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Author Topic: She ain't my Marlin 55GDL  (Read 761 times)

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Offline Maritime Storm

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She ain't my Marlin 55GDL
« on: October 05, 2008, 04:31:07 AM »
I determined yesterday my learning curve isn't any faster than it used to be. For 15 years years I've hunted grouse with a Marlin 55GDL, barrel shortened to 25.5". At 9 pounds she's heavy to carry for long distances, since most of the grouse I have shot in the past 5 years or so have been on the ground around 10 yrds from me I decided to buy a Sporster in 22Lr. Shooting the Marlin at anything under 15yrds with even 1Oz loads create a lot of meat damage. This weekend for me is a 4 days weekend, 3 of which I plan to hunt, weather is not permitting, 15 Celcius, cloudy, high winds. In 2 days I've seen 4 birds, got a shot at one, 10 yrds, been a smartass and 15 years of shotguning I did what I always do, throw the gun to my should, when the bead cross the head, fire. I forgot, this time I had a rifle, and that one needs to aim a rifle, I shot right over top of the birds head  ::). Needless to say the bird didn't wait to me to reload. Oh well still got Monday.
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Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: She ain't my Marlin 55GDL
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2008, 07:27:54 AM »
The 22 will work good for you but you may want to consider the 410 or even the 28ga Nef that will keep you in the swing of things so to speak. Also they are very light wieght.I sure wish we had grouse here I know I had a blast shootin them with my longbow while hunting elk in Montana those were not real smart birds but they sure are tasty. Kurt
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Offline petemi

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Re: She ain't my Marlin 55GDL
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2008, 11:39:29 AM »
Kurt said it.  I had an old 12 ga. 28" topper and found a .22" .410 Pardner, threw it on and it works fine for grouse.  Light, short, fast swinging and with 2 1/2 inch 7 1/2 shot its a hoot to shoot and gets the birds.  Just now, I'm trying to hunt them with a .22 LR because my eye can't take any recoil just yet.....and that aint a lot of fun in heavy early fall cover. :'( :'(
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Offline Maritime Storm

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Re: She ain't my Marlin 55GDL
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2008, 01:29:35 PM »
Had to miss 2 others before figuring what I was doing wrong, not getting my cheek far enough down on stock. Not use to hunting with sights I guess. Ended up with one once i figured it out. One difference between the 12Ga and 22LR, considerably less meat damage, even with holow points.
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Offline Maritime Storm

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Re: She ain't my Marlin 55GDL
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2008, 10:44:18 AM »
Here's question for you guys, for those that switched from shooting a shotgun to rimfire, how did learn to shoot with one eye closed?
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Offline petemi

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Re: She ain't my Marlin 55GDL
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2008, 01:07:11 PM »
Quote from: Maritime Storm on October 23, 2008, 10:44:18 AM
Here's question for you guys, for those that switched from shooting a shotgun to rimfire, how did learn to shoot with one eye closed?


I didn't.  I always shot everything, shotguns, open sights, scopes, peep sights with both eyes open.  Now, I'm continuing to have real problems with my right (shootin) eye.  before, I could look through a scope with both eyes open and the two fields of view would meld to one image.  Now, my better left eye takes over and I can't see squat through the scope with the right eye.  Sooooo, I'm teaching myself to shoot left handed, and I think both eyes open will work because the stronger left eye will dominate.  I'll let you know.  I always shot with both eyes because your field of view was much better.  Most times you can see your bullet strike, and if you were in combat, you just may spot a sniper, out of the field of view of the scope, trying to take you out.

My signature line says it.
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Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline Maritime Storm

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Re: She ain't my Marlin 55GDL
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2008, 02:01:04 AM »
I was out last Thursday, and missed 2 ruffed grouse at about 20yrds, after I came into a hollow with some cattails at about the same distance, aimed and fired taking both off with a single shot. I know that my issue with missing birds isn't the a problem with gun, it is definetely something I'm doing wrong. I thought earlier it was not getting line sights properly, but the last bird I missed on I realize I was pointing the rifle instead of using the sights and had both eyes open. Shooting with both eyes open took me years to learn, know I've got to unlearn it.
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Offline Maritime Storm

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Re: She ain't my Marlin 55GDL
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2008, 06:06:36 AM »
Well I ended up spending an afternoon at the range, next 2 shots on grouse hit home. That's makes 5 for the season with the Sportster. It took a while but I've finally managed to place a shot in the field where I want it to go. Took the 5th this morning at 20yrds, one shot through the back at the base of the neck, dropped dead on the spot. Flushed another but didn't shoot at it. Not bad for 25 minutes in the woods I figure.
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