Marlin XS7 or Mossberg Maverick?

View · by **RangerTim** on Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:13 pm

Ok, so as I was browsing my local L&M today, they have a Marlin XS7 for roughly $330 for the .30-06 model, or the Mossberg Maverick for roughly $260.
My question is has anyone had any hands on gun time with the Mossberg and any comments? I am leaning towards the Marlin because it had a great fit, feel, and balance. But, if the Mossberg is a good rifle I'll save myself the $100.

Thanks,
Tim

View · by **grousemaster** on Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:53 pm

I'd get the Marlin.

View · by **rockcreek** on Thu Aug 30, 2012 6:26 pm

The Mossberg 100ATR is a bit nicer than the Mariln IMO, but the Maverick is a very stripped down version of it. They will shoot well enough, but the non adjustable trigger on the Maverick leaves a lot to be desired.

View · by **yuppiejr** on Thu Aug 30, 2012 6:41 pm

Cabelas has the Savage Axis on sale (no optics) for $250 through September 3rd and is worth a look, it's a much better budget offering than the Remington 770 that Fleet Farm has on sale this week.

I've owned a Marlin XL7 (the 30-06, 270 and 25-06 are the XL7 with the <L>ong action, the .308, .243 are <S>hort action XS7) and it was a decent budget rifle, having handled the Maverick / 100 ATR I liked the Maverick better though. They both have user adjustable triggers with the notable center safety bar that precedes the single stage that actually fires the weapon.. I think the Mossberg was set a bit heavier out of the box but since it can be adjusted down this didn't seem like a big deal. Bolt throw, to me, seemed better in the Mossberg and it seemed to balance in a way that I found more comfortable... they both had fairly noisy hollow plastic stock that a bit of spray foam might do wonders for.

Some of the ATR's include iron sights, which are in my opinion, an exceedingly useful feature in a MN hunting rifle... you can run the rifle without optics and with some modest practice should be able to accurately take a deer out to 100 yards (perhaps more if you can find a Williams/Lyman rear peep sight to install on the receiver).. or you can throw on optics using the Weaver Grand quick detach rings ($25 ish) and have a field-ready backup plan for a short range shot or unexpected optics failure. I am not sure if the model you are looking at includes the iron sights but in otherwise similar rifles I'd consider it the killer feature that gives Mossberg the edge.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/0 ... g-100-atr/

... and the same site's "sub $500, 1000 yard rifle" based on the very same Mossberg Maverick / ATR 100...

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/0 ... e-for-500/

I'd go with the Mossberg over the Marlin all day long, I've really been soured on Marlin after getting a couple of less than stellar out of box experiences in the "Remlin" era and don't see why you should pay $70 more for a rifle that is, at best, equal to the Mossberg.

View · by **PHATSPEED7x** on Thu Aug 30, 2012 6:54 pm

L&M should also have the Savage Axis Combo in stock for just over $300. i was looking at getting one in .308 for a budget sniper rifle project...

I'm not that far from Rapids...

View · by **goalie** on Thu Aug 30, 2012 7:56 pm

I have an ATR 100 in .270 Win. After shooting the Marlin XL7 in the same caliber, I would rather have that.

Then again, my Mossberg hasn't missed a deer yet. It is an inexpensive hunting tool that I drag on a rope up into trees behind me. It shoots slightly over MOA with factory ammo, slightly less with handloads.

Depending on your needs, and whether or not you already have a decent scope lying around to put on it, you could put that 100 bucks into better glass and rings and be much better off than you would be with a "nicer" rifle with a bubble-pack scope and crap rings. The best rifle in the world is worthless with faulty optics, and you don't need a tack-driver to kill deer in the vast majority of MN hunting locations.

If your purpose is not simply hunting, buy once, cry once.

View · by **rugersol** on Thu Aug 30, 2012 8:24 pm

looks to go fer 'bout $450 ... http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=5350&mfg=Thompson%2fCenter

... jest sayin'

View · by **RangerTim** on Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:32 pm

I've handled several Savage Axis, and although I haven't shot one yet, there's just something about it that doesn't feel quite right. I'm sure its a great and reliable rifle, there is just something about it I don't like...kinda like Chevy.

I'm going with whatever Fleet Farm has because they have a lay away program that is very accomodating, so its basically between the Maverick ($260) and the Marlin ($330 for 30-06, $315 for 308).

View · by **yuppiejr** on Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:50 pm

I think you'll be pleased with either choice, you are comparing two perfectly suitable hunting rifles with some relatively minor differences in execution...

I don't see the Marlin being $50 better than the Mossberg (particularly if it includes iron sights which I'd consider a deal maker in favor of the Marlin) so I'd save the money and put it towards a better optic (Redfield Revolution, Burris Fullfield, Nikon Buckmaster, Bushnell Elite, etc..) where a $50 upgrade will make a much more significant difference. Good luck and pre-congrats on the new addition.

*edit*

This is the variation of the Mossberg I'm talking about:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/79824

Manufacturer: Mossberg 26252
Item: 79824
UPC: 015813262521

Specifications and Features:
Safety: Manual Safety
Sights: Adjustable Rifle Sights
Caliber: .308 Win
Barrel Length:22" Free Floating Button Rifled Barrel
Finish: Matte Blue
Overall Length: 42"
Action: Bolt Action
Weight: 6.75 lbs
Black Synthetic Checkered Stock
Capacity: 4+1
Top Load Magazine
Recessed Muzzle Crown
LBA Trigger System
Rifling 1-10"
Black Recoil Pad
Matte Blue

View · by **Halfchrome** on Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:51 pm

I love my XS7. The bolt isn't as smooth since its flutted, but since it is fluted if some sand gets in there you can still cycle it. The stocks that they come with are cheap but that can be fixed down the road by boyds custom stocks. The accuracy is amazing for the price, thats what was the kicker for me. Marlin seems to have better barrels than the competitors in the price range. Not to mention the thing is so damn light, kicking it to your stand is a breeze with a decent sling. Im sure I will get the "pretty" deer gun kick someday but I beat the **** out of my guns when Im hunting so it would be pointless unless I make a nice stand with a nice cleared path all the way to it and sit in it all day. I for one like being able to walk through the brush and not worry about scratching am expensive rifle. Im more worried about the Nikon on it then the actuall rife lol.

View · by **grousemaster** on Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:07 am

YuppieJR did a great write up on the Marlin a couple/few months back....you should be able to find it with some searching

View · by **yuppiejr** on Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:22 am

Here you go, I see I've nuked photos and probably need to go back and at least get some stock photos inserted again:

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=27416&p=314210&hilit=xl7+270#p314210

.. I had not handled the Mossberg when I wrote the Marlin review so it's not included in my list of rifles for comparison (nor is the Ruger American Rifle which I consider worth a look as well).

The "entry level" hunting rifle scene is pretty hot right now, lots of competition = lots of value buys in the segment.

View · by **goalie** on Wed Sep 19, 2012 10:54 am

I went to confirm zero on my Mossberg ATR-100 in .270 today. Two shots touching dead center 1.5" high. Right where it was zero'd last year. And the year before. And the year before. Et.....

It may be ugly, and it may not shoot great 5-shot groups, but any HUNTING rifle that repeatedly puts two shots from a cold-bore into the intended point of aim is a keeper.