Author Topic: How are those Marlin center fire bolt action rifles for quality? (Read 4121 times)

His lordship. · « **on:** November 05, 2009, 08:58:46 AM »

I have been shopping for a bolt action rifle in .270, so far I like the Browning X-bolt, the Ruger Hawkeye, and was also looking at the Marlin Xl series, still shopping on the other makes. What amazed me was the smoothness of the Marlin for so little money, it was $289.00 at one local store. I asked the sales rep why so cheap and he said there was alot of plastic used, which was obvious. But the barrel, receiver, bolt, etc. were steel.

I am nervous as I once owned 3 Marlin rifles, two in .22 rimfire and a model 336 lever action. I was not thrilled on the quality, but then again I did not pay much for any of them, although I should have kept the 336 as it did work quite well.

Would I make a mistake in getting a gun like that or should I hold out and go for the Sako, Vangard, X-bolt, or Hawkeye etc?

Thanks.

anweis · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2009, 09:28:52 AM »

They are well built and accurate. They have all the bells and whistles of well made rifles: good trigger, good bedding, free floated barrel, etc. They are not very expensive.
I have not shot one, but have looked at one carefully, as i wanted a good inexpensive shooter. This one had a wood stock (very plain looking). The function of the bolt was rough, exactly the opposite of a Sako. I don't remember how the magazine was, probably a blind well, which i don't like, as it requires cycling the bolt to unload.
I would not hesitate to purchase one, if that was my budget and that was what i wanted. I wanted one with the plastic stock to have a "bad weather" rifle, but will probably get a stainless Tikka T3.

Halwg · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:16:55 PM »

To get a good idea of what people think of them go to the Marlin Owners Forum and look in the section on the XL7. They have gotten some very good reviews from the members.

www.marlinowners.com

whsk · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2009, 12:48:07 AM »

i have a Marlin XL7C 270 that just shoots about everything well. its favorite handload will shoot 1/2 inch or less repeatedly! the kicker is that it is out of the box stock and i paid 279.95 for it! it has fast become a favorite of mine and i have lots of choices!

Swampman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2009, 12:53:29 AM »

I don't think you can beat them for the money. There has never been anything wrong with Marlin's quality.

tjrod · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2009, 03:31:44 PM »

Buy one, you're gonna love the trigger. I never had a rifle where first time out with factory ammo I was putting bullets in bullet holes at 100 yds before. At 300 bucks yet, thanks Marlin.

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2009, 04:05:37 PM »

My XL7 3006 shot under MOA with a 3 shot group first time out with hand loads. Can't speak to the long term quality but like Swampman says Marlin has long made quality guns. Hopefully I can get first blood with mine in two weeks when rifle season opens in Oklahoma. I would buy one if I were you. Buds Gun shop usually has them (all models of XL and the shorter rounds) for around or just over $300 delivered to your FFL. Charlie

Rangr44 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2009, 05:12:17 AM »

The Marlin CF bolt guns are a lot of gun for the money - probably the best value in a CF boltgun out there - but since you say you didn't personally care for the quality of the M336 you once had ( a VERY good quality gun BTW, although not necessarily "pretty"), then get the Ruger Hawkeye if you want a more highly-finished rifle than the Marlin, and the X-Bolt if you want "bling".

.

DavOh · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2009, 06:23:57 AM »

Bought a .270 XL7 for my dad last year... $279 at academy+scope, etc...

on the range, right at or just less than 1" all day long with remington express 130gr corelokts

In the field, I've taken a hog and two deer with it. Including a 200 yd head shot.

I'm currently looking(unsuccessfully i might add) for a wood stocked xl7 .30-06 for myself.

poncaguy · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2009, 08:19:34 AM »

I have 3, no problems, deadly accurate, 270. 7-08, and 25-06...........308 next..........

Dillohide · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2009, 05:13:08 AM »

Picked up a XL7 270 from Academy 6 weeks ago for $289. It consistently prints first two shots touching with a little drift on the third all in 1" at 100 yards using 130gr core lokts. At first I thought it threw the 2nd shot off the paper. When they called the range cold found that it was putting the 2nd shot top of the 1st shot when I did my part. Have not adjusted the trigger pull and may not (you can easily adjust it). It's set about 3 lbs from the factory.

hillbill · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2009, 06:30:39 AM »

i was just on the marlin website and they claimed a wood stock model is recently available.

DavOh · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2009, 02:05:55 PM »

I found a small shop near my house that offered to order an xl7 with the wood stock for me, and I took 'em up on it... I'm pleased as punch with mine... nice rifle, and shoots well to boot...

MZ5 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2009, 02:25:01 PM »

There's a shop here with walnut-stocked XL/S-7s, and also laminated-stock versions. The walnut stocks on the ones here are very ...different. Very different-looking. I wouldn't say bad-looking, but very different. Perhaps even odd.

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2009, 03:44:34 PM »

Quote from: cbourbeau32 on November 06, 2009, 04:05:37 PM

Hopefully I can get first blood with mine in two weeks when rifle season opens in Oklahoma.

