what's your opinion of the Marlin XL7?

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vermont88993

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Hey guys im new to this forum... actually this is the first forum i have joined. anyway what do you think of the marlin XL7 and for those of you who have one.... how do you like it. this is going to be my first high powered hunting rifle. so opinions anyone?

P.S. i was thinking 30-06 for the VT woods but still not sure. ohh and how is the 30-06 recoil compared to a 7X57 ( 7mm mauser) since that the highest powered load i have fired.....
 
Since no one has answered you yet, I'll throw out what little I know. I looked at one a few days ago. It had a very nice trigger and balanced nicely. I noticed that it has a blind magazine and I prefer hinged floorplates or detachable magazines to the blind ones. Just a lot easier to unload when your hands are cold. To answer your other question, I noticed the XL7 was fairly light and a 30-06 might kick sharply or at least more than you like. You may want to look at the XS7 (short action) in the 7mm-08. Its a lot more like the 7mm Mauser (7x57) and the recoil won't be as bad. Nice rifle for the money:)
 
I've got one in 30-06 and it's just fine. Expect somewhere between 1"-1.5" with factory loads. I've developed a load for mine that shoots into 0.75" at 100 yards, off a bench. Also, the XL7's recoil pad really soaks up the punishment.
 
I have a XS7 in 308 and I like it. I have owned a ruger MK77 7 mag and a woodmaster 30-06

I really like my XS7. I am by no means a rifle guru but I really do like the 308. I have only shot mine at 35 ish yards so far, so I don't have any long range reports for you but snakeum does. I bought one after reading his report and talking to my local gun shops.

The fit and finish on it is fairly good for what it is and the price you pay( I paid 329) there is very little if any slack in the trigger, it is crisp. The recoil on the 308 is not very bad at all in my opinion, it is very manageable.

use the search function in the upper right hand corner and search for XS7 and snakeums thread should pop up if not send me a message and I can find the link for you.

grubs.
 
I have one in 7mm/08 and its a great rifle. I have no complaints what so ever.
 
Probably the best deal going for the money, IMO. Recoil compared to the 7x57 will be a little bit more, but not noticeably so. Good choice.
 
thanks guys.... btw has anyone tried the reduced recoil loads for 30-06? also what do you think about the New Redfield scopes (3-9X40)?
 
The Marlin XL-7 (as well as the short action XS-7) is an excellent value, and a good solid rifle. Probably the best budget rifle straight out of the box IMO. .30-06 is a great cartridge, but honestly is a little more than most hunters need, or than most new hunters really want after a few boxes of practice/sight-in at the bench. Recoil is significantly greater than the 7x57mm Mauser, but is manageable for most hunters with a little practice/experience. I would highly recommend the XS-7 in a 7mm-08 as was mentioned above. It is a great choice for deer and is capable of taking elk (though not my choice, particularly for a trophy elk hunt). For elk, I'd stick to a .30-06 class cartridge (including such cartridges as: .280Rem, .338-06, .35Whelen, and .45-70Govt.).

:)
 
I have one in /06, took a mulie with it last fall. Very accurate, wonderful trigger. Recoil is stiff. The Managed Recoil loads are a joy to shoot, however, and also very accurate.

I'd go with the 7mm/08 or .25/06 if it was just for deer, because of the lesser recoil.


also what do you think about the New Redfield scopes (3-9X40)
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I've heard generally positive comments about them, haven't seen one myself yet.
I have a Nikon Prostaff 3X9 on mine, $125 on ebay, nice scope for the money, if you're on a budget like I am...
 
I've heard generally positive comments about them...
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I haven't, seems that they have all the features of the VX-I (generally poor glass quality) wit the added bonus of POA shift with magnification changes. I would strongly recommend a Sightron (S-II), Nikon (Buckmaster), Bushnell (Elite 3200), or a Vortex (Diamondback) at similar cost.

