Marlin XL7 build ??

K

kevlars

New member
I have a Marlin XL7 in 25/06 that is all stock. I am itching to do something different with it. My understanding is that I can screw a Savage barrel on it. So, what should I put on it? Same caliber, or change it up?

I am thinking a long range varmint gun with a laminate thumb hole, or something along those lines. Not too long a barrel, don't want it really heavy. I would like a 6mm/06, but, maybe I should just stay with a 25/06, I have dies and bullets for that, 6.5x284 would be cool!!. Thinking a Criterion barrel.

So, any ideas??

Kevlars
 
As I recall, while a Savage barrel will screw on a Marlin, you may need to remove a very very slight amount of metal at face of chamber end. Take a look at your Marlin chamber end and you should see one or two rings...has something to do with bolt face clearance.
 
What DGW said .... +1

I don't have the experience with the Marlin on barrel swaps but I also own a .25-06 in it and have not tackled it yet.

I have worked with the Savages a fair amount on swaps.

The point of contact that's in question is that the extractor may protrude farther forward by a few thou more that with a Savage.

For my taste, I would like to see Marlin use a 24" barrel or a bit more in the .25-06 rather than the 22" they come with. I'd still want it as a sporter however.

I have often thought that I wanted a Roberts someday ... but then I look at the published info and I realize that I can load that .25-06 down quite easily.

Sometimes, we just have too many choices .......... LOL!

Three 44s
 
Well the 25/06 is a pretty much middle road do it all cartridge. The other mentioned cartridges are basically the same thing with a slighy different shape. No need to get another 25/06 barrel unless there is something wrong with the original one. To make your rifle into a versatile do everything switch barrel rifle I would get .35 Whelen and 22-250 barrels. Then you would have a switch barrel rifle with real purpose. Hopefully the shorter 22-250 would feed ok-might need blocking and a shorter follower.
 
I would build it to your liking the 6.5x.284 would be a dandy cartridge to build on. I did mine in 6.5x55 Swede with a 24" Shaw sporter barrel and the boyd's thumbhole. You can use Savage barrels but check the head spacing because the Marlin bolt face is a couple thousandths deeper than the Savage so you might need to trim the breech face back some on the Savage replacement barrel.
Here's the 6.5x55 Swede XL7 I did:
00611.jpg
 
VKT, I like that rifle! I'll have to check out the Swede. Probably easier on barrels than a 6.5x284.

TnTnTn, I would like to have a longer barrel. The Marlin came with only a 22" barrel, and I feel that it really affects what the 25/06 is capable of.

BTW, VKT, is that a stock that Boyd's normally carries?

Thanks for all the input,

Kevlars
 
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