Grouse

"There are two times to hunt ruffed grouse: ordinary times, and the second week of October." -Aldo Leopold

Grouse - Tasty, abundant and fun to hunt. They are hunting's equivalent to Bluegill fishing.

2008 - a good year for the Mountie

2008 saw several days afield with the 39A Mounties. Scouting, rimfire cowboy silhouette, hunting, plinking, targets ... Sometimes just going for a walk. Many happy memories were made. It was an excellent year for me.

Add some Spice / Comparison

I recently acquired a Ruger 10/22 compact - Laminated stock, 16" barrel. Nice little carbine. Shoots pretty well with its preferred ammo - Federal Champion, 40 gr LRN. I'm not an auto-loading enthusiast by any stretch but I will admit that these are fun little rifles.

After a few days of getting familiar with the Ruger I decided to do a little side by side comparison with my Marlin 39A Mountie.

Ergonomics: The Ruger is youth sized so using the factory sights comfortably is a bit of a challenge. The Mountie is better proportioned to an adult. Operation of the Safety and magazine release on the Ruger is easy and intuitive. Less intuitive is the Bolt Lock, it required me to actually to read the manual to understand how to operate it.

Firing: One thing about auto-loaders is that once a shot is fired there is another ready to go right behind it. With the Levergun I can fire a shot and then manually lever one in once I am ready. I found that I needed to consciously slow myself down to get good groups with the 10-22. A little pause and a few breaths relaxes and sharpens the eyes and keeps the Heart Rate down.

Despite using the 10-22's preferred ammo I was unable to match the performance of the Marlin using the inexpensive Federal Bulk ammo. I suspect that the diminutive size, heavier trigger and familiarty played a part in that. Still, the Marlin impressed me and reinforced my appreciation for this fine firearm platform more than 110 years old.

Other notes: The Ruger weighs in at 4 lb. 9 oz. vs. the Marlin at 5 lb. 14 oz. The 20" barrelled Marlin gets over 70 fps faster out of the Federal Bulk ammo, 25+ fps more out of the Federal Champion ammo and the CCI Mini Mags.

The Yonderosa

We were blessed in 2008 to find "The Yonderosa." It is a great place to walk around with a Marlin and there are many nearby recreational opportunities for outdoors minded folk. The place is truly beautiful and we feel blessed for every moment we've been able to stay there.

We've started building a little retreat there. You can follow the progress at

http://s448.photobucket.com/albums/qq202/Yonderosa_photos/?albumview=slideshow

Cowboy Silhouette

There probably isn't a more enjoyable form of shooting competition than Cowboy Silhouette. Shooting leverguns, offhand at reactive targets at various ranges is great fun. It is quite challenging too. Hitting a 'Ram' that is about as big as a sheet of paper isn't easy at 100 yards - but is sure is satisfying.

I'm no expert at this game by a long stretch - I manage a little more than half per round. The physical part is easier to master than the mental. I find that pacing is key for me - pausing between shots, resting the eyes for a few seconds, taking a few breaths before raising the rifle, aiming and squeezing off another shot.

Next year I plan to equip one of the Mounties with a Skinner Peep Sight for this competition. My half century old eyes are challenged by the factory open sights. I'm hoping the Skinners will get my score up into the thirties.

Long overdue update

This blog format wasn't user friendly enough for me so this blog went neglected. I'll give it another go and see what happens.

The Mounties have a good bit more mileage on them now - hunting, scouting and rimfire cowboy silhouette. I am very pleased with their performance, reliability and precision. I will elaborate as I can in this entry and in subsequent posts.

Hunting/Scouting- During the Fall 2007 Grouse and Deer seasons my most recent Mountie accompanied me on a number of excursions. Rather than using a sling I found the Kifaru "Gun Bearer" works very well with the Marlin Mountie while carrying a pack. The carbine is held securely and easily removed when the opportunity for a shot presents itself. Carried this way my hands are free to use maps, GPS, compass, binoculars, calls and steady myself when footing is trecherous or steep. The short barrel of the Mountie does not overly obstruct my field of view nor does the forward position get hung up in branches or brush.

