Marlin XL7 or X7 Stainless questions
- Thread starter Orion6
- Start date
If you're looking for value I'd look somewhere else imo. I had one of these in .270 that I picked up after reading the great things online and I wish I never had. I ended up trading it for something I like a lot more.
It was very accurate, but no where near the quality of the Savage Model 10/11, etc. The trigger wasn't nearly as nice as the accu trigger, the stock was incredibly cheap, but that's the case with most cheaper guns, the bolt felt cheap, just everything on the gun felt extremely cheap. IMO I'd spend the money for the Savage since they aren't that far apart in price. If you handle both, you won't even consider the Marlin again.
It was very accurate, but no where near the quality of the Savage Model 10/11, etc. The trigger wasn't nearly as nice as the accu trigger, the stock was incredibly cheap, but that's the case with most cheaper guns, the bolt felt cheap, just everything on the gun felt extremely cheap. IMO I'd spend the money for the Savage since they aren't that far apart in price. If you handle both, you won't even consider the Marlin again.
I had a nice 10 Savage in 7mm-08 that wouldn't hit the broadside of a barn with 4 kinds of ammo. I changed scopes and mounts, still no-go.
My daughter has an Axis, and while accurate, it's ugly as sin.
I may consider other options though. You have real world experience with the Marlin. Thanks for the input!
My daughter has an Axis, and while accurate, it's ugly as sin.
I may consider other options though. You have real world experience with the Marlin. Thanks for the input!
Thunderkiss
New member
Did you contact Savage about it? Their CS is excellent and they will make things right, at least they have on my part.
The X7 rifles are butt ugly as well. Its a mis-mash of three rifles. I have a XS7VH .308 and wish I had never bought it but at the time I was reading all the good reviews on them so went ahead and picked it up. Contact points on the stock where awful. It does shoot OK after some stock work. Just wish I had bought the savage the first time.
FrankenMauser
New member
You're comparing apples and pomegranates. They may appear similar from the outside, but they're vastly different inside. ...And cost is notably different, as well.
Savage 10s/11s are not intended to be 'budget' rifles. They're mid-range rifles. When you jump to mid-range, for any manufacturer, overall quality improves. It's not just a Marlin vs Savage thing.
The Edge/Axis is Savage's 'budget' rifle. They took an old design, cut some corners, took some shortcuts, slapped a horrible stock on it, and put the result in the budget category. It's a lump of crap, being passed off as a good rifle. ...much like the horrendous Remington 783.
And, of course....
The OP's questions were not in regards to opinions on which rifle to buy. He asked a very specific question about the finish of the stainless steel.
Orion6, it's a satin finish.
Thunderkiss
New member
This is why I offered my opinion based on the second post FrankenMauser. I think all the Tupperware stocks now a days on most rifles leave a lot to be desired. The X7 line of rifles is not a bad deal and if that's what the OP is really interested in, I think based on the price they are a great deal.
I should mention that the savage I was referring to wishing I had gotten the first time was a model 10 and not the axis.
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Ruger stopped using polished SS on their rifles 9 years ago in 2006. They are a bead blasted matte finish now on most guns. The 10-22's used the matte SS finish for a while, but they have changed them somewhat. Still not like the old MK-II's.
The debate over shiny SS is way over rated. A polished blue gun will reflect light exacty the same as a polished SS gun. Almost all of the SS guns now use more subdued finish and are actually less likely to reflect light.
This is what Ruger has been using since 2006. The Marlin is not bead blasted, but is not polished either.
The tupperware stocks may not look good, but I've yet to see one that didn't shoot just fine. Some of the most accurate rifles I've ever shot were sitting in factory plastic injection molded stocks. If I find a rifle that I like, and if it shoots well it gets a McMillan Edge. I do it because I like them better and becasue they are much lighter. None have shot any better.
I have no personal experience with the Marlin, but in the same price range I have 2 Ruger Americans that are tack drivers. Even in their cheap stocks.
The debate over shiny SS is way over rated. A polished blue gun will reflect light exacty the same as a polished SS gun. Almost all of the SS guns now use more subdued finish and are actually less likely to reflect light.
This is what Ruger has been using since 2006. The Marlin is not bead blasted, but is not polished either.
The tupperware stocks may not look good, but I've yet to see one that didn't shoot just fine. Some of the most accurate rifles I've ever shot were sitting in factory plastic injection molded stocks. If I find a rifle that I like, and if it shoots well it gets a McMillan Edge. I do it because I like them better and becasue they are much lighter. None have shot any better.
I have no personal experience with the Marlin, but in the same price range I have 2 Ruger Americans that are tack drivers. Even in their cheap stocks.
Thunderkiss
New member
baddarryl, adding a boyds stock to it will certainly make it look better. My reason for wishing I had never purchased is not because of the pressure points on the stock, it's ugly, or it didn't shoot well. That XS7VH is heavy, I knew that when I bought it, but I thought I would like it with the 26" heavy barrel. I'm not knocking the gun just telling my experience. Targets and game don't care about ugly and I'm used to ugly, I own Savages.
