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Post by ldmay375 on Aug 18, 2024 13:02:04 GMT -5
I bought one of the Ruger Marlin Trappers. I am really liking it. An absolute pleasure to carry. I have been a long time 20" 45-70 believer. But, I finally tried a 16". I really like this little carbine.
I did change a couple of things near immediately. The factory trigger was about 6.5 lbs. I swapped that with an aftermarket. It is about 2.75 lbs now. I replaced the factory Skinner peep, with a Skinner rail / peep. Added a long stem peep with the .125 aperture. Also replaced the big loop lever with a Ranger Point medium loop. Added a Ranger Point aluminum hammer extension. And lastly added a Williams Gunsite low profile red dot.
To me this is a very quick handling little rifle. I shot it some with the Buffalo Bore 380 grain Lehigh copper flat points. Basically sighted it in, off of a non attached tripod at 25 yards. More future shooting to be done at 75 yards. But, this was satisfactory for the use at the time.
So far, I am very pleased with it. I may or not, reduce the LOP a little. I will see how it feels with cooler weather clothing first. This one is definitely a my-rifle type.
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Post by pacecars on Aug 18, 2024 13:31:00 GMT -5
What trigger did you go with? I have a 336 SBL .30-30 on the way and will swap the factory big loop for the Ranger Point medium loop lever first. I will give the factory peep a chance but would have no problem switching to the Skinner peep. I am mounting a Burris 2.75x Scout scope in Warne QD lever rings. I plan on shooting it a few times to get a baseline accuracy wise and then I am going to send it to The Arms Room to have it converted to takedown. Hopefully I won’t lose much in accuracy
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Post by ldmay375 on Aug 18, 2024 14:26:11 GMT -5
I used the wild west guns' trigger. I have these in a couple of other Marlins.
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Post by ldmay375 on Aug 19, 2024 13:07:49 GMT -5
What trigger did you go with? I have a 336 SBL .30-30 on the way and will swap the factory big loop for the Ranger Point medium loop lever first. I will give the factory peep a chance but would have no problem switching to the Skinner peep. I am mounting a Burris 2.75x Scout scope in Warne QD lever rings. I plan on shooting it a few times to get a baseline accuracy wise and then I am going to send it to The Arms Room to have it converted to takedown. Hopefully I won’t lose much in accuracy I definitely would wait until I tried that particular SBL trigger. I have an 1895 SBL also. That trigger, after minimal dry firing is in the 4 lbs 2-4 ounce range. I does not seem too bad to me. Really my only not-like about it is the typical Marlin forward-flop. I have not found that to be an operational / functional issue. At this time, I don't have plans to change it. I would prefer a 3'ish pound pull, but this one does not seem bad to me. The Trapper's 6# was an immediate dislike. From the couple of reproduction 92 take-downs that we have, accuracy seems fine. |
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Post by ldmay375 on Sept 7, 2024 12:03:08 GMT -5
I carried this Trapper some, while on this year's moose hunt. Mostly when humping in stuff for ground blinds. And a couple of times in an area where shots were going to be limited to under 125 yards. No shots fired with it. But, I really like using it.
It is a pleasure to hike with and handle in the really thick vegetation.
I did get a moose. But, it was with another favorite rifle. 20" 416 Ruger Alaskan, 350 grain Barnes TTSX hand-loads. Approximately 160 yards. That area is out of eyesight capability without a scope. And the potential is there for a 230 yard shot.
I still like my 20" 1895's. But, if hiking and particularly areas that 75 yards will be a long shot, I am taking the Trapper.
I think that 380 grain Lehigh copper WFN is going to be my bullet of choice. Though, I have hard cast from 400'ish through 460 grain that will certainly work also.
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Post by bigbore5 on Sept 15, 2024 7:35:29 GMT -5
I haven't bought a Ruglin yet, but plan to get a 357 trapper by the end of this year.
I love my old Marlin trapper in 30-30. It's so compact I can hold it by the grip straight down at my side and it still doesn't reach past my boot top. A great walking around rifle. That 45-70 would be a good one in grizzly country.
I'm really hoping they bring out the 22lr trapper soon.
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Post by ldmay375 on Sept 15, 2024 15:12:51 GMT -5
I haven't bought a Ruglin yet, but plan to get a 357 trapper by the end of this year. I love my old Marlin trapper in 30-30. It's so compact I can hold it by the grip straight down at my side and it still doesn't reach past my boot top. A great walking around rifle. That 45-70 would be a good one in grizzly country. I'm really hoping they bring out the 22lr trapper soon. A rimfire Trapper would certainly be neat. As to the handling/feel of the 45-70, I am definitely impressed by it. I was definitely a hardcore 20" lever gun guy, with exception of some revolver cartridge and rimfire carbines. I am by far a bolt gun guy in comparison to lever guns. But, this little lever gun is certainly the fast handling. It ain't a 458 Winchester, but with the right bullet, I have a fair amount of confidence with grizzlies in mind at closer ranges. I need to work on some hand loads for it. It has definitely caused a revival of interest in the 45-70 for me. |
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Post by bigbore5 on Sept 15, 2024 21:46:30 GMT -5
I had a client once that had a short barrel 1895 custom rifle. Maybe an 18" barrel shooting a truncated cone cast bullet. I'm thinking it was 375gr, but it's been a long time since then.
It really hammered wildebeest, a zebra, giraffe, and did very well on a hippo. I always thought I would get one when I moved back to the US, but haven't. Now instead of the guide gun I have been thinking about, I really want one of those trappers for bear
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