Originally Posted by SwampCollie

The only big problem with the Marlin is they currently are not chambering one in ,223.... which is what the OP is looking for.

If they did... I'd already own one. I wouldn't be suprised if in the next year they expanded the line and started making a heavy barreled varmint version of the X7 and selling it for $400 or so. 1911 handguns and varmint rifles are the fastest growing portions of the firearms market currently, and they ain't no dopes over there.