Better of the cheaper rifles

M

mr243

New member
I read alot on here about some of the reasonable rifles people can buy. What's your guy's oppions on the Marlin XL7, Remington 770 and the Stevens 200. I know there are more guns but the Marlin has kind of intrigue(sp) me.
 
I don't know much about the the Marlin but out of the Stevens and the 770 the Stevens wins every time. The 770 is nothing more than a re-marketing of the failed 710. The Remington 770 or 710 is cheap because corners and quality were cut to get it to it's price point. The Stevens 200 is just an older model Savage. The machinery was already paid for and it still shares some of the same parts as the new Savage, because of this it is a good gun that is cheap to produce.

.308
 
Just bought two new Marlin's. A .270 XL-7 and a .243 XS-7. Paid $247 for each on and end-of-season sale.

They have a Savage type "Accutrigger," A "Limbsaver" type recoil pad, A barrel that's removable with a Savage type nut tool. A nice synthetic stock with a "Realtree" pattern camo stock available for about $25 more.

They have an included one piece scope bridge, a five year warranty, are now owned by Remington and made in the USA..... what's not to like for the price?

They, however, are limited in calibers and by a 22" bbl. The smallest short action caliber is .243. The long action a .300 Win Mag..

Worth a look by anyone looking for a "bang-for-the-buck" rifle...
 
I like my XL7 in 25-06. I looked at the Stevens as well, never considered the Remington. I thought that the stock on the Marlin was nicer-stiffer than the Stevens. Also, the bluing seemed nicer on the Marlin, and I liked the trigger better.

Good Luck,
kevlars
 
I just shot my dads new 243 XL7 this week. It's sweet. I was with him when he picked it out. One pull of the Stevens trigger was enough to convince me to persuade him to get the Marlin. They are very lightweight guns, I sure wouldn't want to pull the trigger on one chambered in 300 Win Mag
 
Originally Posted By: 308GarandI don't know much about the the Marlin but out of the Stevens and the 770 the Stevens wins every time. The 770 is nothing more than a re-marketing of the failed 710. The Remington 770 or 710 is cheap because corners and quality were cut to get it to it's price point. The Stevens 200 is just an older model Savage. The machinery was already paid for and it still shares some of the same parts as the new Savage, because of this it is a good gun that is cheap to produce.

.308


+100
 
just bought the 243 in a remington 770 and it is a tack driver!!! You are looking at a cheaper rifle but it is good for everything you are wanting it for! if you want something you dont want to have to worry about dinging up but still shoots great it is the way to go. i was looking for savage and mossberg but came across this and i love it!! just my opinion!
 
i have a stevens 200 in 223, a marlin xl7 in 270 and my brother in law has a rem 770 in 243. Out of all of them i would take the marlin any day. Dont get me wrong i love my stevens great gun shoots good, but the marlin has the adjustable trigger and it is a 1 hole shooter. As for the 770 that is one sandpaper feeling action i would not give what i paid for the marlin. FYI academy has the stevens for $250 around here And the Marlins go for about $300 around here cant beat that at all
 
If those where my only choices I would by the Stevens. A guy I hunt with bought one and it is a very good gun.

You can get a Remington 700 SPS Varmint with scope for $500 at most Dick's Sporting Goods stores. The SPS and others aren't much more than that. Also, depending on caliber you're looking for they sell the Savage 111 series with scope for $330.

When I picked up my 700 SPS VTR the shop had just got in a 770. The action was nasty on that thing so it would be my last choice of the three.

The only reason I would put the Marlin second (third to the 700) is every review I've seen reported 1.5" groups best case and many 2" to 3" groups with factory ammo. The Savage where all under 1" and many under 1/2" at 100 yards. The Remington 700 Varmints all had turned in great groups, some as small as 3/8"
 
I'm leaning toward the stevens for the 223, and 22-250 becuase Marlins smallest is 243, but leaning toward the Marlin for the better stock and way better trigger. If Marlin would offer the xs7 in smaller cal. there would be no quistion what to get.
 
My son bought a new Rem 770 for $250. The bolt cycle was the absolute worst I've ever felt, the gun wasn't very accurate, trigger sucked and the molded plastic for the sling swivel broke. What a POS. He parted with it in a couple of days.

Of the 3 manufacturers/models you listed I'd go with Marlin.
 
Everyone on this site loves the stevens, I have never tried one. IMHO save up a few more bucks and get a cz or tikka, they leave little room for improvement unless you want to spend ALOT more money. The stevens you can upgrade as you go it really needs a better stock and trigger from what everyone says.
 
I have the Stevens 200 in 7mm-08 & Marlin XL7 .30-06.
Between the two I give the edge to the Marlin for the nicer stock and the soft cushy recoil pad.
 
Originally Posted By: huntnutI'm leaning toward the stevens for the 223, and 22-250 becuase Marlins smallest is 243, but leaning toward the Marlin for the better stock and way better trigger. If Marlin would offer the xs7 in smaller cal. there would be no quistion what to get.

I agree with them needing to make it in 223, or better yet, 204! But, I have a nice bolt 223 and my AR in 223, so I got the 25-06. But, I think they could capture alot of the market if they made it in 223, 22-250, or 204.

kevlars
 
Thanks for the replys. I was just curious because on all the forums alot of people talk about how great shooters the cheaper guns are and it seams like for thaqt kind of money it seams like a no brainer to buy one of them. Thanks again.
 
The new marlin Xs7 and XL7 has gotten good reviews. According to Marlin, they haven't done anything new but they've bought the rights to others good ideas and incorporated them. IE accutrigger/stock etc.

Savage and the like are well known for being "no frills" and very accurate. I care about performance more than bells and whistles, so I'd go that route. A friend of mine though, if he's not dropping 1200 on a rifle, he thinks it's crap
rolleyes.gif
 
I just bought a Stevens 200 in 223 to be my new go to gun for yotes. Light, smooth, shoots great, and priced low for such a nice handling/shooting rifle. Just my 2 cents.
 
Well I have the savage 110 I picked up for 380 at the local walmart. My cousin has the rem 770 and its a tack driver I dont know how many people say its crap but this thing shoots. Sighted it in 2 years ago and pulled it outta the box before deer season and was hitting gatorade bottle caps at 100+ yards with the factory bushnell scope.
 
If I'd answered this last week I would have said the Stevens is the best bang for the buck. This week I was at Whittaker Guns and looking at the Stevens when the lady told me the Marlin has the Savage barrel and accu-trigger, it was also quite a bit cheaper than the Stevens with the nasty trigger. The stock felt better too as mentioned above. I didn't buy one, was just window shopping the guns but I plan on buying one of the Marlins in .243 real soon. They were under $300.

peace.
unloaded
 


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