Accuracy of guide gun with open sights

[harrygrey382]

What's the accuracy of the marlin guide gun like with open sights? This would be with a reciever peep. Is the short sight radius a real problem. I'm thinking of going the 22" for this reason but do like the idea of the GG.

Do people find you can hunt up to 100 yards ok with open sights on the GG. Can anyone see a real accuracy difference due to the sight radius?

 

[Hunterdad]

There is a guy at my club that shoots a .45-70 guide gun w/ peep sights and just a couple weeks ago we were shooting clays with it at 82 yards. Very accurate!

 

[suzukisam]

I can shoot about 5" at 100 with my standard length marlin 45-70. on a good day a little better, and on a bad...well never mind.. I don't see the length difference mattering a whole lot. get the longer one and get the extra horse power out of that ammo....

 

[TonyAngel]

Harry, it depends on how good your are with peeps. The rifle is more than capable of hunting accuracy. I've found peeps to be a great thing and can bang a 12" steel plate at 100 pretty easily.

As for what length to get, the longer barrel will get you more velocity and the weight will get you less perceived recoil. Of course, the added sight radius won't hurt either. Personally, I prefer the guide gun, but that's just because I'm a pretty short guy and I prefer the handiness of the guide gun. It's a subjective thing.

 

[CraigC]

Personally, I would go for the standard 22" "SS" model. I like the longer barrel, do not find it to be a detriment to handling, the longer sight radius is a plus and it looks better. Yes, a six inch longer sight radius is a big difference. I've done the short barrel thang and prefer to hunt with 24" leverguns. If you and your bench technique are up to it, you should not have much problem shooting to the rifle's potential at 100yds with receiver sights.

PS, "open sights" refers to barrel mounted "open" sights and differentiates them from receiver or tang mounted peep or aperture sights.

 

[rcmodel]

IMO:
A Guide Gun with a peep receiver sight would out-shoot a 20" carbine with barrel mounted sights.

The other thing is, Marlin uses a front sight bead a small elephant could hide behind at 100 yards.
I replaced mine with a 1/16" Marbles gold bead when I put the Williams receiver sight on it.

rc

 

[CraigC]

I agree, you gotta get rid of that giant front bead.

 

[Mike Sr.]

Guide Gun accuracy:

I shot a Deer at 130 yrds with a 444P, open sights. Using the Rem 240 HP...which I will NEVER EVER USE AGAIN...hand gun bullet at rifle velocity..combination for a regrettable event!

And with Hornady's new ammo -since I have older eyes- doubt I would pass on a 200 yrd shot with a scoped 444P... AND after 40 + yrs of Deer, hunting I am 100 per cent convinced 90 per cent of Deer hunters would be just as well off with a lever action rifle as a bolt action! What really counts is becoming a skilled rifleman!

About a month or two, ago I was watching a program on our Outdoor cable channel , #230, and the program was about rifle's and their use! One interview was with an instructor for one the gun training camps like Gunsite or ThunderRanch. The instructor told about a sheriff who came to their rifle training program toting a well used 30-30[?] lever action with no bluing left. HE OUT SHOT EVERY ONE AT THEIR TRAINING CENTER! At the end of his contribution to that part of the show he said ' I have never, and will never, forget that ' .

 

[harrygrey382]

Thanks guys, I think I'm leaning towards the 22" for a few reasons.

Before I decide though, are there any options for stainless reciever peep sights?

 

[rcmodel]

I don't know of any.

But the Williams Fool-Proof receiver sight is made out of anodized aluminum, and is as "stainless" as it gets.
The color won't match is all.

Not sure I'd want a shiny stainless rear sight anyway as the glare could get too you at certain sun angles.

rc

 

[Tallinar]

Here is one I found on a quick web search.

 

[rcmodel]

Well O.K. then!

rc

 

[CraigC]

Personally, although the Skinner looks very sleek mounted atop a stainless rifle, I would stick to black for my sighting equipment.

 

[harrygrey382]

thanks guys. Just paid in full for a 22" blue version
Never been convinced by stainless. The longer barrel just felt better IMO. Now I just have an agonizing wait for it to arrive at my local dealer!

 

[Mike Sr.]

==========================

""thanks guys. Just paid in full for a 22" blue version
Never been convinced by stainless. ................. ""

-------------------------------------------

Find out how many Blue guns were made in 1970 vs stainless

Find out how many Blue guns are made in 2011 vs stainless....

This might put your reasoning onto/into a different plane of thought...when considering a purchase in the future!

 

[Asherdan]

1895G, 50 yards on a knee, Williams 5D with a .093 aperture and stock front bead. The 22" should be just as good if not better. I hope you enjoy yours...

 

[35 Whelen]

Find out how many Blue guns were made in 1970 vs stainless

Find out how many Blue guns are made in 2011 vs stainless....

This might put your reasoning onto/into a different plane of thought...when considering a purchase in the future!

I'm not sure I understand your point. In 1970, stainless had yet to become a fad where rifles were concerned. Marlin didn't make stainless lever action rifles then.
As to how many stainless vs. blue are made now, who cares? A person should buy what he or she prefers rather than be another lost sheep following the crowd.

Regarding the front sight, if you want to change it, I'd stay away from any gold bead. In bright sunlight the use of a gold bead will change your point of impact depending on which side of the sight the sun shines on. In overcast conditions they work pretty well. But in my experience, a Patridge sight works well under almost all conditions. (That's why the military has been using them for around 100 years)

35W

35W