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Posted By: Jackson_Handy Marlin xs7 - 06/04/18
So ive read many different takes on barrel swaps with these, what have people experienced firsthand? Will prefit savage barrels work with the xs7?

Like if a guy wanted to rebarrel an xs7 243 to 6.5x47L
Posted By: vabowhntr Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/04/18
Mine worked with savage factory 6.5 cm and a 308 barrels. The 308 was close as far as fit, but I was looking for min dimension on headspace. Went with a mcgowen cut to x7 specs on the last one to try something different.
Posted By: Ruger77Shooter Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/05/18
Jackson-I think 260Rem has done the conversion on more than one occasion so I think he can tell you. I have googled about this swap a number of times and there are different opinions on it. Good luck with it.
Posted By: 4winds Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/05/18
Try Shaw Custom Barrels.
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/06/18
Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy
So ive read many different takes on barrel swaps with these, what have people experienced firsthand? Will prefit savage barrels work with the xs7?

Like if a guy wanted to rebarrel an xs7 243 to 6.5x47L


I've put several small shank Savage-made and after-market Savage specs barrels on Marlin XL-7 and XS-7 actions. I always shorten the barrel shank by 0.05", one full turn of the barrels, as they are threaded 1/20", and recut the chamber to insure proper headspace.

The Marlin bolt face has a slightly deeper recess than the Savage bolt such that the front of the Marlin bolt can touch the rear of the Savage specs barrels and cause the person installing the barrel to think that he/she is getting correct headspace when in fact the headspace is actually slightly in excess. The difference is small, but it is there. That said, a lot of people screw small shank Savage barrels onto Marlin XL-7 and XS-7 actions without going to the extra effort that I do and claim not to have excess headspace issues, but I wonder how many of them actually have/use SAAMI specs "GO" and/or "NO GO" headspace gauges.

I currently have rebarreled Marlin XS-7s in 22-250, using a 1-9" ROT Stevens 200 223 barrel, in 257 Roberts and 260 using A&B barrels, and in 6.5 Creedmoor using a Savage barrel. I also have rebarreled Marlin XL-7s in 7x57 using an A&B barrel and in 338-06 using a Shaw barrel. The 1-9" ROT 22-250 conversions were popular with my friends, so I did six or seven of them. Since I was cutting a new, larger, chamber, going from 223 to 22-250, I didn't bother to shorten those barrels.

Screwing a 6.5-47L Savage specs barrel onto an XS-7 action would be easy to do and safe if the person doing the work has the proper headspace gauges.

'Hope this helps.
Posted By: gwrench Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/07/18
I was able to swap a 260 barrel on to an XS7 243 without too much problem. The bolt recess was about .010-.012" deeper but I was able to get correct headspace without any problem. I used a "NO GO" gauge and a new case to set headspace.

The Marlin extractor is pretty stiff, and requires attention to see that the gauge or case is fully into the bolt and the extractor has a proper hold when you're setting it up.

The only other challenge for me was getting the nut loose. The Marlins don't have a keyed recoil lug (which I normally wrench against) so it was a wrestle for me. If you have a vise for the action etc. then no problem.
Posted By: rickt300 Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/10/18
I barreled an XS7 with a Adams&Bennet 22-250 barrel no problems, headspaced on fired brass that came from the same barrel fired on a Savage action. Worked perfectly and all I did extra was to Sharpie the back of the barrel to see if it contacted the bolt/extractor and it did not. Barrel is a tackdriver on both actions.
Posted By: Crowkiller Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/11/18
I've had two, and both had to have .010 taken off Savage barrels to give enough clearance for the bolt. I measured both several times to be sure. Mine is currently an 8 twist 22/250.
Posted By: bucktail Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/12/18
Doesn't the TCU have a 378 rim?
Posted By: bucktail Re: Marlin xs7 - 06/12/18
Nevermind it's not the TCU
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