Thoughts on Marlin XL7 - Page 2

Nightshadow · September 2, 2012, 08:37 AM

I have not fired a rifle since I was in the Army just over 20 years ago. I recently switched jobs and started working with 2 avid shooters one of which is prior Army also. Listening to them talk reminded me how I use to enjoy shooting long range targets 300+ meters and the shooting bug was starting to bit again. Last night I broke down a Marlin XL7 in a .243 and a Bushnell 3X9 scope with some 2 boxes quality rounds and 2 boxes of cheap 85g rounds to use for siting in the at 60 then 100 yards. With the cheap rounds at 60 yards, firing uphill, with a 9MPH right to left crosswind my first 3 rounds were 6 clicks low and 5 clicks right, but I was shocked that all three rounds were within ¾ inch grouping. I made the adjustment to the scope and shot another 3 rounds. All three rounds were on target in under ¾ inch grouping again and two of the three holes were over lapping. At 100 yards using the same cheap 85g rounds I put 3 more rounds on target in a ¾ inch grouping without needing to adjust the scope. At 150 yards the rounds hit 1 inch low and 1.5 inches left the grouping was 7/8 of an inch. At 200 yards the shots hit nearly 3 inches low and nearly 5 inches to the left in a 1.25 inch grouping. I bumped up to some better rounds that are 100g and hit the target at 200 yards in a ¾ inch grouping. I then went out to 300 yards and I hit ½ low and ¾ inch left in 1 inch grouping. I am amazed at how tight the groupings were and how little the round dropped at range with store bought rounds and a rifle scope combo that ran about $350.00

ltcboy · November 10, 2012, 04:51 PM

Frankenmauser and Nightshadow,

I have read numerous reviews on the Marlin XL7 and I took the plunge. I got mine off Gunbroker for $307. I bought a 30.06 because I have over 8k rounds of it and I can reload it to pretty much any weight I want. I plan on getting the Nikon Monarch 4x16x42 scope mounted on it. I hope she can deliver the mail at anywhere from 100-500yrds. Hopefully, we shall see.

Mike

shanzlik · November 11, 2012, 09:44 PM

I have the Monarch it sounds like you're talking about, it's a nice scope. Congrats on the new rifle.

Axelwik · November 12, 2012, 12:52 PM

I have an XL7 in 270. With the plastic stock it did okay, but not sub-MOA. Then I put a Boyds laminated stock on it, floated the barrel, and bedded it. Now it's 0.75 MOA! Great rifle for the price. It likes a Nosler 150-grain partition with some H4831SC behind it. Also does well with Sierra 130 grain boat tails, same powder.

FiveInADime · November 12, 2012, 06:14 PM

Nice job, Axelwik. How does that Prairie Hunter feel compared to the plastic stock as far as cheek weld and shoulder fit?

Axelwik · November 12, 2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

How does that Prairie Hunter feel compared to the plastic stock as far as cheek weld and shoulder fit?

It's better - the rifle comes up to my shoulder more naturally, the "Monte Carlo" cheek area does a better job at putting my eye inline with the scope, the pistol grip fills the hand, and the forend is wider at the base and narrows with a nice finger groove along the top. Overall it's more ergonomic and adds a little weight, reducing recoil.

FrankenMauser · November 13, 2012, 03:23 AM

ltcboy - I hope you enjoy it. I haven't shot mine very much this year (if at all?

), but I know I can count on it any time I need it.

Axelwik, I'm glad that stock worked out for you.
My rifle just didn't want to be free-floated. It was a tack driver in the factory stock, but printed shotgun patterns in the Boyd's stock. With some card stock wedged between the Boyd's stock and the barrel, for a fore-end pressure point, some of the accuracy came back. Since I needed a bit of a light weight "mountain rifle" anyway, and didn't feel like pillar-bedding and building pressure points in the Boyd's stock, I just went back to what I knew worked.

However, the gentleman I sold the Boyd's stock to said that with no modifications, it took his .30-06 XL7 from a 1.5"-2" 100 yard rifle, to a 0.5 MoA tack-driver.
Luck of the draw, I guess. But... it worked out for both of us.

