ErieLurker
Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2012
- Messages
- 76
First off, apologies for the long post. Might be overthinking this now, but might not have properly considered it beforehand.
Am toying with the idea of getting a Marlin X7 in .223 and topping it with a Burris FFII 2-7x35 for coon and coyote, and maybe the odd unlucky woodchuck. Ground could vary from broken and hilly to flat fields, so even 300 yard shots may not be out of the question. Season is year-round here, no bag limit or other limits, though night hunting is out. Figuring on a rig that 's light, handy, reliable, easy to feed, and relatively inexpensive. In short, utilitarian. Just shooting coons and coyotes with it, after all.
Well, like an idiot, when I had the chance to handle one of these rifles at the only LGS that carries them around here - when they still had some in stock - I, ah, demurred (slaps head)...so, got some questions to ask around here:
How does the Marlin handle? Handled a couple of Savages in the same class, and liked them, don't care for the Ruger and Mossberg equivalents, and the Weatherby is just too heavy for my taste, though I kind of like it otherwise.
Would this rifle+scope combination be reasonably good, or merely tolerable?
Anyone know if the Burris FFII is good for small predator hunting, or just so-so? Don't care for (to me) high, heavy scopes, but since the Burris dealer around here doesn't normally keep the 2-7x35 in stock, might a 3-9x40 be just fine, or perhaps even a little bit better? Thought about a Vortex Diamondback in the same range, but it seems too heavy for my liking.
Is the Burris a good fit with the Marlin, and could the scope be mounted with low rings, or are medium rings necessary? I'd even toss the Weaver mount the Marlin is supposed to come with for a one-piece Leupold base and low rings if that would do the job.
And yes, I'm also looking for an excuse for an acquisition - next year. Love the Winchester, but 100 gr PSP's seem just a tad too effective on coyote, and around here (factory-loaded) frangible ammo would probably be a better idea than SP's. And a big brother for a little Marlin .22 might not be a bad addition to the family.
Am toying with the idea of getting a Marlin X7 in .223 and topping it with a Burris FFII 2-7x35 for coon and coyote, and maybe the odd unlucky woodchuck. Ground could vary from broken and hilly to flat fields, so even 300 yard shots may not be out of the question. Season is year-round here, no bag limit or other limits, though night hunting is out. Figuring on a rig that 's light, handy, reliable, easy to feed, and relatively inexpensive. In short, utilitarian. Just shooting coons and coyotes with it, after all.
Well, like an idiot, when I had the chance to handle one of these rifles at the only LGS that carries them around here - when they still had some in stock - I, ah, demurred (slaps head)...so, got some questions to ask around here:
How does the Marlin handle? Handled a couple of Savages in the same class, and liked them, don't care for the Ruger and Mossberg equivalents, and the Weatherby is just too heavy for my taste, though I kind of like it otherwise.
Would this rifle+scope combination be reasonably good, or merely tolerable?
Anyone know if the Burris FFII is good for small predator hunting, or just so-so? Don't care for (to me) high, heavy scopes, but since the Burris dealer around here doesn't normally keep the 2-7x35 in stock, might a 3-9x40 be just fine, or perhaps even a little bit better? Thought about a Vortex Diamondback in the same range, but it seems too heavy for my liking.
Is the Burris a good fit with the Marlin, and could the scope be mounted with low rings, or are medium rings necessary? I'd even toss the Weaver mount the Marlin is supposed to come with for a one-piece Leupold base and low rings if that would do the job.
And yes, I'm also looking for an excuse for an acquisition - next year. Love the Winchester, but 100 gr PSP's seem just a tad too effective on coyote, and around here (factory-loaded) frangible ammo would probably be a better idea than SP's. And a big brother for a little Marlin .22 might not be a bad addition to the family.