:)
 
Xl7 in 25 06 no problems < inch at 100 yrds with 120 grain positive expanding silver box Winchester
 
thanks guys! and since the 30-06 is stronger than the 7X57 (7mm mauser) how is the recoil of the 30-06 compared to a 12 gauge (2 3/4 in. shell....#7 shot)? i think i can manage the recoil of the 30-06 and if not i will have the reduced recoil loads until i do... with that said i mainly want the 30-06 for whitetale hunting in the vermont woods. also i want a cartridge the local hunting shop will have. also it seams to be cheaper than 308 ammo right now... so yea.
 
...since the 30-06 is stronger than the 7X57 (7mm mauser) how is the recoil of the 30-06 compared to a 12 gauge (2 3/4 in. shell....#7 shot)?
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Probably a little more, I would say closer to a nice heavy waterfoul/turkey load or a light buckshot load, but not as bad as a heavy load of buckshot or slug.

:)
 
I have looked into purchasing the Marlin XL7 for myself, for the reason that it seems to be a well rounded rifle, of reasonable weight, and at a good price. I also have experience with marlins and am very satisfied with the work that they do.

The .30-06 is a great cartridge and is readily "available". I think it would be a great rifle for most anywhere in north america, for most any game. However, I don't understand your concern with the recoil. Its a rifle, they kick, but it is not a repeating action, the accuracy of your second shot is not affected by the recoil of the first, so what is the concern? Are you genuinely scared of recoil? If so, I suggest you grow a pair.

As for scopes, I love every Nikon scope that I have purchased or used. The prices are fair and they use quality glass, and have held up very well to the recoil of all my rifles, including my 1895XLR.
 
I have the new Redfield and it seems fine to me. It is a lot cheaper than the others some compare it to. I also have Leupold the one others always bash and compare there Japs and Chinese to. I have Nikon also but Leupold is still good glass it has never failed me like some others have in the real world. There warranty is as good as any bar none all this I know by experience from buying used glass. My Redfield is fine this is real account not something I read on the net.
roc1
 
oregun89-
I am 14 so i am looking for my own hunting rifle to buy with my own money... that said... i am not afraid of the recoil but i dont want to develop a flinch that will screw me over in the long run. so am i afraid? no... do i want to be accurate and not have a flinch from recoil? YES. and thank you for your info on the nikon scopes i greatly apreciate it.
 
I bought an XL7 in 30-06 recently because I was looking for a lighter weight rifle for hunting. Last year I packed around an eleven pound Savage and got tired of it quick. I have only put one box of Core-lokt through it, and I like it a lot. Here is the last four from that box at 100 yards:
Imgp4064adj.jpg


Measured around 0.9 MOA. Not bad for a $247 rifle with factory ammo. I thought the light weight would make it a real kicker, but it really isn't noticably different than the 11 pound rifle in .308 that I was using.
 
As I said above I have the 308 and it does not seem to kick that much at all, it is very mild. I did put a vortex scope on mine it is a 4-12X40 I think I paid like 140 ish for it. So I am into the rifle and scope for less than 500. 329 for the rifle and 140 or 150 for the scope.
 
I bought an XL7 in 270 win for my 14yr old son.

I've shot it. It think it's the best bang for the buck for the lower priced hunting rifles. His shoots less than MOA with hand loads. The trigger is similar in adjustment to the Savage Accu trigger. 'Sweet'. and the recoil pad is the best I've seen from a production gun ever. The composit stock is pillar bedded. The safety is in a good location and is functional even with gloves on. Blind box magazine reduces overall weight of the rifle.

Buy one. You won't be disapointed.

-Steve
 
That rifle is a bit lighter than others, so in 30-06 form, it will have a bit more felt recoil. In 270win, it should feel very near what that 7x57 would. And 270win would be more than adequate for your hunt environment.

-Steve
 
Normally the 30-06 has what is considered to be stout recoil, so that if you are shooting say a 1903 Springfield it could be painful. HOWEVER, the marlin xl7 has a VERY NICE recoil pad. I don't think that the recoil would really be a problem. When I have a similarly nice recoil pad on my garand my little sister (who is barely more than 100 lbs.) can shoot it just fine. I say get the XL7, I almost got one and from everything I have heard they are very good rifles.
 
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