Good day for the 69A

HectorFuego · Mar 13, 2025

Got a little closer to my impossible goal of shooting an MOA 5 round group at 100 yards. Unfortunately there always seems to be a flyer, which I had to exclude when measuring the groups so most of them are 4 round groups. Nevertheless, it was a great day to shoot. Clear skies, temps in the mid 70's, and only a whisp of a wind coming in from my 6.

Little background, I'm shooting a pre-war 69A which I inherited from my father. I've been shooting it for nearly 70 years, and it's my oldest most reliable friend. There is no scope involved, just the 93B shark fin front sight and an 80B rear peep sight. I used a Caldwell Rock BR rest and a rear bag.

A few weeks ago another shooter gave me a half a box of SK Long Range Match which I tried at 50 yards just to see if it would group. Here's that group. Without the flyer it measured 0.996 MOA.

Then I took it to 100 yards. Here's the first attempt. This one is 1.3 MOA without the flyer.

The next one is 1.8 MOA including all shots.

Eventually I switched to Aguila CP HV which that rifle really seems to like and shot this one. It's 1.1 MOA without counting the flyer.

What a day.

Hector

HectorFuego · Mar 14, 2025

Here's a pic of the rifle and the range that day.

Lousiqv · Mar 14, 2025

You just can’t beat the classic Winchester bolt 22’s, even ones that have had a rough life still seem to shoot good. You have a nice one there, thanks for sharing.

joe45c · Mar 14, 2025

Nice shooting Hector. I'd be lucky to even see the target at that distance. I'd be looking for my holes on the backboard instead of the paper.

aqbill · Mar 15, 2025

Dear HectorFuego,

I do believe you may have a relatively rare variation of a 69A there - a true 69A Target. The shark fin front and the the sling swivels point that way. Does your barrel roll mark say "Long Rifle" and no mention of "Short" or "Long"? If it only mentions Long Rifle then you might have a better (6 groove) barrel. I have both the 69A Target and the 69A Match which has a Lyman Micrometer rear sight instead of the 80a. Let us know!

Cheers,
AQBill

HectorFuego · Mar 15, 2025

I have two of the true "Target" models but this one pre-dates those. You will notice the barrel is factory d&t'ed for mounting a long target scope. It is also roll marked for Short, Long and L Rifle. As I understand it from JWA, this configuration was only produced in 1940 and there are fewer of them than the later "Target" and "Match" model.

There are a couple of old threads that address this particular configuration. Here's one of them.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/69a-info-and-value.173445/

Hector

JWA · Mar 17, 2025

Hi Hector,

Almost correct, the pre-war Target (G6940R) was produced from late January 1941 and a few months into 1942 before production was halted for the war. Look at page 64 in your book ;-)

You have some great rifles, thanks for sharing!

Best Regards,

Good day for the 69A

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