bbearhntr
Handloader
- Apr 10, 2011
- 553
- 0
Great article Mike! I have two marlin XS7 and both are keepers.
Marlin XL7 & Ruger American Comparison
- Thread starter bullet
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #42
bullet
Handloader
- Dec 26, 2007
- 4,975
- 20
Thanks guys, it was fun .
Horsethief
Handloader
- Jul 5, 2012
- 346
- 5
The Marlin XL7 in 270 Winchester was one of the most accurate rifles I owned. The trigger, barrel nut, safety, bolt and recoil pad each looked like it was copied from another rifle line. Marlin used all those "goodies" and made an accurate rifle that is very affordable.
I never adjusted the trigger. I never open up the stock to make the barrel float. Neither things were necessary. I worked up a number of loads and found all but one bullet weight/design to be sub-MOA at 100yds, one load in particular load making a 3-shot group only 1/2" wide at 200yds using a bipod as a rest. Yes, it was that good. You can spend less, you can spend more if you want to, but you'll be hard pressed to find a rifle as accurate as the XL7 for that kind of money.
Related to this is what happened to a guy I know who got one of the very first XL7s in a 30-06. At the range one day, his buddies were degrading the rifle as a cheapo, Tupperware stocked wannabe. They owned "good" rifles. After simply zeroing the scope and making two, 3-shot groups, the XL7 made better groups than the "good" rifles could. Oh my, could it be that LOOKS aren't the deal maker?
The pic is the XL7s 200yd shot group. 130gn Nosler BTs, H-414 powder, Win lg rifle primer.
I never adjusted the trigger. I never open up the stock to make the barrel float. Neither things were necessary. I worked up a number of loads and found all but one bullet weight/design to be sub-MOA at 100yds, one load in particular load making a 3-shot group only 1/2" wide at 200yds using a bipod as a rest. Yes, it was that good. You can spend less, you can spend more if you want to, but you'll be hard pressed to find a rifle as accurate as the XL7 for that kind of money.
Related to this is what happened to a guy I know who got one of the very first XL7s in a 30-06. At the range one day, his buddies were degrading the rifle as a cheapo, Tupperware stocked wannabe. They owned "good" rifles. After simply zeroing the scope and making two, 3-shot groups, the XL7 made better groups than the "good" rifles could. Oh my, could it be that LOOKS aren't the deal maker?
The pic is the XL7s 200yd shot group. 130gn Nosler BTs, H-414 powder, Win lg rifle primer.
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,502
- 3,689
Man I will take that group anyday!!
