Marlin 917VS Tune-up

[TRECustom]

I'll start this thread now and update when I get to take the rifle to the range again. Maybe this will help someone in the meantime.

The rifle has the polycarbonate/fiberglass filled stock with carbon fiber decal on the surface. Looks good, but is still plastic. With Hornady 17 gr ammo, shot 1 to 1 1/2 moa after 5-6 rounds. When I got home I started checking it out while cleaning it.

1. The stock is all over the barrel. Tight all the way to tip of the forend. Free floated it from the front action screw support forward.
2. Worked the trigger over. Pulls a clean 2 1/2 lbs now. Firing pin fall still sounds crappy, but it didn't bother me while shooting, only dry-firing.
3. Shortened the smaller action screw in front of the trigger guard. It was about 1 thread too long and interfered with the bolt when tightened like I wanted it.
4. Lapped the barrel. The Hawkeye borescope revealed noticeable tool marks on the lands and in the grooves. Also, it never got slick when cleaning. It took several tries to get a good lapping plug poured in that little bitty hole.
4. Put a BSA Sweet 17 3x12 lighted reticle BDC scope on it. Used the steel bases furnished with the gun and Leupold rings instead of the rimfire dovetail.

I'm looking for 1/2 moa at 100 yds. I'll try 20gr CCI fmj, 17gr Vmax Hornady again, 17gr Remington Vmax, and 17gr Winchester Vmax ammo. If I can't get 1/2 moa, I'll probably try one of the Marlin laminated stocks and pillar and bed it.

May be a while before I can follow up. My dance card is pretty full for the next month.

Rimfires are a lot of fun. Tom

 

[blacknwhite]

I hope you are doing all that for fun. I say that because as you probably know, a savage 10 seconds after being removed from the box will shoot better that 1/2 moa easy. Mine will shoot .25 with a clean barrel and low winds. But sometimes its fun to do the work.

 

[TRECustom]

blacknwhite, I just can't stand prosperity. From reading these forums, it looks like Savages outnumber the Marlins at least 20 to 1. What's sad is that I knew that before I bought the Marlin! I've got a hill to climb,it is fun), but your rifle sounds like it's better than the average Savage. Some are just like that. Luck of the draw.

Good shooting, Tom

 

[blacknwhite]

I know exactly what you mean. I picked up a TC Encore with a 22-250 barrel and I knew when I bought it I wouldn't get the groups from it, that I would from many other rifles. But I had always wanted one so I spent more money for less gun. Now after hours of work and several hundred additional $$$ I have a gun that will shoot almost as good as something I could have gotten right out of a box for less money...Their may well be something wrong with us. But at least I made the best choice on the 17.

 

[ultramag44]

I went to Walmart and bought the blued 917V w/ the "hardwood",beech or birch) stock.

I put in or put on the following items:

Rifle Basix Trigger,adjusted to a clean 1lb)
2 each Weaver # 16 bases,those scabby bases that Marlin supplies are junk)
Burris Signature Zee Rings w/ the floating, systhetic inserts.
Bauch & Lomb 24X scope,Japanese made by Light Optical Works).

Total investment: $600.00
Beating the guys with Coopers, Annies, Leupold scopes, etc PRICELESS!

 

[TRECustom]

44, I bought the rifle partly because I liked the look and feel of it, but mostly because I expected it to ultimately shoot like I wanted it to.

Based on your experience, sounds like I have a good chance.

Thanks, Tom

 

[rangerruck]

just keep shooting it, make sure when it is hot, that it is still free floated. It also should be a green Mountain bbl, so should be plenty accurate. should outshoot the savage, in my opinion, plus there are approx. 15 diff types of hmr ammo to try out there, both 17 and 20 grainers, plus don't forget winchester 17's, I find them to be a real sleeper for a lot of folks.

 

[holstil]

TRE,
I had a Cooper 17hmr and sold it when it didn't shoot any better than my Marlin 917vsf. I have a big ol Nikon monarch 24x on it with a rifle basics trigger,set to not very safe) just to punch holes with. Don't get me wrong the Coopers are awesome to covet but I'd rather have the extra $ for my br stuff. My Marlin eats those Hornadays 17grs. pretty well, about 1/2 moa out to around 75yds. as long as I keep the barrel clean. I didn't have any luck with any 20 grainers. Keep us posted Jim

 

[katokoch]

I've got an entirely worked over 980S,.22lr) that shoots 1/2moa and on occasion in the teens.

RB trigger with a lighter spring installed,17 oz. trigger pull), GM .920" SS fluted barrel, Mueller APV with Burris Signature rings on Weaver bases, and my own custom, dual-pillar bedded stock,set up single-shot).

Didn't cost too much to do and I learned alot in the process and while it may not look as fancy as a tuned up CMP rifle, it can shoot well.

 

[halo68]

Hi guy's, I have Marlin 917VSF with a Mueller 8.5x25x44 mil. dot with BKL ring mounts, I installed a Rifle Basic trigger system on it and skim bedded it, and does it shoot. On a fair day less tha 10mph winds i can get .280 to .317 5 shot groups at 100 yards, it seems to shoot what ever ammo i have on hand, also my bolt is nice and tight and slick. I just got lucky, I also have the same rifle in .17m2. If you go on Rimfire Central, then go to Mizzou supply I have a pic of both rifles. My user name is 22zip.

 

[BradY]

Ive got the same rifle as halo- the 917 VSF and it shot a full 4 shot clip group of 0.302 at 100 metres on the weekend. Ive made sure the barrel floats- which it did from factory. Ive worked the trigger to break around the 1.5lb mark. The ammo it likes best is the 20gr CCI gamepoint. Being a left hander and wanting a heavy barrel only left me with the savage option but I dont like how the clips rattle in the savages so I put up with a right handed marlin. Im more than happy with my choice and have seen no other HMR do under 0.5" at 100m.

 

[TRECustom]

I haven't checked this thread in a long time. I thought it had died. With everything going on,the hurricane, hunting season starting, etc., I still haven't taken the Marlin back to the range. Looking forward to it, particularly with the info in some of your replies. My plan is to Turkey hunt with it. I need to be able to make neck or head shots. I will update when I know something.

Thanks to all for the replies, Tom