Our game laws allow for the use of rimfires to harvest Grouse and the Mountie is more than up to the task. Base of the neck and head shots are easily accomplished at the Grouse stalking range. Even a center mass shot does less damage to the meat than shot from a shotgun blast.

Grouse hunting tactics are simple - Forested areas with openings near water often contain Grouse. Walk slowly, observe and listen for movement. More often than not I will hear them or flush them before seeing them. They don't often fly a great distance once alarmed. Pay close attention to the direction and you will likely be able to find them again. It is common for one or two to flush and more to remain nearby in cover so don't abandon the area and chase the flushed Grouse until observing the area they flushed from. Glass with your binoculars. If you are unable to locate them walk slowly though the area and then move in the direction they've retreated. You may hear or see them running along the ground or you may flush them again. They will typically hold still believing they are invisible (and they sometimes are) and not move until they feel threatened again. If in a tree they are more likely to hold. On the ground they are more likely to run if they sense you are stalking them. Stalk into easy range and shoot them at the base of the neck This preserves the delicious meat and makes a quick clean kill. The feathers make excellent fly tying materials and are quite beautiful.

Though not as sporting as a wing-shot with a shotgun it is challenging and will test your riflemanship. I would also like to note that careful consideration should be given to what is behind as the bullet will not stop even if it hits the grouse perfectly. I've passed on many more shots than I've taken on Grouse because they were 'skylined' or I didn't want to risk a richochette.

Grouse season usually opens several weeks in advance of Deer and Elk Season. Hunting Grouse affords you the opporunity to scout Deer and Elk hunting areas which is as close to multi-tasking as I am capable of.

The New One

The "new" one arrived the other week. 1964 vintage. Some blems and the stock finish is sub par. The wood is in good shape and the action tight. The original sight was switched out and the new version of the Semi-Buckhorn installed. The old sight arrived with the rifle in a plastic bag. The front sight had the bead filed off leaving a crude post. The hammer spring was also shortened, lightening the trigger pull but also causing light hammer strikes and FTFs.

My first trip to the range showed promise but the sights challenged my eyes. I ordered a new front sight (along with a new hammer spring) from Brownells and that greatly improved the sight picture. The preliminary results at the range improved as well. I believe this could be a more accurate rifle than the other.

Chronograph results (56*F)
Aguila SE Subsonic averaged 989 fps (vs. 994 in the 1965 Mountie). Very good accuracy.

Federal Bulk Ammo averaged 1166 fps and also show very good accuracy potential. The suprise was that it was nearly 100 fps slower than the 1965 Mountie which spit them out at 1054 fps last year using the same ammo brand but different lot #.

To know if it is the rifle or the ammo I will have to bring both Mounties out together and shoot some strings from the same ammo Lot.

Another Mountie

As if one was not enough, I have just agreed to another trade for another Mountie...

Gone is my 39A and a Mountie will be on its way this week.

Two Mounties! How great is that?

Gave up a TDS, gained a Cowboy

I traded the TDS (in part) for an 1894CB "Cowboy Limited." So far I am pleased with my choice. Though the TDS was a unique and fun rimfire the Cowboy is enriching my Marlin experience.

I've had the Cowboy out to the range a few times now breaking it in, getting familiar with it and dialing in loads. Here is the report from yesterday's trip to the range.

Marlin 1894CB in 45 Colt, 20" barrel, open sights.
Range conditions, variable wind, mostly cloudy and 52*F

The 1894CB has shown some promise with 255gr SWC Laser-Cast bullets over SR 4756 so I decided explore this combination further. At 10 grains (Speer #13 Max <14,000 PSI) this load burns pretty clean, showed signs of being accurate and averaged 1084 fps in my earlier testing. Today it scooted along a little quicker, clocking 1099 fps (warmer weather?). It also produced the best accuracy. Target pick at:
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1215523

1-1/4" center to center at 50 yards. Not bad for open sights.

On my previous trip to the range I worked up to 11 gr of SR4756 (~1200 fps) and had supurb accuracy. Today I worked up to 12 grains from there. The accuracy erroded slightly but 11.5 grains got me 1254 fps average and 12 grains got me 1300 fps. The POI for the 12 grain load was 4" lower (and slightly left) than the 10 grain load at 50 yards with the same POA.

