New Marlin GBL range report

[Jonny V]

Got a new Marlin GBL 45/70 (after picking through lots of bad ones) and did a little work to it. I lapped the action with a lapping compound kit from Midway, installed Skinner sights (front and back) and an XS Lever Scout mount, with a Leatherwood 2-7x32 scout scope.

Maybe it's just me, but I like the results. Here are the best targets from my sight in day. I fired a total of 70 rounds of BVAC 405 gr (1600 fps) ammo. There was a weird vertical stringing of shots at the 100 yard mark. Don't know if it was my fault somehow, or if there was a variation in velocity from the ammo. Will rent the range chrono next time out to eliminate some of the possibilities.

There have been a lot of bad words about the new Marlin rifles since Remington took over. I think that if you do your due diligence and thoroughly inspect the weapon before buying, you'll be OK.

 

[Asherdan]

Nice, nice, nice.

How much cool down between shots were you giving it? As the barrel heats up and you get a different stress from the front mag tube hanger screw they can start stringing.

Here's a photo from my 1895G @ 100 yards. 350g cast at 1720 fps using a Williams 5D receiver sight. Two 3 shot groups, about 20 seconds in between shots. Notice how the third shot flies high and a little right each time? The group on the right is the second group and I shot it a little faster than the first, that's why the third shot is strung a little farther out than the LHS group.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Nice shootin'!

 

[Jonny V]

I didn't really let it cool down. Towards the end, it was hot. I would fire some groups, and then switch to my Rossi .44 mag on a different target, so that I could retrieve the targets for the 45/70 without additional holes in them.

The other thing is, 405 grains at 1600 fps gives a pretty good kick. Not enough to knock your a** out or anything, but 70 rounds is a lot. It's pretty possible that I spread the groups out a little on my own. Also, with this BVAC ammo, there were a number of rounds that didn't go off with the first hammer strike. I just re-cocked and fired again, and they went off the second time. I didn't catch myself flinching on these "duds" but that doesn't mean it didn't happen either.

Overall, I for sure feel like I have not maxed out the potential of this rifle, and there are improvements to accuracy that I'll be able to exploit in the very near future, and let's face it, 405 goin 1600 is a big load, not many follow ups going to be needed there.......

 

[greyling22]

have you given it a full tune up yet? it makes a good marlin a fabulous marlin. http://marauder.homestead.com/files/tuning_m_1894.htm

 

[Jonny V]

Nope, but I'll be eye-balling that link to see what I can do. Need to get the trigger set up from Wild West Guns and the aluminum magazine follower too. There's still more to do here for sure.

 

[greyling22]

if you want them, get them, but you can achieve a pretty stinkin' good trigger using that link and a few basic tools. I used a dremel tool to cut a couple of coil springs, and a screwdriver, some 400 and 600 grit sand paper, and sharpening stone for a knife and pulled off a 3lb crisp trigger, with an action I could work with a pinky.