Savage has a varmint version of the Accutrigger that was adjustable from 6 ounces to 2.5 lbs pull weight. Not exactly available as an aftermarket drop in, but it is equipped on their varmint rifles??? I thought that was the case.
 
A rem 700 would be a fun project but unless you are doing the work yourself, by the time you are done it might be more economical to buy a custom action, Barnard, Stiller etc. Obtuned is correct though, as far as upgrades you can't beat the 700 platform. The savage/steven is a tinkerers dream though and they are stealing market share at an enormous rate A whole secondary barrel industry has been created around this action.

The stevens/savage coolaid is not limited to cgn as Obtuned would have you believe. Half the major bbl manufacturers out there are offering spin on prechambers now, I doubt cgn can support this secondary industry. Shilen has even gone so far as to offer an action with a floating bolt head, rem 700 footprint, savage threading and a barrel nut.
 
Marlin XL7/SL7 is a good hunting rifle: shoots like a dream, weights like a feather, priced right. But I wouldn`t even conceder this rifle for target use.....for practice/plinking - yes :) if you want call it this way :)

just my 0.02 :)
 
stoop14 said:
I'm not looking to do anything really to the gun, I'm looking at just shooting it stock and having fun.
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Bed it, work up some loads with quality bullets and dies. Go have lots of fun.

There have been plenty of positive comments on these rifles and their growth is a sure sign customers are happy.

I would expect sub MOA to be possible and that is plenty fun when plinking at any distance.

Enjoy...

Jerry
 
sgt.rock said:
"Who spends hundreds of dollars in modifications to make their rifles shoot?" by Mysticplayer
Practically everyone that buys a Ruger 10-22 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I had to add that as it amazes me that someone buys a gun for 299 and then spends 800 dollars to turn it into a shooter. Like the 10-22 crowd. I'm sure the marlin will shoot every bit as good as the savages.
I thought Savage has a varmint version of the Accutrigger that was adjustable from 6 ounces to 2.5 lbs pull weight. Not exactly available as an aftermarket drop in, but it is equipped on their varmint rifles??? I thought that was the case.
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Yes, Savage is the first US manf to offer an end user adjustable trigger that is under 1lb AND it actually works. Given the cost of an aftermarket alternative, it adds good value to the factory rifle purchase.

The CZ/Bruno set triggers are lighter but not sure if they are offered anymore.

I had a great chuckle when I saw your 10/22 comparison. Guilty as charged!!! Love those silly things.

I think the best value to build up a Ruger 10/22 is to not start with a Ruger at all. You can now a la carte a complete rifle with almost no RUGER manf parts in it.

That $300 goes a long ways to completing the build and you don't have to sell off 98% of the orig rifle now.

Fun, fun, fun...

Jerry
 
"...I think the best value to build up a Ruger 10/22 is to not start with a Ruger at all..."

been there :) 100% true :) Ruger 10/22 - is a very deep money pit :))) that is why after I finished it, I sold it and got myself a CZ :) and nevder looked back :)
 
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