I'm looking at buying an all purpose rifle in .223, .243 or .308. The Savage 10FP has been recommended as well as the Marlin XL7. What do you folks think would be the way to go. Again, I do not hunt (yet), but I love target shooting and taking down pesky varmints. Your words of wisdom would be appreciated. Cheers all!
Marlin vs. Savage
- Thread starter clhdluke
- Start date
powder burner
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
I think you need to consider what type of hunting you would like to do. Pick the cartridge you want to use, then go choose the rifle you want.
I have not shot or seen a marlin bolt yet, but they seem to have very similar traits to the savage rifles.
I dont know if the savage model you want has a clip or not. I dont think the marlin comes with one.
I own savages, but wouldnt mind owning a marlin. If I buy a marlin, I will wait for the clip model.
I have not shot or seen a marlin bolt yet, but they seem to have very similar traits to the savage rifles.
I dont know if the savage model you want has a clip or not. I dont think the marlin comes with one.
I own savages, but wouldnt mind owning a marlin. If I buy a marlin, I will wait for the clip model.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I would say that you should choose the rifle you want, and then pick from the cartridges it comes chambered in.
Go to the sporting goods store and shoulder both models and see which one feels better to you. Check the operation of the action, squeeze the trigger and get a feel for it, play with the safety, etc.
Go to the sporting goods store and shoulder both models and see which one feels better to you. Check the operation of the action, squeeze the trigger and get a feel for it, play with the safety, etc.
I have shot a Savage 111 package rifle and it was very good. I haven't tried a Marlin Xeither7 but from all the reports I've read there seems to be little to choose between them on paper. In this case I think you should try to get to to a gunshop(s) that have them in stock and see which one feels better to you. You'll probably shoot that one better, even if the other is more accurate out of a vise. (Note that the Marlin XL7 is a long action, for the calibres you are considering you would want the short action, XS7.)
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I have used seven Savage and six Marlin XL and XS rifles of recent manufacture, over the past three years. Both are more than accurate enough for big game and varmint hunting.
The Marlin, however, has a much better trigger, a stiffer stock, and a real recoil pad. You could do well with either, but my vote would be for the Marlin XS7, if you decide on the 243 or 308. It does not come in 223.
You might also consider the XS7 in 7mm-08, and have the best of both worlds. That is what my lovely wife now uses for everything from gophers to grizzlies.
Loads from 110 gr bullets at well over 3100 fps to 175 gr at near 2600, all shoot close to, or just under, an inch in her rifle.
Ted
The Marlin, however, has a much better trigger, a stiffer stock, and a real recoil pad. You could do well with either, but my vote would be for the Marlin XS7, if you decide on the 243 or 308. It does not come in 223.
You might also consider the XS7 in 7mm-08, and have the best of both worlds. That is what my lovely wife now uses for everything from gophers to grizzlies.
Loads from 110 gr bullets at well over 3100 fps to 175 gr at near 2600, all shoot close to, or just under, an inch in her rifle.
Ted
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Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
You might also consider the XS7 in 7mm-08, and have the best of both worlds. That is what my wife now uses for everything from gophers to grizzlies.
Ted
Now you're talkin', Ted.
I also have shot both. The savage more so but I bought the marlin. Like stated above the trigger, butt pad and stock are much better. Not to mention the the price picked mine up from Ellwood Epps for 432.17! For that price you won't get a savage that matches the quality of the marlin.
My thoughts on the subject exactly. I was considering savage vs. marlin several months ago and chose the marlin and couldn't be happier. I also went 7mm-08. Fantastic cartridge.
The Marlin trigger design is not the same as the Savage Accutrigger. It is very similar to the GLOCK trigger, adjustable, and completely reliable.
Myself and several others here have purposely tried, very hard, to force one to release without depressing the shoe, and it will not break from the sear.
To me, it seems to break "cleaner" than the Savage AT.
Ted
Myself and several others here have purposely tried, very hard, to force one to release without depressing the shoe, and it will not break from the sear.
To me, it seems to break "cleaner" than the Savage AT.
Ted
