Why the heck do you hate detachable magazines so friggin much? They are a God send and make things so much more convenient, both for loading & unloading & are much quieter, which is important when hunting.

They are not only for road hunters, as you claimed in another article.

The one thing I hate about my Savage Slug Warrior (and I love everything else) is that it does NOT have a detachable magazine. So tough to load with the scope base right there. My dad has HUGE hands/fingers (think powerlifter body type), and he can't even fit his fingers in there to load it. A detachable magazine would be a wonderful thing.

To JS Street: You misread me tragically. "Impecunious" is non-judgmental, while "poor-assed loser" runs counter to the great national reconciliation that will take place when Hillary is elected.

As for gun snob, guilty, for the most part.
As for jackass, we are all jackasses. Only the type and degree differ.

To Bobble: Brand new guns are almost always chambered for the most popular cartridges;it's leff of a sales risk that way. If the Marlin succeeds, I have no doubt that more exotic chamberings willfollow.

I think the reason most economy rifles are typically chambered for the better known rounds is because they are precisely that--better known.

The target market for these rifles is the guy who goes deer hunting on the first couple mornings of rifle season and then puts the gun back on the rack until next season. In addition to having an established reputation, there is generally a wide array of ammunition available for these chamberings as well. Just think about Walmart the week before deer season opens, there are multiple shelves of 243, 270, 30-30, 308, and 30-06 ammuntion available and not much else.

jstreet
I'd much rather read a review of this rifle than something costing several thou. I hunt deer and really love deer hunting, going to camp, etc. My rifle season in MI lasts from Nov. 15-Nov. 30. Since part of my job involves dealing with hunting camps, I spend part of my season visiting folks who are only up here during that time. As such, I probably spend 6 days with rifle in hand. If I were right handed, this rifle would be a godsend. If I were shopping for one for my son, this would be the cat's meow.
Dave Petzal, this is exactly the type of reporting that you should be doing, IMHO. Keep up the excellent work.
YooperJack

Impecunious (im pi kyoo' nee es) adj. 1. Always needing gas money; See Bill Heavey.

Even though I have quite a few rifles I am going to buy one of these in .25 just because. I've spent more that the asking price on .22's and almost ten times that amount for customs that don't perform much better. Sounds like a deal to me as I don't need clips rattling around in my pockets or being left at home or getting lost in the mountains. One shot should be enough and certainly a magazine full adequate. Forget the short and fats, stick with the old standbys except for a little experimentation every now and then with one of the really big cartridges. But then that's just me.

One advantage of buying a good inexpensive rifle is that it enables the financially challenged to put more money into a good scope.

Kudos to Marlin if they have done this right.

Dave, if you are headed for the SHOT show, how about organizing a booth babe contest? I suggest looking for the best left handed booth babe. You might have an inside edge in this area. Go for it.

Consider this - Another line of rifles well suited for the "realistic" hunter are the Howa Model 1500 Lightning. A company who manufactures for Weatherby provides incredible value in their own line - chambered from .223 - .300 Win.

As for Gun Snob - I too am guilty - but on my first Sheep hunt, my SAKO sh*t the bed due to moisture and my back-up Howa fit the bill nicely. It's now my go to gun for hunthing everything from deer to bear.....Cheap guns - can work - if you know what you're buying....

Why is it that field and stream evean value this David E.Petzal's opinon? He is clearly a spoild old codger that could give a Damn about anything except his own pompous opinon. Anyone could do what he dos. I am sure he only likes the canned hunts too.. Why is it that he thinks a man would go out and drop 2-3 grand on a rifle that he is going to pack a thousend miles in its life. Over rock stump and jump wade and crawl through thistle, streams and canyons..Not everyone is a fool.That is just blatantly wasteful. My dad in his 60 years of hunting killed a truck load of mule deer bucks, antelope and elk. Moste of them with an old 03 springfield he bought in Albuquerque New mexico in the 60s picked it out of a big bucket of them at a military surplus store $25 bucks. I have killed a few with it my self and now just youse my old Ruger M77 7mag $250 at a pawn shope 10 years ago .you dont have to take out a second mortgage to buy a hunting rifle or scope .. And Jim (above) you are right.. Jim D. New Mexico

I honestly don't see a need for a barrel longer than 22 inches on a 30-06, .270, .280 or .308. The little gain in velocity won't make a bit of difference in killing power nor will it extend the range you could shoot at game with such calibers.

High-End, High-Priced and a fit and finish that makes wives jealous. Say what you will (and I am a huge advocate of cheap guns - I have many) - nothing handles like a fine firearm. Why should F&S *hi Dave* review the mundane when the mundane is just that. Sex sells. Sex is aspirational for most - yet attainable for some. Keep up the good work reviewing what I can't afford - and I'll find a way....to get what I want....

To Dave in St. Pete: You are delusional. I've always said that 22 inches is best for standard calibers, 24 for most magnums and you can get away with 20 inches for the .308, 7mm/08, .260 Remington, etc.