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Offline pastorp

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marlin 39a's accuracy
« on: February 17, 2009, 05:37:18 PM »
Has anyone compared the older ballard rifled 39's to the newer microgrove barreled 39's for accuracy and or velocity?

Barring one individual having one of each maybe several could share their rifles performace. Thanks
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Byron

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Offline Lurker

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Re: marlin 39as accuracy
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2009, 05:40:27 PM »
Quote from: pastorp on February 17, 2009, 05:37:18 PM
Has anyone compared the older ballard rifled 39s to the newer microgrove barreled 39s for accuracy and or velocity?

Barring one individual having one of each maybe several could share their rifles performace. Thanks

I think my Marlin 39A's are some of the most accurate rifles that I own... Surprisingly accurate in fact.

Bill
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Offline ripmyfly

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Re: marlin 39as accuracy
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2009, 06:16:35 PM »
Mine was made in 1939. I have never taken it to the range. However, my 6 year old son is 11 for 11 on tree rats this year with it! All but 2 were head shots. My Grandfather used it to rabbit hunt with.
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Offline pastorp

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Re: marlin 39a's accuracy
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2009, 06:33:16 PM »
I've never owned a 39A for long enough to determine its accuracy potential. I like the shorter barrels so I shoot a mounty(20" micro groove barrel) I've often wondered about the ballard rifled 39A's accuracy. I guess I'll find out soon enough as I just bought one.  ;D I'll let you know my findings as soon as it gets here. This one was mfg. in 1948. Regards
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Byron

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Offline Rangr44

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Re: marlin 39a's accuracy
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2009, 01:03:10 PM »
I owned both 1946 and 1951 M-39a's, at the same time - and shot them side-by-side with the same ammo at my club's range.

The older gun had it's issue open/iron sights, while I had mounted a Williams peep on the '51.

Except for their sights, and the -51's brass initial plate & gripcap - both rifles looked almost identical, with their 24" ballard-rifles barrels and PG stocks.

With the same ammo, at the same distances, the older rifle consistantly shot groups about half the size of what the newer rifle could - about 1/2"-3/4" @ 50yds for the '46, to 1" - 1 1/4" for the '51.

The ammo used was several different brands of both standard & high velocity LR, standard velocity Long, standard velocity Shorts, and some hyper-velocity LR, too.

The best groups came with standard velocity LR's, with Shorts not far behind.

I've never owned a Microgroove Model 39a.

.
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Offline tn_junk

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Re: marlin 39a's accuracy
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2009, 01:32:13 PM »
I have owned 2. One made in 1968 the other in 1970. Both were passed on to my son several years ago.
Accuracy was better than I could shoot. Off a bench rest I could do 1" at 50 yards with either gun, using 36 grain ammo.
Neither would shoot the 60 grain Aguila that I like worth a hoot. Groups with it looked more like a shotgun spread at 50 yards.

alan
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Offline pastorp

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Re: marlin 39a's accuracy
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2009, 07:12:00 AM »
alan, arn't those 60 gr Aguilas in the 22 short case? I've never seen them but you probably need a faster twist for that weight.

My brother moved to North Carolina when I was about 20. He was older. The only rifle he ever owned that I know about was a old winchester pump. It was real short and had the exposed hammer. He only shot shorts in it and kept his freezer full of squirrls with it. Lots of squirrls in western NC in those days.

Regards
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Byron

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Offline pastorp

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Re: marlin 39a's accuracy
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2009, 03:45:13 AM »
My new marlin 39a arrived yesterday. Picked it up last night from my FFL guy. Made in 1948, all orgional except for the rear sight and no hood for the front. It has a vintage peep sight. The gun is in really nice condition at least 95%. Must a been in a closet somewhere for most of its life.

Front moving in this morning so I don't know when I'll get to shoot it. Am I glad it's here.  ;D Did I say I like it! Regards
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Byron

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Offline guzzijohn

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Re: marlin 39a's accuracy
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2009, 03:17:49 AM »
Mine is a 1977 model that I bought new and has a 4X Weaver. I find it quite accurate with most ammo but it really likes Ely and CCI Stingers. It will group five Stingers at 50 yards less than 1/2 inch, the Ely a bit better. My old Remington model 34 bolt action will match it with open sights and is much less picky about the ammo used.
GuzziJohn
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Offline kansasj

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Re: marlin 39a's accuracy
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2009, 04:12:12 AM »
I have a 39A that is older than dirt---got it from my uncle about 25 years ago and it was old then.  I would not part with it at any price. It is my "pickup"
gun and have shot yes coyotes at close range in the head, PDs, and countless rabbits and small varmits.  I sight it in at 35 yards and it will group 1/2in at that range with standard long rifle ammo. It really needs a little TLC and will get that this spring.  39As rule!
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