Mission accomplished this morning around 8:00 am. Shot in the field just as accurately as she did on the bench.

hillbill · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2009, 05:38:46 AM »

is the xl7 a all steel rifle or does it have some plastic or aluminum parts?is it a blind magazine?

whsk · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2009, 03:32:14 PM »

a post from another forum states that you can buy 2 Marlin XL7 or XS7 rifles for the price of 1 Rem 700-true and i will add that both Marlins will proably outshoot the REM too!

stalker1 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2009, 11:28:29 AM »

Cabela's has them in their latest flier for $279.

Cowpox · « **Reply #18 on:** November 25, 2009, 06:40:08 AM »

Here is a link to one review. http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Hunting_Gear_and_Products/Marlin-XL7-Rifle-Review-10220812.html

There are several reviews by known gun Gurus on the net, and all seem to be favorable.

hillbill · « **Reply #19 on:** November 25, 2009, 12:53:30 PM »

i really like what ive read about this rifle, but does it have any plastic parts?plastic triggerguard is a deal breaker.let me know what yu guys think

grout-scout · « **Reply #20 on:** November 26, 2009, 05:22:51 AM »

I also have the .270 xlc which shoots about 3/4" at 100 yds with factory Winchester Super X Power Points. I do believe the trigger guard is plastic, but come on, what do you expect for less then $300.00. The gun is worth every penny when compared to much more expensive rifles that have and do less. But here are a few extra pointers for ya, they come with the scope bases, are very light and mine kicks like a mule, and most important they are MADE IN THE USA! I'm positive you will like it unless you want or need the bling factor!

One Eye · « **Reply #21 on:** November 26, 2009, 12:48:35 PM »

Quote from: grout-scout on November 26, 2009, 05:22:51 AM

I also have the .270 xlc which shoots about 3/4" at 100 yds with factory Winchester Super X Power Points. I do believe the trigger guard is plastic, but come on, what do you expect for less then $300.00. The gun is worth every penny when compared to much more expensive rifles that have and do less. But here are a few extra pointers for ya, they come with the scope bases, are very light and mine kicks like a mule, and most important they are MADE IN THE USA! I'm positive you will like it unless you want or need the bling factor!

Glad to hear you are happy with yours. Call me old fashioned, but I want my guns to be made of steel and wood. Just because something is "made in America" doesn't mean it is made well. With that said, I have had great luck with Marlin lever actions. I guess I am taking a "watch and see" approach since the sale to Remington.

Dan

One Eye · « **Reply #22 on:** November 26, 2009, 12:49:28 PM »

Quote from: hillbill on November 25, 2009, 12:53:30 PM

plastic triggerguard is a deal breaker

I agree 100%.
Dan

grout-scout · « **Reply #23 on:** November 28, 2009, 08:58:23 AM »

No, not everything made in America is great; but if you enjoy your Chinese crap full of lead and all the other chemicals that keep popping up in the news then keep on buying it. I think I will stick to trying to keep jobs in America because that's where I live, love and WORK! You don't like the plastic trigger guard, great, don't buy a Marlin XL7, there are only 30 more rifle companies to buy from! If a person wants a great hunting rifle that does it's job and does it nicely, at an affordable price a Marlin is a great gun. Just for the record they do make a wood and also laminate stock XL7, those might have STEEL trigger guards. Never seen one in person! Keep it in the U.S.A !!!

poncaguy · « **Reply #24 on:** November 28, 2009, 09:08:35 AM »

My Marlin 270 and 7-08 shot MOA or better right off , my 25-06 was 2"-3", ready to trade it off.........then I tried some handloads I had, 1/2". Cannot beat them for the price...........

DKA · « **Reply #25 on:** November 28, 2009, 04:48:41 PM »

I have shot several XL7's, sighting in, and they all shot great out of the box. have not shot an XS7, but plan to buy one before next hunting season. Great rifle for the $.

DavOh · « **Reply #26 on:** November 29, 2009, 01:10:14 PM »

Quote from: One Eye on November 26, 2009, 12:49:28 PM

Quote from: hillbill on November 25, 2009, 12:53:30 PM
plastic triggerguard is a deal breaker

I agree 100%.
Dan

Just out of curiosity, why the distaste for plastic triggerguard... is there a practical concern, or simply cosmetic/textile preference?

My wood stocked '06 has a plastic trigger guard, i'm reasonably sure the laminate would as well...

Dillohide · « **Reply #27 on:** November 30, 2009, 10:25:01 AM »

Unlike another $300 bolt action rifle the trigger guard on the XL7 is not molded into the stock. It is removable and therefore replaceable. I would have a problem if it was molded into the stock but it isn't.

hillbill · « **Reply #28 on:** November 30, 2009, 01:45:49 PM »

davoh, i really dont have anything against plastic on a rifle except that the ones without have shown historically to be a better investment.i realize that the marlin is a hell of a gun for the money, or so it seems.at this point in my life i am honeing and perfecting my gun collection. plastic dont fit in. if i was looking for a new deer rifle and needed a good quality gun that was accurate and reliable i would buy one in a heartbeat.however i have a bunch of those.a lot of guys out there are in the same boat i am. i understand why they did it and its prob one of the better guns in its class on the market.im not running it down at all, in fact if they offered it in 260 or 6.5x55 id prob already have one.

poncaguy · « **Reply #29 on:** December 01, 2009, 10:00:14 AM »

I have 3 of them,I like the light weight, so synthetic stocks and plastic trigger guards are fine with me, my guns are used in hunting and shooting, no safe queens for me............