Interesting test. Not sure what's going on with your Backcountry though as when I got mine I too loaded five different loads with the 165sst and one with 180SGK. Powders were H4350, IMR 4350, H380, imr 4320. First 3 shot went into .277", then groups opened slightly to a worst of 1.2", most in the .8-.9 range with very little cool down time. If my Backcountry was doing 1.5" groups it would be gone, just saying. Marlin sounds real good for the price. I have several S2's and lazerguards and all shoot well under MOA with very little development.
Marlin XL7, CDL 700, Weatherby Backcountry - Which Will Be Most Accurate - w/Results
- Thread starter waynewjw
- Start date
waynewjw
CGN Regular
That's been an issue with the Weatherby up until this test. Groups were pretty open with 180 gns, different OAL's, couple different powders. Some would show promise, so I'd load 10 and get a different result...frustrating. I think the issue was that I was going too long on OAL. In this test I went with several of the manual suggestions and in the case of the last loads the bullets at 3.33 wouldn't fit all three rifles, so shortened up and finally got the 4 shots into a good group.
The Marlin clearly didn't like the last two 180 grain bullets. Not only were the groups spread out but also many inches low on the target which surprised me. I think the XL7 is probably a 165/168 rifle. I also noticed another box of 165 grain bullets sitting on the shelf once I had completed the 48 rounds. Next time
As to the 4th shot flyer, could have been a few issues - 32 degrees hot, the barrel not cool enough, my damaged finger which was trobbing, perhaps some flinch on my part, etc. At least that's my thoughts. Once the hand heals I may retry the shots with same loads, etc.
Anyway, part of the fun and challenge of finding the right load for each rifle.
The Marlin clearly didn't like the last two 180 grain bullets. Not only were the groups spread out but also many inches low on the target which surprised me. I think the XL7 is probably a 165/168 rifle. I also noticed another box of 165 grain bullets sitting on the shelf once I had completed the 48 rounds. Next time
As to the 4th shot flyer, could have been a few issues - 32 degrees hot, the barrel not cool enough, my damaged finger which was trobbing, perhaps some flinch on my part, etc. At least that's my thoughts. Once the hand heals I may retry the shots with same loads, etc.
Anyway, part of the fun and challenge of finding the right load for each rifle.
The Marlin XL7 is a way better rifle than the 783 could ever dream of being.
We have a stainless XL7 in 308 that`s very accurate.
It`s a much better designed and built rifle than a 783. Actually they are very different.
Been away for over a week, and just got back to Internet Land or would have responded to this earlier.
The 783 is not even close to the Marlin. They are quite different rifles, especially in quality.
Ted
waynewjw
CGN Regular
A reason for the 4th shot may well have been the damage I did to the fingernail, which was split in half and bleeding pretty bad during this test. I was not going to let that ruin my day, but a throbbing finger didn't help. I might run the test again, or just go with the powder/bullet/grain combo's that gave the best results.
tylerjwitty
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Ontario
Just wondering if your scope on the marlin is coming loose a bit on those last two rounds . Seems a bit odd that it opened up to that size.. Just a thought
Lovely test.
You've only proved that no two rifles will shoot the same load the same way.
Nothing else.
I bet with a bit of load development, and seating length tinkering, and the use of neck sized once fire brass from the same rifle, the grouping results could be shifted or changed dramatically amongst the rifles.
You've only proved that no two rifles will shoot the same load the same way.
Nothing else.
I bet with a bit of load development, and seating length tinkering, and the use of neck sized once fire brass from the same rifle, the grouping results could be shifted or changed dramatically amongst the rifles.
waynewjw
CGN Regular
Lefty I concur. The test was for my own benefit. Out of 3 rifles I am keeping one. So this was a way for me to find out. And yes with tinkering, any rifle can shoot pretty accurate groups. Most out of the box are pretty good shooters.
The most accurate non-custom rifle I've owned was a Sako A2 in .243. It liked to shoot 1 hole groups.
My newer Sakos and my Kimbers were/are very accuate but not quite in the same league.
Ted ... if the Marlin is much better than the other two (one being a Weatherby Vanguard), how would it stack up against an older Sako?
(I ask because the Weatherby Vanguards were originally derived from a Japanese copy of the older Sako actions/barrels).
-Dennis
My newer Sakos and my Kimbers were/are very accuate but not quite in the same league.
Ted ... if the Marlin is much better than the other two (one being a Weatherby Vanguard), how would it stack up against an older Sako?
(I ask because the Weatherby Vanguards were originally derived from a Japanese copy of the older Sako actions/barrels).
-Dennis
I have owned two X7s (3 years apart) and helped zeroing in two more for friends. All four were more accurate than they should be out of the box (for a rifle in that price range). Can't be a coincidence. Fantastic hunting rifle for a value conscience hunter.
Good bench gun, they are not. The barrel is super thin and hot to touch after 3-4 shots. This could have something to do with the test results.
Good bench gun, they are not. The barrel is super thin and hot to touch after 3-4 shots. This could have something to do with the test results.
