Need help to decide!

[Lonerider357]

Have narrowed my choices for a .308 bolt rifle down to; Savage Axis, Mossberg 100atx and the Marlin X7. These are the only ones I can afford right now.
Any opinions??

 

[TonyAngel]

Have you looked at the Stevens 200 models? They are essentially upper line Savages without the Accu-trigger and have a much better upgrade path.

 

[Four_Speed]

I have both the Stevens 200 and Marlin XL7 (long action, I know). Both are very good, especially for the price point, but I prefer the Stevens . You can tune the trigger a bit and I may have lucked out, but I like the stocker very much. The Marlin does have a nice stock butt pad, though. Both are highly recommended.

 

[mdThanatos]

I have heard that the early X7 series that were produced before Marlin got bought out and moved their plant were better specimens of the rifle. On some forums the members look for the JM marking on the barrel, which indicates production before the sale and move. I have one of these and love it, but I was seriously torn between it and the Stevens 200.

 

[montanaoffroader]

I own both a Marlin XL7 and a Savage Axis. The Marlin is the better rifle in my opinion, it has a better trigger and the stock feels better to me. Both rifles are decently accurate. I don't think you would go seriously wrong with either one.

Can't comment on the Mossberg, haven't owned or fired one.....yet.....

 

[BluegrassDan]

Marlin

 

[sansone]

I have heard that the early X7 series that were produced before Marlin got bought out and moved their plant were better specimens of the rifle. On some forums the members look for the JM marking on the barrel, which indicates production before the sale and move. I have one of these and love it, but I was seriously torn between it and the Stevens 200.

I have (2) NIB JM stamped Marlins produced before the move. Unsold stock, unhandled.
I grabbed one for myself but a .270 and 30-06 remains for sale. Next time an old Marlin enthusiast is lookin' for a good boltie I'm pullin' them out from the store safe.

 

[Russ Jackson]

XL7...Russ

 

[jmr40]

I prefer the Marlin, with the Stevens 200 in 2nd place in a budget gun. There are some Weatherby Vanguards being priced at around $350-$400 in many places. Also Remington 700 ADL's are being sold at some places for $350 If you can find one of these and can afford to go a little higher you will get a MUCH better gun than either, for just a little more money.

 

[H2oPumper]

I just added another XL7 to my safe today in a 270. Picked it up on closeout for $247, threw a new Nikon old style ProStaff scope for it for $99 with some $25 steel rings. This XL still has the JM barrel. The only problem I'll have is to try to figure out which XL is the 30-06 and 270 without reading the barrel.