Ok,
So this one will probably be done to death at some point...and I have canvassed a couple other forums but am interested in your opinions!

I am going to pick up on of the these two in .308 (a .270, 7mm-08 or .30-06 are considerations too).

The Stevens 200 is on the well respected and established Savage 110 platform. The trigger and stock are not the best but aftermarket versions are readily available for future upgrades. They seem to have a very good reputation for accuracy. The safety is well liked, I like tang safties too.

The Marlin has the Pro-Fire trigger, recessed crown, nicer stock and initial reports are glowing, in fact many users prefering them to the Stevens. However I am leery of a 'johnny-come-lately' budget rifle as I would not want it to turn into the unfortunate cases like the Rem 710/770 or Mossbergs.

Has anyone on the forum had experience with both and any preferences??

You opinion is appreciated.

Thanks

The Stevens is a fine rifle for the money, but I bet you will want to up-grade the trigger and stock asap. Why not just get a Savage in the first place? " Save up, and get a Savage 16FC with the "Äccustock"
The Marlin looks good, but still doesn't really have a "track record" that I know of.

No experience with the Stevens. However I have a XS7 in 7mm-08. After Field & Stream rated it one of the best picks I figured why not try one, the price is right for a back-up rifle. All I can say is it shoots under an inch with cheap facory loads. Can't wait to load for it to see its real potential. Hope this helps.

The Marlin has a better trigger than the Stevens, is smoother, and is better finished. All the reports I have heard is that they are nicely accurate. The Stevens, however, can serve as the basis of a custom target gun and you can change the barrel at home. Marlin uses the same system, but I dunno if anyone is making pre-threaded and chambered barrels for the Marlin yet.

Marlin, it is a great entry level rifle.

quote:

The Marlin looks good, but still doesn't really have a "track record" that I know of.

That and the safety (opposed to the Stevens) is what puts me off. I keep think of the other budget guns like the Mossbergs that have tuned out to be safety issues. However the Marlin does feel better in the hand.

quote:

you can change the barrel at home. Marlin uses the same system, but I dunno if anyone is making pre-threaded and chambered barrels for the Marlin yet.

Posts: 2256 | Location: Talent, OR USA | Registered: 03 June 2000

Bill and all,

I checked into this, and evidently not only does the Marlin use the same system as Savage and Stevens, but it also uses the same thread..

therefore from what I have been told up to this point, is that one can put a Savage take off barrel on a Marlin and have it head spaced the exact same way...

while the Stevens is a great value, the Marlin is ever better.. I am surprised Stevens has not dropped its price to compete... or else started carrying the accutrigger also..

I have a long action Marlin in my immediate future, and of course the first thing that is going to happen is the barrel will come off and a Savage barrel is going to go on, to make sure the conversion works....

as far as a track record...
COMING FROM MARLIN, I really don't need the security of following a million other guys having one, before I buy one..

when that time comes, the price will probably be three times as much...

Hmmmmm, food for thought!

Looks like I am having a tough time getting a .308 XS7 for a decent price where I am in Canada so may just get the Stevens and have a friend work on the trigger...

quote:

Originally posted by kayaker:
Hmmmmm, food for thought!

Looks like I am having a tough time getting a .308 XS7 for a decent price where I am in Canada so may just get the Stevens and have a friend work on the trigger...

This is a smart, accurate way to go and fun to boot. roger