September 2, 2012, 08:37 AM	#26
Nightshadow Junior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Posts: 2	Nice Rifle for the money I have not fired a rifle since I was in the Army just over 20 years ago. I recently switched jobs and started working with 2 avid shooters one of which is prior Army also. Listening to them talk reminded me how I use to enjoy shooting long range targets 300+ meters and the shooting bug was starting to bit again. Last night I broke down a Marlin XL7 in a .243 and a Bushnell 3X9 scope with some 2 boxes quality rounds and 2 boxes of cheap 85g rounds to use for siting in the at 60 then 100 yards. With the cheap rounds at 60 yards, firing uphill, with a 9MPH right to left crosswind my first 3 rounds were 6 clicks low and 5 clicks right, but I was shocked that all three rounds were within ¾ inch grouping. I made the adjustment to the scope and shot another 3 rounds. All three rounds were on target in under ¾ inch grouping again and two of the three holes were over lapping. At 100 yards using the same cheap 85g rounds I put 3 more rounds on target in a ¾ inch grouping without needing to adjust the scope. At 150 yards the rounds hit 1 inch low and 1.5 inches left the grouping was 7/8 of an inch. At 200 yards the shots hit nearly 3 inches low and nearly 5 inches to the left in a 1.25 inch grouping. I bumped up to some better rounds that are 100g and hit the target at 200 yards in a ¾ inch grouping. I then went out to 300 yards and I hit ½ low and ¾ inch left in 1 inch grouping. I am amazed at how tight the groupings were and how little the round dropped at range with store bought rounds and a rifle scope combo that ran about $350.00

November 11, 2012, 09:44 PM	#28
shanzlik Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 544	I have the Monarch it sounds like you're talking about, it's a nice scope. Congrats on the new rifle. __________________ TSRA Life Member, NRA Endowment Life Member My EDC - STI Shadow My blog - firearm reviews, etc.

November 12, 2012, 12:52 PM	#29
Axelwik Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2012 Location: Land of Enchantment Posts: 198	I have an XL7 in 270. With the plastic stock it did okay, but not sub-MOA. Then I put a Boyds laminated stock on it, floated the barrel, and bedded it. Now it's 0.75 MOA! Great rifle for the price. It likes a Nosler 150-grain partition with some H4831SC behind it. Also does well with Sierra 130 grain boat tails, same powder. Last edited by Axelwik; November 12, 2012 at 01:03 PM.

November 13, 2012, 03:23 AM	#32
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: 1B ID Posts: 5,391	ltcboy - I hope you enjoy it. I haven't shot mine very much this year (if at all? ), but I know I can count on it any time I need it. Axelwik, I'm glad that stock worked out for you. My rifle just didn't want to be free-floated. It was a tack driver in the factory stock, but printed shotgun patterns in the Boyd's stock. With some card stock wedged between the Boyd's stock and the barrel, for a fore-end pressure point, some of the accuracy came back. Since I needed a bit of a light weight "mountain rifle" anyway, and didn't feel like pillar-bedding and building pressure points in the Boyd's stock, I just went back to what I knew worked. However, the gentleman I sold the Boyd's stock to said that with no modifications, it took his .30-06 XL7 from a 1.5"-2" 100 yard rifle, to a 0.5 MoA tack-driver. Luck of the draw, I guess. But... it worked out for both of us. __________________ "Such is the strange way that man works -- first he virtually destroys a species and then does everything in his power to restore it."

November 10, 2012, 04:51 PM	#27
ltcboy Junior Member Join Date: May 23, 2010 Posts: 12	Frankenmauser and Nightshadow, I have read numerous reviews on the Marlin XL7 and I took the plunge. I got mine off Gunbroker for $307. I bought a 30.06 because I have over 8k rounds of it and I can reload it to pretty much any weight I want. I plan on getting the Nikon Monarch 4x16x42 scope mounted on it. I hope she can deliver the mail at anywhere from 100-500yrds. Hopefully, we shall see. Mike

November 12, 2012, 06:14 PM	#30
FiveInADime Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 222	Nice job, Axelwik. How does that Prairie Hunter feel compared to the plastic stock as far as cheek weld and shoulder fit?