New rifle

[Larry S.]

I don't post often, but I thought I'd do it today in order to mention a rifle I didn't know all that much about.

Recently, I had the opportunity to acquire a Marlin XL7 (.270 WCF) through a trade with a friend. The rifle had had only 10 rounds fired through it and was still in its original box with all accompanying paperwork. I basically traded an old (31 years) S&W (Howa Model 1500 in .270 WCF) for it in order to have a camp backup for my primary deer rifle.

Yes, the Marlin is inexpensive. Yes, the stock is some plastic polymer. Yes, the trigger guard is plastic and the rear guard screw needs to be carefully tightened so as not to crack the rear of the trigger guard (Stay under 20-inch-pounds). And, no, it's not a legacy rifle to be passed down the generations. But, Lord, can it shoot.

I mounted a Leupold VXII that I'd purchased from another friend who does a bit of gunsmithing and I took an hour or so to float the barrel and then I took it to the range where it shot 5 rounds of Federal 150g, soft point, round nose into a .830" group. I let it cool and then in shot 5 rounds of Remington Core Lokt, 130g, pointed soft points into a .770" group.

I sat back, took a deep breath, broke a small smile, cased it, and brought it home. Then, I went out and bought a box of bedding compound, bedded the action, waited a few days, took a box of handloads (.270, 130g, Nosler AccuBonds) that I have for my primary hunting rifle and went back to the range and the thing   shot a 0.900" group. Basically, this "cheap" rifle shoots better than me...way better.

My dilemma, such as it is, is now whether or not to make this my primary rifle. Probably won't, but I have to say that, this time, the gods truly smiled down.

Over the past week or two, I've wandered the Internet and the comments that come back regarding the accuracy of this rifle pretty much mirror what I've experienced. Too, I've found that they can be had for around $300 when you can find them. I'll add to that that there's likely a secret society being formed amongst those who own and have shot them that will not let them go without a fight.

Again, these are not legacy rifles. What they are are damn fine tools. Tools that you could buy without breaking the bank. Tools that you would not worry about scratching, scarring, dropping, getting wet, or getting banged up. They are an entry level rifle that, apparently, will shoot better than most of us are able to shoot and that will draw comments at the range - as in the guy next to me with a $1000+ rifle who was shooting 2-3" groups and wondered what kind of custom rifle I had.

Can't make you buy one. Won't argue about the plastic trigger guard (have already found a replacement Remington guard that will work with a little time on my bench). Can't argue that the stock is perfect.

But again...Lord, will this rifle shoot. And, all things considered, that's what really counts, isn't it?

[yorketransport]

Congratulations on a good shooting gun.

You don't need to spend a whole lot of money to get a good shooting rifle now days. There are plenty of inexpensive guns that will out shoot some of the $1000 rifles.

Andrew

[BOWHUNTER45]

Yeah exactely .... do not need an exspensive rifle at all to get accuracy ....just need to find what it likes and do not be afraid of trying 140 gr bullets out of that .270 ...thats my go to bullet hands down out of my .270

[Larry S.]

Agree on both counts. With the CNC mills and lathes that are out there now, holding tight tolerances are the standard rather than the rule. Plus, it's surely helpful when a manufacturer markets a firearm that can be afforded by almost everybody which will shoot as well as the one's costing $$$ more. As for the 140g bullets, that's a suggestion I'm going to look into. I've used the 130g on deer for a long time and have gotten used to it, but I'm also a tinkerer and this might be the chance to try something new. Overall, just feel good that, for once, my lottery ticket (as regards rifles) was finally a winner.

Thanks for the input.

[marlin]

I have a Marlin XS7 in .308 and I love it. Its super accurate especially considering I only paid $300 for it. I like it so much I would like one in every caliber! I think .25-06 would be cool and then add one of the boyds stocks to it. My .308 has some really tough warne maxima medium rings on it and a bushnell trophy xlt 3-9x40. So far that scope is working good, and warne rings are the best. This Marlin is an amazing rifle for the money. I was going to get a savage package until I found this, I wouldnt trade it for a savage package. My friend has the savage in .30-06 and besides the 06 kicking like a beast and not producing much more downrange results, the rifle doesnt have anything I like better than my Marlin XS7

[Larry S.]

