Zeroing today

[Dougan]

Yes it looks great (the picture doesn't do it justice) and handles even better.

Looks cool Please keep us updated on how it shoots.....

I prefer the shorter barrel on my Marlin, than the 22" I had on my previous Winny...but I've not seen any others cut back like that...

Are you and Mike shooting lever action at the Phoenix next year?

[Mike357]

Dougan, I have every intention of shooting at the Phoenix with the Marlin next year, Sandgroper, you in?

Might even shoot a bit of McQueens if Ovenpaa promises to be my coach :lol:

[Dave 101]

I shot at the Phoenix this year and hope to go again next year , so will have to have a meet up .

Dave

[ovenpaa]

Might even shoot a bit of McQueens if Ovenpaa promises to be my coach :lol:

LOL - Duffeyeddoyle is your man for mcQueen coaching, I am yet to see him drop a shot. Dangermouse also knows the discipline very well. These days I use my AI with whatever ammunition I have in my pocket, my preference is South African milsurp which is usually good for the job.

If you get the chance shoot it at 300 yards instead of 200 as it is more sporting, I have also heard that McQueen may be moved to 500 yards which in some ways would be fun however it would also mean it was even better suited to high magnification ultra precise F Open type rifles which takes the edge of things for me. Christel's 22C would make a brilliant 500 yard McQueen rifle, personally I will continue to shoot it with either my lowly AI or 4(T) in what I believe is the spirit of the competition.

Back to the original post, well done to Sandgroper for getting the hacksaw out and modifying his rifle in such a way, it looks very good for it and is shooting well already. A handy rifle that!

[bnz41]

Hi,

Just a quick question, did you take it yourself or did a dealer send it for re-proof, as the barrel has been modified. If you took yourself how did you arrange it.

[Sandgroper]

Dougan, I have every intention of shooting at the Phoenix with the Marlin next year, Sandgroper, you in?

We'll see - my crystal ball doesn't extend that far! My first goal is a better attendance record at the NESSEC next year.

Back to the original post, well done to Sandgroper for getting the hacksaw out and modifying his rifle in such a way, it looks very good for it and is shooting well already. A handy rifle that!

Yes, I very happy with the result. It seems to do the job and now it down to load development and practice.

Just a quick question, did you take it yourself or did a dealer send it for re-proof, as the barrel has been modified. If you took yourself how did you arrange it.

Because I am not planning to sell it, I have not got it proofed. As per the proof laws it is only illegal to sell an unproofed rifle, not to own and use one. The advantage of using an American rifle is they have no proof laws so the rifle is over-engineered to keep the manufacturers safe. This means their rifles are suited these sort of jobs - This is my opinion only - it was only after doing research and making sure I was up to the job and thinking about it several times that I decided to do this. Even so it was still hard to make that first cut.

It's not the best photo, but you can make out the uniformity of the powder burns around the muzzle and you can see how thick the barrel is.

If I need it proofed I would take it to the RFD I shoot with and get him to send to the proof house with the next batch of rifles he sends down.

[bnz41]

Thanks for explaining,
I had a .22rf which I thought about reducing the barrel length, but was unsure if I could do it or if I had to pay an RFD/gunsmith to do.

Very well done on the cut down job, looks sorted. :idea: I wonder I have a winchester in .357, now where was that pipe cutter

[Sandgroper]

Thanks for explaining,
I had a .22rf which I thought about reducing the barrel length, but was unsure if I could do it or if I had to pay an RFD/gunsmith to do.

Very well done on the cut down job, looks sorted. :idea: I wonder I have a winchester in .357, now where was that pipe cutter

:lol:

My main advice -
1) Know what you want beforehand and have a plan to do it
2) Know your rifle inside out
3) Research everything and then research some more
4) Be absolutely certain you can do the job
5) Buy all the tools you need beforehand
6) Have a fall back if you mess it up
7) If in doubt DON'T DO IT!

[Dougan]

Well it looks like there could be a few FBers at the Phoenix next year - so I can't turn up with a 'bog standard' rifle.

Sandgroper: As you said, making the first cut must have been a nervous moment (especially as it's non-reversable) - I have been thinking of putting an adjustable butt piece on my Marlin, like you have on yours - but as it's the only rifle I've ever bought from new, I don't want to cock it up. Was it a straightforward fit, or did you have to alter the plate or rifle in any way? Also is it reversable if you don't like it?

[Sandgroper]

Dougan,
Sorry, I can't help regarding the butt piece - it was already on the rifle when I bought from Mike357. It looks pretty straightforward, to me anyway. :-P

If it was me, I would buy the butt piece and have a look at it and then decide if it was something I could do.

Alternatively, you could buy another stock to modify, that way you still have the original.

http://www.midwayuk.com/apps/eproductpa ... mID=915866
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=9834 ... -BUTTSTOCK