Marlin XL7

[Regolith]

Anyone seen one yet? I read about it over at David Petzal's F&S blog. Apparently, they just got a bunch in to test them, and the test groups have come out to about .829 MOA. It also has a trigger similar to Savage's AccuTrigger. Currently, they're making them in .25-07, .270, and .30-06.

Here's the blog entry: http://fieldandstream.blogs.com/gunnut/

Here's Marlin's web page entry for it: http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/CenterfireBoltAction/default.aspx

And its supposed to only cost $326 for the black stock version.

I've been looking for a good inexpensive rifle, and previously I was looking at Savage and Remington's offerings. This caught my attention because of the price.

If the stock is better than Savage's, I'm going to give it some serious thought (and probably end up buying it). If its the same crap they put on a Savage, though, I'll probably give it a pass in favor of the Savage, since I know I can get a replacement stock for it without springing for a custom piece.

So, anyone handled one of these and have any insights?

 

[Anteater1717]

Remington bought Marlin, so it might just be a 700 with a Marlin sticker slapped on it.

 

[R.W.Dale]

The Marlin is pretty much a direct copy of a Savage 110 barrel nut, accu-glock trigger and all. For any rifle less than $400 you can bet you bottom dollar that the stock is the cheapest piece of hollow injection molded plastic that the MFG could buy.

http://www.gunblast.com/Marlin-XL7.htm

If it were me (actually I did) I would buy the Stevens 200 for less than $275 and put the savings towards an aftermarket stock. If the Marlin had the aftermarket support of the savage-Stevens I would say go for it. But for me the ability to customize is a BIGGIE.

BTW Marlin could have come up with a name that wasn't already in use by Suzuki

 

[Chawbaccer]

Maybe this is a re-tooled MR7, which was a very good rifle.

 

[kptaylor]

Any other info? I'm curious, too.

 

[lite-box]

It's not a reworked MR7.

More of a FN/Howa crossbread with a Savage 110. Overall it looks better than the Remington 710 abortion and the Cheap Mosseberg...

 

[G.I.Jew]

Sounds similar to the Savage 110 'cept its prettier. Which IS nice

 

[Regolith]

Talk about thread resurrection....though it's not as bad as some of the other thread necromancies I've seen on this board (6+ years....).

Anyway, I never did find any more information on the XL7. I ended up buying a Remington 700 SPS, after handling both the Savage and the Remington and finding that the Remington fit me better (and was a bit more solid, as well).

Unfortunately, it's at Remington right now being repaired (came with a defect that made operating the bolt difficult), so I haven't shot it yet. Oh well, weather isn't that great anyway, and the range is likely still snowed in (it's up in the mountains).

 

[ccsniper]

how accurate is the xl7 for long range say 400+ yards? yeah, heres ya some thread resurrection .

 

[Schleprok62]

The XL7 is quite accurate... mine will put 3 shots inside a 1/2" circle @ 100 yards... from a bench and me doing my part (which isn't always the case... LOL)

I've not shot it out past 100 yards. But I'm sure it would perform just fine for what it is.

 

[af1acura]

I'm seriously looking at one in 30-06. What scope/ring combo do you owners have?

 

[jgatsios]

The XL7 is the best value in the entire bolt-action world. It is a great rifle at any price.

 

[paintballdude902]

i own and love mine its a .30-06 and with handloads im shooting roughly moa (.9-1.1) great gun i love it

i got mine for 341 after tax

 

[RugerBob]

Cabelas has them for 299.00 according to the flyer I got in the mail. I'm glad they just built one here (Cabelas). Any one shot them past 100 yards to see how accurate it is?

 

[Darreld Walton]

Finally got mine to the range...

