Marlin .45-70 Guide Gun and XLR at 50 yards with Leupold 1.5 - 5x scope.

[MCMXI]

Had a good day today zeroing in two new scopes (Leupold Mark 4 1.5 - 5x with the SPR reticle) on the Guide Gun and XLR. I've made up a bunch of loads for them to see what works best but today I just wanted to get the scopes "dialed in" at 50 yards with the starting load of 44.0 grains of VV N130 with a Remington 405 grain SP bullet. I'm really optimistic about my chances to get a 1" group at 100 yards particularly with the XLR. The first few shots out of the XLR were on the low side hence the grass stains on the target! With the Guide Gun, I was on target by the fourth shot and dropped the last two of the seven shot group ... probably getting tired.

I'd really like to thank Asherdan and kragluver for their great advice a few weeks ago when I was having trouble shooting the Guide Gun off the bench. I shot both Marlins today in the prone position with my hand resting on the shooting rest (also on the ground). It worked like a charm!!

I'm very impressed by these excellent Marlin rifles ... no wonder they're so popular.

 

[Al Thompson]

Looks great!

 

[Asherdan]

I'm glad you're enjoying them, watch out for catching the Marlinitus!

 

[MCMXI]

I'm glad you're enjoying them, watch out for catching the Marlinitus!

Asherdan, that advice came WAY too late ..... ... it's terminal already!

Now I think I need to buy a chronograph so that I can see what kind of muzzle velocity differences I'm getting with the two different barrel lengths. Muzzle velocity may be a big concern when working up loads for 100 yards (my next stop).

I've seen a bunch of Marlins on this board with low-power variable scopes and I have to say, the 1.5 - 5x is PERFECT for this application. The SPR reticle really helps too.

Al, thanks ... I bet you don't see too many .45-70 rifles in Baghdad!