A Little Confused (Marlin 1894 .44mag)

[The_Armed_Therapist]

After doing some research regarding range, I sighted this firearm to 75 yards and then raised the point of impact to 3" above the bullseye at the same distance. All of my information told me that this would mean a 2-2.5" POI above a bullseye @ 100 yards and just about perfect at 125... and about 3" low at about 150-160.

Well, like I said, I got great groups 3" above the bullseye @ 75 yards. Then @ 125 yards, I was hitting 6" above the bullseye (and about 5" to the left). There was maybe a 5-10 mph steady wind today.

I found a half dozen sources that provided me with slightly different, but seemingly reliable data regarding this round from one of these types of rifles. Now I'm really confused with my own results.

Any ideas about what was going on? Following that trajectory, the bullet would still be on the rise past 125 yards, but that is completely contrary to what is "out there" about the .44 mag ballistics.

For information's sake, I was using a 4X scope w/ peep mounts, and with two kinds of ammo (Winchester 240gr. soft, flat point and Hornady FTX 225gr.)

Any help/suggestions appreciated! I guess above all I at least know how it will perform at these distances. LOL

 

[xfyrfiter]

Are your ballistics accounting for rifle rather than handgun?

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

They are. This was my initial source:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm

Information I found from this point either specifically said it was through a rifle or had very similar data.

 

[bhk]

When you have access to your long distance intended zero (125 yards in your case), just go ahead and sight in your rifle dead center at that range. Then just go back to closer ranges and see where it hits. Much simpler that way. Then, of course, you could try at 150 and see where your exact point of impact is there.

Most of the published charts are approximations and will depend a great deal on the load you are using and the actual distance your scope (or sights) is above the bore. The latter is very important and is one thing that throws many of these generic charts off base.

With most of my varmint rifles, I want a 200 yard zero. The charts usually tell me to sight in about 1.5 inches high at 100 yards to get that 200 yard zero. With my rifle/scope combos, this almost always has me hitting high at 200. How high depends on the exact rifle. My solution is what I recommended in the first paragraph. I use the 100-yard line for approximations and then set my exact zero at 200 yards. Then I shoot at 100 again to see exactly where the bullet is hittiing.

This only works, of course, if you have access to the longer range. Some folks aren't so lucky and have to depend solely on the charts.

Also, another point to explore. When you changed range distances, did you move yourself or your target? If you moved yourself, realize everytime you set up your equipment (shooting point, bags, front rest, etc.) it will be slightly different than everytime you set up before. This can have an effect on point of impact. If you just moved the target, then this is a non factor.

 

[Asherdan]

Yeah, that is an odd result. 3" high at 75 should have you about 1.5" high at 125 and an inch or so low at 150, at least with the Winchester load.

Since your result baffles ballistics, I'm going to say something changed in your set or equipment when changing ranges.

 

[trex1310]

A hot barrel will change the poi on these rifles. Be sure to check
all screws everytime you shoot. The barrel band screw is
bad about working loose. Good luck.

 

[DPris]

There is no written substitute for actually zeroing your gun at the range you intend to shoot it with the exact ammunition you intend to use in it.

Forget the figures & just sight your gun in to wherever you want it to hit.
Denis

 

[jmr40]

Unless you chronograph actual loads in your gun the data supplied in published data is almost useless. Consider it only a rough guide. If you know the bullets ballistic coefficient, and the actual velocity you are getting from your individual gun you can plug the numbers into something like this and the data will be pretty accurate for your gun.

http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/ballistics-calculator

The data you see published were the results the ammo companies got with their test barrel. The actual speeds you get with your gun can vary greatly and are often quite a bit slower.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

I actually didn't move at all for the shots. I grouped laying down at 75 yards and essentially moved the muzzle about 1 foot for the 125 yard shots.

When I had done this and ran out of time, I was a little bummed that I hadn't just sighted it in to 125. I'll be going back in about a month and I'll be sure to try that. A credible source had told me that zeroing to a specific distance isn't as "good" or as important as just knowing where you hit at different distances. I should have just stuck with what I know. LOL

The hot barrel (I have a burn on my hand from rubbing against it) and possibly scope quality (definitely low-end) are two possibilities, I suppose.

 

[rcmodel]

30-30 & .44 mag carbines require you to hold them down hard when bench shooting..

If you don't, they start to recoil before the bullet gets out of the barrel and will shoot higher off a bench then they will when standing on your own hind legs.

Try shooting one group and letting it jump.
Then another group on the same target while holding it down.
See, two different groups.

rc

 

[Asherdan]

...The hot barrel (I have a burn on my hand from rubbing against it)...

That's a problem. All of my Marlins start walking around when you get them anywhere near that warm. Barrel bands and two piece stocks don't play well with a hot barrel. If I run quick through three of the WWB 240g JSP's the first two will pile on each other and the third one will throw (@ 50 yards) 1.5" high and 0.5" right.

FYI, what me and the other guys I've spoke with who've chronographed the Win white box 240g JSP find is that they run about 1700 fps (give or take 10 fps) out of a 20" barreled Marlin.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

RC, I never would have thought that. Interesting.

I'll also be careful with letting the barrel heat up like that next time.

So many factors, so little mental capability to remember it all. LOL

 

[bubba15301]

switch to lower rings get rid of the see thru mounts

 

[rcmodel]

+1
I diidn't notice you said that.

But all your ballistics charts are for .75" open sights, or 1.5" scope mount height above bore line.

Your higher see-through mounts are messing up the ballistic tables you are looking at.

rc