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I just picked up one in excellent condition at a gun show . It has the original peep sight I only had to order an aperture for it . Haven’t had a chance to get it out to the range yet . Anyone have any experience with this particular 22? Looks like it’s a shooter but you never know .
I’ll get some pics posted here soon.
Some pics and and old ad ...Attachment 128811
I had been doing well at a YMCA summer camp earning NRA junior marksmanship badges on the 50 foot course. When I was 12 (1949) my folks gave me an 80-DL for Christmas. The following summer I was putting 5 into one hole with it. So tight that the instructor/counsellor saw only 4 and would not credit me with the fifth once. I was furious. After that I made a concerted effort to slightly spread the group. Not bragging, just verifying the accuracy of the gun. Your 81 as you know has a tubular mag and the 80 has a clip thing (sarc)(LOL).
In my later teen years I drilled and tapped the receiver for a telescope mount, and safely put the peep sight somewhere among my effects while still a kid at home. Last year I got wondering about it. It seems I no longer have it.
Long about 1970s I discovered that it had lost its sharp accuracy. I scrubbed hell out of the bore to no effect. Never at the time thought about the brand of ammo that may have been the problem.
A few years ago I read of a theory that the .22LR was ultimate at a 16" barrel length. I cut it down to 16 and recrowned it and tried a lot of brands of ammo but she just ain't able to yield what she once could.
Finding what a .22LR rifle "likes" can be quite a task. If your new acquisition proves accurate, make note of the ammo you are shooting. If not, try others. Good luck with your find. :)
ETA: A few months ago I found an 80-DL for sale for $85. I wanted to buy it but the bore was so filthy I couldn't take a chance on it.
Thanks for the info and the history ....My first rifle experience was at camp Chesterfield in Massachusetts. Boy Scout rifle merit badge . Single shot .22 with peep sights ...cant remember the make if the rifle. I found out early in my life at 13yrs old that I was much better with a rifle than a bow and arrow. We used to have “egg shoots” where a raw egg was hung on a string and if you missed you had to drink a raw egg “Rocky style” in front of the camp at morning mess. Miss those days ...... I had to order new apertures both .50 and .80 for the 81dl they arrive on monday ...weather permitting I’ll take it out next weekend and see how it shoots , have 3 different .22 ammo that I will run to see what it likes.