jerminator7777
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Marlin XLR?
Being that I just got my first job and don't really have any bills to pay or anything like that, I figured I would save up for my first gun that would be completely to myself. For the past few years the Marlin XLR series guns always caught my eye at Gander Mountain and Cabela's and just looked pretty sick to me. I was thinking about getting a .308 or maybe 30-30 (even though we already have a Marlin 30-30). From what I hear and see, they aren't all that great a gun. I was just wondering if any of you guys had any experience with one or know anyone that has one? Thanks in advance!
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HCsteel
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/17 23:56:14
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For a cheaper bolt gun you cannot go wrong with the stevens 200. They are the best bolt gun in that range and with some slight tweaking can put up nasty nasty groups. I wouldn't even think twice about it. Check out the Stevens 200. They are basically a Savage and everyone loves a savage.
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Esox_Hunter
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/18 10:24:44
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I have heard/read good things about them.
Just curious, why another lever if you already have a 30-30?
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jerminator7777
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/18 14:52:25
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ORIGINAL: Esox_Hunter
I have heard/read good things about them.
Just curious, why another lever if you already have a 30-30?
Idk I kind of just like lever actions for the type of hunting I usually do (normally under 100 yard shots). Another thing was the way this particular model looks. To me I think they are beautiful. I do understand levers arent the most accurate, tack driving guns, but if i can get decent groups at 200 yards that would be great with me.
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jon_e_si
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/23 00:42:21
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Personally, I like the Winchester model 70! Used to think the 30-06 was best all around, but also like 300 magnum!
There are a lot of good guns out there - do your research and check them out so as to not be sorry later that you didn't spend
a little more for something better!
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Steel Junkie
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/23 18:52:39
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Decent groups at 200 yards would be tough to achieve with the gun your talking about, if you want decent groups at that range buy a bolt action. I would also recomend a stevens, I know several people that have one and have never heard any complaints.
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jerminator7777
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/24 02:08:46
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ORIGINAL: Steel Junkie
Decent groups at 200 yards would be tough to achieve with the gun your talking about, if you want decent groups at that range buy a bolt action. I would also recomend a stevens, I know several people that have one and have never heard any complaints.
I'm just saying that would be great if I could get that from that gun, but realistically I probably won't shoot past 150 if that. So far out of my 4 rifle deer, the furthest shot was maybe 30 yards. Not saying I won't end up shooting a deer further out, but we hunt around thick stuff mostly and can't even see up to 100 yards away usually.
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DarDys
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/24 10:14:36
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I guess the question I want to know is what defines a "decent group" at 100 yards? 200 yards?
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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Esox_Hunter
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/24 10:57:59
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You should have no problem shooting to 200 yards with a 30/30. Ballistics with the Leverevolution ammo are pretty impressive compared to the "standard" loads. Here are Hornady's advertised ballistics for the new LEVERevolution factory loads, taken in 24" test barrels, showing velocity (fps) / energy (ft. lbs.):
.30-30, 160 grain - 2400/2046 @ muzzle, 2150/1643 @ 100 yds, 1916/1304 @ 200 yds, 1699/1025 @ 300 yds. And here are the Hornady trajectory figures for those loads, based on a rifle with a scope mounted 1.7" overbore and zeroed to shoot 3" high at 100 yards:
.30-30, 160 grain - +3" @ 100 yds, +0.2" @ 200 yds, -12.1" @ 300 yds.
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Esox_Hunter
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/24 11:01:50
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ORIGINAL: DarDys
I guess the question I want to know is what defines a "decent group" at 100 yards? 200 yards?
Decent to me would is to be able to hit a watermelon at 100 yards and able to hit a bale of straw at 200 since its about the same size as a deer's body.
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jerminator7777
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/27 17:22:53
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That's about what I'm looking for, possibly a little smaller. The odds of me shooting near 200 yards are slim, and if I knew I'd be hunting those distances ahead of time I'd take a different gun we have. But no one has ever had personal experience with this model?
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Esox_Hunter
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/27 20:40:10
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I was only kidding about my definition of "decent" grouping.
My .270 will shoot 2.5-3" groups off a bench at 200 yards. In the areas I hunt you would be lucky to get a shot over 150 yards. Almost every rifle/slug gun deer I have taken was less than a 100 yard shot, with only a couple of exceptions.
I used to hunt with an older Marlin 336 in 30-30. My dad reloaded all my ammo for me and I never had issues shooting 3" groups off the bench out to 125 yards or so.
If you go the XLR 30-30 route, I really don't think you will have any issues seeing sub 4" groups out to 200 yards with the leverevolution ammo and a good scope. There is definately a reason for the popularity with the 30-30 and Marlin lever action rifles. Although I don't have first hand experience with the XLR, I would have no reserves purchasing one if I were after a lever.
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jerminator7777
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RE: Marlin XLR?
2010/06/27 21:09:01
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ORIGINAL: Esox_Hunter
I used to hunt with an older Marlin 336 in 30-30. My dad reloaded all my ammo for me and I never had issues shooting 3" groups off the bench out to 125 yards or so.
Yeah that's pretty much the same with me. Thanks for all the info guys!
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