Chiapp Alaskan - my journey to finding an optic

S

Scrumbag

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi folks,

I have been enjoying my foray into lever gun shooting.

I chose a .44 mag Chiappa Alaskan with a 20" bbl as the take down appealled, it's a clone of a JMB design, it could be shot on "Gallery" (Read pistol ranges) here in the UK and I liked the idea of shooting more iron sights. (A scout Picatinny / Weaver rail should have meant an optic could be mounted / dismounted quickly to used the irons for fun/

So, I duly purchased said rifle and and went hunting for an optic.

1st optic I tried was a Leupold VXR 1.5-5x33 Scout scope with a red dot. Looked good, appealed with illuminate reticle and mag range.

2 problems - really big so had to remove the rear peep on the scout rail and also eye relief was more "intermediate" @ ~6" so rather short to be practical

9JriqWO.jpg


- Large

KpKSNJA.jpg


Had to remove rear peep (Red circle) - Also note the goofy ring spacing.

So, this really was not working.

Optic 2

I started talking to Anglia 2 on this forum. He had previously helped me secure a good deal on a Burris Fastfire III for my Benelli Supernova Slug Gun. He suggested that this might work on the .44 mag

o17UBDu.jpg


So I tried it, and certainly not bad, fun shooting up close but not the greatest if you upped the range a little.

But, after talking to Anglia2, he mentioned he had a couple of the Leupold 2.5x28 scout scope on a 45-70 he had and liked it. I filed that little nugget away... anyway, last week I was perusing one of the main causes of my lack of savings and saw such a 2.5x Leupold scope NIB at the local auctions. I left a commission bid and happily found out I won it.

So, collected the scope and have mounted on the rifle in a pair of cheapy UTG "low" Quick Detach rings I had in the "parts bin"

YKH9K4t.jpg


VGAxiFw.jpg


IQxF5wl.jpg


Happy that I can keep the rear peep

Looks less top heavy and in mounting to lightswitch certainly comes up better.

Eye box is certainly more forgiving and easier to get a sight picture on tree at bottom of garden.

Now just have to shoot it (And maybe buy a nice leather butt cuff / cheek riser for it) but so far signs are good.

So, big thanks to Anglia2! (You enabling barstage! ;) )

Scrummy
 
Last edited:
No worries Slim . The rifle looks good............ now you need a rifle to put underneath the Leupy 1.5X5 , a nice Marlin 1895 in 45/70 should do nicely . We'll talk .
 
Thanks for all your help buddy!

anglia2 said:
No worries Slim . The rifle looks good............ now you need a rifle to put underneath the Leupy 1.5X5 , a nice Marlin 1895 in 45/70 should do nicely . We'll talk .
Click to expand...

"Unfortunately" I sold the 1.5-5 Leupy to someone to put on a Marlin chambered in 450 Marlin (Guessing might be the only one in the UK)

Anyway, he fitted an excess sight rail to the Marlin, the 1.5-5 Leupy and besides using it for large Devon and Cornwall red deer, it's been to Greenland as a Polar bear defense rifle!

Scrummy
 
Dug out a cheek riser from the garage today. Not sure I'll stick with it as is, might need a smaller insert but will see how it goes.

Eqs2u4V.jpg


Scrummy
 
Folks,

Anyone put a saddle ring into a Chiappa / Taylors Alskan? Still wondering about a sling.

Also, anyone know if there is enough metal in the forend to attach a sling swivel?

Scrummy
 
Scrumbag said:
But, after talking to Anglia2, he mentioned he had a couple of the Leupold 2.5x28 scout scope on a 45-70 he had and liked it.
Click to expand...

I have that same scope on a 450 marlin takedown BLR. I really like that optic in that sort of setup. Hopefully you have got plenty of range time since then, how has it been shooting for you?
 
Yes, coming together nicely thanks. Will try and find some pictures of range results. Getting ok results with 200gr XTP and H110. Also got some 210gr JHC to try. I quite like how instinctive the scope is with the cheek riser.

BLR in 450 sounds like great bear and moose medicine.

Scrummy
 
I *think* all the models of Alaskan have the same barrel holes but I don't know about other models I'm afraid.

