Marlins New Bolt Rifle XL7

GRiNGo said:
Just went to Marlin's website....not impressed! It did not say what calibers were available nor whether it has a hinged floor plate, blind or detachable mag. Any extra info would be nice, thanks guys.
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I'm working at the warehouse office so I just went and grabbed one off the shelf. It has a blind mag, a stock that 'feels' geat and fits me well. Its got a nice thick rubber recoil pad.
We sell three rifles in the same 'entry' level price range: the stevens 200, Mossberg ATR, and the XL7. I can't comment on accuracy as I haven't shot them all(and I know the S 200 has a very good rep) but the XL7 feels and looks the best of the three IMHO. It also has Marlin's version of the accutrigger.
My paprs only show the three calibre's ; 30/06, .270 Win, and .25/06 and we can't get the .25/06 yet.
 
rumour has it there going to be comming out with 3 short actions for summer to late 2009. i can't remember where i read it and can't remember which calibers. i seem to remember 7mm-08 Rem. we'll have to wait and see i guess.
 
i went out hunting this morning and took the XL7 out with me to try it out. this gun shoots great. very little recoil, crisp break on trigger. i did leave the trigger set to factory specs. it feals great just the way it is and absolutely no creep, it's awsome!! took a shot at 50 yds and was about 6" high. gave the scope 10 clicks down and took 4 shots one right after the other, no cooling, no nothing. just leaning on the hood of my truck not using the bags, rest, sticks or bench. i would say the group was a little over an inch but with the wind and my buddy sitting in the truck, i wasn't all that steady but not bad for the first time shooting this gun. the fit and finish is nice, nicer then the stevens 200 i was looking at. there isn't any extra plastic on the mold lines. a nice recoil pad. i love this gun. best of all, it's the cheapest gun i own. if and when they come out with a bigger cal selection, i will probably buy another. here's a few pics.

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oh, and the best part is that my wife hasn't noticed that i bought a new scope.:p
 
Thanks for the report. Like I said in an earlier post, I respect the accuracy of the Stevens 200 but this is a far nicier gun to handle. We've had a lot of interest in them these past few days.
 
hopefully with proper benchrest and cooling between shots and all that jazz it'll be a shooter. i don't see why not, it seems to be well made and with marlins reputation i don't think i'll be disapointed in the long run.
 
anybody else buy a marlin xl7 and how do you like it. i've taken it out again the other day and i really like this gun. if i didn't already have a 270 wsm i'd be picking one up in 270.
 
fergie.17 said:
anybody else buy a marlin xl7 and how do you like it. i've taken it out again the other day and i really like this gun. if i didn't already have a 270 wsm i'd be picking one up in 270.
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Not yet, got to Bass Pro too late, they were sold out, with nothing coming in.
 
We have them on for $349 in .270 and .30/06. Sold a pile of them, guys are really impressed with this rifle-many who pick it up an look at the tag end up buying! Fit and finish is far above the Stevens 200 or other cheaper rifles.
 
Bought the only one in the Sportslodge last Friday, just to see what all the fuss is about. :D

A 30-06, left everything just as it came from the factory, no adjustments to trigger or guard screws. Cleaned the bore with KROIL. There was quite a bit of gunk in there! Must have been a preservative of some kind to protect the bore. Installed a 3-9X40 Elite 3200 and boresighted it yesterday.

Went to the range today, -10C, 25 KM wind angling from rear, right to left. Two shots to get it dead on at 25 yd, and here's the next three at 100 meters.

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Not a bad start for just five rounds down the tube. :cool:

Fired one more at a pig standing on the rail at 300 meters, held top of shoulder, just behind the neck.........gone! Came back home, cleaned the bore with some Barnes copper solvent, and put it away with plenty of oil for the night.

Have ordered one in 270............... :)

Ted
 
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Wow. Nothing wrong with that eh?

Can you give a little more detail on your impressions so far Ted? How does the rifle point and feel to you? Your opinion on the stock, action, scope mounting system, anthing else would be appreciated. .. Obviously you're not too bum'ed out if your buying another one, but I'd appreciate what the old Yukon Rifle Loonie really thinks about these new Marlins :D
 
Salty said:
Wow. Nothing wrong with that eh?

Can you give a little more detail on your impressions so far Ted? How does the rifle point and feel to you? Your opinion on the stock, action, scope mounting system, anthing else would be appreciated. .. Obviously you're not too bum'ed out if your buying another one, but I'd appreciate what the old Yukon Rifle Loonie really thinks about these new Marlins :D
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Salty,

As you guys know, I have played with quite a few Stevens 200s, all the way from 223 to 300 Win Mag, and been quite satisfied. The XL7 is definitely a step up. At least, this one is.

The rifle handles quite nicely, especially after the scope was mounted. It felt a bit muzzle heavy before scope was put on.

The stock is quite nicely done, the recoil pad fitted very well, and actually works. :D

The trigger is the biggest surprise of all. I shot it just as it was adjusted at the factory. It broke clean, at just a tad under three pounds, no creep, none at all.

Receiver is contoured to match Model 70 Winchester, so any scope mount that works with a Model 70 will work with the XL7. I checked to see if a Leupold one piece base would work and it did, however used the Weaver two-piece bases that came with the rifle, and Burris rings. The scope had been optically centered, and the holes were drilled and tapped so close to center that it hardly needed any adjustment at all to bore sight.

I cleaned the bore quite well after the six shots, and am going to go back to the range on Saturday for ten more. Kind of a mickey mouse break in.

Will let you know how the 270 works.

Ted
 
Nice looking rifle.

Does anybody what size barrel shanks and type thread are used? I'm thinking switch barrel and wondering if a Savage pre-fit would work. Alsohow does the lock ring compare to Savage?
 
They ripped off the Savage in a few ways, so I wouldn't be surprised if a savage barrel and barrel nut would spin right on there.

From what I hear it is a half decent rifle, and the rifle doesn't look bad either. But definetly looks like something norinco would put out, something based on someone elses designs, and expired patents.

Either way I'll stick with my Savage's. There is no replacement for 50 years of proven quality and accuracy.
 
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