In this thread, we discuss the Chiappa Alaskan Scout rifles.

[Can-down]

They must have not brought in to many .357 with the 16" barrel, likely testing the waters as they also neglected to bring in .44mag's with a 16 inch barrel.

The 16 inch model makes good sense in a takedown package.


Chuck, you should contact Skinner or check their website, there is no way that a half turn would be a 6moa adjustment!
It's possible that your sight picture and or group size may have contributed. Try with a bigger target or use a 6 o'clock hold with the sights shooting 3 inches high.

I would much rather see an XS rear peep sight and rail combination mounted on the barrel then the Skinner. With all the so called custom features that whanstalls has ordered a few holes drilled and tapped in the barrel instead of or along with the dovetail cut would be....... cheap and easy.

 

[Chuck3436]

They must have not brought in to many .357 with the 16" barrel, likely testing the waters as they also neglected to bring in .44mag's with a 16 inch barrel.

The 16 inch model makes good sense in a takedown package.


Chuck, you should contact Skinner or check their website, there is no way that a half turn would be a 6moa adjustment!
It's possible that your sight picture and or group size may have contributed. Try with a bigger target or use a 6 o'clock hold with the sights shooting 3 inches high.

I would much rather see an XS rear peep sight and rail combination mounted on the barrel then the Skinner. With all the so called custom features that whanstalls has ordered a few holes drilled and tapped in the barrel instead of or along with the dovetail cut would be....... cheap and easy.

A half turn on a short sight radius might be making it what it is, I mean the sights are literally 8" apart on the gun and a half turn moves the rear quite a bit. That coupled with the sight picture being basically what a ghost ring on a shotgun looks like probably ends up with my issue. 100 yards are "Centre over paper" shots, I was surprised to group at all really.

A good comparison would be what people are zeroing and hitting with on their mares legs? Since this is basically a mares leg with a stock anyways. Weren't most people having big issues with elevation on mares legs due to the the short sight radius as well? I remember reading how some of the mares legs sights actually couldn't even be adjusted enough elevation wise to get on target...was that on the Rossi ones?

 

[emerson]

A half turn on a short sight radius might be making it what it is, I mean the sights are literally 8" apart on the gun and a half turn moves the rear quite a bit. That coupled with the sight picture being basically what a ghost ring on a shotgun looks like probably ends up with my issue. 100 yards are "Centre over paper" shots, I was surprised to group at all really.

A good comparison would be what people are zeroing and hitting with on their mares legs? Since this is basically a mares leg with a stock anyways. Weren't most people having big issues with elevation on mares legs due to the the short sight radius as well? I remember reading how some of the mares legs sights actually couldn't even be adjusted enough elevation wise to get on target...was that on the Rossi ones?

Yes. I removed the rear ramp and filed the notch deeper on my Mares leg. Now with the bead at the bottom of the notch it shoots point of aim at 25yds. I didn't spend the money on a proper full length stock and decent sights. Just screwed on a several inch shaped stock extension. It's for bears when I'm bow hunting, so past 25yds doesn't matter to me. It gets wet and dragged through thick bush. A work gun.

 

[Can-down]

A half turn on a short sight radius might be making it what it is, I mean the sights are literally 8" apart on the gun and a half turn moves the rear quite a bit. That coupled with the sight picture being basically what a ghost ring on a shotgun looks like probably ends up with my issue. 100 yards are "Centre over paper" shots, I was surprised to group at all really.

A good comparison would be what people are zeroing and hitting with on their mares legs? Since this is basically a mares leg with a stock anyways. Weren't most people having big issues with elevation on mares legs due to the the short sight radius as well? I remember reading how some of the mares legs sights actually couldn't even be adjusted enough elevation wise to get on target...was that on the Rossi ones?

That issue was basically due to Rossi putting the wrong height front sight on their guns. They may have eventually fixed that issue as I've heard some say the sights were on from the factory but most needed a .5 inch high front sight.

If the short radius is causing issues with adjusting the skinner sight then it's the wrong sight for that application. You could use a different front sight height to get it dialed in once you settle on a favorite load.

I took a look on Skinner's FAQ and it looks like with a typical length rifle a half turn is 2 inches so I think you may be correct about 3 inches on your short barrel.

 

[buzzmagoo]

Here's one of mine 38/357 16 inch barrel

 

[veebooster]

Can shoot .38 special out of these?

 

[buzzmagoo]

Yup ! My first shots were with 38 wadcutters( had to load them one by one they would get hung up ) shot so soft that I thought they were Squibbs ! My sights were spot on for me .

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

The TD 16 inch 357 is out of stock.

Pretty sure my buddy got the last one. I'm just going o have to keep hounding him until he eventually caves and sells it to me!

 

[Uisge]

Nothing pointless about a 12” barreled 45-70

View attachment 161354

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

Nothing pointless about a 12” barreled 45-70

Abysmal sight radius, reduced ammo capacity (2 rounds?) but most importantly two unequal lengths when taken down. I respect your opinion but I’ll take the 16 inch barrel in a takedown anyday.
I’m just grateful that Wanstalls decided to listen to their customers and bring a few of the longer barreled ones in.

