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Author Topic: sudden loss of accuracy with a 881  (Read 700 times)

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Offline Lone spur

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sudden loss of accuracy with a 881
« on: May 17, 2005, 07:38:18 PM »
I have an old 881 that has served as my do everything gun (the first gun I ever bought). While it's definitely no match grade, it has always shot tight little groups. I have a Bushnell 3.5-10x40 scope on it, sighted in using stingers. I've also shot a lot of thunderbolts and wildcats and the sights have stayed consistent. The trouble is I took it out to the range a week ago and all of a sudden I could barely keep it on the paper at 50 yards. In asking around, I've been told the trouble stems from fouling due to shooting Aquilia calibres, but I cleaned it before this last trip to the range. I've also been told it's because I cleaned it. At this point I've heard everything from, "just dirty up the bore" to I've shot out the barrel and it's time to replace it. I would really welcome any advice. Now that I've become a better shooter I need a capable gun, particularly sense woodchucks are invading the backyard.
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Offline Fullchoke

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sudden loss of accuracy with a 881
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2005, 10:00:05 AM »
Let me preface this by saying,"I've never shot, owned, or handled a Marlin 881".

First thing I'd check would be scope and mounts. Sounds more like a loose mount to me. You may want to remove the scope and start all over again.

If you got the barrel really clean (with a rod and brush), it will shoot differently than when slightly fouled. Is  the rifle shooting to the same point of impact each shot? In other words, are you getting a group; albeit not where you aimed? If so, your scope/mount system is the culprit.

I would think the LAST thing you need to worry about is the barrel being shot out.
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Offline PA-Joe

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sudden loss of accuracy with a 881
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2005, 10:32:19 AM »
Each time I change brands of ammo it take 30-50 rounds for my Marlins to stabilize. If you just cleaned it, give it 50 rounds then test it.
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Offline Lone spur

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sudden loss of accuracy with a 881
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2005, 02:43:59 PM »
The problem has been that the grouping has really opened up. I used a bore snake to clean with so I shouldn't have scratched up the rifling too bad. At any rate, the scope's been remounted and I'm hoping to get out to the range tonight. We'll see what happens.
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Offline Jason

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sudden loss of accuracy with a 881
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2005, 09:31:58 PM »
First thing I thought of when reading your initial post was a problem with the scope or mounts, too. If you get back out there after remounting the scope and it's not any better, try another scope. Hope you figure it out and get the old favorite back to its previous shooting glory.
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Offline Lone spur

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sudden loss of accuracy with a 881
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2005, 01:29:58 PM »
Well the trip to the range was a sucess. The grouping tightened up consistantly over about fifty rounds. Everything's not quite perfect yet,but at least it's woodchuck capable again, and improving. Thanks for the advice.
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Offline Fullchoke

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sudden loss of accuracy with a 881
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2005, 04:10:11 PM »
Glad you got it going your way. Nothing is more frustrating than having a "known good shooter" suddenly go south. I've had it happen :)
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