Marlin or Savage?

[Hawker]

Hello all,

I'd like to get "The Hive's" collective wisdom on two quick questions. I'm about to buy my first .22 rifle, and am trying to decide between the Savage MK II G and the Marlin XT-22.

1) Savage or Marlin?

2) Ever tried shooting shorts/longs in the Savage? I know the Marlin can handle them, not sure about the Savage.

Thanks for any input!

[67Cuda]

Savage hands down.

[Steponmytoes]

Most people would say Marlin is not the company they used to be...

[Hawker]

Savage hands down.

Thanks for the reply. What is it that makes the Savage superior? I'm really not very familiar with either company, so any help is appreciated.

[sofbak]

Thanks for the reply. What is it that makes the Savage superior? I'm really not very familiar with either company, so any help is appreciated.

Because they are surprisingly accurate rifles for the money, and with a little tuning, they become exceptionally accurate.

Skip the "G" models unless you are really weight conscious. Go with a "V" model. The "V" designates a varmint barrel which is heavier and delivers better consistency over the tapered "G" models.......

More info on the MKII line over at rimfire central and the savage/stevens forum.

[giv1tatry]

I bought the xt22vr over the mk2 because the marlin looked tacticooler. Bull barrel is fatter than my cz American 3006. The safety on the trigger is catching the trigger itself, which sucks, but might get broken in with time. My bolt handle grinds against my bolt catch? Not sure if that's the name or proper term. But it requires the jaws of life to lock the bolt down to fire, I can not repeat fire from the shoulder firing position, I have to bring the rifle down, hold it where I can clasp down on the stock to work the action. I've worked the action about 500-1000 times while I watch tv, and there has been metal shavings slowly coming off the bolt catch. And its become a little easier, but still requires tlr to grab the bolt handle and wrench itinin my lap vs from the shooting position.

[Hawker]

Thanks for all the info, keep it comin'!

One of the main reasons I was considering the Marlin is that they produce a model which shoots S/L/LR.

The Savage is 22LR only, but has anyone tried shooting shorts or longs? I know that you can single-load them, but do they feed from the mag? 've seen different answers online.

[roushstage2]

I've got 7 or 8 Marlins. I haven't had an issue with any of them and they are darn accurate.

[ThatFishGuy]

The mkII will not cycle shorts. It will fire them if you load them one at a time, but they don't function with the magazine. The tube fed marlins will shoot all 3 lengths though. Can't speak for the mag fed marlins but it's unlikely. I was also torn between the two. I ended up with a mkII fv-sr, and absolutely love the gun. That being said I will eventually buy a marlin tube fed 22 mag.... because savage doesn't offer tube fed rifles for some reason

[joe47]

Because they are surprisingly accurate rifles for the money, and with a little tuning, they become exceptionally accurate.

Skip the "G" models unless you are really weight conscious. Go with a "V" model. The "V" designates a varmint barrel which is heavier and delivers better consistency over the tapered "G" models.......

More info on the MKII line over at rimfire central and the savage/stevens forum.

While you are looking on Rimfire central, check the CZ/Brno section out.

[cumafa]

I like them both... both are fun to shoot. The Savage has more models to choose from...16" and 21" barrels, heavy and fluted barrels.. different stock options etc. The basic models on both are almost identical... the give away is the curved mag on the Savage. Whats cool on the Marlin is that the magazine will also fit the semi auto Marlin 795.

[giv1tatry]

I like them both... both are fun to shoot. The Savage has more models to choose from...16" and 21" barrels, heavy and fluted barrels.. different stock options etc. The basic models on both are almost identical... the give away is the curved mag on the Savage. Whats cool on the Marlin is that the magazine will also fit the semi auto Marlin 795.

Exactly, I have a countless number of 795 10 round mags. Forgot that was my other driving force to get a marlin bolt .22lr, just got back from the range, was a rimfire night, love my marlin aside from the very tough bolt. 25-yard-dime sized groups. Using bulk .22 ammo.

[madbeans88]

I've got 7 or 8 Marlins. I haven't had an issue with any of them and they are darn accurate.

This ^^^ I have owned a couple and have never had any issues..trigger is nice and crisp and very accurate..many options with the marlin too.

[TMB 1]

They are both good rifles. If you want it to also reliably feed shorts I think you'll need the tube magazine, I don't know for sure though I don't have a detachable mag bolt action.

[whipkiller]

Never had a Savage but I hear mostly good stuff about them.

Marlin 60 was my first gun 30 some-odd years ago. currently have a 795 & an XT22.

Both are remarkably accurate out of the box, and the only problems I've ever had are surely related to bulk .22 ammo rather than the guns.

Probably can't go wrong with either, so I will say....




Wait for it...
















Get both, for it is the CalGuns way.