Wanting a tight pattern

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WV_gunner

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I'm really wanting to get a real tight pattern with my Marlin 55. It's bolt action and has a 36 inch barrel with a full choke. I'd considered using a 10 gauge but ammo is scarce and expensive, so I decided on my old Marlin. I'm wanting to know how to get a good tight pattern. I plan on hunting with it this year as is, but in a year or so modify it. I'd like to get the barrel threaded so I can use choke tubes. I've done some online research and am considering using an 8 inch Bengal super full choke. My main concern regarding this thread is about getting the forcing cone lengthened and ported barrels. I've read that they help but I haven't found much proof. Does anyone have any experience with either?
If it matters, the gun has a 3 inch chamber and I intend to hunt with #4 shot.
 
Have you taken the gun out and patterned it(40 yards). Different brands of shells will patern differently.

Unless you know how the gun is shooting now there is no bench mark as to any improvement done with the changes you talk about.

You may not want to make changes after shooting at the pattern board.
 
+1 on jaguarxk120's comments

I would be reluctant to spend any money altering your Marlin goose gun. You might consider Federal's Black Cloud loads with flightcontol wads for tighter patterns (but, I don't have a clue if your gun is steel shot rated).

As far as an elongated forcing cone and porting, consider this: The folks I know who've had it done are competition shooter who are looking for that extra edge that might get them 1 more more target in a thousand. Generally, the purpose is to allow them to get on their second shot quicker when shooting doubles. With your bolt action gun, getting off a quick second shot is a joke.
 
I've shot it just to make sure it works, I haven't patterned it yet, plan to Saturday afternoon when I get back from a gun show. I'd be very surprised if it's rated for steel, it was made sometime before 1968. It's a really nice gun, I think I paid $220 for it. I took it apart and cleaned it. I'm wanting to get a barrel clamp so I can put a sling on it. I really like the oddball part of it, not many shotguns are bolt actions.
I don't want to do anything expensive to it that won't improve the pattern. If getting the cone lengthened and porting the barrel doesn't make a tighter pattern, then I won't have it done. I know they are supposed to reduce recoil, but I don't care about that.
I'm really hoping I can have the gun threaded to use Winchester chokes to match my other 12 gauge. Does anyone know if there's enough metal? Or am I probably stuck using Remington chokes? Another question, anyone know of any good gunsmiths around the WV,OH, and KY area?
 
I'm wanting to use the gun for turkey hunting and target shooting. I'm also wanting to get rifle sights installed because I don't care for the way it's set up.
 
Porting the barrel won't help patterns at all. To some it looks "cool" but in reality there's no help.

The porting is/was for recoil control allowing the shooter to pick up a second target faster. With a bolt gun you don't have to worry about that.

You may find that the gun shoots very well just as it is. Try different brands of shells some will patern tighter than others.
 
36" and Full Choke was called the 'Goose Gun'...You can't do better than that with lead for Turkeys IMNSHO...

Now, you have to start shooting at paper at your intended range...

Usually a 30" circle at 30 yards to start...Get a couple/three different brands of shells in your shot size of choice, and pattern them...You can go further after you find a good shooting load and find your max range...

I have seen a shotgun shoot doughnuts with one shell, and nice full patterns with a different brand in the same size shot...Trial and error till you find what works for you and the gun...

I would stay away from Hevi-Shot in that barrel...
 
THe "Goose Gun" was in production prior ...

to the switch over to plastic wadding.

Pattern it and try different shot size to give best density on paper.

You may find that opening the choke will give better result, as the plastic wads actually tighten the pattern, and may "blow" it open.

As far a tubes you'll need to measure the OD and ID of barrel @ muzzles and as deep from the muzzle as possible, the barrel MAYBE too thin to take the threads required.

Any other shotguns of current manfucature? Might consider setting one up with dedicated barrel???

Good luck.
 
Hardened, plated, buffered , steel shot , all make for tighter pattern. Steel especially . My Benelli with MOD choke gives a EXTRA, EXTRA FULL pattern with steel BB shot !! You can't get tighter than that !:eek:
 
The Marlin 55's full choke and steel shot will not go together that well. The gun was made before steel shot came out.

Doing the forcing cone may be a plus on closing up the patterns.
 
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