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Zee
Senior MemberPosts: 28,077 Senior Member
The Guide Gun LIVES!!!

Marlin is having their $100 rebate sale that ends this month. I couldn't pass up the deal. It was too good to miss. So, I have another .45-70GOV after several years without one!
XS Scout Scope System
Weaver 4x Pistol Scope
Midway USA Cheek Rest

I added a Weaver accessory mount to the front of the scope for a light/laser in order to hunt pigs as well.

Wavered back and forth about what bullet to go with and finally decided on the 300gr Hornady InterLok Hollow Point. I already stock it for use in my .458 Win Mag............so why get something else. Besides........they are cheap and accurate.
Made some test loads yeaterday and headed to the range today.

Got on paper with one round at 25 yards then, moved the target to 50 yrds. I contemplated and even PUT the target at 100 yards to start with. But, I'm running a 4x pistol scope in a scout configuration and the trigger on this rifle sucks at 5.75 pounds of pull. Since I was trying to develope an acceptable load, I decided to move the target back to 50 yards and eleminate some of the human error that could come into play at 100 and skew the accuracy results of the loads.
Hodgdon lists 60.0gr of H4198 as their recommended Max. So, I made the following test loads:
59.0gr
59.5gr
60.0gr
60.5gr

The 59.0 put 3 in one large hole @ 2.416 fps.
The 59.5 opened to a little over 1/2" @ 2,430 fps.
The 60.0gr went about 1" @ 2,428 fps.
And the winner was 60.5gr with the smallest group @ 2,450 fps.

I'm pretty happy with that on the first load run. Recoil is stout, but not brutal. The scout scope set-up prevents any unwanted contusions to the face.........which is a good thing. Might change out the recoil pad some day to a Decelerator and ditch the crappy factory one. Or, I might not. WOULD like to figure out a way to lighten up the trigger pull. THAT is the only thing about this rifle that really sucks.
Took the rounds I had left (I loaded 4 for each powder weight, but only shot 3 each) and hit the 300 yard steel with them. Sucker has a pretty good smack! Ha1
All in all.............I LIKE!!
XS Scout Scope System
Weaver 4x Pistol Scope
Midway USA Cheek Rest

I added a Weaver accessory mount to the front of the scope for a light/laser in order to hunt pigs as well.

Wavered back and forth about what bullet to go with and finally decided on the 300gr Hornady InterLok Hollow Point. I already stock it for use in my .458 Win Mag............so why get something else. Besides........they are cheap and accurate.
Made some test loads yeaterday and headed to the range today.

Got on paper with one round at 25 yards then, moved the target to 50 yrds. I contemplated and even PUT the target at 100 yards to start with. But, I'm running a 4x pistol scope in a scout configuration and the trigger on this rifle sucks at 5.75 pounds of pull. Since I was trying to develope an acceptable load, I decided to move the target back to 50 yards and eleminate some of the human error that could come into play at 100 and skew the accuracy results of the loads.
Hodgdon lists 60.0gr of H4198 as their recommended Max. So, I made the following test loads:
59.0gr
59.5gr
60.0gr
60.5gr

The 59.0 put 3 in one large hole @ 2.416 fps.
The 59.5 opened to a little over 1/2" @ 2,430 fps.
The 60.0gr went about 1" @ 2,428 fps.
And the winner was 60.5gr with the smallest group @ 2,450 fps.

I'm pretty happy with that on the first load run. Recoil is stout, but not brutal. The scout scope set-up prevents any unwanted contusions to the face.........which is a good thing. Might change out the recoil pad some day to a Decelerator and ditch the crappy factory one. Or, I might not. WOULD like to figure out a way to lighten up the trigger pull. THAT is the only thing about this rifle that really sucks.
Took the rounds I had left (I loaded 4 for each powder weight, but only shot 3 each) and hit the 300 yard steel with them. Sucker has a pretty good smack! Ha1
All in all.............I LIKE!!
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Replies
Some great groups from it...........awesome.
Just curious how do you like reloading now ? : )
Do you plan to put the larger lever on it? I find the Marlin levers to be a bit tight.
One thing...Spend $17.00 and get rid of that dumb-ass safety....Please...
NRA Endowment Member
My calculator puts that at 4000 FPE. :yikes: Stout recoil would be an understatement.
Lookin' great!
D
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
Dad 5-31-13
Meh, I guess it's ok.
:cool:
I thought about it. But, that sucker is $189 from Midway!!! That's more than half the price I paid for the gun!!!
That.......might be worth it!!!! I HATE the trigger.
Yeah. I thought about it. But, I've made it so unoriginal as it is..............what's the point.
There is a gunsmith in Houston who specializes in Custom Marlin Lever Actions. Although I am sure he would be expensive, it is your call.
http://www.rangerpointprecision.com
I agree. Obviously, the skill ain't what it once was. But, I handled a couple of the laminate stocked versions before I bought this one and the checkering looked even worse on those. I guess I can't complain. Or at least.........it wouldn't do any good.
It would simply be a comfort thing. And for the price........not worth the comfort.
Thanks.
I fired 17 rounds today and my shoulder is aware of it. Not overly sore.........just rather aware.
Being a straight grip, my pinky and ring finger are pressed against the outside of the lever. While my index and middle are against the inside of the lever.
A large loop might be more comfortable. But, it's not worth the $200 price tag.
I'd have preferred smooth. But, the Cowboy model was over $200 more and I couldn't mount the scout scope on it.
For $100 and if I can figure out how to install it myself.......it would be worth it.
I'm not a big lever aficionado. But, I have 4 of them and they all serve a particular niche in my collection.
I would have bought it at that price, nice grab. Would the large loop help when you have multiple pigs out in the open and need to run a magazine full down range?
That remains to be seen.
I gotta zero the laser and go shoot some pigs.
Pfft, he's a professional, he does this stuff barefoot in the dark.
I'd be happy with a nice stalk and single shot on a nice sized boar.
Meh, it was only 50 yard groups. I just didn't want to screw up my accuracy data with operator error. Being only 4x scope and crappy trigger. I'll play more with the accuracy at 100 and beyond now that I have found what I think I'm looking for in a load.
FIFY