A Tale of Two Budget Rifles - Stevens 200 and Marlin XL7 (pic heavy)

[<SLV>]

Excellent thread! I would buy EITHER in 7.62x39... if only...

So I will probably go with the Stevens 200 and install a Timney or Rifle Basix trigger for @$100. I think I might try to find a way to better fill the stock and perhaps add a little weight and rigidity. I don't mind the gray too much, but maybe a winter woods camo pattern...

 

[bad_aim_billy]

Interestingly, the XL7 just made Field and Stream's "10 Rifles and Shotguns Sure to Become Tomorrow's Classics". It was the obvious choice dollar for dollar when I went rifle shopping for a .30/06.

 

[~Ace~]

They sure tried hard to Copy / Compete with Stevens... but the Down range results and lack up aftermarket support make the Stevens the Clear Choice for the wise rifleman. Well Proven and well supported. Nuff said.




Hello Mid

 

[Snakum]

They sure tried hard to Copy / Compete with Stevens...

And to copy Remington (safety), and Savage (Accutrigger and barrel nut), and Winchester (bottom metal and stock will fit with a little inletting), but they sure didn't copy the Stevens stock on which the forearm can actually be made to wiggle if you move the rifle back and forth fast enough (I saw it done myself at Jim's Gun Jobbery In NC).

but the Down range results and lack up aftermarket support make the Stevens the Clear Choice for the wise rifleman in my humble opinion.

I fixed that for you. With guys shooting .5" groups from Marlins with no work, or keeping it tight to 500 yards with work, you'll have quite a few people with differing opinions.

Well Proven and well supported.

Definitely. Makes an excellent base rifle.

Nuff said.

Mmmmm ... I'll have to say "not really".

 

[Snakum]

I will say, though, the Marlin extractor is the most horrid thing I've seen on a rifle in which the extractor still worked. For $299 I don't mind stiffening the stock and bedding the action and sanding/polishing tool marks from the feed ramp. But that extractor ... I mean jeezus.

 

[DANNY243]

I own both, Marlin in .243 and Stevens in .223. Over all I like the stevens betterfor its 3 possition safety, crisp adjustable trigger, and available after market parts. The Marlin was very rough out of the box and shot 15" groups. After changing scopes, filing down the rear action screw, glass bedding, free floating and fire lapping the barrel and working up some loads I got it shooting sub-moa. My biggist complaint still about the Marlin is the 2 possition safety. The bolt works itself open constantly in the field. The
Stevens has a cheap stock but everything fits together and it shoots fine.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Get the Stevens, if you intend to keep the OEM stock, and the 'floppyness'(new word) bothers you, get yourself some epoxy, resin, bondo or whatever and fill in the recesses in the forearm section of the stock, let it set up, and while you'll be totin' a heavier rifle now, the front end wont wobble on you.

Or, you could just monitor 'Stocky's Stocks' and pick up a fiberglass stock for cheap when he dumps some.

 

[Jefferson Herb]

Marlin vs Stevens

I don't know about the marlin,but stevens in .223 and .22-250 have 1-10 twist barrels;which allows you to use 65gr Game Kings [ I have .223 ].