savage MKII vs. marlin 980S HELP!

[Ian's Dad]

Help me decide..

will be a range/target gun for shooting with my son at the range..he has his own, this one is for me...

looking for accuracy and reliability and a good trigger (even if it requires some work to get there).

looking for pros and cons of each.. both seem to get good reviews...

my son has the savage with accutrigger, but i'm leaning toward the marlin to "be different" from him..

 

[minutemen1776]

I can't comment on the Marlin except to say that all my Marlins in the past have shown excellent accuracy despite having less-than-stellar triggers. While I don't own a 980S, I do have a Savage in .17 HMR, which I believe is the same basic design as the Mark II. With its heavy barrel and AccuTrigger, it may be the most accurate rifle I own. If you just want to be different, you can always just get a different scope.

 

[Guvnor]

I have a Savage Mark II and a couple marlin bolt action .22's.

Out of the box, the savage accutrigger is vastly superior to the marlin triggers. Also the Savage has a much smoother action. The Marlin bolts seem clunky and stiff to unlock in comparison.

However, the Marlins seem to have a better fit and finish. Stuff like bluing, stock to barrel fit, etc.

The Mark II out of the box had a feeding issue. This was irritating, but I lucked out when the problem was easily fixed with a new magazine. The Marlins were pretty flawless out of the box.

Both brands shoot equally well for me.

 

[Geno]

I have a Savage Mark II and a Marlin 980T. I like both, but the Marlin's trigger can't be compared to the Savage Accu-trigger. I'm not slamming Marlin. I do like it, because it feels like a adult gun, not a toy. But when it comes to 100 yard groups, the Savage thrashes my Marlin, I suspect, because of the harsh trigger.

Geno

 

[Uncle Mike]

Savage MkII-

 

[LemmyCaution]

I'd opt for one of the MKIIs with a good stock- the MKII BV, or the BTV, if you like a thumbhole stock. The plastic stocks are crappy and the drop on the G model is a bit much if you're going to put target or bench rest glass on it.

The accutrigger is phenomenal.

 

[fyrfytr]

I cannot comment on the Marlin, but my Savage is tops.

 

[dusty14u]

I have the Savage MKIIG and the trigger is great as well as the accuracy. I also have a 93FVSS bull barreled 22mag and it is ultra accurate as well. I don't know enough about the Marlins to comment on them.

 

[rangerruck]

the marlin will have better accuracy, with a huge variety of 22 ammo, the savage will have the better trigger. You will have to work on that marlin trigger; first thing to do is remove the trigger return spring, and either cut a coil, or toss it, and replace it with a bic pen clicky spring, or a harddrive door spring.
then stone and smooth hammer/sear parts as best you can.

 

[Geno]

You wanted "different", I give you: different. Ooooo! Lusting these:

Savage model "Mark II TR": http://www.savagearms.com/images/firearms/finder/ginormous/markiitr.png

Savage Model "Mark II TRR": http://www.savagearms.com/images/firearms/finder/ginormous/markiitrr.png

These are pretty cool-looking!

Geno

 

[Ian's Dad]

after all the research

after all the research, i decided to splurge and get what i really wanted...

ordered a CZ-452 silouhette yesterday... maybe money i didn't need, but hey, it was the last day of the year and i promised not to buy any guns this year! LOL

 

[Schutzen]

I have a Savage MK II BVS in .22 and one in .17 HMR. I just sold a Marlin 980CF to a friend. The Savage triggers are head and shoulders above the Marlin trigger (even the new one), but if you plan to carry (i.e. stalking hunt) with it the Marlin is much lighter. I will add this; I really like the Marlin Carbon Fiber stock. It is light and very good looking.
The bull barrel Savage will slightly edge out the heavy barrel Marlin for accuracy, but at most hunting ranges it is a wash. The only change I would make to the marlin is I would replace the butt plate with a rubber recoil pad. Obviously this is not for recoil, but it lets the rifle grip you shoulder better for more stable shooting.

 

[Geno]

I had a standard CZ-452 that was very nice. The CZ-452 silhouette model should be a tack-driver. I have read of many that are, and none that were not! Very cool! I hope you will be kind enough to post pictures when it arrives, so we can all be envious and lust over that fine rifle choice!

When it comes time to mount up a scope, check one of these mounts. They are considered the strongest manufactured for rimfires:

http://www.bkltech.com/1_inch_Dia_6_Screw_Unitized_Dovetail_Mount_p/bkl-260.htm

http://www.bkltech.com/1x4x0_6_Scope_Rings_Bolt_Action_Unitized_Dovetail_p/bkl-261.htm

Geno