Stevens 200 or Marlin XS7 / XL7?

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kayaker1

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Hi all, I posted this on the Alberta Outdoorsman forum too, but thought I would cast my net widely to elicit opinions....

Ok,
So this one will probably be done to death at some point...but bear with me!

I am going to pick up on of the these two in .308 (a .270, 7mm-08 or .30-06 are considerations too).

The Stevens 200 is on the well respected and established Savage 110 platform. The trigger and stock are not the best but aftermarket versions are readily available for future upgrades. They seem to have a very good reputation for accuracy. The safety is well liked, I like tang safties too.

The Marlin has the Pro-Fire trigger, recessed crown, apprently nicer stock and initial reports are glowing. However I am leery of a 'johnny-come-lately' budget rifle as I would not want it to turn into the unfortunate cases like the Rem 710/770 or Mossbergs. Marlin 'upgrades' are also not really an option (at least not at present).

Has anyone on the forum had experience with both and any preferences??

You opinion is appreciated.

Thanks
 
I have owned seven Stevens 200s in everything from 223 to 300 Win. All were accurate, MOA rifles. Still have two, a 223 Ackley and a standard, 223.

I have owned six XL7 and one XS7 Marlins: two 30-06, three 270s and a 7mm-08. All were accurate, MOA rifles. Still have four. Gave one of the 270s to a good friend, and sold one to a member here.

I was satisfied with the Stevens, until I bought the first Marlin. The Marlin has a much superior stock, outstanding trigger, and a real recoil pad!

Am currently having one of the 270s rebarreled to 9.3X62. :)

Ted
 
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Who's got the Marlin's at a decent price?

Why Not's review has got me interested in maybe getting one....

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
iroc22 said:
Who designed the Marlin action? Hopefully it wasn't the same crack team at Remington who did the 770...
Click to expand...

No design. They just copied Savage 110 action and triger group to the smalest details, which has actualy made XL7 a very good rifle! I have one in 30-06 and love it. :popCorn:
 
A friend has an XL7. I shot it. It's lovely, but no detach mag option, AFAIK. (Maybe they just didn't have one in the store?)
 
PRO-My Stevens 200 in .243 win shoots just under 1 MOA. Adjusted the factory trigger down to 4.5 lbs, and bedded the tupperware stock myself. Not bad for $350 and about 2 hours of labour.

CON-I don't like the blind box mag.
 
just bought a stevens 200 in 22-250 and got it on paper at 40 yards as thats all i had at hand and it will shoot damn near one hole at that distance. Now i just need to find time inbetween 2 jobs and sleep to get to the range and see what I am capable of at 100 -300 yards with it
 
The newest edition of Rifle magazine has a 5 page write up on this Marlin rifle, sounds like it is very well thought out, and a great buy. FS
 
Home3 said:
No design. They just copied Savage 110 action and triger group to the smalest details, which has actualy made XL7 a very good rifle! I have one in 30-06 and love it. :popCorn:
Click to expand...

Actually, the trigger is entirely different. It is closer to a Glock design, rather than an Accutrigger.

As well, the bolt does not have the gas shield lugs behind the bolt head, and the cocking piece cover and gas shield on the Marlin is entirely different than the Savage.

Here's the best group shot with one of the 270s.

DSC05798.jpg


It has gone to a new home. One of our CGN memebers. :)

Ted
 
The newest edition of Rifle magazine has a 5 page write up on this Marlin rifle, sounds like it is very well thought out, and a great buy
Click to expand...

I did read that, rifle sounds good and I am leaning towards the Marlin now ;)
 
You can get them for $390

I went shopping with my brother and my father and picked up a couple of XS7's- one in .308m the other in 7mm-08.

The FIRST trip to the range, with the FIRST load that I could cobble up (in the .308, the 7-08 was using Fed blue box factory ammo) resulted in the .308 shooting its first 3-shot group at 200 yards (!!) of 0.86". The 7-08 (with factory ammo) shot its first group of 1.36", also at 200 yards.

You can't go wrong with that!!

I have never owned a Stevens 200, but I have handled and played with them in the store, and the Marlin feels like 5 times the rifle.
 
Who has the best pricing on them? A short action in 7/08 would be of interest. Kinda surprised they don't offer a Seven and 300 Mag.



.
 
I'm glad I came across this thread. I was seriously considering a .308 Stevens For the weight savings and then invest in a Timmeny trigger. I searched WSS menu and they don't offer the XS7.

Who has them? Marlin's website lists the one I want (XS7C camo'd) for $371. But I'm sure thats US $...still, thats a good price.
 
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