Marlin:

You're saying precisely what I've found others to be saying on the Internet when they speak of this rifle. Truth be told, I'd never heard of it up until three weeks ago when I made the trade. Again, it probably won't be my primary rifle for hunting...I have another .270 that I've worked on over the years that is near and dear to my heart... but, to paraphrase an old saying, "You'll get my XL7 when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers."

Larry S.

[marlin]

Marlin may have stolen some ideas from other companies, particularly savage and weatherby/howa, also a touch remington.. But there isnt any other rifle in the price range that would steer me away from my XS7. Sure someday I would like a classy rifle, like a kimber, or model 70 winchester, maybe cooper of montana if I really have some money, but those rifles would never get used and carried as much as the XS7 because its a very accurate, reliable, and powerful rifle that I dont worry too much about scratching. Love it. That rifle makes me so happy it inspired my screenname. Along with my model 60 that I picked up for $80... Thats another sweet shooter. I was young and stupid when I sold a Marlin 336w .30-30 and now I really want to replace it, along with a 39A. Marlin has my vote.

[predatorpro]

out of curiousity why did you get rid of your howa? was it not as accurate?

[Larry S.]

Predatorpro:

Here's the rest of the story.

That Howa hunted with me for 30+ years and it had gotten dinged, scratched, marked and what have you. Too, I'd put a lot of rounds down the barrel sighting in, hunting, just plain shooting, and while developing a load for it.

I'm a guy. I loved that rifle and its accuracy, but I wanted a new barrel and action (I'd actually worn the blueing off of the bolt), so I started looking for them when I came across a new Howa Model 1500 (again, only 2 or 3 boxes fired and the guy needed to sell it) for sale at $300. I bought it and moved my scope, trigger, synthetic stock (I fall a lot), and bipod from the "old Howa" to the new barrel & action. Then, since I had all of the parts necessary, I assembled them into the second Howa (lost you yet?) using the old barrel/action and the stock, trigger, and scope from the rifle I'd bought for $300.

Having done this, a friend who'd always liked my "old" Howa asked if I wanted to trade for the Marlin. Since I now had what I wanted (new barrel/action), I took him up on the offer of the Marlin XL7 and got pleasantly surprised.

The only thing that matters to me is how well a rifle shoots. I'm too old to worry about how it looks  - as noted, I fall a lot and anything "nice-looking" is going to get ugly fast in my hands. Too, once I find something that works (Howa Model 1500's and now Marlin XL7's) I stick with them under the theory of "if it's not broke, don't fix it." I've never missed a shot because of my Howa. Any and all misses I've had (and there have been a bunch) were due to the guy on the back end of the recoil pad. Too, I'm a bit tight with my money (what little there is of it after putting 3 kids through college) and, if an inexpensive rifle shoots well at $300-$400, I have to ask why would I pay more.

FYI, the new Howa shoots as accurately - 3 round cloverleaf + 2 rounds 1/2" away - as the old one...and I am one happy camper. Again, for once, the gods smiled on me.

I'm getting long-winded here. Time to stop before I bore you to tears.

Larry S.

[SkookumJeff]

Thanks for the report on the Marlin.  I'd been reading about these rifles and reviewed the design.  On paper I thought they were a hell of a value.  I had not been able to find one to look at locally.  Go figure.  Can you verify something for me?  You said you bedded the stock, if I recollect, these rifles come from the factory already pillar bedded.  Was that what you found?   

Glad you found yourself a shooter.

Skook.

[Larry S.]

They are pillar bedded, but it's not as "anchored" as you'd normally think of in a pillar bedded stock. Remember the price. Again, though, it was a tight rifle and it shot great. I just like to tinker and bedding the action (recoil lug + 1" forward and the tang) wasn't difficult, so I just went ahead and did it. It's a definite keeper now.

Larry S.