Scrummy
 
Scrumbag said:
Yes, coming together nicely thanks. Will try and find some pictures of range results. Getting ok results with 200gr XTP and H110. Also got some 210gr JHC to try. I quite like how instinctive the scope is with the cheek riser.

BLR in 450 sounds like great bear and moose medicine.

Scrummy
Click to expand...

Definitely post up some results if you find them, I'm interested as I'm sure others would be as well. I have H110 on my short list of powders to try soonish though currently I mostly feed my 44 mag with 2400 and trailboss.

The 450 BLR is great everything medicine. Especially as an anti-depressant :p I love shooting that gun with the whole range of handloads I have so far and it always brings a smile. I took it deer hunting this year but my tag got filled with a 12 ga slug due to regulations when I found the shot I liked but that is just the way it goes.

BullOnParade said:
Is that rail available for the mares leg? I've been contemplating various ways to mount an optic on my mares leg and well, that's purpose built for the same rifle.
Click to expand...

I have an octagonal barrel Chiappa mares leg and it isn't setup for that rail. If I was going to do it I'd consider a dovetail slot scope mount depending on my application. http://www.skinnersights.com/scope_mounts_31.html (about half way down the page).
 
Hi Rynnik,

I shall see what I can dig out.

I think H110 and 2400 should do similar things from my reading.

Those BLR's look great bits of kit. Slug hunting is cool, just wish it was a bit easier legally in the UK.

Scrummy
 
Hi Rynnik,

Bit of a range session today and finally worked out what it takes to get the .44 mag to group well: the forend likes to be held rather than just put on a rest! Can't believe it took me this long to try that.

The below is with 240gr PPU and a Leatherman Squirt for scale and I make group between* 0.62-1.01" @ 50 yds.

MAUnKUU.jpg



*3 shot group, think it's the top 3 that are the last and the slightly separate shot is a patch falling off but even if the group is across the 4 holes still plenty good enough for club comps and hunting purposes. I also think that now I understand the issues with rests I could do better with some more butt support given the very limited lateral spread indicating the rifle tracks straight.

Scrummy
 
If these lever guns have holes tapped for mounting tang sights as the old original lever guns do have, you can build a simple tang mount for any of them that will securely mount a red dot with only a 8" chunk of aluminum angle, a hack saw and a power drill, takes about 2 hrs. to build.

If someone wants to download a photo or two of the one I just built last night for an original 1886 (circa 1889) PM me a textable #.
 
Just if your interested folks,

Fitted a shotgun barrel clamp sling swivel stud to the Alaskan this morning on the magazine tube hanger:

YzXNs7u.jpg


And with clamp:

DqjYrsF.jpg


Now to get the stock drilled for rear sling swivel.

ATB,

Scrummy
 
Well folks,

Had a day on the range today and mostly shot .22lr and .223 Rem but took the .44 out just for a bit of fun and to see if I can get the iron sights shooting right. (Running out of elevation adjustment so been playing around with front / rear sight heights - more to do on that).

Anyway, was chatting to an older gent (70s if he's a day and turns out he's not used a lever action before).

Anyway, we popped onto one of the quieter ranges for some shooting and the below happened.

I put one down (highest shot) just to see if the scope wasn't totally out of whack.

This chap David then puts a couple down but has taken his glasses off to shoot and says I can't see very well and not a great group. I explain I have no correction in the scope and usually shoot it fine with my glasses on.

He puts his glasses back on and shoots the 3 shots just below the bullseye at 50 yds just resting off his elbows...



Think I've just been outshot by someone virtually old enough to be my grandfather with my own rifle...

Scrummy
 
Hi folks. Anyone put a marbles sight on a Chiappa 1892? If so, which one did you use and what screws?

Thanks,

Scrummy
 
Hi folks, well, decided to put an XS rear peep sight on my 1892:

Well, XS Rear sight has been added. I shall try and get to the range and shoot it a bit with the irons and also with the scout scope back on.

HCWoRDFl.jpg


AtnVNtPl.jpg


A8X7otpl.jpg


Peep sight is now nicely back at the rear where it should be.

Scrummy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom