Marlin XLR .30-30

Kingofalderwood

Kingofalderwood

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Is it all it's cracked up to be?

I'm looking at picking up a new lever action. I saw this one at a local shop and it was nice. Longer barrel would help with accuracy I imagine. One thing I've heard is they want you to use Hornady ammo exclusively.

Any thoughts? Some I've talked to say it doesn't matter. Just figured on getting some other opinions.
 
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Have one and it shoots great. I use 170 grain bullets as they are the most accurate. Have never used Hornady ammo . Really don't see it making a difference down range. I shoot without a scope so my groups are not as tight as they could be. Given the range of a 30-30 I don't really see a tight group being all that important when your shooting deer. The rifle itself swings nice with the longer barrel and fits well. I don't think you will be disappointed picking one of these up.
 
homeboy1 said:
Have one and it shoots great. I use 170 grain bullets as they are the most accurate. Have never used Hornady ammo . Really don't see it making a difference down range. I shoot without a scope so my groups are not as tight as they could be. Given the range of a 30-30 I don't really see a tight group being all that important when your shooting deer. The rifle itself swings nice with the longer barrel and fits well. I don't think you will be disappointed picking one of these up.
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Appreciate the feedback. My buds say the same. There are others that have a smoother action but at substantially more coin. That said, the Marlin is still built close to home so Im thinking why not support the upper CanAm economy...
 
I love the marlin action but do not like the long barrel. They are more accurate (my opinion) with open sights due to a longer sight radius but if your going to scope it I would opt for the 336ss in 30-30(well id take the ss either way with a good peep sight). For factoy ammo the FTX is supposed to be awsome from any length of barrel. I have owned a 450,45-70,30-30 and 444 xlr all where accurate but hated the barrel I sill have a 444 but might trade it or cut it down.

Good luck and happy shooting
 
c.t.smith said:
I love the marlin action but do not like the long barrel. They are more accurate (my opinion) with open sights due to a longer sight radius but if your going to scope it I would opt for the 336ss in 30-30(well id take the ss either way with a good peep sight). For factoy ammo the FTX is supposed to be awsome from any length of barrel. I have owned a 450,45-70,30-30 and 444 xlr all where accurate but hated the barrel I sill have a 444 but might trade it or cut it down.

Good luck and happy shooting
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Interesting. This would be my first over 20" barrel. Some ammo works better with a longer barrel but with .30-30 given its limitation that may not be the case?
 
Excellent rifles, I too had the best success with 170gr bullets. Mine shot 1" @ 100y for 5 rounds (4x scope) before it would wander and need to cool. For what it's worth, The XLR's have ballard rifling vs the microgroove standard 336.

I wasn't a big fan of the 24" barrel and chopped mine to 19". In hindsight the 24" was fine, (winter cabin fever sometimes makes you over think things). ;)
 
I can't comment on the rifle, but I have shot a few different types of ammo out of the bolt action savage 30-30 and the hornady ammo made quite an impression on me.

Immediately I noticed there was a bit more kick to the gun (as much as a 30-30 has) with the hornady vs rem/federal/Winchester (blue box, power point, coreloct, lower end stuff). Group size was pretty consistent with the other 3, but the hornady group was noticeable smaller.

Obviously the hornady will be more expensive, but I don't plan on doing a whole lot of range practise with that gun, so for a few shots before hunting season and (hopefully) only one shot during the season, the difference was significant enough for me to switch over.
 
I have one without a scope. If you dont want to scope it it will be more accurate with the 24 inch barrel. Never heard of them wanting you to use hornady ammo and its not neccessary. I bought it because of the 24 inch barrel and the conventional non microgroove barrel although with factory ammo the microvroove might be just as good. Also i like the look of the halfmag
 
It would be high on my list if still buying. My 444S has the 22 inch barrel and I prefer it. 24" barrels are a good length. I don't see the handling in tight cover issue. My longer barrel rifles are just as handy as a 20" barrel, imo. Inspect the rifle well but the XLR line is a good option.
 
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