Thoughts on Marlin XL7 - Page 2

Nightshadow · September 2, 2012, 07:37 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, 03:51 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, 08:44 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, 11:52 AM

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, 05:14 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, 09:19 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, 02:23 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.

ltcboy · June 1, 2013, 09:04 AM

I am a new XL7 owner (30-06). I bought my rifle to not only enjoy, but to also shove into this pompous idiot's face at a range I shoot at. I am mostly a Garand guy, I also shoot Springfields and I comepte in NRA High Power with the M1 Garand and a match AR. A friend of mine bought the Remington 700 Sps tactical in .308 and he seems to enjoy it. I was always contemplating getting a commercial bolt gun for deer hunting anyway, but what motivated me really to buy the XL7 was , A) the reviews online as far as accuracy goes, B) I have over 10k rounds of surplus 30-06 and it all reloadable & C) there is this a$$ at our range who is the type of guy that if your car does 100 mph, his does 105mph. If you catch 12 fish, he catches 13 and his are bigger. He has a new Weatherby Mark V Deluxe rifle in 30-06 and he mounted a new Leupold scope on it. He paid big $$$ for his rig. Is set out to find the most economically accurate production bolt rifle in 30-06 made today and upon investigating this the Marlin XL7 was mentioned all the time. So I bought mine brand new off Gunbroker. I paid a grand sum of $305 (s&h was included), $20 for the FFL transfer, $335 for a new Nikon Monarch 3-12X42 mm scope, $35 for mount & base and then $99 for a Harris bipod. Without the bi-pod, I am out $695. He paid over $2500 for his setup. Now I am not knocking the Weatherby rifle. I am sure its a fine weapon and is nice to shoot and all that good stuff that makes one warm and fuzzy owning one. But, the rubber meets the road and the results are what counts.

I went out and bought a deck of playing cards and brought them out to the range. When my Weatherby friend showed up we had a little friendly competition. I took all the clubs out of the deck. I gave him the three of clubs and I took the two of clubs. Whoever could get the closest grouping by shooting out one club using four shots would win. We were shooting at 100 yards. Keep in mind, I was using neck sized reloads with a 150 grain Hornady FMJBT 3037 bullet over 45 grains of IMR 4320. COAL was 3.31. He was using his reloads too. Long story short, my $300 Marlin out shot his $2000 Weatherby. Again, is it the gun or the shooter? I'm sure it's both. But I love the fact that he had it thrown in his face that a cheap Marlin rifle outdid his Gucci gun.

MIke

Huffmanite · June 1, 2013, 10:05 AM

itcboy, enjoyed your post!

I own a few Marlin X rifles myself and think they do shoot well or I wouldn't have three of them.

wnycollector · June 1, 2013, 02:21 PM

I picked up a Marlin X7VH in 223 about 6 months ago. It shot 1.5" groups with black hills 52gr mhp's. I put a Boyd's thumbhole stock on it and my groups shrunk by 1/2. The Marlin now shoots as well as my .223 savage 10fp but costs ~$200 less.

G-town Hunter · June 1, 2013, 08:11 PM

Acelwik..
That is a fine lookin setup

Idashot1k · June 2, 2013, 10:38 AM

I have the heavy barreled 22-250. One of my new favorite guns. My first handload with CFE223 shot 3/4 groups at 200 yards. Dropped a millet mil dot scope on it and reliably popped clay pigeons at 600 yards. Hideous plastic stock, but hey its a sweet shooting gun.

Drhc116 · June 3, 2013, 07:43 AM

I have the XS7 in .308. It is a great gun for the money. I bought it 2-3 years ago and have done plenty of damage from a treestand with it. Love the rifle.

1tfl · June 19, 2013, 10:22 AM

What is the difference between XL7 and XS7?
Long vs. short action?
Did they chamber short cartridges (243/308) in the XL7 action?
I heard once from a co-worker that he had a Marlin XL7 in 243 Winchester
caliber.

