Any new info on Stevens vs. XS7 debate?

[Snakum]

In addition to my three gun weapons and my just-for-fun-stuff (like my evolving 7mm mag long range thumper) I wanted a hunting setup like this:

1. A shotgun with variable chokes and barrels for rabbit, squirrel, and close range deer. My 870 tactical w/ghost ring has been perfect.
2. A lightweight brush gun for hogs and deer that is short-barrelled and quick-handling, but still packs a punch and can go longer range in a pinch. My 7600 fills this niche in .270 - though it might be replaced with the same rifle in .308 soon, to match my long range bolt gun.
3. A long-range bean field rifle that I'll use for shots (assuming lots of practice) of up to 400 yards - which is about as far as I used to be able to shoot a 'hunting group' consistently.

And for number 3 I am considering either a Marlin XS7 or short action Stevens 200 in .308. Right now I'm having a hard time justifying the $600 - $700 I'd need for what I really want - Savage 16FCSS - and I'm constantly upgrading and changing rifles anyway. And if I'm going to spend $700 after taxes on a Savage, I'd have to consider just buying my current dream weapon ... Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS in .308 and then my wife will kill me and that would suck.

I've read every thread I could dig up on the forum about Marlin vs. Stevens, and was just curious if there was any new info or more recent experiences on these two?

I know both will serve reliably and accurately, but that there are way more aftermarket products for the Stevens. But is it also true that Savage barrels will fit the Marlin receiver?

Which would you buy today ... XS7 or Stevens 200?

 

[SwampWolf]

I don't know anything about the Marlin rifle but if I was considering buying the Stevens, I'd pony up the extra scratch for the Savage variant just so I could get the advantages of the AccuTrigger. Trigger pulls and accuracy go hand in hand and the AccuTrigger affords a superb trigger pull for very little more money.

 

[classcpl]

While I have never owned a Stevens, I have owned pre-accutrigger Savage rifles and they are essentially the same thing. I also own a Marlin XS7 in .243 Winchester. Accuracy is comparable in both rifles, but the Marlin wins in terms of trigger, (adjustable accu-triggerish design), stock design (still cheap tupperware like the stevens, but of a (to me) more ergonomic design, and the price tag. I am a die-hard savage fan, but the XS7 has many of the features that make Savage rifles so accurate (free-floated bolt head, adjustable trigger, pillar bedded stock, barrel locking nut for precise factory set headspace, etc.)

I think the only real advantage of the Stevens over the XS7 is the availability of aftermarket stocks and accessories.

 

[jmr40]

Savage and Stevens are both butt ugly. Marlin is much nicer looking and offers the same trigger and advantages of the Savage at a Stevens price. Marlin also comes with scope bases While the Marlin has not been around as long it is gaining a reputation for shooting every bit as good as the Savage rifles. No doubt in my mind, I'm buying a Marlin soon.

 

[Dambugg]

No.2, and No.3 can be the same gun if you buy a Weatherby Vanguard youth model in 308. I recently spent about an hour handling a bunch of economy rifles at sportsmans warehouse and In My Opinion, the Vanguard takes the cake. The youth model is a great feeling gun with a 20" barrel and comes in .308. That rifle is enough to drop most anything in North America inside of 400 yards.

 

[jmr40]

I would agree on the Vanguard as long as weight is not a factor in your decision. The Vanguards weigh 7.75 lbs with out scope or mounts. As long as you don't mind a 9 lb scoped rifle I think they are a great rifle for the money.

The Marlin or Savage/Stevens rifles weigh around 6.25 lbs which means a rifle that comes in at around 7-7.25 lbs ready to hunt.

I've always been tempted to buy one of the Vanguards, but the weight has always kept me from going in that direction.

 

[stolivar]

I own both the stevens and the Xs7

The Marlin wins hands down. Has the accutrak type trigger (stevens not).

Better stock on the Marlin...

Shoots better groups then the Stevens. (1 inch vs .5 for Xs7)

Free rings with the Xs7.

Same price for both...

Steve

 

[Maverick223]

Which would you buy today ... XS7 or Stevens 200?

The Winchester. On a more serious note, I think it depends upon the intended use...like everything else, and both are great rifles for the money. If I wanted a hunting rifle good to go out of the box I would choose the Marlin hands down. If I wanted a long range rifle on the cheap and work my way towards a new trigger, stock, and eventually barrel I would opt for the Stevens due to the better aftermarket support. Overall, I think the Marlin is probably better buy, and could only benefit from a free floated bbl.

 

[R.W.Dale]

meh! 6 one way half dozen the other especially in light of the fact that they both can take the same aftermarket barrels.

If you plan on leaving it alone buy the Marlin- it's furniture is nicer

If a stock upgrade is in your future buy the Stevens- more aftermarket options

 

[Snakum]

The trigger is actually a wash, believe it or not. The Stevens can be adjusted to have little creep and to break crisply with about five minutes work, similar to the excellent Winchester/USRAC triggers. My 7mm and 300 mag were simply awesome once adjusted. Everything else I shot felt like crap compared. The Accutrigger/MOA trigger/etc. just makes it a little easier.

Sounds like there's no really new info. The Marlins are getting rave reviews for accuracy and the Stevens (Savage 10 action and barrel) have always been good, too. The aftermarket support is a big deal, though I know Marlin is selling a ton of Xls/XSs so they will have Boyds making stocks and Timney making triggers soon. Savage barrels already work on the Marlin, possibly stocks too if inletted and bedded.

Crap.

Maybe I need both? One in .270 and one in .308? No more delimma.

Oh and about the Marlin action/barrel bedding ... The action being pillar bedded (sorta) already and the nice recessed crown present, I have read folks who were getting .5 groups from a bench rest are cutting that in half by removing the forearm supports and fully floating the barrels. Nice.

 

[Maverick223]

Maybe I need both?

Perfect solution...might as well get a Winnie while you're there too.

 

[Snakum]

I handled the Model 70 Extreme Weather while I was up north last week, at Rileys gun shop in New Hampshire. They had a rack full of the new 70s. I loved the feel of the EWSS. But man that thing is $$$. The Featherweight was closer to my price range and it felt nice too. No doubt an excellent shooter with the right ammo. When the tax refund comes back I might take another look at the EWSS. I'm pretty hard on rifles and a stainless, heavy barrel and synthetic stock takes a better beating than that nice wood and blued steel. Oh ... the 'Supreme' or whatever that new FN designation is for the top o' the line 70 was SWEET. Reminds me of the best of my old Model 700s back when Remington kicked azz.

So many guns ... so little money.

 

[Maverick223]

the 'Supreme' or whatever that new FN designation is for the top o' the line 70 was SWEET. Reminds me of the best of my old Model 700s back when Remington kicked azz.

I think you are referring to the "Super Grade" which reminds me of when Winchester made a great rifle (except for lacking sights, something I still prefer even though I scope most rifles)...which from the look of things is not all in the past.