I wanted as many conditions equal as I think I could control when testing the 3 rifles. So earlier in the week, I cleaned the barrels twice with Wipeout, letting the rifles sit for 24 hours and ensuring the patch came out clean. A light bit of Inox Lubricant on the patch to lube the barrels and they sat in the rack for 3 days prior to range time.
The cases were tumbled, primer pockets reamed and cleaned after full resize. They were all trimmed to spec. The only thing I didn't control was the process of getting one of the scopes properly set up and while sliding off the bases split a finger nail right in half. Some bleeding with everyone saying go see a doctor but I wrapped it up, tapped it up and continued with the test. I don't know how much this may have affected the results, but it would have been equal when shooting all 3 rifles.
I had to bore sight the Marlin and CDL 700 so I brought a box of Winchester factory loads 180 grain. It took 5 rounds for the Marlin, 8 for the Remington and the Weatherby was already sighted in so fired 5 rounds through this rifle to level the playing field. The conditions were 30 degrees, hot & sunny with no wind, elevation 2750 ft. I fired two rounds, then placed the rifles in the rack for 6 minutes to cool the barrel and then shot the remaining 2 rounds. The reason I've posted 3 & 4 shot groups is allowing for either a flyer or barrel still to hot for last round.
The results:
First 4 Rounds:
OAL: 3.330
56.5 gns - H4350
180 Grain Nosler Accubond Spitzer (#54825)
Marlin XL7 - 4 shots - 2.587" 3 shot group 1.27"
Rem CDL 700 - 4 shots - 2.259" 3 shot group 1.804"
Weatherby Backcountry - 4 shots 2.302" 3 shot group 1.74"
Winner: Marlin 3 shot group
Second 4 Rounds:
OAL: 3.320
61.0 gns - H4831
168 Grain - Nosler Ballistic Tip Spitzer (#30168)
Marlin XL7 - 4 shots - 1.166" 3 shot group .549"
Rem CDL 700 - 4 shots - 2.621" 3 shot group 1.00"
Weatherby Backcountry - 4 shots - 1.415" 3 shot group 1.144"
Winner: Marlin 3 shot group
Third 4 Rounds:
OAL: 3.330
56.0 gns - IMR4350
180 Grain Nosler Accubond Spitzer (#54825)
Marlin XL7 - 4 shots - 4.165" 3 shot group - 2.733"
Rem CDL 700 - 4 shots - 1.678" 3 shot group - 1.00"
Weatherby Backcountry - 4 shots - 1.560" 3 shot group - 1.20"
Winner: Rem CDL 700
Fourth 4 Rounds:
3.276 OAL
56.5 gns - H4350
180 Grain - Hornady Interlock BTSP (#3072)
Marlin XL7 - 4 shots - 5.564" 3 shot group - 2.763
Rem CDL 700 - 4 shots - 3.687" 3 shot group - 1.308"
Weatherby Backcountry - 4 shots - .986" 3 shot group - .545"
Winner: Weatherby Backcountry
Don't know how each of you would interpret the results. The Marlin was more accurate with 168 gn bullets but didn't like the heavier 180 gn bullets. The Remington and Weatherby liked some of the 180 gn bullets but not all of them. Obviously more testing required by taking the winner in each category and playing around with powder and OAL's. I didn't have opportunity or time to test bullet seating and then lands setback to see if better results could be achieved. For me the overall winner of 4 shot groups was the Weatherby.
For me a fun day, other than the split fingernail and two hrs. waiting to get into the doc's office to fix me up.