Hello all, new member so I apologize if this is posted in the wrong spot. I just bought an 1895 SBL and took it to the range for the first time. Put 6 rounds through it at 50 yards, out of the box open sights, and not a single round hit paper! Had my buddy shoot it and got the same result (or lack thereof)! After about 15 rds we figured out it was shooting about 9" high and to the right. We are both experienced shooters, shooting from a bench, factory ammo (Winchester Super X, 300gr, jacketed hollow points). This is my first Marlin since a Model 70 .22 I had years ago, and I know Marlin has a great reputation so I'm not questioning the quality of their products, but just curious if this sounds odd for a 45-70 and any ideas on what would cause the accuracy to be so far out of whack??? Thanks in advance for your responses and or suggestions.
1895 SBL Accuracy question
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did it group well?. how far did it shoot right. . could you lower the sight elevator enough ?
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I always use a big target when sighting in just so I can see we’re my miss are...
The only reason I ask is because to me accuracy is repeatability. So if the gun is always shooting off the target in the same spot it’s accurate. But needs adjustment. If it can’t be adjusted to hit where you want it to hit, you then have an issue. Whether it be a sight system that isn’t going to work for you or something is wrong.
Once we figured out where we were hitting, it was about a three inch group. 9” high and about 1-2” right. Didn’t have a large target ‘cause I didn’t think I’d need to sight it in like a scope, just wanted to throw some rounds down range! Didn’t think I’d have any issue hitting a target at 50 yards with iron sights!
I am unfamiliar with that exact model but I think most 1895s have buckhorn sights. If so you can drift the sight in the dovetail for windage. If I were a betting man remlin just slaps them in the dovetail giving it the eyeball treatment.
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1,982 Posts
The rear sight is easily adjustable for elevation. Loosen the small set screw on the right of the sight base, screw peep in or out to lower or raise, re-tighten the set screw. Easy as pie.
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192 Posts
Yup, what he says. Rear sight is adjustable up, down and left and right. Just remember to move the rear sight in the direction you want your impact point to move. You want to group to move left, move the rear sight left and so on.
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42 Posts
I always clean my rifles before shooting them. Many manufacturers put packing grease in the barrel to prevent rust. My 45-70 SBL did not like Win X 300 grain ammo, it was a big group at 100 yards. Get some Hornady 325 grain factory FTX LEVERevolution, that ammo consistently prints an inch or less at 100 yards for me, this is with a scope. If you weren’t hitting paper after the 1st shot, why would you shoot more? Set that target up at 20 yds or less for the 1st shot with a big target, then sight the rifle in according to the manuals instructions. I don't think Remington sights their rifles in before sending them out. I'm in no way trying to put you down, but to me, this sounds like user error and not accuracy issues with your rifle.
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981 Posts
As others have stated, cleaning the rifle and inspecting it is the first thing I do with a new gun. They tend to come with various oils/greases all over inside to help protect them during shipping and from rust.
When I initially go to the range with a new rifle I setup at 25 yds to get on paper and make an adjustment after the fist shot if needed. That saves a lot of ammo in the end for cases like what you ran into where it's off the paper. After that initial shot and adjustment I will fire another shot to confirm before I move it out to my desired range of either 50yds or 100yds to get it dialed in.
Iron sites are not easy to get good accuracy out of but by far from impossible. Plenty of people shooting great groups with iron sights. Try some other types of ammo and see what your rifle prefers. Congrats on the new rifle and enjoy!
When I initially go to the range with a new rifle I setup at 25 yds to get on paper and make an adjustment after the fist shot if needed. That saves a lot of ammo in the end for cases like what you ran into where it's off the paper. After that initial shot and adjustment I will fire another shot to confirm before I move it out to my desired range of either 50yds or 100yds to get it dialed in.
Iron sites are not easy to get good accuracy out of but by far from impossible. Plenty of people shooting great groups with iron sights. Try some other types of ammo and see what your rifle prefers. Congrats on the new rifle and enjoy!
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