Setting up my Marlin .17

[G'dale Mike]

I have a bad habit of impulse purchasing. A rifle here, handgun there, scopes of all varieties , mostly due to email “deals” from midway, brownells, or optics planet.
Well, it’s time to rein the compulsion in and start putting things together.
When the .17 rimfire came out, i bought the first series Marlin bolt gun, 17vs. Probably havent put 100 rounds through it. So when i opened my rimfire safe, i thought, “it’s time to get this gal settled in and topped off with an appropriate scope
I had a little simmons 3x9x 30 something i had put on and removed from several lil rimfires, had rings that worked with the marlin’s dovetail, a match made in Heaven
I live on 55 acres, however, its basicly a plateau, valley behind and in front of my house, with homes on other side of back ridge, quarter mile away. I can hear neighbors talking, as sound really carries over the valley between. All that said to illustrate the point that i try to be very selective of when and how much I shoot. Usually on days when i dont work, early afternoon or late morning, before kids home from school and adults home from work. Usually 3 rounds and i’m done for that particular session, usually no more than once or twice a week, tops.
Started at 50 yds, then 80yds a week ago. Was off today so set up on a 30 foot elevation overlooking a clearing with a nice dirt berm(also where i have coyotes and hogs gathering) 120 yards distance.
Very pleased, shooting off stacked styrofoam blocks that were left by previous owner who was a builder and big DRYVIT contracer. Not the most stable set up, but better than using a tree or free hand.
I read many complaints about these first generation marlin’s triggers, but I find I enjoy shooting this little rifle. Trigger is fine for me. Anyway, very pleased and last on the list will be a trip to the range where i can set up a more stable shooting platform
That lil battery operated stihl in the back of the gator is a blast too. I bet i’cleared 3 acres of pines with it.
I’ll post range targets in a few weeks, then post on my next project

 

[G'dale Mike]

My styrofoam shooting rest, complete with custom seating

 

[doubleh]

My wife bought me an early 917 VS that appears identical to yours. It was very accurate despite the heavy trigger. I though about replacing the trigger with a Rifle Basix but at the time I was reading of people having a lot of trouble with them. I put off purchasing one for a few years and then bought one figuring they had solved their problems and apparently they had. Installation and adjustment was easy and it's really a much better trigger the factory one.

 

[Picher]

You deserve a better setup than that. If someone sews, cut off some old jeans (without holes) and use the legs to make some nice sandbags. Make at least 4, so you can stack them on a table or bench you can make. I have a Workmate folding bench that works pretty well as a portable bench and have a plywood top fastened to a 2x4 cleat that is clamped by the workmate to make it more stable. In any case, make/buy yourself a good, solid platform from which to shoot some great groups/sight-in rifles. Don't take "NO" from yourself!!

 

[G'dale Mike]

My wife bought me an early 917 VS that appears identical to yours. It was very accurate despite the heavy trigger. I though about replacing the trigger with a Rifle Basix but at the time I was reading of people having a lot of trouble with them. I put off purchasing one for a few years and then bought one figuring they had solved their problems and apparently they had. Installation and adjustment was easy and it's really a much better trigger the factory one.

Thanks for the tip, i will give t a go,,

 

[G'dale Mike]

You deserve a better setup than that. If someone sews, cut off some old jeans (without holes) and use the legs to make some nice sandbags. Make at least 4, so you can stack them on a table or bench you can make. I have a Workmate folding bench that works pretty well as a portable bench and have a plywood top fastened to a 2x4 cleat that is clamped by the workmate to make it more stable. In any case, make/buy yourself a good, solid platform from which to shoot some great groups/sight-in rifles. Don't take "NO" from yourself!!

I have bundles of shop rags duct taped in different sizes for rests, but when i get a chance to head to the range, i have a caldwell lead sled for fine tuning.

 

[Picher]

Guess it depends on just how accurate you "need" to be. Lead Sleds are fine for sighting-in hunting rifles, but are not as stable as a solid front rest with sandbag and a rear sandbag rabbit-ear rest, should you seek top accuracy out of your rifles.

That said, I've used all kinds of makeshift rests, include a leather glove over the side window of my pickup, or bank bags filled with sand and stitched to hold the sand in, sitting on pieces of 2x4's.

Accuracy costs money, so just how accurate do you want to be? That last bit of accuracy is the most expensive, but with a bit of care, almost anyone can get equipment that will group about 1 MOA. Then, if not satisfied, it's "practice, practice, practice".

 

[TxRoadDog]

I got a 917VT about 11 years ago for my birthday from my Dad. Same rifle as yours but blued and in a thumb hole stock. It is one of my most prized possessions as far as rifles go, and one of my most favorite to shoot. That rifle is so accurate that it's boring to shoot which is what makes it so fun!

Glad to hear yours performs well. It's a good looking rifle as well.

 

[G'dale Mike]

Had an off day from work today, so loaded up my ol caldwell sled, the marlin and 3 rds. Took my time , got a nice set up, pretty rock solid. First shot, 9 ring , next 2 touched. Definitely tightened up over the original group. Next will be a trip to the gun club and sight in at 100yds from an excellent shooting platform (these rounds were fired at approx 120yds.) i guess then , I can stretch out to 150 and 200 yds. Also, will take some good advice given and upgrade the trigger and have a coworker that sews make several different sized bags with zippers that i can fill with sand. Pretty happy with this lil marlin, once, I tried to trade it in on a firearm purchase and was offered less than 200$, I just figured I would keep it, glad I did. Also, the rings are just the rimfire dovetail type. In the back of my mind , I am tossing around the idea of having the receiver drilled and tapped for either a picatinny rail or bolt on rings, may wait and see if i have any issues with present setup. Last, what is ya’lls opinion for maximum magnification for this lil .17? This lil simmons 3x9 is adequete, I guess when I attempt to reach out to 150 and 200 yds, my eyes and the marlin may answer that question for me

 

[BigBlue 94]

I have had that identical gun since they came out. My grandpa bought it and I sighted it in. I didnt get to do a ton of shooting with him, so it's a good memory. Mine is topped by a 6x compact Leopold scope. Mine will drive tacks at 50yds

Never had an issue with the trigger, though it is firm. Mine is quite crisp though. It's taken quite a few tree rats over the years.

 

[G'dale Mike]

Got my Riflebasix trigger installed. Very nice, light, crisp, improvement over stock for sure. Will report on new bases, rings and scope after I get her zero’ed in.