Henry Rifle Forums

Was very impressed with the "pumpkin blasting" Underwood Ammo 180 gr. XTP load results using the BBS carbine Friday so decided to
develop my own load using same XTP 180 gr. bullet.
After researching data I decided on a load using 24.5 gr. of Alliant 2400 powder. Have used this powder with heavy .45 Colt and .44 Mag loads
before.

So I got down to my range this afternoon to verify the speed of those hot Underwood 180 loads and was surprised to see 2000 FPS
out of my Henry 16 inch barreled carbine. No wonder those little pumpkins exploded!
I then ran my loads across the chrony and was VERY happy to see 1948-1986 FPS out of mine. Just for grins I shoot a few thru my Ruger
SBH with 7.5 barrel and got 1520's and a nice booming report too!

Max load according to my Hornady load data is 26.6 gr. so well within safe limits. I also weighed a complete Underwood round and got and average
of 323 gr. compared to my loaded round of 320 gr. I'm using same Hornady 180 gr. bullet and Starline brass. Primers I don't know the Underwood weight. They might be using a few more grains of X powder.

I then noticed my shots going to the left from 50 yds. and thought that was a bit off. Then I notice the front sight of my Henry is way off to the right but as you look at the muzzle it is off left.
So I corrected that and got much more centered. Looked to me maybe my loads a bit tighter in group than the Underwood Ammo but that could be just me. Anyway very happy with my load results and will load up some more. These should work very well for small critter loads and self defense load in a revolver or rifle. For large 4 legged beast stick with 240-250 gr. loadings.

well thought out and executed plan .... where do you go from here ... any clue as to why the front sight moved

Don't know how the front sight move and don't remember rifle getting dropped.
To move it back without my punch with me I placed on the work bench in my range shed and placed a small piece of wood under barrel.
Then took a spent .44 case and taped up the case head. Insert a 3/8ths bolt into the case and tapped on it with hammer.
Moved the sight blade over slightly without marring surface.

Where do I go from here? Well Just another load I have found that works well in the Henry! For most plinking I'll still use the coated 240 gr.
MB bullets that coast along at a milder 1200-1300 FPS with 9 gr. Unique.

Love the bad guy view...

Nice report Forty. What kind of a group do you get with 9 gr of unique and have you ever tried the Elmer Keith 10 grain load.

https://www.proshootpro.com/secure/OrderForm.aspx. In the bullet chart at the bottom there is some 250 gr plain base Keith swc bullets. Ive shot those bullets out of my pistols with 10 grain of unique Forty. There really accurate. I have a box downstairs and would send you some to try if you want. I really liked them in the 44.

Al...I haven't tried that load in my .44's yet. You are welcome to send them down and I will give them a shot!

Got your PM Forty. I have some boxed up and ready to roll. Not sure how they will work in the Ruger if you have tight cylinder throats. Im curious to see how they work for you in the Henry. Im gonna send them off tomorrow there in a PM small Flat rate box.

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 12, 2020 9:01 pm

Al...I haven't tried that load in my .44's yet. You are welcome to send them down and I will give them a shot!

9505512578280013245705 USPS tracking number Forty. Says they will be there on Wed. Will be looking for another Youtuber soon.

OK and Thanks for sending them!