Post by supersporter40 on Jul 30, 2008 13:18:52 GMT -5
When I was handed Martin's journal last June I had no clue what these little 8's were all about, after researching his adventures I wondered what happened to all his stuff. Turned out our neighbor had gotten all of it. After her husband died, she had them hauled to a gun auction and sold them off for a song.
So much for trying to locate that 8, but at least I knew what to watch for. I had no intention at the time of buying one but then in January I found one on CGN. The price was only $400 so I immediately told the guy I'd take it sight unseen. Talk about an impulse buy. He sold it to another guy with all the other guns much to my dismay. After a bunch of sweet talking I ended up with it anyway. Paying an inflated price made both the initial seller and myself about as happy but at least I procured a nice example of the gun.
This one is from 1908 ser (10xxx) and other than a few blemishes in the wood and metal it is pretty good shape.
Now Martin and his hunting buddy John both had their 8's set up with a Marble's tang sight. Lucky for me our friend Pete set me up with a very nice example. tbury also helped me locate and aquire a diamond cover plate that replaces the rear leaf sight. In Martin's journal he noted having a Marble's Sheard front sight on his gun so once these goodies are fit, it will be an authentic specimen. Martin's gun was not as old (serial 223xx) if I remember right. He bought his in 1911 as he was moving north to Alberta.
I still have not fit the repro butt plate but it won't be hard. Shooting it has proved to be very mild with 85gr NBT's and the Hornady 117gr RN's. Accuracy has not proved to be it's high point so far but I have not tried much in the way of different loads yet.
4" groups at 100yds seem to be the norm so far. I have done much better than that in the past with other rifles and aperture sights so I hope it is just the load I used. I need to get a big canvas tarp to lay on the ground to catch the brass. I am scared to loose any of them in the tall grass when shooting at my range up at home.
Looking forward to seeing your rifles!
So much for trying to locate that 8, but at least I knew what to watch for. I had no intention at the time of buying one but then in January I found one on CGN. The price was only $400 so I immediately told the guy I'd take it sight unseen. Talk about an impulse buy. He sold it to another guy with all the other guns much to my dismay. After a bunch of sweet talking I ended up with it anyway. Paying an inflated price made both the initial seller and myself about as happy but at least I procured a nice example of the gun.
This one is from 1908 ser (10xxx) and other than a few blemishes in the wood and metal it is pretty good shape.
Now Martin and his hunting buddy John both had their 8's set up with a Marble's tang sight. Lucky for me our friend Pete set me up with a very nice example. tbury also helped me locate and aquire a diamond cover plate that replaces the rear leaf sight. In Martin's journal he noted having a Marble's Sheard front sight on his gun so once these goodies are fit, it will be an authentic specimen. Martin's gun was not as old (serial 223xx) if I remember right. He bought his in 1911 as he was moving north to Alberta.
I still have not fit the repro butt plate but it won't be hard. Shooting it has proved to be very mild with 85gr NBT's and the Hornady 117gr RN's. Accuracy has not proved to be it's high point so far but I have not tried much in the way of different loads yet.
4" groups at 100yds seem to be the norm so far. I have done much better than that in the past with other rifles and aperture sights so I hope it is just the load I used. I need to get a big canvas tarp to lay on the ground to catch the brass. I am scared to loose any of them in the tall grass when shooting at my range up at home.
Looking forward to seeing your rifles!