Newbie looking for rifle advice

Centerfires, rimfires, pistol cartridges and everything in between.
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wildbillcody
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Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by wildbillcody »

Looking at trying the smallbore lever class. I have been shooting a 10/22, but I want to try the lever, and a great excuse to buy another rifle.

SO if I was to buy a new rifle, I really like the Golden Boy or the Octagon Frontier model from Henry, or an old used Marlin M39a.

Which one is typically more accurate? They both run around $400-$500, but the Marlin has some collectablility that I would have to pay for. Also you hardly ever see a used Henry on the market, is it is because they are that good, I have only held two and shot one, it was a slick little rifle.

TIA WBC
glen ring
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by glen ring »

One of the best shots I've ever seen used an old pump .22 for a national Championship. I have shot with a guy in Arkansas that shoots an old remington semi-auto and does VERY well. Find a good , legal, .22 you like and find what it likes to shoot. Put on some good sights, slick up the trigger and you'll be on the level with anyone.
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wildbillcody
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by wildbillcody »

Thanks, I am kinda partial to the lever guns. I know a guy at the last match was using a old Remington pump, he was really slaying them.
glen ring
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by glen ring »

I'm partial to marlin lever guns, but I'm always looking for that old pump gun with good sights to play with. Jeanne had a Remington 572 that we spent money on trying to get it going and it was a waste of time. I've never encountered a Marlin 39 that wouldn't shoot pretty good. The targets are large. Lon Pennington used an old , beat up pump gun that I think his grandfather gave him....and he spanked a lot of good shooters with it. He told me once that the gun was made in 1906...and I asked him if he'd bought it new. He has a great sense of humor.
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by cedestech »

Henry Frontier hands down biggest bang for the buck. You give up a little barrel weight that you'd get with a 39a but the action is butter smooth and the one I bought for my son is BY FAR the most accurate lever gun I have played with. 1/2"ish at 40, 2"ish at 100 yards.... They are easy to sight, easy to get a good trigger.

39A are very hit and miss. I have had a few that shoot acceptable for this game but it's a crap shoot whether you get a good one or not.
Emmett Dibble, Houston, Texas. Where's my buddy Jason? Keeper of electronic records and banisher of little pieces of paper?
glen ring
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by glen ring »

WILD BILL

The results from the last several years at the Nationals show Marlin 39a the hands down favorite at Cowboy Silhouette...especially among those that win. Get any good , legal .22 you like, but take it from the winners, Marlin 39as rock. Come to Oklahoma City and shoot with us if you are ever in the area.
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wildbillcody
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by wildbillcody »

Thanks I might, I looked at a Henry the other day, and I was surprised how nice the action was and the trigger. I would rather buy a gun that shoots better than I can, then buy a cheaper one that I can upgrade later.
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Merlin
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by Merlin »

I am strictly speaking for myself here but when standing up swaying on the wind looking at your iron sights it's hard to find a gun that doesn't shoot better than I can...... :oops:

Love my ancient 39A.... :-bd
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"Merlin..Your'e a rimfire whore." God

NRA Lever Action Silhouette - You get more clang for your bang with lever action silhouette.....
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Westy
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by Westy »

What about the BL-22 with the 24" barrel guys :?: :?: :?:
I have one and it shoots like stink IMHO :ymhug: :ymparty: :twisted:
wildbillcody
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by wildbillcody »

Well, I found a 39a made in 1950, the stock and handgaurd have been replaced by someone with some beautiful wood, too bad they carved a Cougar in the side of the stock.

I will probably replace the stock one day, and I want to get a Marble tang sight.
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wildbillcody
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by wildbillcody »

Lf side
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Merlin
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by Merlin »

Oh Yea..... :-bd
"Only God can judge me." Merlin

"Merlin..Your'e a rimfire whore." God

NRA Lever Action Silhouette - You get more clang for your bang with lever action silhouette.....
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cedestech
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by cedestech »

I'd shoot it just like that... then if your hooked ad sights and fix pull and check weld if needed.
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edgehit
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by edgehit »

what manufacturer is the sight? It looks like a Lyman 56 or a Redfield. Either way you scored because you got a Ballard rifled barrel and a good receiver sight. Lyman 56 with target knobs sell for upwards $250
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Re: Newbie looking for rifle advice

Post by dhatch »

So, what years was it that has Ballard barrels?
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