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Post by olegburn on May 31, 2019 11:24:21 GMT -5
I've hunted Central and Southeast Ohio for 15 plus years and come to realize I never shoot anything past 100 yards.
Most my hunts on the ground sneaking up on deer I find with my binoculars. From 200-300 yards I will close to 100 or so and
will unleash on them with my factory ML-II using factory load using 250-300 grain bullets.
Love the hunt that way!
Fast forward- Ohio allows straight wall cartridge rifles now and I bought 444 Marlin H&R HandiRifle.
Hunt with it and really enjoy how light it is.
Spoiled me to the point where when ML season comes around in January I miss the handiness of HandiRifle.
This leads me to thinking of cutting ML-II to about 17"-18" for weight savings.
Anybody here done it?
What your experience?
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Post by jims on May 31, 2019 11:57:38 GMT -5
I have not done that but one of the break actions SMLs might be just what you want in weight and for those short distances. In some ways I would like to hunt that way but since I only hunt the family farm it limits me a bit.
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Post by 10ga on May 31, 2019 14:14:38 GMT -5
Way back, like 08 - 09 I purchased a MLII that had been bulged and barrel shortened to 17". It shot just great with 4759 and N110. Like you most of my hunting is "short" range like under 85 yds. Yes I used .458 bullets of 300 grains in BCR sabots and they really flatten deer. Thinking taking off 2" - 3" and re crown not a great loss. Eventually got a SS takeoff from a buddy and putting it on the action and shoot "factory" 50 barrel now. Gifted the short barrel to a friend converting a CF to switch barrel and it's still laying them down. My experience and opinion, others will differ. 10
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Post by hunter on May 31, 2019 16:24:04 GMT -5
Back when I had mine, I cut it to 21" and did not see much loss out to 150 yards. At 200 you could tell the difference in accuracy.
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Post by olegburn on May 31, 2019 18:47:54 GMT -5
I knew someone done it!
Thanks for replying.friends.
Did you have gunsmith do it or put a hacksaw to it?
Recrown or just square it up?
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Post by olegburn on May 31, 2019 18:53:31 GMT -5
I have not done that but one of the break actions SMLs might be just what you want in weight and for those short distances. In some ways I would like to hunt that way but since I only hunt the family farm it limits me a bit. I hunt private land as well mixed up with public wildlife areas and found myself not having enough patience watching woods edges where it gets more open. There's something to making a stalk on an animal that you spotted before they spotted you. You never get cold either. Now getting busted by deer is different story...  |
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Post by 10ga on May 31, 2019 21:58:38 GMT -5
the one I had was a lathe cutoff and professional crown job. for more info on how the short guns do just check out the Katahdin Encore conversions. They are 45, and they are short! Go for it and good shooting. 10
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Post by Dunthat on May 31, 2019 22:15:49 GMT -5
Back when I had mine, I cut it to 21" and did not see much loss out to 150 yards. At 200 you could tell the difference in accuracy. Same for me.. |
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Post by dans on Jun 1, 2019 10:06:50 GMT -5
I have a ml II shortened to 16.5 inches from face of breech plug. I shoot 5744, n110, and 4759 in it behind a 250 grain bullet. Very handy at this length. Est. 2000 f/s. Deer killer under 150 yards.
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Post by dans on Jun 1, 2019 10:21:46 GMT -5
Oh yeah. Gunsmith cut mine in a lathe snd put an 11 degree crown on it. My 20 inch cva hunter conversion has a recessed "muzzleloader" crown. This rifle with a 2.5x8 leupold ready to hunt weighs 7.75 lbs.
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Post by olegburn on Jun 1, 2019 13:42:02 GMT -5
So, you have 2 muzzleloaders you shortened?
ML2 and CVA?
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Post by dans on Jun 1, 2019 15:47:21 GMT -5
Yes 2 short barreled rifles.
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