Finally got out today to the Los Altos Rod and Gun Club to give it a go.
I put twenty rounds of factory Remington 240gr's through it, and twenty rounds of Factory Hornady 265gr's.
On the 50yd range, I broke it in by one shot/clean, next shot/clean up to five rounds, and then clean after every couple for the next ten. and then clean after the last five of the Remingtons. To clean I used a bore snake, which worked real smooth...
Off a bag rest on the 50 yd. range, and with a little tweak of the elevation (it was loose out of the box) - I got some 1 1/2" groups right off the bat at about one inch high. Both ammos shot just about the same groups, sure not anything to write home about - but a good start. Kick wise, it got my attention, but didn't kill me. Of course I installed a pre-fit Decelerator pad (to save my shoulder and get a little better fit) with minor work - refill factory screw holes with bondo, and predrill new ones for the sissy pad. A guy who set up next to me at the same time I showed up had a High-Wall and a Marlin 336 in 45-70, and the pad was the first thing he commented on.
Summing up the recoil - Off the bags, and off hand, it isn't any worse than my '06 shooting 180gr's. And I didn't notice any difference between the Hornady and Remington ammo recoil wise.
I will need to work on the 100 yd. range, I need to get more comfortable with the open sights to find the pie plates consistently, and give it some shots to settle it down. I will take it to the smith (Imbert and Smithers) monday to work on the factory trigger a bit... But since that's my intended max range for this rifle, I'm not too worried.
All in all, a sweet handling little rifle with lots of pop. Big hunks of mud were flying off the backstop in all directions, and plenty of people came by to check it out when it was in the rack resting, and when I was firing it. It fits very nice, has a smooth action, and is just begging to be drug through some brush, slid down some hillsides, and tossed into the back of the truck.
I think it's a shame Winchester discontinued them, but there's still a few more out there to get if you want one too.
Next - I need to start reloading!
Rancho....I love my Timber Carbine. I used it in Maine last year and really loved its size and carry. It is reasonably accurate with the Ashley peep and firesight front. I've got a Leupold Vari-XIII 1.5 to 5x scope on its way that doesn't really have a home yet. I may see how it looks on the Timber Carbine. I'd love to find an aftermarket oversize lever loop for it as I wear gloves in the woods. Most everything is Marlin out there, however. The ease of carry make this gun attractive to me...moreso than the Marlin which is a heavy little bugger.
Is that Decelerator just a Winchester 94 pad? Did you have to do any trimming?
DLuke...
i can see you now... looking like Jon Wayne in the woods with the big ole loop lever. i think they must make them for the 94'. after all john wayne did use them on his model 94's in the movies.
you might want to try some western shooting sites.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>Yep...No trimming required, but it is shy about a thin thin 32nd in a couple of spots on the sides. No biggie...Length wise it's perfect.Is that Decelerator just a Winchester 94 pad? Did you have to do any trimming?[/b]
I have my Natchez catalog out and I'm checking out the XS sights, and Williams firesights. I might just start by getting a shorter front sight to see if that dials in the comfort level to ABSOLUTELY perfect....
Quilly...it's not the big loop of John Wayne fame, its just a little bigger than standard. Just big enough for a heavy glove. Or I could get the big cowboy loop and master that one handed spin move for shooting in the thick stuff! DL
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