Brief Range Report -- Marlin 25MN WMR (no target pics)

[CH_Tiger_14]

Hi all

A few months back I bought a used Marlin 25MN and an Ithica M37 12 ga. shotty. The WMR had a 4X Bushnell Banner scope and I paid $175 for the package (I've been told that the scope is about 15 years old and sold for about $159 back then). I paid $125 for the Ithica. I figure I got a good deal on both guns.

This weekend was my 1st chance to get out to the range with both the WMR and the Ithica. The rimfire targets were set at 25 yards. It was my 1st ever attempt at skeet.

Using old Win Super-X ammo, after a 1/2 dozen WMR rounds I was able to put together several 3-shot groups at under 1/4". The groups were all hitting approximately 1/4" left and 1/4" low of the bullseye. A buddy of mine who does a lot more shooting than I do was with me and he was able to put together a 3-shot group were all 3 rounds fit within the same hole. The hole was also 1/4" left and 1/4" low of the bullseye. When we tried to move the groups closer to the bull, just 1 click right and 1 click up would move the groups well past the bull (3/4" to 1" high and right). I'm guessing this is because it is not a proper rimfire scope and each click is 1/4" @ 100 yards. Am I correct?

The only issue I had with the WMR was that it didn't extract very well at all. 75% of the cases stayed half-way in the chamber and had to be pried / pulled out by hand. The other 25% barely came out of the chamber but just fell down onto the rounds in the clip. They would not extract out and away from the gun. My buddy thinks the bolt / extractor was not able to grip the case properly because it is dirty and needs a good cleaning.

I'm not too ashamed to say the skeet shooting was a humbling experience. I was able to hit several clays, but much, much more practice is definitely required. It was definitely a lot of fun.

All-in-all, very pleased with the accuracy and I will have the extraction issues looked at this week.

Any comments?

 

[cz452shooter]

Congrats on the new guns.

Try giving the chamber a good cleaning. The chamber might be real dirty causing the bullets to hold up (in the chamber).

 

[CH_Tiger_14]

Congrats on the new guns.

Try giving the chamber a good cleaning. The chamber might be real dirty causing the bullets to hold up (in the chamber).

Excellent point. Although I don't know all the history on the gun, it has seen little use but has sat in an old-timers closet for the last decade or so.

Hopefully it is nothing too serious. I really like the gun. It should prove lethal on back-yard groundhogs next spring.

 

[Brutus]

CH Tiger, try carb cleaner OR brake cleaner from Canadian Tire, each in the aerosol can. This will work very well on carbon build up.

Then use your rifle cleaning rod with brushes/patches and Hoppes #9 solvent (or Sweets 7.62 etc etc)

Do not use these in a small confined place, the fumes are not good for living things.Q Tips are great for those little hard to get at corners.

After you are done scrubbing the chamber/barrel, ensure you place a thin coat of protective oil on all gunmetal surfaces, if you do not do so the blued surfaces will look "bleached out" do to complete lack of oil, if you use carb/brake cleaner last.

 

[CH_Tiger_14]

Thanx Brutus

When I get back home on the weekend, I'll be able to have a better look at everything. The range trip was on Sunday evening and on Monday I was winging my way to NF for the week.

I'm sure it is nothing major. It's a nice gun. One of the things I really like about it is that it fits me better than most .22's which are usually too short and cramped for my long arms.