There was no stickyness at all in either my 1894CB or Ruger BH with any of these loads.

Other notes:
The 1894CB's accuracy is best with a well fouled bore.

The SR 5756 burns quite clean. Its fluffy flakes fill the case nicely.

4-5/8" BH chrony data:
11.5 gr = 1021 fps
12 gr = 1107 fps

Let one go

Having three Marlin 39's might be considered over-indulgent. I enjoy(ed) each of them but found the Moutie to be so perfect the others stayed in the safe. So, when something else came along (Marlin 1894CB) I was willing to trade one.

SPF is the 39TDS. Good accurate little carbine. The niche it filled in my collection was for an inside the pack carbine. It was a little heavy for the role, and took up a lot more space than a Single Six. If a rifle/carbine is needed there is very little penalty incurred in weight or size by utilizing the Mountie. Not really considering myself a collector, I was willing to part with it when another deal intrigued me.

Take me back... shootin

Recipe for an excellent day: Perfect early autumn weather and the opportunity to do some shooting.

I started out on the paper targets at ranges out to 50 yards to confirm my zero and then I started plinking, methodically disintegrating dirt clods and bits of busted clays into smaller and smaller bits. Once my lane became target depleted, I posted more paper targets and practiced shooting from the prone, sitting and standing positions.

Satisfied with the results but not ready to call it a day I took out the steel reactive targets. The challenge, hit four paddles and then the reset and repeat without missing as fast as possible. Suprisingly the Mountie kept pace with the autoloaders for aimed shots and not suprisingly outperformed the autoloaders accuracy wise. Good clean fun and it took me back a few decades. A day later and I'm still grinning. Life is good!

Beyond the Scope

I have resisted scoping any of my Marlin leverguns but was always curious how much better they would shoot if scoped so yesterday I mounted a Leupold 1-4x shotgun/muzzleloader scope on my Mountie and tested three brands of ammo.

At 25 yards:
Federal 550 bulk ammo: groups all could be covered with a quarter and some with a nickle.
Aguila SE subsonic: all groups nickle and two with a dime
RWS Target: All groups nickle or smaller, one was 3 in a hole with two not quite touching.

I wasn't able to shoot at the longer ranges due to hunter sight in.

Before I left I took the scope off and put the ol' factory sights back on and shot a few groups. While the scoped groups were superior, the open sight groups were close to as good. I would say within a 1/4" and probably closer to 1/8" on most. The difference was most evident in the RWS ammo and least so with the Federal.

I also scoped my Guide Gun to experiement at longer ranges. While I didn't shoot my best ever groups with it at 100 yards it was slightly more consistent. I think with practice I could get five in <1" with a scope. I believe that in low light conditions the scope would be superior but I prefer the handiness of an unscoped rifle in the field. Luckily, my eyes are still good enough for the factory open sights and I will continue to hunt with them in this configuration as long as I am able.

A walk in the woods

We are getting more and more crowded. The more of us there are, the more room we take up. Some of that room is/was in places where solitude could be found. Sadly those places are disappearing.

When the opportunity to enjoy a little elbow room away from the masses I try to take advantage of it. Exploration and discovery invigorate the spirit. Life feels less complicated and more in tune. Those are treasured moments.

To become a rifleman one needs these spaces to develop. Shooting targets at the range is enjoyable and a great place to get the repetitions required to be safe with your rifle, however, these tools were designed to be used in unconfined spaces. Learning to safely carry and operate your firearm in the arena it was meant to be employed is the next step and cannot be accurately duplicated within the pages of a book, indoors or a restricted environment.

Beneath a big sky with distant horizons or within a cathedral of ancient trees a rifleman can discover his limitations and adapt to the different textures of the environment. A rifleman defines himself by the choices he makes in the field. A rifleman is responsible for the safe and ethical use of his rifle in the field and must accept the consquences of his actions. Acknowledging this is key to preserving our shooting heritage.

Spice

Variety is the spice of life. I have been blessed with some variety in the form of a Marlin 1895. You can read about my exploration of the big bore Marlin at; http://bigbored.onfinite.com/

The big bore experience has enriched my shooting enjoyment. The contrast between a 45-70 and 22 lr is vast though I find them complimentary. The Mountie greatly sharpens my technique by allowing inexpensive repetition. Each shot with the 1895 requires focus and this mitigates mindless wasting of rimfire ammo.

