Hunting Rifles Reviews > Rifle Brands

MARLIN
The Model 1895SBL (Stainless Black Laminated) is the latest big bore lever gun from Marlin and incorporates some of the best features developed in recent years by custom gunsmiths. It retains the handy 18 1/2 barrel of the Model 1895GS Guide Gun but the tube is full-length increasing magazine capacity to five rounds versus four in the 1895GS. It is a nicely finished stainless model with attractive black/gray laminated pistol grip stock complete with diamond cut checkering.

It also has an improved recoil pad, a soft 3/4-inch Pachmayr Decelerator to take some of the bite out of the .45-70 cartridge for which the rifle is chambered. The first thing you will likely notice though is the oversize lever loop. The rifle is outfitted with the excellent scout-type XS Systems Lever Rail for forward scope mounting and XS Ghost Ring sights. While some shooters still shy away from forward mounted optics, most who try them agree it is a very fast sighting system with the right scope. The Marlin Model 1895SBL may well be the best mass produced brush gun yet available for close encounters with dangerous North American game.

Though it lacks the frontal mass of the .45-70, Marlin’s new .338 Marlin Express, designed by Hornady, is still potent big game medicine for a lever gun. The initial platform for this new cartridge will be the marlin Model 1895XLR. It also is a stainless rifle with black/gray laminated pistol grip stock. Barrel length will be 24-inches and a blue steel/walnut version with 22-inch barrel will also be available. In the 24-inch tube the .338 marlin Express launches a 200 gr. Hornady Flex Tip bullet comfortably over 2500 fps, making this a serious lever gun for most North American game.

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REMINGTON
Remington’s triangular barrel contour made its debut in varmint/target weight on the Model 700 VTR and in 2009 will be introduce in a magnum weight version for big-game on the Model 700 XHR (Xtreme Hunting Rifle). The patent-pending triangular formation of the barrel allows for reduction in weight while maintaining the rigidity of a traditional round barrel. The weight that remains is in all the right places. Plus, its surface area facilitates rapid cooling for more accurate followup shots.

The RealtreeR AP HD camo synthetic stock is equipped with patented Hogue overmolding accents at the grip and fore-end areas for comfort and a firm hold in adverse conditions, plus Remington’s patented SuperCell recoil pad to tame the kick of magnum calibers. The barrel and action are finished in durable satin black oxide accented by a polished blue jeweled bolt. Like all new Model 700s, the XHR features Remington’s newest evolution of the X-Mark trigger system.

The X-mark trigger has been improved for 2009 and is now user-adjustable with readily available tools and without having to remove the barreled action from the stock. The X-Mark Pro Adjustable trigger comes from the factory with an average pull weight of 3 1/2 lbs. with 2 lbs. range of adjustment. The Model 700 XHR will be available in a range of popular calibers from .243 up to the .300 Remington Ultra Mag.

The triangular barrel profile will also be found on Remington’s new Model 700 Target Tactical. This model will have the 26-inch VTR profile barrel with quarter-inch counter bore and 5-R hammer forged rifling based on M-24 rifling. The stock is the Bell & Carlson Medalist Varmint/tactical with adjustable comb and length of pull. A tactical style bolt knob aids operation and the rifle, of course, comes with the new X-Mark Pro Adjustable trigger.

To be continued…

Source: HuntingMag.com

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