Marlin Model 60/795 accuracy.

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Took the Marlins out today, and did some group work in anticipation for an Appleseed shoot in the near future. I was actually very impressed but, I could not get a group consistently under 1". The 795 was more consistent for me than the 60, so I just focused on the 795. I was shooting 50 yards, CCI Mini Mags, looking through a fixed 4x, and off of a front bipod/rear sandbag mostly, but even a sandbag front and rear didn't yield any tighter groups. Group sizes ranged from just a hair under an inch (shown below) to 2". What kind of accuracy are these guns capable of with modification and match ammo? Is the gun destined to be a 1"+ shooter, or could I improve upon this? I've read of some doing a pillar bed job and getting less fliers, but no better groupings. The gun, at the moment, is stock, except for the 4x riding on top. Help is appreciated.

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Some one inch groups at 50 yards is fine for a 4X scope and not try'n other ammo brands. Guess you have not tried other ammo yet?? Mini-mags tend to go from supersonic to sub sonic before 100 yards and that to can screw up groups so keep that in mond for longer shots. Get a some differnet standard velocity ammo to try, 1080 and less. CCI standard , wolf, sk, federal 711b or the much better 822a and see what it will do. There are a few thing you can do to improve the trigger pull too. MCCARBO Kit- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEs4jOd1lBI

And a trigger replacement out there.

My son-in-law has a low cost walmart centerpoint 4-16 on his 795 and with some federal 822b ammo its a solid 1/2" to 5/8" 50 yard rifle with the spring kit and trigger replacement. That 822b ammo is loaded by RWS in Germany for federal. Wolf and sk are loaded by Lapua but I have not found any in a while.

22 rimfire firearms are the pickiest ever about ammo that we like.
 
My Marlin 60 doesn't like the Mini Mags at all. It loves the Wolf Target and Eley ammo. One of the guys at the range that shoots .22 competition told that a lot of longer barrel 22's will have problems grouping the higher velocity ammo. It has something to do with breaking the sound barrier twice. My model 60 will out shoot my 1022 with match grade ammo but the 1022 (shorter barrel) will shoot the Mini Mags just fine.
 
Can't say that I've ever used the more expensive target ammo. My $99 Academy/Christmas special model 60 has shot half inch groups at 50 yards using Federal Bulk, a bipod, and a Centerpoint variable three by nine. I've actually put all fourteen rounds under an inch at 50 yards.

I consider that great for a project that was built for less than $200 off of all special, on sale, or clearance items, and that includes the sales tax too. :D
 
My 795 will shoot a ragged hole at 50yds with federal bulk, but some ammo it groups a good inch. This is with a cheap 3-9 scope.
 
I usually keep my CCI's for my Sigs and use my Winchester or Remington's in my Marlin Model 60. Mine model 60 is very accurate and usually shoots 1 to 1.5 groups.
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I'll get some different brands of ammo for it and the 60 as well.

hardluk1 said:
Some one inch groups at 50 yards is fine for a 4X scope and not try'n other ammo brands. Guess you have not tried other ammo yet?? Mini-mags tend to go from supersonic to sub sonic before 100 yards and that to can screw up groups so keep that in mond for longer shots. Get a some differnet standard velocity ammo to try, 1080 and less. CCI standard , wolf, sk, federal 711b or the much better 822a and see what it will do. There are a few thing you can do to improve the trigger pull too. MCCARBO Kit- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEs4jOd1lBI

And a trigger replacement out there.

My son-in-law has a low cost walmart centerpoint 4-16 on his 795 and with some federal 822b ammo its a solid 1/2" to 5/8" 50 yard rifle with the spring kit and trigger replacement. That 822b ammo is loaded by RWS in Germany for federal. Wolf and sk are loaded by Lapua but I have not found any in a while.

22 rimfire firearms are the pickiest ever about ammo that we like.
Click to expand...

I've not tried any other "good" ammo. Shot some Federal Auto Match and Remington, but both gave more fliers. I'm going to pick up some better ammo, and through a higher-power scope on it before I move to buying another stock and trigger/springs. I've spoken to at least two people with the spring kit, and everyone loves it. I know I started out to pick an Appleseed gun, but now I'm more interested in squeezing out this gun's potential lol.

carbine85 said:
My Marlin 60 doesn't like the Mini Mags at all. It loves the Wolf Target and Eley ammo. One of the guys at the range that shoots .22 competition told that a lot of longer barrel 22's will have problems grouping the higher velocity ammo. It has something to do with breaking the sound barrier twice. My model 60 will out shoot my 1022 with match grade ammo but the 1022 (shorter barrel) will shoot the Mini Mags just fine.
Click to expand...
That is interesting. I might take the 16" Henry out and see how it does with Mini Mags.
 