I am blessed.

Five in a dime.

This 5 shot group was produced with the open sighted Marlin 39A Mountie sitting 25 yards from the target with Federal (wally world) 550 bulk pack ammo.

I wouldn't call this group typical but it is representive of its potential. The shooter, your's truely, will more often than not send a flier or two outside of the main group. Still, this ammo shoots consistently and impressively out of most of my rimfires.

At 100 yards the groups expand to ~3" with the open sights resting the forarm on a sandbag. Sub 2" three and four shot groups and common. The groups center around 4" low using the 25 yard zero. Two indents up on the rear sight ramp puts them point of aim.

The Federal 550 Bulk ammo outperforms the CCI Mini Mag ammo in velocity and accuracy at less than half the price. It is the best value in rimfire ammuntion that I am aware of.

Rimfire Chronograph data

Marlin 39A- 24" Barrel
Marlin 39A Mountie- 20" Barrel
Marlin 39TDS- 16" Barrel

The Ammo

Fedral 550 Bulk Pack ammo, 36 grains HP bullet, copper "plated"
39A : Average velocity 1263 fps (Highest was 1283, lowest was 1237)
Mountie Average 1254 fps (hi 1297, low 1230)
39TDS Average 1251 fps (high 1292, low 1216)

Notes: claimed velocity on box says 1280. This ammo shoots well in a wide variety of my rimfires, including autoloaders. The accuracy is very good in all of my Marlins.

Aguilla SE Subsonic 38grains lead hollow point
39A average 984 (high 1000, low 937.2)
Mountie average 994 (high 1023, low 984)
TDS average 1007 fps (high 1024, low 993)

Notes: This ammo has proven to be accurate in a wide variety of my rimfires. Only Match ammo has surpassed it in guns that shoot it well. It does NOT cycle any of my autoloaders. On most days this ammo will produce the best groups. Today it was true in my 39A and Mountie. Interestingly the 16" Barreled 39TDS produced the highest Velocity with this ammo.

CCI CB Longs 29g RN lead
39A (it was hard to tell these even when off in this gun) 677 avg (681 high, 668 Low)
Mountie 675 avg (720 high, 636 low)
TDS 668 average (674 high, 652 low)

Notes: Only the TDS (1/2" @ 25 yards) and my Single Six shoot this what I would consider "well". The Mountie shoots it OK (~1" at 25 yards). Most of my rimfires do NOT shoot this well. It is very quiet in long barrels.

CCI Mini Mag 40g copper coated, solids
39A 1255 avg (1272 high, 1230 low)
Mountie 1225 avg (1243 High, 1191 low)
TDS 1221 avg (1244 high, 1202 low)

Notes: Of my three 39's the Mountie shoots this the best. It is a little less accurate than the Fedral Bulk at more than twice the cost so I rarely use it.

CCI Blazer, RN lead 40g (more than 20 years old, probably closer to thirty...)
39A 1230 avg (1242 high, 1214 low)
Mountie 1203 avg (1216 high, 1178 low)
TDS did not shot.
Notes: Shoots a little dirty. Mountie shoots these very well.

Other random notes:

-The Chrony Alpha Master model was easy to use and I had it set up in minutes with NO previous experience.
-The Mountie is my least finnicky rimfire. It'll shoot almost anything well and usually pretty close to the same spot at 25 yards. Beyond that stuff seperates vertically.
-The TDS is the most finnicky of my 39's, but it will shoot the CB longs the best.
-Temperature was ~65* during the time I was shooting.
-Most were 10 shot strings though some were longer.
-Chronograph was 12 feet in front of the barrel

Learning the Ropes

From the top:

• Marlin 39A 1970's vintage
• Marlin 39A Mountie 1960's vintage
• Marlin 39TDS vintage unknown (mfr 1988-1995)
  

They say variety is the spice of life. I would agree.

If I could only have one, I'd take the Mountie but I sure would miss the other two.

My Favorite Marlin

The goal: Post field tests and data about my favorite Marlin, the Golden 39A Mountie.