im planning on buying a new rifle in a month or so and im stuck between two different rifles. im going to be buying it in a 270 for whitetail and muledeer hunting. i have heard all good things about the tikka t3 and the marlin xl-7. i don't care wich one cost more or less, i just want to know wich one performes better and wich one is a better value.

I have the XL-7 in a .270 and I like it better than my Rem. 700. It would be hard to beat one for the price. I like it well enough that I plan on buying another Marlin in a .243 this fall.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

The Tikka is the better rifle hands down. No question about it.

While the Marlin has not been around as long as the Tikka, I'd take the Marlin! I never have liked the Tikka idea of "one size action fits all," kinda defeats the purpose of a short action!

I guess that would matter to him if he weren't wanting a .270.

They're both probably fine guns for the money. If you can do a little research you'll probably find mostly positive things said about both guns. The XL-7 hasn't been around long but it seems to get good reviews. I checked them both out when I was looking for a new rifle this past year. I didn't buy either one, but it wasn't because I didn't like them. A different brand just worked better for me. Also, the XL-7 wasn't available in short action yet, which is what I was looking for.

Handle and shoot both if possible and see which one feels good to you. Price isn't a concern but if happens to be the Marlin put the money saved toward a better scope. As I always say hope I was some help and Good luck.

That was my finding after looking into them both too.
Not that the Marlin was bad, I just thought the Tikka shot that much better.
I just bought a LH Tikka T3 SS in 300WSM.

That's comparing apples to oranges, the Tika is most definitely the better gun.

Tikka all the way.