Huffmanite · June 19, 2013, 10:40 AM

As you surmised, XL is long action, XS is short. My 25-06 is an XL and both my 7mm-08 and 308 are XS

Liambobbi · June 19, 2013, 12:40 PM

My wife's hunting rifle is a xs7y and she loves it we looked at a ton of rifles for her she wanted a .243 being a small lass we looked at a tikka t3 lite browning x-bolt micro Midas and the Remington model 7 and xs7 won she liked the weight and feel of the rifle and they do shoot like people say with 85 nosler partition (nosler custom ammo) she gets 3/4 groups at 100 pretty constantly

natman · June 20, 2013, 03:54 AM

Quote:

What is the difference between XL7 and XS7?
Long vs. short action?
Did they chamber short cartridges (243/308) in the XL7 action?
I heard once from a co-worker that he had a Marlin XL7 in 243 Winchester
caliber.

XS=short, XL=long
The XS was used for 243,7mm-08 and 308, the XL for 25-06, 270 and 30-06. They now call them all "X7", but they still use short and long actions as needed.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...tAction/x7.asp

I suspect your co-worker was mistaken.

FrankenMauser · June 20, 2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

What is the difference between XL7 and XS7?
Long vs. short action?
Did they chamber short cartridges (243/308) in the XL7 action?
I heard once from a co-worker that he had a Marlin XL7 in 243 Winchester
caliber.

XS=short, XL=long
The XS was used for 243,7mm-08 and 308, the XL for 25-06, 270 and 30-06. They now call them all "X7", but they still use short and long actions as needed.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...tAction/x7.asp

I suspect your co-worker was mistaken.

Marlington really went nuts with the X7 naming system, and has changed the model designations several times over the last 3 years.
There actually was a short period of time (last year?), during which you could get a short-action X7 with the model designation XL7 or XL7S.

(I saw them in .243 Win and .308 Win, never 7mm-08; but that doesn't mean it was left out.)

So, the .243 Win XL7 is a very real possibility.

natman · June 21, 2013, 01:51 AM

I suppose it's possible that they may have made a short action 243 and called it an XL7. I doubt that they ever made a 243 on a long action.

FrankenMauser · June 22, 2013, 01:24 PM

That's exactly what I was saying -- and the lay person wouldn't know the difference. To them, the rifle is what it says it is. The average shooter, in my experience, doesn't even know that "high powered rifles" are even made in different action lengths.

September 2, 2012, 07:37 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, 08:44 PM	#28
shanzlik Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 547	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, SAF Life Member My EDC - STI Shadow My blog - firearm reviews, etc.

November 12, 2012, 11:52 AM	#29
Axelwik Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2012 Location: Land of Enchantment Posts: 436	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 12:03 PM.

November 13, 2012, 02:23 AM	#32
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	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. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 22, 2013, 01:24 PM	#45
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	That's exactly what I was saying -- and the lay person wouldn't know the difference. To them, the rifle is what it says it is. The average shooter, in my experience, doesn't even know that "high powered rifles" are even made in different action lengths. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

November 10, 2012, 03:51 PM	#27
ltcboy Member Join Date: May 23, 2010 Posts: 16	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, 05:14 PM	#30
FiveInADime Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2012 Posts: 607	Nice job, Axelwik. How does that Prairie Hunter feel compared to the plastic stock as far as cheek weld and shoulder fit?

