Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Stock for Marlin XS7 308

Hi everyone,

Any members here purchase a Marlin bolt rifle in 308 ? Have you changed out the stock yet ? Mine is the XS7C 308 with camo stock. Would like to change the stock and was wondering what Savage stock to use. The recoil pad on this camo stock makes all kinds of clicking noises when you put it against your shoulder. Savage Model # that would be the same for drop in fit. Maybe even a Bell & carlson. Any thoughts !!

Ken

IME The factory stock is fine with the following changes:
1. Pull off the recoil pad and glue it on
2. Free float the barrel from the action forward
3. Glass bed a 1/2" hardwood dowel in the foreend to stiffen it up.
4. Glass bed the action and, insofar as the recoil lug goes, insure ONLY the rear of the recoil lug is touching anything.
5. Torque the front action screw to 65 ft ins, the rear to 35.
6. Adjust the trigger as low as it will go (about 2.5 pounds)

After doing this my 270 XLC went from 2" groups to this:(5 shots freshly cleaned barrel)

Oldman 1942 - thanks for this. Should take delivery of a Marlin XS7C (in .243 Win.) in a few days. Piece has a lot going for it as a "user" rifle. Will seriously consider your suggestions. Regards, Homesteader.

A Savage long action stock is not close to the same inletting as the XL7 Marlin.

Can't say about short. There are two different length Savage short actions over the years.

And the Marlin rear action screwis behind the trigger, Savage's are in front.

Bruce

Is it true that a Marlin will fit into a Remington stock?

Not close to dropping into a Rem, long or short. But anything can be made to fit with enough epoxy.

The only thing I have found close is the XL7 into M70 long stock. That can be done with no external changes except barrel nut inletting.

Bruce

I have a XS7 in .308 and I think Oldman's advice is good. I free floated the barrel and bedded the front lug and have a rifle that will group under 1". There are people who are using Winchester stocks and making them fit, you can find out at the Marlin Owners website in the forum about XL and XS 7's. You may be able to purchase a laminated stock from Marlin.

Tarheel

Marlin does make this rifle with a Walnut stock (costs more) if you must have wood. Weighs more, looks nice but hardly a beater like the synthetic is.
Reviewed in G&A a few issue ago...not a tack driver as made.

As recommended, check out Marlin Owners Forum. Boyds is currently waiting on a few more interested folks and will then proceed to produce a replacement stock. Put your name on the list which is a 'sticky' at the top of the XL forum page if interested.
Also, the Marlin XL's are now available with both solid walnut or laminate stocks, but only in .270 or 30.06 I believe but you could buy one with the stock of you choice and swap stocks and re-sell the new gun.

As far as the pad squeak, have you checked to make sure the screws are tight?
I filled the buttstock void with black minimal expansion foam which solidified it quite a bit and quieted it down as well. If you want the foam to be as dense as the factory stuff they put in the grip area, you'd have to use a two part mix rather than the aerosol can product.