Torque settings on your action screws can make a big difference. It might be worthwhile to pick up a torque screwdriver and give it a try. Pick the most accurate load you've found so far and try shooting with your actions screws set around 18 INCH pounds and work up in 1in/lb increments (18in/lb, 19in/lb, 20in/lb, etc) until you find a setting that tightens up the groups in your rifle. I've even seen guys torque front and back action screws to different settings to get the best results.

Be careful not to over-torque the screws if you have the plastic trigger guard or you run the risk of breaking it. I was able to get both of my model 60's (one newer/one older) to group about 3/4" at 50yds with no other modifications and bulk ammo.
 
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Well, I was trying to find the photo I took of some groups I shot with the 795 I used to have; I've had no luck with that. I did find the photo of the groups I shot with (the derivative of) a Marlin 60 for one of the periodic competitions on THR. I've since changed out the scope for one of lower power. Either of the rifles under discussion got about the same groups for me, but I wasn't trying too hard to find out what ammo they liked best.

insideout_8480.jpg
 
My two daughters and I went to an Appleseed shoot 2 weeks ago, I bought each of them a Marlin 795. One of the Marlins was shooting 3 inches to the right at 25 yards, (iron sights) and I'm not sure how to adjust for windage - bang on it with a rubber mallet?

I'm kind of pissed it could leave the factory so messed up. if the sights were easily adjustable I wouldn't care so much but jeez...
 
A friend of mine has one and I love shooting it. He had not mounted a scope yet so we just the irons and its dead on. That's the rifle that got me into the .22 rifle game; however, I went in a different direction.
 
C0untZer0 said:
My two daughters and I went to an Appleseed shoot 2 weeks ago, I bought each of them a Marlin 795. One of the Marlins was shooting 3 inches to the right at 25 yards, (iron sights) and I'm not sure how to adjust for windage - bang on it with a rubber mallet?

I'm kind of pissed it could leave the factory so messed up. if the sights were easily adjustable I wouldn't care so much but jeez...
Click to expand...

Yeah, if it's hitting right, give the rear sight a few taps with a non-marring hammer (or use a brass/nylon punch if you have one). It really isn't a big deal.
 
My Model 60 doesn't like CCI ammo period. At 50 yards with basic Winchester Xpert 36 grain lead (non-coated) hollow points. I can shoot nickle size groups of 10 shots all day @ 50 yards, and @ 100 yards I can consistently shoot 1" to 1 1/2" groups all day long.

I was asked by a member here to prove it, and I did. The Model 60 I own loves the Winchester XPert cheapo ammo. I just wish I could find some.

I'll put my Marlin Model 60 up against any 10/22 that I have ever seen in person or in a gun rag. When I was a kid I had a 9 shot Glenfield carbine model of the Model 60. A maintenance man stole it, but I could not prove it. I still miss that 9 shot carbine.
 
My 60 doesn't like Remington (which is dirty stuff anyway). But Federal bulk pack or Winchester works well (minute of gopher all day).
 
Here's what my 795 can do from a sandbag at 50 yards. These are consecutive groups with CCI SV.

targets.jpg
 
I have a new Marlin 795 w/ a 4-16x40 Centerpoint scope mounted. The rifle has less than 1000 rounds thru it so far, so I don't really think it's broken in yet. Nor have I tried "all" of the ammo's that I want to try, but already I have hit a conclusion: it prefers Standard Velocity (less than 1100 feet per second).

All of these were from 25 yds at an indoor range (no wind, etc). All groups are 10 shots. All squares are 1". You can see the preference for subsonic (not hyper velocity) ammo. She prefers SV.

http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/JoshuaWithrow/library/Marlin 795 Ammo Preference?sort=3&page=1
 
My S&W M&P 15-22 will group from a bi-pod inside a dime at 50 yards using the Remington Target ammo using 10 round groups, and a basic 4X scope.

My Ruger 10-22, will do basically the same over sandbags, however the thin tapered barrel will open up after about 6 rounds. My 10-22 was made around 1970 with the walnut stock, and bought brand new for $49.95 at a Gemco Store in California. The only thing I did to it, was I replaced the trigger and sear with Volquartzen (spelling) equipment.
 
My 13yo has a 795. I put a Boyd's thumb hole stock on it and a Mueller 4.5-14x40 scope. He shoots 3/4" 10 shot groups at 50 yards with S&K standard plus ammo.
 
My wife is a fairly new shooter and with a 795 (stainless/synthetic) and Federal bulk ammo she'll shoot the bullseye out of a shoot'n'c target at 50 yards. That rifle only cools down when she gets tired of loading the magazine but there's rarely a flier. It's the only thing that she shoots better than I do but I'd sure hate to be a squirrel on the other end of it.
 
the 795 and model 60 are the cheapest reliable accurate 22's around. the 795's were so cheap at Dicks I bought 2 one with a scope and the other with tech peep sites which are not as great as people say they are. I cannot see the end of the wings thru the peep which makes it harder to center it. I will drill it slightly to fix. but I shoot the one with the tech sites 90% of the time. just find the ammo they like
 
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