Couldn't be happier.
I've owned Stevens 200 rifles, and was happy with them for what they were, a bargain rifle with no frills that shot well. I paid the same price for the XL7 that I did for the 200 Stevens. You cannot make a direct comparison, as the SL7 IS a MUCH nicer rifle!
The trigger is adjustable, mine came to me right at 3 pounds, crisp, clean, no overtravel. The Stevens is only minimally adjustable, and compared to the XL7, well, there just isn't any comparison!
The recoil pad is nice! It works, and is more than decoration. Over the bags, my rifle, chambered to .30-06 with 165, 180 and 200 grain loads was MUCH more comfortable to shoot. Offhand, the stock fits really well, and will be a pleasure to carry.
I mounted a NIB/NOS Bausch & Lomb 3-9 4200 Elite in Weaver rings and the supplied bases. First three shot group with IMR 4350/165 Hornady boat tails, went 1.5" CTC. Cleaned the barrel, next group went just under an inch. Finished firing the rest of the box, and now have fireformed cases, have neck sized, trimmed, and will load these and go to the range again.
There's still a place in the rack for the Brand X guns, but I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one of the short action Marlin's to play with.
The ONLY other 'bargain' priced rifle I have used that performs like this one is one of the Zastava produced Charles Daly 98's in .308 that shoots just about every thing under a half inch. Those rifles are now the 798 Remingtons, and I just can't get excited about the Remington's, mostly because I could get the Daly's for under $300.00, and Remington's list price was double that....

 

[rangerruck]

the xl7 is much nicer, i would say that it and Howa, are the champs of the low end entry/package rifles out there. If irw, the marlin has been put together by stuff from several companies now owned under the Cerberus letterhead.
A green mountain, or t/c made bbl, a timney trigger, a well made pillar bedded stock. a fantastic recoil pad. a one piece made bolt, and other dudes that have it, a solid made forged bolt assy, and i am thinking built in scope mounts?
If I had a need to fullfil in a long action or short action cartridge, this is what i would do , no hesitation. the xs7's, coming out right now, are short action; 243, 7.08 and 308. I would really be all over that 243, and if these come out in a youth model, I would get all these i wanted for field carry.

 

[paintballdude902]

ranger there is a youth model coming out and also a wood stock version ill copy the stuff from the site

Marlin® Introduces New XS7 Bolt Action Rifles - X7 Series Rifles Now Available in Short Action Calibers

North Haven, CT – The introduction of the Marlin XL7 series of bolt action rifles has taken the hunting world by storm! Described as the “best rifle in its class”, the Marlin X7 series is built for those who demand premium features at a fair price. New for 2009, Marlin is excited to announce the XS7 (short action) series of bolt action rifles.

The XS7 series will be offered in three classic short action hunting calibers - 243 Win, 7mm-08 Remington and 308 Win and in optional Black synthetic, Compact Black Synthetic with shorter length of pull or Realtree® APG HD® Camo stock versions.

The XS7 series of bolt action rifles exhibit all the proven features of the Model XL7. Included are an accuracy enhancing Pro–Fire™ Trigger System; Soft–Tech™ Recoil Pad; raised cheek piece for added comfort; precision button rifled barrel with target-style recessed muzzle crown; a fluted bolt which provides one of the smoothest and fastest actions available; pillar bedded stock; and barrel nut construction which ensures proper headspace for improved accuracy.

While a thoroughly modern rifle, the XS7’s best feature is that it's a Marlin. Built with over 137 years of rifle making experience, the XS7 continues Marlin's tradition of producing great hunting rifles at a great price. Accurate and dependable, the XS7 is Marlin's next generation of hunting rifle for any generation of hunter.


Marlin® Model XL7 Bolt Action Rifles Now Available in Attractive Wood Stock Versions

North Haven, CT – Since its introduction in 2008, the Marlin XL7 series of bolt action rifles has taken the hunting world by storm! Described as the “best rifle in its class”, the Marlin XL7 series is built for those who demand premium features at a fair price. New for 2009, to provide hunters with a greater variety of options, the XL7 will be offered in an attractive American Walnut and Brown Laminated Hardwood stock versions. Popular existing synthetic stock offerings in black or Realtree® APG HD® camo are also available.

“Value-priced rifles with tack-driving accuracy” would perfectly describe the XL7 series. The XL7 (long action) was designed with modern yet practical features including Marlin’s innovative, accuracy enhancing Pro–Fire™ Trigger System; Soft–Tech™ Recoil Pad; precision button rifled barrel with target-style recessed muzzle crown; a fluted bolt which provides one of the smoothest actions available; and barrel nut construction which ensures proper headspace for improved accuracy.

The XL7 is a rifle that you can be proud of at a price you can afford. While a thoroughly modern rifle, the best feature of the X-Series is that it's a Marlin. Built with over 137 years of riflemaking experience, the XL7 continues Marlin's tradition of producing great hunting rifles at a great price. Accurate and dependable, the XL7 is Marlin's next generation of hunting rifle for any generation of hunter