My son's best friend asked my opinion on what rifle he should buy as an inexpensive "all-round" hunting gun. I suggested the Marlin XL7, in 30-'06, as it is getting real good reviews and the one I looked at at Dick's Sporting goods impressed me, especially with its Accu-Trigger knockoff.

Well, he bought one at Accademy Sports for $270, added a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 scope and he and my son took it to the range. To make a long story short, the rifle shot great (about 1.5-inches out of the box) with 150-grain Remington "Green" ammo.

They did have a problem with the extractor, however. It was stuck in a retracted position and would not engage. Turns out it was stuck because of too much paint on it. I easily fixed that when they got home with fine sand paper and a drop of oil (I really, really loathe push-feed guns, but you ain't gonna get a CRF rifle for this price).

For 270 bucks, this is an awful lot of gun -- light, smooth and accurate. What more could you ask for? Of course, the real proof of how good it is comes 10-15 years from now, and I have no way of fast forwarding to see if it holds up till then.

Unlike some of the "cheap" low end guns I've handled, I have a feeling the Marlin rifle will hold up pretty well with proper care. It feels every bit as well-built as some popular inexpensive rifles like the Howa/Weatherby and Savage guns, and those are fine pieces of work for what they are.

I bought one in 270 win., I was lookin for one in 30/06 but they sold out around here. I am happy with it and think I found a tackdriving load for it. I just have to go back and verify it is. Mine has worked well with no hitches so far. For the money they are good rifles, now all someone needs to do is come out with a wood stock.

I talked one of my younger brothers into buying the 270 with the cameo stock,it was I think $319 +tax.Mainly because I wanted to try one out.Someone had broke in and stole all his guns.
I cleaned it for him and put a 3x9 buckmaster on it.We went to the range with some reloads that I had for my rem 270,out of the ones I tried I got 2 half in groups at 100 yds,with a 140 gr accrubond and a sierra 110 gr bullet.
Now the only time he shoots a gun is just before opening day and that is to see if he can hit anything.
Let him shoot and out of the groups he shot he had 3 groups around one in.
Based on his gun they will shoot and shoot well.
He is susposed to come down so we can try it out to 300 yds.

After reading on the net all the positive reviews and claims of good accuracy I figured I would give one a try in 30-06. These guns are as good as any other guns that cost hundreds more. Accuracy using a load I developed for a different rifle was 1.25". I only shot one group after getting it mostly dialed in as I had to get home.

After testing different loads I feel confident I'll be able to get under MOA groups. I'm very impressed and pleased with this rifle.

If you're like me you like an excellent trigger on every gun. This one needs no gunsmith work. I just adjusted it to minimum of 2.5 lbs and it's nearly perfect.

quote:

Originally posted by raybass:
... now all someone needs to do is come out with a wood stock.

Hey Ray, Marlin has it available, or should be available now. They have both Termite Food and Plywood listed in the latest NRA American Hunter for the 2009 Marlins. And they mentioned a Short Action is also in the pipe line.

You should be able to order what you want direct from Marlin. Anything I ever ordered from them was great.

Best of luck to you.