Marlin xt-22 vr on the way

[Kookla]

Just ordered one of these from Cabelas earlier in the week. They have them on sale for $149, and there's a $25 rebate for it as well.

They were sold out at the one near me, however, Cabelas just launched a new feature on their site that lets you order firearms and have them shipped to the store. I live right next to the one here in CT, so it works out for me. Hopefully it will get there soon. I got a scope, some weaver mounts, extra magazines and a brick of ammo there as well.

 

[chicharrones]

Nothing like a .22 boltie.

 

[dranrab]

What a bargain on a great rifle. It will likely be very accurate. I am another one who loves bolt action rimfires.

 

[Kookla]

Just picked it up last night. Mounted the scope when I got home and this weekend I'll hit the range and see what's what.

There was an error that happened during shipping that took longer than usual at the store to address. Cabelas was extra kind and threw in a box of 100 lr's- which they didn't have to do, but was grateful for it.

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

Those are excellent little rifles. One of the most accurate rimfires I've ever owned.

 

[Skunkeye]

I'm looking forward to hearing how yours shoots. I ordered one on a whim the other night. After the rebate and a few Cabela's Bucks I had from my Club card, the final price will be under $100, even with tax. I figured I couldn't go too far wrong at that price. They were shown as backordered by the time I ordered, though, so it'll be a few weeks before I get mine.

 

[Kookla]

Skunkeye, hopefully I'll get to try it out this weekend. That's the plan anyway. Looking at Cabelas site, looks like they all sold out of them.

 

[Kookla]

Got to the range this morning. Didn't stay too long, maybe an hour. All I shot through the Marlin were Remington Gold's that I was comped from Cabelas. Took a bit to get the scope zeroed, but seemed to shoot good. I had the target out to about 30 yards.

The only issues I encountered were two rounds that were difficult to fully seat the bolt. Ejected them, put them back in the magazine and seemed to work fine.

Need to get back down there with more time so I can better evaluate it. So far though, I'm happy with the purchase.

 

[Skunkeye]

Sadly, I got an e-mail from Cabela's today saying that my order was cancelled. No explanation given, but I suspect they oversold them on backorder and can't get enough from Marlin to fill the orders, so they're just cancelling them. Very disappointed.

 

[Kookla]

Skunkeye- I hear you. I ordered a second xt a couple days after the first- figured at that price, it'd be spare parts. Got an email from Cabelas yesterday that said the order was cancelled.

 

[Skunkeye]

Thanks to Kookla letting me know that Cabela's re-listed these rifles after cancelling my original order, I did manage to get one at the clearance price. I picked it up a few weeks ago, and finally got a scope for it and sighted it in. I've only put a hundred rounds or so through it in two outings (and it's my first scoped rifle - I've always been more of an iron sights guy up to now), but it looks like it'll be a great shooter. Using an improvised rest (55 gallon drum with a wadded-up jacket on top), I shot a couple of groups that were about an inch at 50 yards using Federal Automatch bulk ammo. As I get better at shooting with a scope and find out what ammo the rifle prefers, I feel confident those groups will shrink way down. For less than $175 out of pocket for the rifle and scope, I can't complain one bit!

As to the rest of the experience, the rifle fits me well enough (though I wish the stock comb was a little higher) and seems well-made. The bolt was a little tight at first, but seems to have smoothed out a bit after cleaning and some shooting. Pretty nice trigger. I haven't tried adjusting it, just using it at the factory pull weight for now.

As for the buying experience, Cabelas' new buy online feature is great. Paid for the rifle online, picked up in the store with no hassle at all. It's nice to buy online and not have to pay an FFL fee or a ridiculous "firearms handling fee" like some other big-box sporting goods stores charge.