Author Topic: Which Marlin XLR to get  (Read 1513 times)

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Offline kynardsj

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Which Marlin XLR to get
« on: February 12, 2012, 09:43:47 AM »
Have liked the looks of the Marlin XLR line of rifles since they came out and am thinking I just need to own one. I'd have time to get it set up and find the right load for it before next deer season. Biggest decision now is do I want it in 30-30 or 45-70 ( Don't care for the other calibers). I hunt deer and hogs here in Alabama so either would do just fine. Figured I'd open this can of worms and get opinions of which one and why. Thanks for all input.
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Offline BCTRUCKER

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2012, 12:12:45 PM »
Hello I have a XLR in the 45/70 and I love it. With the 45/70 I found
that reloading was the way to go, since factory ammo is expensive,
and can be hard to find where I live. Its very accurate shooting cast
or jacketed bullets. And the 30-30 win in the XLR would also be nice too. . ammo
way cheepper yet. I think either one would be good, but the 45/70 is what I chose.
MIKE

Offline Harry Snippe

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2012, 10:14:25 PM »
I like the big hole that the 45/70 leaves , but the 338 does the job of the ol' 06 and it does shoot with a lot less hold over .
 
Shot the 45/70 set three inch's high @ 100 YARDS AND KILLED AND ALMOST CLEANED A DOE .
Shot at a buck @ about 200 yards and think I might have hit one hoof after four rounds .
Now the 30/30 would have killed them both having done my part .
So for deer and Hogs hunting I doubt you need more than the 30/30 or maybe the 308 ME for the bit of extra range .
The 308 ME is close to the 300 Savage and yet to meet some one who thought they were undergunned with that one .
The 45/70 can hurt at both ends where the 30 cal can put a good hurt on your game Yet is mild on the shoulder . With that in mind one tends to become a better shooter with the mild recoil.
Then there is the 505 Gibbs in a double . Your the man if you can handle it, and the cartridge is known to clean as well as kill any rabbit you can hit with it .
Happy

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2012, 06:20:46 PM »
For where you are and what you are going to hunt, I think the 30-30 would be the best choice.  I have one and also the 338MXLR that is one accurate rifle, really more than you would need.  The 30-30 shoots the LE ammo very good and it also likes the Fedreal 150's aalmost as well, putting them into just over an inch at 100 yd, the LE's just under an inch for 3 shot groups.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline RIF

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2012, 06:35:16 PM »
The 338 Marlin is a fantastic round I would seriously consider it if I was looking at one of these rifles.

Check out the 338 and thank me later. 

Offline twoshooter

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #5 on: February 29, 2012, 03:44:13 PM »
I have used a 444 for years and like it very well, I am familiar with the big bores. If I were going to the expense of the XLR I would want  the 338, It has the range, is flat shooting, and accurate. IF I were getting a 45/70 I would get a stainless guide gun. If you just want a 30/30 get a 336.
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Offline Harry Snippe

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2012, 07:48:26 AM »
I have used a 444 for years and like it very well, I am familiar with the big bores. If I were going to the expense of the XLR I would want  the 338, It has the range, is flat shooting, and accurate. IF I were getting a 45/70 I would get a stainless guide gun. If you just want a 30/30 get a 336.
Your going to have to wait a year or two for the 338 Me to come back in production . The 444 and 35 Rem are no longer being produced in the XLR line , though a 35 Remington can be found if one looks for old stock.
The op wants to  weigh the 30/30 with the 45/70 I think the 30/30 would suit his needs since it can be loaded up with Leverevolution Powder close to the 300 Savage .
The 4570 costs more to load and does not shoot as flat as the 30 cal.
Happy

Offline Rooterpig

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2012, 01:28:10 PM »
If I had to pick between the 45/70 or 30/30 .... I would pick 444. I love mine and my 300 grain cast at 2000fps really knocks the stuffing out of game down here in florida. And as a bonus I have two loads that shoot under one inch at  one hundred yards. Good luck on finding a JM 308/338.

Offline woods

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2012, 05:01:10 PM »
     The 30-30 is the cheapest to shoot if that is of concern and factory 45-70 rounds are expensive and wimpy unless you buy the even more expensive stuff, Me I love the 45-70 and except it's limitations plus I handload.
     woods

Offline SCRooster

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2012, 07:22:24 PM »
The 338 Marlin is a fantastic round I would seriously consider it if I was looking at one of these rifles.

Check out the 338 and thank me later.


I agree.  I own one and it has become my favorite Marlin ... well, my favorite Marlin next to my 1894P in 44 Mag but still, the .338 is something to own.  I'm really proud of mine and it is a super shooter.


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Offline tanoose

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Re: Which Marlin XLR to get
« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2012, 03:19:57 PM »
the only XLR rifles being manufactured now is the 30/30 and the 308 marlin expressed, all others were dropped as were most of the cowboy models the only cowboy model now is the 45 colt. thankyou remington,