I'll be at the range today, second time with my new .22LR Henry. Plan to try out two different-sized Skinner apertures in the peep sight. Just for fun I bought a Henry rimfire Spee-D-Loader and have that ready to try out for the first time, too.
I'm only taking a couple of paper targets, and may not even use them. I plan to mostly shoot at this potpourri: a reactive target roped and swinging from a tree branch, my 10" steel target, 3" x 3" alum cans set on tree trunks, and 2-1/2" shotshells.
I just want to walk around a bit today, and shoot the potpourri at different distances, all off hand. Less concentration on that red bullseye, which at times is just more fun to do!
Sir Henry wrote back and noted that I needed to provide “pictures and details.” I have some of both.
DETAILS
The Henry --SGC in .22LR caliber
The Ammo – Federal 40gr AutoMatch (80 rounds); Aguila 40gr HV (30 rounds)
The Distances – 16, 25, 33, and 55 yards
The Shooting Stance – Off Hand
The Weather – Sunny, 67 degrees, low humidity, strong winds at +25 mph (No impact on shooting, right??)
The Sighting – Rotated three Skinner peep sight apertures, .040” .070” .096” (stock size on the SGC).
THE TARGETS & SHOOTING
I nailed this 3” target on a tree at 16 yards (paper plate is 8”). I always take one target like this and a little time to loosen up the trigger finger, and get the eyes into the sights. Also tried the three Skinner apertures, largest to smallest. The smallest brought my POIs more toward the bullseye, so that was good to see. 20 rounds sent to this one. (What I’m really doing with this practice target is taking deep breaths and hoping I’ll just hit it!).
This orange target is also 3”, and the range was at 25 yards. Shot 10 rounds, but 3 went back into the woods. Used the .040” aperture. (Someday I’ll bring home some targets with no rounds “left in the woods”).
These aluminum cans are 3” x 3”. My friend is getting ready to plant his garden nearby his shooting range, and I "borrowed" one of his tomato cages, stood it upside down against a tree, and stuck the cans on the stakes that go into the ground. The wind was also playing with these cans, but it was a fun challenge. I popped them around at 25 yards range.
For the rest of the afternoon's shooting, I have no pictures. Please trust me. I shot at a 10” steel target first at 55 yards, and used the .070” aperture. This SGC sure is an accurate rifle. I landed (heard the dings and saw the black paint move) 17 out of 20 rounds. I like that sound!
Then I re-painted the target, and measured myself out to 33 yards for a little rapid fire drill. 19 dings out of 20 rounds! Happy shooter again. But I learned something with the rapid fire sequence. The larger lever on this SGC, as opposed to the standard lever on my .357 BBB, sure handles differently. Still have some learning to do.
I didn't shoot at the 12ga shotshells today. They wouldn't stay standing up in the wind!
RANGE DAY REFLECTION
~~~The SGC is definitely a hoot to shoot – I enjoy it very much.
~~~I made a great decision to get the smaller-than-stock apertures for the Skinner peep sight. Still have more learning (again and always!) on how best to use these, but got the start today. I’m very pleased with the set up/configuration of my Henry.
~~~Lastly, I did use the Henry SPEE-D-Loader for the first time. A neat tool. And I can see it will be useful in colder weather rather than loading one bullet at a time.
Until another day, another range report.....

