I have looked at both guns, went with a winchester m 70 I got a deal on I couldnt pass up. take a long hard look at the marlin stock and how much flex it has in the forend. it will shoot well from the bench. I have seen it done. but let me ask you this... with a sling around the elbow or any other type of uneven pressure on that flimsy plastic stock it will touch the barrel on one side. then how will it group??? if it were me I'd buy the tikka or plan on a new stock for the marlin asap. just my thoughts they may or may not mean much