FrankenMauser, I wasn't comparing anything. I just gave my opinion about the Marlin X7 I happen to own, which the OP did ask for people that have experience with that line of rifle do.
FrankenMauser, I wasn't comparing anything. I just gave my opinion about the Marlin X7 I happen to own, which the OP did ask for people that have experience with that line of rifle do.
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I havent had a XL7 so I can only comment on that by what Ive read of others saying. Most of which was positive.
As for the SS part ... I have only bought 2 rifles in the last 15 years that werent stainless and thats only because those 2 werent offered in a stainless model.. New SS guns arent shiny and dont spook the game at all as far as i can tell.
I bought a Savage axis in 223 a few years ago...great shooter but to me they are ugly as sin. The factory stock is very flimsy but just as on any of the other "budget rifles" a $99 Boyds laminate stock eliminates that complaint on all of them and makes them look 10 times better.
I was looking for a budget rifle to throw around in the truck.. I almost bought a Marlin but instead picked up a new Remington 783 compact 308 for $289 a few weeks ago and like it so far. The factory stock is much stiffer than the factory Axis and has a way better trigger. The Axis magazine has a plastic catch that is a weak point.. Broke one on mine and had to get a replacement. The 783s is metal.
As for the SS part ... I have only bought 2 rifles in the last 15 years that werent stainless and thats only because those 2 werent offered in a stainless model.. New SS guns arent shiny and dont spook the game at all as far as i can tell.
I bought a Savage axis in 223 a few years ago...great shooter but to me they are ugly as sin. The factory stock is very flimsy but just as on any of the other "budget rifles" a $99 Boyds laminate stock eliminates that complaint on all of them and makes them look 10 times better.
I was looking for a budget rifle to throw around in the truck.. I almost bought a Marlin but instead picked up a new Remington 783 compact 308 for $289 a few weeks ago and like it so far. The factory stock is much stiffer than the factory Axis and has a way better trigger. The Axis magazine has a plastic catch that is a weak point.. Broke one on mine and had to get a replacement. The 783s is metal.
I really like my blued Marlin X7 in .270 Win. It is a great shooter, under MOA with handloads, and even factory loads rarely print groups over an inch and a half at 100 yards from a rest. It is somewhat cheap, similar to the Stevens 200 .243 I have, (also a great shooter). I may put a Boyd's stock on it down the road, but I am not sure I want to change anything given the way it shoots. It si also very light and easy to pack around. I recommend the Marlin X7 as the best bargain rifle available. Is it as nice as a Savage 10/110? No but it costs slightly more than half, so it is not really a fair comparison. It is not as nice as my Winchester Ultimate Shadow either, but I paid 1/3 for the Marlin what I paid for the Model 70, and so far, the Marlin is winning the accuracy battle with the Ulitimate Shadow .270WSM. For the money, you can't beat the Marlin. You can spend a lot more for a much nicer rifle, but you may or may not get as good of accuracy with the higher priced piece. At least that is my experience.
FrankenMauser
New member
I wouldn't say it's worse, but....
In my opinion, certain 'features' are deal-killers for me:
Polymer-lined action. (Want to talk about rifles becoming "consumer goods", rather than durable goods?... There's a perfect example.)
Receiver retro-fitted to accept Marlin-pattern threaded barrels. (It's a slightly tweaked and lengthened 710/770, both of which had press-fit barrels!
...again, "consumer goods", not durable goods.)Retro-fitted to accept some Marlin X7 parts.
Bolt and bolt shroud that don't actually protect the shooter from pressure events.
Trigger that's prone to breakage.
I have handled every "budget rifle" on the market - long and short action - except for the Mossbergs (though, I recall considering it a bit heavy, so maybe I have?). I have shot at least half a dozen.
I own several, including two XL7s and a Ruger American.
Out of all of the current offerings, the only thing I would buy right now is the one that Remington killed off because it was a better rifle and was out-selling the more profitable 783 ... the Marlin X7.
The Ruger American that I own, I lump in with the 783 and Axis. Too cheap, too many corners cut, not enough shooter safety offered by the design, and a terrible stock wrapped around an ugly lump of metal. And with the American... you have to have that cheesy, flimsy magazine.
(A friend needed the money, and had the American to offer...)The only thing that keeps all of them going, is the simple fact that they're generally built with good barrels. Almost anything on the market can shoot better than the owner.
The X7s are budget rifles, also wrapped in cheap stocks, there's no argument from me there. They, however, were not based on some 40, 60, or 80 year-old design that had corners cut, shortcuts taken, and costs reduced, just to be able to shoe-horn a de-horned, de-nutted, and rough-machined, "new" rifle into the budget category. The X7 action was engineered from the ground up to be solid, safe, and dependable, without being expensive to manufacture. (And, no, they didn't "steal" the Savage style barrel nut. That concept is even older than Savage's use of the design.)
