Big Marlin 1881

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Marvin S
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Big Marlin 1881

Post by Marvin S »

Finally got it out yesterday with no big drama and put three shots about an inch left at 30 meters. Bumped the rear sight a tad right and it’s done for now. 265 gr RNFP GC over 22gr Acc 5744. Looks like a good shooter to me.

Next up was a Mod 64 Winchester in 32WS that’s going to be my new lever action silhouette rifle. It is shooting a 170gr GC of my design cut by accurate molds with 25gr of IMR 3031. New Lyman 66A sight tuned in at 30 and 100 meters so far. :D

And you’ll have to click pictures to upright them.
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AJMD429
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by AJMD429 »

Now that right there is some genuine Levergun Fun.....

Thanks for sharing... 8)
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DocRock
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by DocRock »

I was unfamiliar with the 1881 and had to look it up. Pretty awesome! Only 20,000 made in total, so yours is somewhat rare. Glad to see you you putting it through its paces. what a great piece of history.
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by gamekeeper »

DocRock wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:37 pm I was unfamiliar with the 1881 and had to look it up. Pretty awesome! Only 20,000 made in total, so yours is somewhat rare. Glad to see you you putting it through its paces. what a great piece of history.
+1 I'd love to see more photos.. … :mrgreen:
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Rube Burrows
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by Rube Burrows »

Very nice and good shooting.
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marlinman93
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by marlinman93 »

I love the 1881 Marlin rifles! Had 16 of them at the same time a couple decades ago, but now only have 3 of them left. Is yours a .40-60 M or ??
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Marvin S
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by Marvin S »

Yes it’s the 40-60 Marlin standard rifle with set triggers. Had to ream the hell out of the case necks to get a 408 bullet to chamber and if I thought a 406 would shoot ok with smokeless I would go with that. I haven’t bought a mold and sizer die yet just the Uber expensive 408 bullets from BACO. Wish they would sell sample packs of different diameters so I could of tried some 406 dia.
Not much to look at but the bore is excellent and the action is tight. I know Marlinman and Six shoot the same rifles.
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OldWin
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by OldWin »

Neat rifles. I had a factory 24" octagon in 45-70 for many years.
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by Sixgun »

Pretty neato Marvin....yes, it was a chore for me to also get my 40-60 to chamber and that's knowing what I was doing...that's the same load I use that you use..22 grains of 5744.

It was a world of difference between .406 and .408 as to accuracy and ease of chambering.....

As I've aged and accumulated more and more different calibers and rifles I've found it's necessary to put notes in each box of reloading dies with special instructions for each rifle.

I can use the same dies and bullets between the 1881 and an '86 Winchester in 40-65 but I use 2 grains more powder in the 1886. In the Marlin I have to do an extra step in loading and that step is in addition to neck reaming, I will run the loaded round back into the FLS just an extremely small amount to just "kiss" the case mouth. It also makes loads of sense to keep your brass on the short side of case length.

I use a 270 grain FP from an NEI mould that's a gas check......on old guns a gas check is almost always required due to worn/uneven crowns.

Drop me a PM with your address and I'll get ya out some of my bullets sized to .408.------006
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Marvin S
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by Marvin S »

Thanks Six I’ll PM ya. Did you get a 406 to shoot in your rifle without leading. I think I have a lee factory crimp for my 38wcf so will have to find it. I had chambering problems after about ten shots when residue built up in the chamber neck. It sounds like my rifle and yours are identical.
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marlinman93
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by marlinman93 »

Yes, I've got the exact same rifle, and even with set triggers like yours. Also have another .40-60M 1881 in special deluxe built by Emil Flues.

Image
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Marvin S
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by Marvin S »

marlinman93 wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:18 pm Yes, I've got the exact same rifle, and even with set triggers like yours. Also have another .40-60M 1881 in special deluxe built by Emil Flues.

Image
That’s a snazzy one.
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DocRock
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by DocRock »

Marvin S wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:23 pm
marlinman93 wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:18 pm Yes, I've got the exact same rifle, and even with set triggers like yours. Also have another .40-60M 1881 in special deluxe built by Emil Flues.

Image
That’s a snazzy one.
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marlinman93
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Re: Big Marlin 1881

Post by marlinman93 »

The 1881 rifle I posted the image of was a custom rifle reworked in the late 1800's by Emil Flues of Bay City Michigan. Flues was a talented gunsmith, and built a lot of schuetzen rifles for people in his gun club in Bay City. He was secretary of that club, and got a lot of work from members. But his real specialty was custom hand built shotguns.
Flues did the stocks, and some other features on this 1881, including little touches like engraved screw heads. It is the only repeating rifle he custom built, according to his shop records. His rollstamp is on the barrel, and under the Farrow style buttplate. This 1881 was built for a judge in Saginaw, Mi. and is the 100th custom rework Flues made. It is stamped "Tested #100" on the barrel, under the forearm. He later moved to Utica, NY when he was hired by Ithaca to design and build side by side shotguns. He worked for Ithaca for over 30 years, and the Ithaca Flues shoguns were his design, and named for him. He also continued to build fine shotguns from scratch at home the whole time he worked at Ithaca, and after his retirement. He was still building them at age 90 when he passed away in 1950.
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