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Author Topic: smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle  (Read 1895 times)

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Offline School Belle

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« on: March 27, 2005, 05:42:29 PM »
What would be the equivalent of a CZ 452 for starting out in smallbore cowboy silhouette competition?
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A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind.

Offline Steelbanger

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2005, 10:46:03 PM »
If you're asking about NRA smallbore cowboy silhouette, bolt actions aren't allowed. Smallbore silhouette rifles must have tube feed and be either lever, pump or semi-auto, but no bolt actions. And in the event you didn't realize it, no optical sights either-only open sights. Most shooters use receiver sights.
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Offline Sixgun

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2005, 04:33:06 AM »
In my opinion, the Marlin 39A is as good as it gets for Smallbore Cowboy Rifle.  Other good choices are the Winchester 9422 and the Henry Golden Boy.  Both of the later use lots of plastic and the 9422 has been discontinued, I hear.  

I looked at the Browning and it uses lots of plastic and it didn't look like it would be too easy to mount the receiver sight on it and that is what you will need.

The Marlin is built really good and is easy to take down for cleaning.  It is accurate and does not have any plastic.  That is what I have used for several years now.  I got my Grand Slam (#10) with it two years ago and have won lots of matches with this gun.  Top score - 2, 40/40s.

Sixgun
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Offline 9inarow

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2005, 12:31:06 PM »
If you are considering a 39A, try to find an older one.  I bought a new one last year for cowboy shooting, and it is "the gun that lawyer's built".  Out of the box, the 8 lbs trigger pull w/.13" creep combined with the 30% mis-fires due to the "safety" rebounding hammer, the 20% extractor failures, and running out of sight travel for turkeys & rams made for a few interesting matches.   :(  If you are willing to void your warranty by making a few changes to the basic mechanic's and add on a Marble tang sight, the rifle is very repeatable.  Legal disclaimer:  "kids, do not try this at home, use a professional for service". :)
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Offline Jason

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« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2005, 04:39:00 AM »
I'd have to agree that the Marlin 39a is the best out there, and that it would most likely be better to get one of the older ones. I have one of the newer ones (made around 2002 or so) and from what I've seen it isn't quite as accurate as the older models. I also had to drill and tap it for a receiver sight, as I don't really like the Marbles tang sights and they cover the serial number on the newer guns. Since I live close to the Canada border and thought I might eventually take it up there to shoot, I didn't want the serial number covered in case it needed to be checked against a permit or something. I do like the checkering on the newer stocks, though, as it helps my trigger hand to grip the gun securely and pull it gently back into my shoulder without having to squeeze it hard. If you could find a gun without the rebounding hammer and crossbolt safetly but was drilled and tapped for the receiver sight (should you want to use one) and had a checkered stock, you'd have the best design out there for a smallbore cowboy silhouette gun. Of course, then you have to start down the road of figuring out what ammo it likes. :)
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Offline Medbill

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2005, 03:47:33 PM »
I love my Marlin 1897 Cowboy, was hitting rams with the factory sights with no problem using Wolf Target.

I gotta get a move on mounting up my Marbles tang and Lyman front!

I'd go with a 1897 Cowboy or a older 39a.

Billy
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Offline durant7

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2005, 04:27:17 PM »
Like School Belle, I'm interested in undestanding all the options.  I think the "CZ" reference was meant to say "what is the least expensive entry level gun for Cowboy?"  

First, I'm a beginner.  I started with my Dad's Win M74.  Legal, available and paid for.  Tube fed, semi-auto.  There are (I assume) many choices that fit the tubular fed, non bolt action rule?  Anything less than a $300+ used 39A (non 39AS) or a 9422?  Isn't there a tube fed lever action ruger 10/22?

Like a good lemming I picked up a 39A but would think there are other options?  I guess the good news for Cowboy Silhouette is, unlike SB, you don't, no can't, go buy a $1,200 Anschutz and $400 Leupold.  Perhaps that is the very reason folks settle on 39A/9422s.  There simply are not $150 alternatives in the same way a CZ is a $300 alternative to a $800+ gun.

