I currently own a Marlin XL7 in .25-06. I bought this gun for $290 and placed a Nikon 3-9x40 on it. This gun is very accurate, even with factory ammo. If I keep this gun, I will use this gun for target, deer, and the occasional coyote even though I have a dedicated coyote gun in .223. I will try to make a long story short. I sold a Savage Model 10 .243 in order to buy this gun. This debate would be over if I enjoyed shooting a .270 as much as I do these guns. I think the .270 is superior for Mule Deer, but I like to have a low recoiling gun because I spend alot of time on the range. The things that I like about the .25-06 include:
1. this gun's minimal recoil
2. how it has the capability to be a great deer gun
3. it is flat shooting
4. ability to shoot up to 120 grain pills (I live in Idaho so I hunt Muleys)
I do not like;
1. How expensive the ammo is, especially to shoot it at the range ($24.99 at Walmart).
2. The 22" inch barrel bothers me a bit- wish it had a 24"
3. I like the Marlin XL7 but I think I like the feel of the Savage better and the accutrigger
4. Ammo is a little hard to find with the ammo shortage that has been going on for a while-(It's getting better now though)
5. I cannot find good varmint rounds unless I reload
THE OTHER OPTION:
In order to buy the gun above, I sold my Savage model 10 synthetic .243. This gun was the package gun at Walmart-This gun was the most accurate gun I have ever owned- it was more accurate than the above mentioned .25-06. I am a huge fan of the accutrigger. I bought this gun for $377 at Walmart and immediately sold the Simmons 3-9x40 scope and replaced it with a Nikon.
I liked how;
1. Ammo was $13.97 a box at walmart
2. It's absolute accuracy even with factory ammo
3. The VERY minimal recoil
4. The accutrigger and overall feel of the Savages
5. The availability of VMAX varmint rounds (58 grain MOLY VMAX for coyotes).
I dislike;
1. The feeling that the .243 is a "borderline" Muley gun compared to the more powerful .25-06. I don't want to start a "Is a .243 effecient for deer" argument. I personally feel very confident in my shooting ability but still get leary of shooting a .243 at Muleys- especially at longer ranges.
CONCLUSION:
At this point, I only have enough money to have one of these guns. Walmart still carries the Savage model 10 in .243 for roughly $377. Should I sell the Marlin XL7 and buy this gun? I am torn on this one..... I don't know if there really is any help out there for someone addicted to buying and selling guns so much.... Input is appreciated although keep in mind that at this point I am only considering these two options. If I had more money, I would probably buy both and then buy a bigger gun for dedicated Muley hunting such as a .270. Thanks
1. this gun's minimal recoil
2. how it has the capability to be a great deer gun
3. it is flat shooting
4. ability to shoot up to 120 grain pills (I live in Idaho so I hunt Muleys)
I do not like;
1. How expensive the ammo is, especially to shoot it at the range ($24.99 at Walmart).
2. The 22" inch barrel bothers me a bit- wish it had a 24"
3. I like the Marlin XL7 but I think I like the feel of the Savage better and the accutrigger
4. Ammo is a little hard to find with the ammo shortage that has been going on for a while-(It's getting better now though)
5. I cannot find good varmint rounds unless I reload
THE OTHER OPTION:
In order to buy the gun above, I sold my Savage model 10 synthetic .243. This gun was the package gun at Walmart-This gun was the most accurate gun I have ever owned- it was more accurate than the above mentioned .25-06. I am a huge fan of the accutrigger. I bought this gun for $377 at Walmart and immediately sold the Simmons 3-9x40 scope and replaced it with a Nikon.
I liked how;
1. Ammo was $13.97 a box at walmart
2. It's absolute accuracy even with factory ammo
3. The VERY minimal recoil
4. The accutrigger and overall feel of the Savages
5. The availability of VMAX varmint rounds (58 grain MOLY VMAX for coyotes).
I dislike;
1. The feeling that the .243 is a "borderline" Muley gun compared to the more powerful .25-06. I don't want to start a "Is a .243 effecient for deer" argument. I personally feel very confident in my shooting ability but still get leary of shooting a .243 at Muleys- especially at longer ranges.
CONCLUSION:
At this point, I only have enough money to have one of these guns. Walmart still carries the Savage model 10 in .243 for roughly $377. Should I sell the Marlin XL7 and buy this gun? I am torn on this one..... I don't know if there really is any help out there for someone addicted to buying and selling guns so much.... Input is appreciated although keep in mind that at this point I am only considering these two options. If I had more money, I would probably buy both and then buy a bigger gun for dedicated Muley hunting such as a .270. Thanks
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