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.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Monday, March 05, 2007
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?
Gone is my 39A and a Mountie will be on its way this week.
Two Mounties! How great is that?
Saturday, February 10, 2007
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
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
Saturday, January 20, 2007
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.
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.
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