Shot the Texan at the range today...

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, I finally got to the range and shot the 1951 Marlin Texan that I recently purchased. The range was so packed it was hard to concentrate - especially since there were a lot of noobs and kids.... the range had a "free" shoot day to drive membership - my luck.

Well anyhoo - I did manage to shoot the rifle and found that it was printing about 16" high at the lowest sight setting. This is the first time I've found this on a levergun like this - very strange. I had two 150 grain loads - WW powerpoints and some handloads with 150 grain speers.

I do like to use an "on" hold with the bead covering the point of impact, but that's only a few inches different than a 6 oclock hold...

I've ordered a couple of taller front sights and will try those to see if I can get it down into it's adjustment range. The one on there (in a dovetail) is .450" tall base to top - so I ordered .500 and .530" tall sights - one of those should work I reckon.

Couldn't really tell how it was grouping given the high printing - but it didn't seem to like my handloads... but again, when I was shooting there was a guy right next to me popping off rounds from an AR - with a short barrel = loud, and that was a little destracting.

Just when they all started leaving, a front blew through and the wind started blowing like mad.

So, a little frustrating of range day. Guess I'll just have to go back and try again

[JerryB]

That happens more often now it seems, not enough ranges and goofy shooters.We had about the same problem a couple of weks ago. After church we drove to a range in the Sylamore National Forest and it did not go well untill they left.We did end up having a good tme and went back to church for a good service.

[Mannlicher]

Things have been so jammed up OSOK, that I have not sightned in the 1971 Texan SRC or the new Leupold on the 1894S. I did get a chance to fire a few round through the 1949 RC, and with the Lyman receiver sight, it is quite accurate shooting 150 grain Remington CoreLokts.

[shawn_c992001]

Think that was bad try a public range. If it's not a bunch of kids, with an SKS, Galil, AK, AR, or M1 carbine, it's a guy with a 50BMG. That's really distracting. I often shoot mine at a range when no one else is there, and quit when some one else shows up.

I'm glad to hear an old Texan will still shoot.

[O.S.O.K.]

Yeah, well I guess it was for a good cause - for the owner to gain membership. More membership means he can afford to build a 200 yard range. He just covered the 100 yard range which is huge in Texas - you roast in the open sun.

I failed to mention that this rifle had obvious marks on the receiver and lack of blind screws showing that an aperture sight was installed. Probably because of the issue sights being so far off!

I'll report back when I get it shooting to point of aim.

[RKrodle]

Good luck getting it to shoot O.S.O.K.. I hope you are planning to bring it on the august hunt, I'd like to see it. I used to go to a range in Mesquite alot, they did a real good job of keeping everything reined in.

[O.S.O.K.]

Range in Mesquit... you mean Gibsons? I used to go there to shoot too - about 13 years ago... small world.

And yeah, I was thinking of bring this but if it doesn't perform to standard, I'll just bring one of my 94's.

I was going to bring the 95 Win in 30-40, but that's too much for the game IMHO.

[RSY]

OSOK:

Aren't you in the Austin area? If so, have you looked into the Austin Rifle Club???

scott

[RKrodle]

Range in Mesquit... you mean Gibsons? I used to go there to shoot too - about 13 years ago... small world.

Thats the one, it's probably been 10 years sense I've been there.

[Longfin]

Have been anxious to here how that Georgia transplanted Texan shot. Must have been set up for those 400 yard shots. LOL. But thank you for not reporting that it is the most awesomely accurate rifle you have ever shot and the POI is the same for every bullet weight and load you tried. After loading hay all weekend, I'm just too tired to kick myself for not buying it. I know that had to be frustrating having to deal with all the distractions and noise at a range. That is like having your first date with a pretty girl at your nephew's 3rd birthday party! I'm so grateful that my shooting bench is on the porch of my shop/barn in my back yard. Step in side and load a few; step back outside and fire them over the Chrony. Do report back when you get her set up right.

[BenT]

I'm spoiled like Longfin, I just shoot out my back door. The county got some state funding to set up a range in the county forest. They were looking for volunters. I was going help set it up. But then some nitwit doctor who has only lived around here for a couple years filed a law suite to stop it because he lives next to county forest.

I had to put a tall front site on my Win 94 wrangler to get to hit where I pointed it. Good Luck on your next session.

[O.S.O.K.]

OSOK:

Aren't you in the Austin area? If so, have you looked into the Austin Rifle Club???

scott

I've been a member on and off - was a member there last year but didn't re-up this year because I now have a range only 10 miles away - and it now has a 100 yard covered rifle range and two pistol ranges - with plans for 200 yard range and more. I had to drive 50 minutes-hour to get to the ARC... but its a great club!

And I used to be able to walk out to the back of my property and shoot out to 200 yards from my shoot shack (10x12' deck with box/tin roof.

But live in town now... alas.

[O.S.O.K.]

Have been anxious to here how that Georgia transplanted Texan shot. Must have been set up for those 400 yard shots. LOL. But thank you for not reporting that it is the most awesomely accurate rifle you have ever shot and the POI is the same for every bullet weight and load you tried. After loading hay all weekend, I'm just too tired to kick myself for not buying it. I know that had to be frustrating having to deal with all the distractions and noise at a range. That is like having your first date with a pretty girl at your nephew's 3rd birthday party! I'm so grateful that my shooting bench is on the porch of my shop/barn in my back yard. Step in side and load a few; step back outside and fire them over the Chrony. Do report back when you get her set up right.

Well, we'll see. I've got the higher front sights coming and also a new aperture sight (xs) for the .356 when it arrives and I can take the redfield apeture sight off of it and use it on the Texan too... so I've got some options.

I'm thinking I may recut the crown (acutally just the inside of it where the rifeling terminates) - this usually brings out the best in the rifle.

I didn't try any 170 grain loads which usually shoot better in my 30-30's - probably due to the longer bearing surface on the bullets...

[O.S.O.K.]

Something interesting. I was cleaning this rifle up a short while ago and took a good close look a the muzzle - at the crown. It had a little nick on one side...

When I was shooting, I did shoot a few rounds without messing with the sights and it didn't look like it was doing to well -that was with my handloads. But I got to thinking and that's why I checked the muzzle.

So, I took my little 45 degree chamfer cutter and installed the 30 caliber pilot and freshened the muzzle up - removing the nick completely and creating a nice even all the way around terminus.

That should do the trick if that was affecting the grouping - which I'm sure it was.

I've done this many times before - mostly with old military rifles that didn't group too well and it always produced an improvement - sometimes a drastick improvement.

So, after the new higher front sights come, I'll install the shorter of the the two and try to find time to get back to the range with it.

[Dave]

Sounds like you are on the right track with that rifle.

[O.S.O.K.]

Time will tell...

I can usually iron out the causes for a gun not shooting like it should - but not always! Sometimes its just beyond me.

I do know that muzzle/rifling dents are not condusive to accuracy though, so it should help.