The fact that it is a better design is more evident now that Remington is using some X7 parts, design features, and barrel dimensions from the now-defunct X7, for their own 783.
The only "major" failing points with the X7s are:
1. If you get an older one with the MIM extractors that were prone to breakage. Extractor failure, at the wrong time, can be a major bummer. Both of mine happen to fall into that category (Pre-Remington .30-06, and a transition period .270 Win), but I haven't had any issues. Soon, I will be calling Remington for the "extractor kit" that they're supposed to send out for those old XL7s; but I haven't done so, yet, because most of the bad extractors failed immediately (or not at all).
2. It's a discontinued rifle, and Remington hates it. Repair support, in the future, will be minimal. Given Remington's track record under their current management, I'd be surprised if they'll even touch an X7 in 5 years. It'll be, "Sorry, we don't have parts any more. We'll buy it from you with a credit for $150 off a current Remington rifle."
FiveInADime
New member
It's shiny. Matched well with my Shilen barrel.
XS7S, .260 Rem, Boyd's prairie hunter walnut.
Orion.
If you are simply looking for a SS hunting rifle, you cannot go wrong with the X7 line from Marlin. I bought the first .308 XS7 my local Bass Pro had ( i know it was the first. lol I worked behind the gun counter during college) and it has been my go to ever since. its been painted, dropped and even has a little surface rust. As others have stated, they are not pretty but not ugly IMO and they work very well. If you buy the rifle and put a decent Nikon or Redfield on it, you will have a setup that will hunt with any 7-800 dollar rifle everyday. Cant count the number of deer mine has put in the freezer but it is a lot. If you buy an X7 in SS and dont like it, PM me here and we can work something out. Its hard to find the SS around my parts. Good luck, stay safe and have fun.
If you are simply looking for a SS hunting rifle, you cannot go wrong with the X7 line from Marlin. I bought the first .308 XS7 my local Bass Pro had ( i know it was the first. lol I worked behind the gun counter during college) and it has been my go to ever since. its been painted, dropped and even has a little surface rust. As others have stated, they are not pretty but not ugly IMO and they work very well. If you buy the rifle and put a decent Nikon or Redfield on it, you will have a setup that will hunt with any 7-800 dollar rifle everyday. Cant count the number of deer mine has put in the freezer but it is a lot. If you buy an X7 in SS and dont like it, PM me here and we can work something out. Its hard to find the SS around my parts. Good luck, stay safe and have fun.
Polymer-lined action? Not on the 783. You're confusing your criticism between the 783 and 770 (which you acknowledge but still seem to be confusing with the year-old 783).
Besides the stock itself and bottom of the mag (not the body), this is an all-metal gun.
The 783 is basically an Axis clone with a better looking bolt. The 783 has a shroud, two piece bolt with floating head, and a gas port on the breech for pressure scenarios. Even if you have shot one, you don't own one. I do, and know what I am speaking about. There is ZERO plastic in the receiver or on the bolt (I still see people writing it has a plastic bolt knob. Also untrue). I haven't read reports of the Marlin or Remington Accutrigger style triggers breaking. Just haven't seen it myself. They don't seem any less robust than the Accutrigger Savages (of I which I own as well).
It's not a beauty of a rifle but they are well-made and I have been very impressed with mine. They are perfectly capable of nice accuracy and even the plastic stock is one of the better "cheap" stocks I've seen. Not a lot of flex in it, but still feels pretty good in the hand.
The 783 was intended to be (and is) a step up from the much-maligned 710/770 series. It is a different gun altogether. It shares the safety, bolt head, and trigger group of the Marlin X7 series. Everything else is new/different.
And I did want to add - I respect your opinion FrankenMauser, just wanted to clear those things above up.
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FrankenMauser
New member
I'll have to take another look at the 783s on the rack at my local purveyor of toys. I was in there just last week, handling a funky green 783, and it sure did have polymer in the receiver. But, there were about 7 rifles that went through my hands in about 5 minutes (we were discussing the current [poor] state of affairs at Remington). It's possible that I confused the 783 with something else.
Your list was missing two other items. The barrel and barrel nut are also "restyled" X7 parts.
There are no green 783's. I think there were some green 770's perhaps. I can assure you, a 783 has no polymer in the action or receiver. Period.
The 783 nut has different grooves, and the 783 barrels are heavier contour than the X7. That's like saying the XL7 is a restyled Savage 110 nut. Of course they serve the same purpose.
I seriously think you were not looking at a 783.
The 783 nut has different grooves, and the 783 barrels are heavier contour than the X7. That's like saying the XL7 is a restyled Savage 110 nut. Of course they serve the same purpose.
I seriously think you were not looking at a 783.