100 year + Marlins still shoot good!

[lever addict]

Well after much experimenting i'm finding out what my 1893's like to shoot well. Yesterday was one of my happier days at the range as far as load development goes!

First up my new to me 109 year old 1893 in 32-40. I tried Unique, 2400 and H-4198 with 14 grains of H-4198 giving the best results! Winchester brass WW primers and 170 grain Laser Cast bullets. The other powders didn't even come close to the H-4198. Not too shabby!




Next up was the 113 year old 1893 in 38-55. I tried the same powders as the 32-40 and the H-4198 once again out performed the others by far! Starline brass, WW primers 17.5 gr of H-4198 and a 240 gr Laser Cast bullet. Oh yeah i'm on to something now!



I have installed period Lyman tang sights on both of the rifles. They are a great help over the stock irons for my old eyes!

Now to fine tune these loads! BTW these are 6 shot groups and targets were shot at 50 yards. The bottom target has only 5 shots. The first shot was off the paper while dialing in the peep for elevation.

[Levergunz]

Lou,
Looks like your off to a great start with those 93's.Few more adjustments and your in the money!Good shootin.

[Oz]

Mate that is absolutly fabulous. What a sweet girl you've got there.

Cheers,
Mark.

[Wind]

Hey there LA -- Nicely done!! It sure is cool when it all comes together, isn't it? Best regards. Wind

[dpe.ahoy]

Those old girls are really kickin up their heels! Both putting out some excellent groups, good shooting to you and congrats! DP

[Fomdiddle]

I love H4198 in my Ruger #1 in 45-70. It is the most accurate powder I have found. Fom

[ehsa]

great shooting and thanks for the pictures and info

[Win_94]

They shoot great... and so do you.

I've shot my best group out of my oldest rifle.

[lever addict]

Thanks everyone. Its amazing these guns don't throw the unexplained flyer after the 3rd or 4th shot. I mean even with my newer Marlins it was hard to put 5 shots all together. You guys who shoot the Postal Match know what i'm talking about! Last year trying to get some Postal Match targets the 4th and 5th shots never co operated! We shall see this year. Where is that roll eyes icon?

[old welder]

We received the case's and bullets for the 94 .25-20 on Saturday .
With new to the family in hand and a hand full of the little bottle necks .
With waited hopes we set onward to perforate some paper.
At first it was hitting high..??
The aperture was so big that you could put a tooth pick threw it..
Found a smaller one off my Stevens 416 that fit ..
Yes sir. nice grouping .surprised me for a gun around a 100 years old..
When Karen came out we were loading up the 38-55 ..
I quickly loaded up a few of the 25-20 and handed her rifle ..
She did very well at hitting the targets ..Liked the peep site DSC00019.JPG

When she had finished her second had full of the 25-20 .
I handed her the 38-55..
When Karen worked the lever of that 116 year old gun to chamber the first round .
I got a look..this is going to hurt look..
I reassured her that it was a low recoil load ..a roll of the eyes and a not so ok was her reply.
Shouldered the long octagon barreled Marlin and squeezed the trigger..
With a gentle push and a barrel blast I got a look with a 5 mile smile ..
" shots better than the .357 you have ." was the first words ..
We all like the OLDER Marlins over the new ones DSC00016.JPG