Just stimulating some discussion so I can learn for the experts lurking here ;)

d7
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Offline tirador

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2005, 05:24:27 PM »
My good friend Jim Harris (GUN ZORRO) was very competitive using a Marlin Mod 60 semi-auto with tubular magazine and a Williams receiver sight.  He bought the rifle at Wally-Mart for less than $100.00 and the William sight for around $50.00.
There you have the equivalent of the CZ for Smallbore Cowboy competition for around $150.00
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Offline 6string

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2005, 02:53:08 PM »
What about the Henry? I do very well with my standard Henry H001. The first time I shot it I scored a 24. It has the best action and trigger of any lever gun  I have ever shot, and it was under $200 at Wallmart. I know some don't like the plastic sight but it works. Henry has a replacment sight and barrel band made out of metal for $20. Alot of guys at my matches use Henrys. Some guys have rear peep sights and some have the front of the barrel dovetailed to fit aftermarket front sights.
Ther you go, a real cowboy lever gun for under $200
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Offline Jason

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« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2005, 05:47:45 PM »
Well, I don't want to badmouth your gun, but the Henry lever guns that I've shot were nowhere close to the Marlin, Winchester, and Browning guns in quality, or accuracy for that matter. Smallbore cowboy is one event that you can get the best gun for the job for fairly cheap. That's why I spent a little extra and got the Marlin.
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Offline stvanme

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2005, 12:51:38 PM »
When you say an old Marlin 39A, how old are you talking. I'm new to this.
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Offline School Belle

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2005, 02:27:04 PM »
Well, I went with a Marlin 39a. I had a gunsmith give me a 3-lb trigger pull and a Marbles tang sight. Some pards from Oklahoma City helped me with a taller front sight and how to find my zeroes. Yesterday after church, I drove to the Old Fort Gun Club, south of Ft. Smith and shot my first cowboy silhouette match. I only shot a 21, but the thrill of knocking over 7 rams at hundred meters (or yards, I'm not sure which) with just my bare eyes surpassed anything I have experienced thus far in the shooting sports.
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A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind.

Offline Steelbanger

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« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2005, 02:43:42 PM »
Congratulations, that was a great first score! Also, you made the right choice of rifles too. The 39A is probably the most used rifle in the cowboy smallbore silhouette game.

Now, set some goals for your next match and practice, practice, practice.
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Offline ajj

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2005, 03:22:10 AM »
Belle, the Old Fort rams are 100 meters.
Wait 'til you hit the 500 meter ram in Highpower and give us a report.
Good luck and good shooting.
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Offline jneihouse

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #14 on: April 26, 2005, 10:53:46 AM »
School Belle,

Glad you came out to the Old Fort Gun Club.  The hunter pistol/ cowboy silhouette is really growing at our club.  If you are interested it is possible to shoot a couple of extra rounds of practice at OFGC each month.  The smallbore silhouette group shoots on the 2nd and 4th saturday of each month, gates open at 8 am, sight in at 9 am and match at 10am and we have a club match that features the same animals you shot in the Cowboy silhouette match.  The only difference is that the turkeys are shot at 77 meters instead of 75.  And, of course, it's not a sanctioned event so you won't get a score in your book.  Can't beat it for practice though. Only cost's 5 bucks to shoot, and, as always, your money cheerfully refunded if you don't have a good time.  

John Neihouse
Asst Smallbore Silhouette Director
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Offline 9inarow

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #15 on: April 26, 2005, 02:43:09 PM »
OK, now that we all seem to have our Marlin 39A's working  :) , anybody have ammunition recommendations?  Specifically for the late models (2004 vintage).
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Offline School Belle

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smallbore cowboy silhouette rifle
« Reply #16 on: April 26, 2005, 06:00:33 PM »
I shot CCI standard velocity at Old Fort Gun Club. I used CCI CB Longs to zero my Marlin at home. I shoot from my bathroom, across the hall, through the laundry room, to the inside of the garage door. The Longs make even less noise than shooting my pcp air rifle the same 10 meter distance.
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A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind.
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