Marlin XL7 vs Stevens?

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After the government has been so kind to release my money back to me from the 0% loan I gave them :cuss:, I find myself in the market for an inexpensive bolt action rifle (looking at .270).

So far, I've fondled the Mossberg 100ATR, the Rem 770 scoped combo (710 + scope?), and the Marlin XL7.

Of those, the Marlin was the favorite, based on the action (smoothness and play) versus the others. The Mossy was #2, and the Remmy seemed like a piece of #2. :scrutiny:

However, in the latest Cabela's ad, they had a "Stevens Scoped Combo" for $399. I'm guessing the scope is Cabela's standard, budget Pine Ridge scope, which is <<$100. But, they don't mention what model the Stevens is.

I can get the XL7 for <$300.

Any advice from THR on this?

I did a search through the forums, and both seem to get good reviews. The only difference I could spy was the Stevens lacking an "accutrigger", and I've heard the XL7 trigger is pretty nice.

Thanks in advance.
 
budget bolts

1. (tie) Stevens or Marlin (take your pic) - I'd go Stevens

3. Mossberg

4. Remington

So you're asking the right *question*. :)
 
The Stevens is a proven dependable rifle. I like the Marlin much, much better however. The other 2 are not worth serious consideration.
 
The stevens definitely has a lot more aftermarket cool factor add-ons going for it. If you are planning on leaving the rifle just the way it is go for the marlin. It has a good protected crown an excellent excellent excellent trigger and great accuracy potential. I personally think the marlins are a lot better then rem 700's.
 
Don't buy the package gun. The scope is junk. Other than that the Marlin and the Stevens are pretty much equal. Though as pointed out there are more aftermarket goodies for the Stevens. Like triggers and barrels.
 
Any aftermarket part that fits a Savage will fit the Stevens. I used a Stevens as the base for my 223 Ackley and 338-06. Great guns. The Stevens is just a re-badged Savage without the Accutrigger.
 
If I was getting one off your list it would be the Stevens. My Savage is my goto rifle if I know I just have to hit it.
That doesn't mean it is the most accurate. It just means it has always given me a one shot kill.
It looks like if you get the "package deal" you are paying full retail for the scope and rings. If you don't need them you should be able to find the Stevens under $300.00 bare.

jim
 
The Marlin XL7 rifles have proven to be very accurate. The trigger is excellent. It's similar to the Savage Accutrigger. The pull is 3.5lbs from the factory and you can take it down to 2.5lbs which is the first thing I did. Normally I will pay for a trigger job if it isn't just the way I like it. This gun's trigger breaks very clean and smooth.

I bought one on what people said on the internet and these people were telling the truth. I am very impressed with this 300.00 rifle. Put a good quality scope such as a Leupold or Nikon etc. on it and you have a very good rifle, just as good as rifles costing double and just as accurate too.
 
id go marlin i just like the company

they can be had for 299 i payed 319 plus tax for mine in .30-06

mine will shoot sub moa with hand loads (.75")

great gun i love mine it has probably close to 1k rounds through it and its goin strong
 
the marlin is better than the stevens, period. just look at it's components; bbl is made by green moutain, or t/c I think, bolt is solid forged piece, stock is much better than the tupperware stevens, trigger is by Timney I believe.
bolt removal is simple and unique; make the bolt follow a z pattern, and it pulls out, no release hardware. and if you can find one, get the newer marlins, i think they are called xs or xr 7's, the are short action, and they will be in short action cals.
 
I have a 200...

And it is a good rifle. I finally have it shooting under an inch, which is super for a rifle that cost less than 300 bucks. However the overall fit of the rifle is poor. The bbl stick out of the stock at a weird angle and bbl is also too high in the stock. I am still working on fitting and sanding the stock.

On the other hand I picked up a Marlin at the store the other day and the fit and finish were much better. I wanted a short action rifle, so I went with the Stevens, however is the Marlin had made a short action I would have picked it.

I think you will be OK with either of those two choices.
 
Thanks for the advice, everybody.

Sounds like I can't lose either way. Since I haven't seen the Stevens w/o the scope for <$300 in any nearby stores, and I know I can get the Marlin for $289, I will probably jump on that.

Plus, I already have an interim, "inexpensive" scope and rings, sitting in the safe. I s'pose I can use that while I save my pennies for a quality one.

Thanks, again!
 
Marlin XL-7 vs Stevens Model 200:

Well, I have one of each... and to say one is better than the other would be something of a stretch... Each has it's own strong points:

XL-7
pros:
Very nice adjustable trigger... factory setting was pretty good, but it was nothing to tweak it a little more to my liking.

Stock is pillar bedded & has the cheek piece which is a nice addition.

Marlin went a step further with the barrel crown by recessing it a bit.

One piece cope mount included.

cons:
Fewer options in calibers, currently only 30-06 Sprg, .270 Win, and 25-06 Rem. (XS-7 will only be available in .243 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, and .308 Win)

Barrel is not free-floated.

aftermarlet is non-existent so far...

The Stevens:
pros:
Better caliber selection in both long and short action variants.

Pillar bedded and free floated barrel.

Strong aftermarket support. Pretty much anything from a Savage model 10/110 will work on it.

Well known Savage accuracy out of the box.

Cons:
Simple crown, unprotected.

Scope mounts not included.

Stock is not the greatest but sufficient for a hunting rig.

Both
Both of these rifles are a lot of rifle for your money...

Cheesy stocks - The Marlin is better fit though. if you take the recoil pad off, you will see what I mean...

---

As $300 rifles go, you won't go wrong with either of them.
I like both of them...

My $0.02...
 
I went to the range last week with my brother. I own an XL7 in .270, and he owns a Stevens 200 in .308. My Marlin was lighter, had a better trigger, had a better recoil pad, shot tighter groups, and the barrel stayed cooler much longer. I told him someone got the wrong economy rifle. His only argument was "Shut up."
 
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