Marlin XT-17 experiences?

[g_one]

I had a previous thread asking for recommendations about a new rifle/caliber, and thanks to some helpful replies as well as some more independent googling, I actually decided to go in a different route (originally I was thinking 223, 243, maybe 308) and go with .17 HMR

The Marlin XT-17 seems to have decent availability at a good price, and I am a firm supporter of Marlin rifles. Most of the reviews/articles I found online were written years ago when it first made its appearance on the market, some complaints about the opening in the stock for the mag being disproportionate causing misfeeding issues and others saying that it takes a few hundred rounds to break in (not really sure how a bolt action rifle could need breaking in but oh well).

Anyone here have experience with this rifle? I also took a look at scopes and the BSA Sweet 17 3x-12x looks like a fine option as well

 

[g_one]

Bumping this once just to get a fresh set of eyes on it

 

[Hunterdad]

Buddy of mine has one. Very, very accurate rifle. Dime size groups at 100 yards .

 

[FiveInADime]

Hey g_one,

I would be looking for a used Marlin 917V if I were you. They had better fit and finish than the new ones IMO. I found a sweet 917m2 in a pawn shop a couple years ago and I passed on it. It's haunted me ever since. I have thought about getting a 17HMR or 17m2 for a while but then I look at ammo prices and I just wouldn't be able to shoot them enough along with buying components for my centerfire rifles.

 

[Skylerbone]

Same here, buddy's rifle and it's a fine shooter. He wasn't pleased with the stock which was replaced with a Boyd's for correct sight alignment and was configured as such when I fired it. It was strikingly similar to the Marlin 25n (.22 lr bolt) I had out that day to plink with, which is to say a no-frills workhorse. Mine has seen trigger work which his .17 most desperately needed but once I loaned him a rest, it was quarter sized groups at 100.

While I like Marlins well enough, for an entry level .17 I'd put my money on a Savage. Their base model 93 is less expensive than Marlin's and it comes with Savage's Accutrigger, tunable to around 2.5 lbs. I put a bit of time into my son's Savage rimfire and his Accutrigger is set at a crisp 2 lbs. even.

Since either rifle will leave most people wanting for a better stock, unless you spring for one of the nicer ones, I feel Savage holds an advantage for value, accuracy wise I'd say it's a photo finish.

 

[FiveInADime]

Skylerbone,

The Marlin has an adjustable trigger ala-the Accutrigger. It's as good or better, IMO. I fixed up my Marlin 25n trigger to break at about 3lbs, but I would much rather have the newer Marlin Pro-Fire trigger that comes on the XT-series. I still would rather have a 917V inn good shape than an XT-17, from the ones that I've handled.

 

[Skylerbone]

Apples to apples as I said, I simply prefer what's coming out from Savage over Remington. I'm not particularly brand-centric as I have Savages, Marlins, Rugers, a Mossberg, Rossi and Beretta rimfires with a CZ inbound once I make room in the safes, which reminds me a CZ 452 American or 455 would make for two more excellent choices in .17

It really comes down to what the OP prefers, plans to do with it, wants to spend and likes the looks of. I don't pretend my tastes are the same as everyone else's, just offering another option, and thanks for the heads-up on Marlin's adjustable trigger.

I do think some flavor of .17 is a smart choice from a cost and ballistics standpoint, I'm simply a guy who doesn't need at present to stretch my range with rimfires. For squirrel and rabbit, .22s do me fine.

 

[nathan]

The ole reliable .22 LR is as good for small game within 30 yrds for much less money. Besides the .17 hmr is hard to find nowadays as well.

 

[FiveInADime]

Skylerbone,

I agree with everything you said except I wouldn't prefer a Savage over an older Marlin. I'm sure you'll love that CZ. When I give my 25n to my son, maybe I will get to get myself a nice CZ.

I like the older solid birch stocks that came on Marlin bolt guns. If you take that nasty syrup they smother the wood in off, add some reddish-brownish stain, and refinish them they can look very nice.

 

[Skylerbone]

If you take that nasty syrup they smother the wood in off, add some reddish-brownish stain, and refinish them they can look very nice.

Very nearly what I did to mine. I bought it more than 20 years ago and initially painted it black. When I stripped the paint, I left the pores dark and used a mix of cherry and walnut stain with a bit of Danish Oil. Don't have a great pic but the color is reddish brown. FWIW, I don't care how nice the CZ is, I won't give up my Marlin till I'm in the grave, best $84 I ever spent. Heck the rings cost nearly as much!

 

[FiveInADime]

That looks very nice Skylerbone. What scope rail are you using on there? I just use tip-off rings on mine, but that would be a nice upgrade.

 

[Skylerbone]

It's a DIP (Diversified Innovative Products) rail. http://www.diproductsinc.com/, more specifically, this one: http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=112011&CAT=3603. If you order, you'll need to note in the comments whether or not your receiver is D&T'd or just grooved as there are different screws depending, never use both methods.

DIP makes excellent products! One of the Savages with a DIP rail:

 

[FiveInADime]

Thanks, I am familiar with DIP, they make the aluminum trigger guards for Marlin semi-autos. I will have to order a rail.

 

[Cee Zee]

The fit and finish on my XT-22 is better than just about any of my other Marlins. I have 5 Marlins. The newer 60's made in Kentucky are also more solid IMO than previous models. Marlin makes a solid synthetic stock for one thing. They make a decent laminate stock too but their synthetics are among the best I've seen. I like the Pro-Fire trigger too. It's at least as good as the Savage AccuTrigger. I have a MkIIBTV and I have to say it is much more accurate than my XT-22 but the Marlin is more accurate than many rifles on the market. It sure isn't what I would inaccurate. The Marlin is built much better than the Savage though. I have a Marlin or two that I think aren't built all that well but the XT sure is. My 925 isn't built great and neither is the 795 IMO. The 795 works as long as I keep it cleaned but it has a few problems. I will say that if you want a really solid rifle and accurate too get a CZ. I got the 453 because of the single set trigger. It's by far the best trigger I've seen on a stock rimfire rifle that didn't cost a whole lot more money.