Pulled out the old J.C. Higgins 103.228

[dpilot83]

Hi everyone. I'm pretty new to this site. Over the last few days I've started to rekindle my interest in rifles. I have a .25-06 and a .22 and today I pulled the .22 out and started shooting a little. Like the title says it's a J.C. Higgins which I believe is the same as a Model 80 Browning? Anyways, it's a bolt action with a removable clip that holds 8.

I don't have a bipod so I was using an old wood box for a front rest. At 25 yards I could put bullets inside bullet holes about 2/3 of the time. At 50 yards the pattern spread out quite a bit. Probably 2" from outlier to outlier. I've got a long road ahead to get to where I'm decent, but I had fun.

What are some basic things you would focus on if you were out there working on improving your technique on your own? I would imagine a bipod would help (although I don't want to spend all my time in the prone position). I wonder about my trigger. It moves a long ways before it fires, although the point at which it fires is somewhat predictable. I've heard about floating the barrel. I'm not sure that's something that's very helfpul for .22's and I'm not even sure what it's supposed to accomplish. I'm probably missing some pretty basic and critical stuff. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[ColinH]

Re: Pulled out the old J.C. Higgins 103.228

Bipods are fine for a front rest if you are shooting off of bench. I use mine all the time.

In regards to your trigger...depending on just how long the trigger pull is, you could be pulling your shots. Generally a short light trigger helps to eliminate some of the "pull" but many people do just fine with a longer trigger. The biggest part is practice pulling the trigger. You want a nice smooth pull that doesn't change your POA in the process. But as mentioned, as long as you get used to your trigger and can predict how it will function you should be OK. The best practice is on your kitchen table or living room floor dry firing.

In regards to floating the barrel....it helps with the harmonics of the rifle. As the projectile travels through the barrel it creates vibration in the barrel. If your barrel is in contact with the stock then the harmonics of the system is different. Your best accuracy will come from a straight, uniform barrel. This allows the vibrations to travel throughout the barrel uninterupted. Like you say, it may not be as noticeable on a .22LR as it may be on a larger caliber rifle, however, physics can't be eliminated and this phenomenon will occur regardless, albeit less than a larger caliber.

Others may be able to add much more wisdom. Have fun shooting and keep practising. Those fliers might tighten up with the added practise. As well you could try a match grade ammunition (if you aren't already). This may add more consistency.

 

[cav1993]

Re: Pulled out the old J.C. Higgins 103.228

take a look at the training sessions here on the hide and consider subscribing.

 

[JoeMartin]

Re: Pulled out the old J.C. Higgins 103.228

dpilot83,

Your J.C. Higgins 103.228 is the same as the Sears 42-103.19791, which were made by Marlin under the Marlin 80 series. All good rifles by the way.

Not sure how much you could do to your rifle except offer the following advise to leave it in its vintage condition and continue to use and enjoy it as is, with perhaps adding a sling if it doesn't have one. I know I'm enjoying my vintage .22's more then ever now days for some reason. Maybe it's the history behind them from yesteryear?

Your rifle's Receiver is probably grooved for scope so you could up grade there? Also, I bet it's D & T at the rear of the Reveiver for a side mount peep sight if you wanted to go that route?

Post us picture if you can. We like seeing these older rifles.

Also, you may consider shooting it in our monthly Sniper's Hide .22 matches. There easy to enter, and fun to shoot.

 

[dpilot83]

Re: Pulled out the old J.C. Higgins 103.228

Thanks for the advice guys. Joe, are you suggesting that I should not free-float it because, like ColinH says, it won't gain me all that much because it's a .22 and it will be more original?

ColinH, I've had this gun for quite awhile and I'm pretty comfortable with the trigger, it's just not at all like my .25-06 (Rem 700) which goes off without hardly any movement.

Joe, I got this gun probably 15 years ago when I was about 12. Might have been even longer. We live on a farm and when my uncle left for college he left his gun behind. Dad was showing me how to shoot it and I liked it quite a bit. I asked if I could buy it and I think everyone thought it was kinda funny so they said I should call my uncle and ask him how much he wanted for it. I did and he thought it was kinda funny too I think and asked how much. I had no idea and said, "maybe $15?" and the deal was done.

When I was in Jr High I removed the stock and sanded it down and re-stained it in woods class. I also put a cheap Target brand scope on it (which is still there although I've got a thead about replacing it in the optics section on the 2nd page...no replies probably because I got windy like I'm doing now). The rings/base allow me to still use the iron sights. I'll try to get a picture up sometime. Thanks for the help.

 

[JoeMartin]

Re: Pulled out the old J.C. Higgins 103.228

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dpilot83</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the advice guys. Joe, are you suggesting that I should not free-float it because, like ColinH says, it won't gain me all that much because it's a .22 and it will be more original?</div></div>

Oh, not really. If you're going to use this rifle for serious competition, or hunting small game, then free floating it is not a bad idea. If the rifle will be used for just the pure enjoyment of occassional shooting, I would leave it in its vintage form.

 

[Voreason]

I shoot a BSA Martini mark 3 competitively. However I have a JC Higgins 103.2258 also a circa 1950 from my deceased father-in-law. It was in typical condition siting in the basement for decades in somewhat rough shape. I mounted a scope on it and took it out to the range at 50yrds. I shot CCI box of tactical Ar ammo that was laying around and shot groups measured at .325" . A fine group from any rifle! PS I will do a trigger job and my expectation is that groups may get better or at least Much easier to duplicate.

 

[FWoo45]

 

[RTH1800]

Possibly set a record for necro thread.

 

[Calfed]

It is a very nice group.