June 1, 2013, 09:04 AM	#33
ltcboy Member Join Date: May 23, 2010 Posts: 16	I am a new XL7 owner (30-06). I bought my rifle to not only enjoy, but to also shove into this pompous idiot's face at a range I shoot at. I am mostly a Garand guy, I also shoot Springfields and I comepte in NRA High Power with the M1 Garand and a match AR. A friend of mine bought the Remington 700 Sps tactical in .308 and he seems to enjoy it. I was always contemplating getting a commercial bolt gun for deer hunting anyway, but what motivated me really to buy the XL7 was , A) the reviews online as far as accuracy goes, B) I have over 10k rounds of surplus 30-06 and it all reloadable & C) there is this a$$ at our range who is the type of guy that if your car does 100 mph, his does 105mph. If you catch 12 fish, he catches 13 and his are bigger. He has a new Weatherby Mark V Deluxe rifle in 30-06 and he mounted a new Leupold scope on it. He paid big $$$ for his rig. Is set out to find the most economically accurate production bolt rifle in 30-06 made today and upon investigating this the Marlin XL7 was mentioned all the time. So I bought mine brand new off Gunbroker. I paid a grand sum of $305 (s&h was included), $20 for the FFL transfer, $335 for a new Nikon Monarch 3-12X42 mm scope, $35 for mount & base and then $99 for a Harris bipod. Without the bi-pod, I am out $695. He paid over $2500 for his setup. Now I am not knocking the Weatherby rifle. I am sure its a fine weapon and is nice to shoot and all that good stuff that makes one warm and fuzzy owning one. But, the rubber meets the road and the results are what counts. I went out and bought a deck of playing cards and brought them out to the range. When my Weatherby friend showed up we had a little friendly competition. I took all the clubs out of the deck. I gave him the three of clubs and I took the two of clubs. Whoever could get the closest grouping by shooting out one club using four shots would win. We were shooting at 100 yards. Keep in mind, I was using neck sized reloads with a 150 grain Hornady FMJBT 3037 bullet over 45 grains of IMR 4320. COAL was 3.31. He was using his reloads too. Long story short, my $300 Marlin out shot his $2000 Weatherby. Again, is it the gun or the shooter? I'm sure it's both. But I love the fact that he had it thrown in his face that a cheap Marlin rifle outdid his Gucci gun. MIke

June 1, 2013, 10:05 AM	#34
Huffmanite Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2006 Location: Northeast of Houston, Tx Posts: 393	itcboy, enjoyed your post! I own a few Marlin X rifles myself and think they do shoot well or I wouldn't have three of them.

June 1, 2013, 02:21 PM	#35
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	I picked up a Marlin X7VH in 223 about 6 months ago. It shot 1.5" groups with black hills 52gr mhp's. I put a Boyd's thumbhole stock on it and my groups shrunk by 1/2. The Marlin now shoots as well as my .223 savage 10fp but costs ~$200 less.

June 1, 2013, 08:11 PM	#36
G-town Hunter Member Join Date: May 16, 2013 Posts: 29	Acelwik.. That is a fine lookin setup

June 2, 2013, 10:38 AM	#37
Idashot1k Junior Member Join Date: January 6, 2013 Location: East Idaho Posts: 13	I have the heavy barreled 22-250. One of my new favorite guns. My first handload with CFE223 shot 3/4 groups at 200 yards. Dropped a millet mil dot scope on it and reliably popped clay pigeons at 600 yards. Hideous plastic stock, but hey its a sweet shooting gun.

June 3, 2013, 07:43 AM	#38
Drhc116 Member Join Date: April 26, 2012 Posts: 76	I have the XS7 in .308. It is a great gun for the money. I bought it 2-3 years ago and have done plenty of damage from a treestand with it. Love the rifle.

June 19, 2013, 10:22 AM	#39
1tfl Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2007 Posts: 287	What is the difference between XL7 and XS7? Long vs. short action? Did they chamber short cartridges (243/308) in the XL7 action? I heard once from a co-worker that he had a Marlin XL7 in 243 Winchester caliber.

June 19, 2013, 10:40 AM	#40
Huffmanite Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2006 Location: Northeast of Houston, Tx Posts: 393	As you surmised, XL is long action, XS is short. My 25-06 is an XL and both my 7mm-08 and 308 are XS

June 19, 2013, 12:40 PM	#41
Liambobbi Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Posts: 51	My wife's hunting rifle is a xs7y and she loves it we looked at a ton of rifles for her she wanted a .243 being a small lass we looked at a tikka t3 lite browning x-bolt micro Midas and the Remington model 7 and xs7 won she liked the weight and feel of the rifle and they do shoot like people say with 85 nosler partition (nosler custom ammo) she gets 3/4 groups at 100 pretty constantly

June 21, 2013, 01:51 AM	#44
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,607	I suppose it's possible that they may have made a short action 243 and called it an XL7. I doubt that they ever made a 243 on a long action.