 

[Uisge]

I seem to be able to hit with it, But I didn’t buy it for accuracy, I bought it as a packable rifle for the mountains. 4 bear loads is plenty enough for its purpose. And the short assembled length is what drew me to it, the takedown nice and all but I wanted a short barreled 45-70. Assembled it straps onto the pack without sticking out, taken down it fits inside discreetly. That being said the 18.5” version of the ridge runner is pretty awesome and I can appreciate the appeal.

 

[Steppenwolf]

I have always been a fan of a canvas and leather tool roll like the one used by "Rick O'Connell" in The Mummy

 

[RRH.01]

A half turn on a short sight radius might be making it what it is, I mean the sights are literally 8" apart on the gun and a half turn moves the rear quite a bit. That coupled with the sight picture being basically what a ghost ring on a shotgun looks like probably ends up with my issue. 100 yards are "Centre over paper" shots, I was surprised to group at all really.

Now I know this thing is made for close range, as the front hi viz front sight insert itself practically covers the entire 17x12 paper at 100 yards but centering on the whole paper gave me roughly 5-7inch groups benched which I think isn`t bad...

Again, the sight isn`t setup for long range accuracy and I`m aware, but am I just expecting too much? I have an 1894c that I can easily put inside 3-4inches at 100yards but thats with a 2.5x
I would expect a 357 carbine to be able to hit 100yards without issue.

Perhaps this close range ghost ring is just being finnicky and throwing me off and I`m expecting them to do more than they are made to do? Tell me I`m a bad shot, I can take it.

Peep sights even mounted out a ways, even on these short barrel guns can be very accurate even at 100 meters. You shouldn't be practically covering anything, Is this what you sight picture looks like? As for the rossis, mine was 12" or so high at 100 until made a rear peep for it much like those skinners

 

[kagia]

Abysmal sight radius, reduced ammo capacity (2 rounds?) but most importantly two unequal lengths when taken down. I respect your opinion but I’ll take the 16 inch barrel in a takedown anyday.
I’m just grateful that Wanstalls decided to listen to their customers and bring a few of the longer barreled ones in.

Damn I never thought of the unequal length halves...

With the 16" are the halves exactly equal, or just closer?

 

[jiffx2781]

I've been interested in one of these for a while now. Specifically in .44mag.

I'm not sure what barrel length to go with so honest questions here;

Since pistol calibers are specifically designed to be fired from short barrels, would there be any real world benefit to getting the 16" instead of the 12"?

I am leaning towards the 12" so I can keep it as short and handy as possible but wonder if there would be a greater benefit to the 16" besides a longer sight radius? I would likely put a red dot on it anyways so sight radius is a moot point.

Thanks in advance

 

[The ROC]

Nothing pointless about a 12” barreled 45-70

View attachment 161354

Love to have that as my other compact cabin rifle along side my Henry 12" barrel Big Boy in 44mag. Till then I'm waiting for the new 16" barrel Marlin 45-70 Trapper.

If you ever decide to sell it PM me first.

 

[The ROC]

I've been interested in one of these for a while now. Specifically in .44mag.

I'm not sure what barrel length to go with so honest questions here;

Since pistol calibers are specifically designed to be fired from short barrels, would there be any real world benefit to getting the 16" instead of the 12"?

I am leaning towards the 12" so I can keep it as short and handy as possible but wonder if there would be a greater benefit to the 16" besides a longer sight radius? I would likely put a red dot on it anyways so sight radius is a moot point.

Thanks in advance

If I could holster and carry a pistol up at my cabin in Ontario I would but till that day comes I need a cabin/bush rifle a can tote around and not be intrusive/cumbersome. Went with a 44 mag Henry Mare's Leg at first but accuracy improved with handloads to 1/2" groups at 50 yards when I installed a full length stock. Now I replaced the large loop with a standard loop and can work the action much faster. Total length of 31". Now I'd like to have one in the same length in 45-70 but if not maybe replace my Henry 45-70 with a new Marlin 16" barrel Trapper if they've prove to have improved their quality.

 

[anglia2]

Nothing pointless about a 12” barreled 45-70

View attachment 161354

Nice . I thought my Guide Gun was short ! What loads are you using in it , and how's the controllability / recoil ?

 

[cheapsk8]

I've been interested in one of these for a while now. Specifically in .44mag.

I'm not sure what barrel length to go with so honest questions here;

Since pistol calibers are specifically designed to be fired from short barrels, would there be any real world benefit to getting the 16" instead of the 12"?

I am leaning towards the 12" so I can keep it as short and handy as possible but wonder if there would be a greater benefit to the 16" besides a longer sight radius? I would likely put a red dot on it anyways so sight radius is a moot point.

Thanks in advance

Yes. Longer sight radius for both accuracy and finer adjustments(not 6" per half turn like the one fellow mentioned with his 12"). Better velocity and noticeably easier on the ears. Plus better balance and smoother swing on a fast moving target. If I really had a hankering for a 12", I wouldn't bother with a break down model and the disadvantages associated with one. JMO from experience.

 

[kagia]

Got my 12" .44 today. Took it to the range and it was shooting nice till the set screw for the rear peep sight backed out and the damn thing started sliding all over the place in the dovetail slot. Make sure that set screw is tight, and maybe apply some blue thread-locker before you head out!