Henry Rifle Forums

Anyone else load .357 mag for a single shot Henry?
I went two the range today to try a couple of powders, IMR 4227 and H2400. I used 15gr 2400, and 14.5 gr 4227. New star line cases, std primers and 158 gr jacketed hollow point bullet. Red dot sights at 25 yards, the 4227 shot much tighter, and I will need to experiment with bigger charges .
. Any suggestions, if not I will probably go up one 1/2 grain till I hit 16 grains, although I believe Hornaday gives 17 gr as max.
Looking for a hunting load for my single shot, deer size game.

Good shooting and reporting. Where are you finding 2400?

Ive always had good luck with 2400 and Hornady xtp bullets. Im somewhere below the 15gr mark with 2400. But my 2400 is Alliant. You say H2400 I have not ever used that. Nothin wrong with 4227 its worked for me in other applications. I as well have a SS in 357

The 2400 is Alliant, but is is over 10 years old. IMR 4227 is old also, and I am not sure if I can ever find them again. Looking for substitute powder when I run out. I do have a friend who wants to sell me a 8 pound can of 800x, it’s been discontinued, but some people have had good luck with it.

You should be able to find the 4227. Powder Valley has some right now. Its pricey. H110 or 296 along with Longshot. Those will work. I’ve never used Longshot so can’t help you much there.

I've loaded the 158 XTP bullets, both the HP and FP versions, along with the 140 FTX bullets for my Henry BBS in .357. Mine has a 20" barrel.
I have found best performance with Lil Gun powder. There's a few posts on here about my efforts. I have not shot a deer with any of those loads yet, so I'm unable to offer any terminal ballistics experience, but finding fast, accurate loads was not too difficult.

I have had great success for accuracy with W296 and Hornady XTP HP 158 in my Big Boy. No experience on effectiveness on deer but sure is accurate. This is 50 yards with a 7x scope from a bench. I also shoot it offhand at bowling pins and it mows them down.

Went to the range today, with three loads of 4227, I loaded 15gr, 15.5 gr, and 16gr. From the bench, with a red dot. Looks like 15.5 is the winner. I am not happy with a red dot on a rifle, I have scopes on all my other rifles, I think that helps accuracy.
I will load up a bunch, and look for a low power, maybe 2-3 power scope.

Went to the range today, with three loads of 4227, I loaded 15gr, 15.5 gr, and 16gr. From the bench, with a red dot. Looks like 15.5 is the winner. I am not happy with a red dot on a rifle, I have scopes on all my other rifles, I think that helps accuracy.
I will load up a bunch, and look for a low power, maybe 2-3 power scope.

Rusticbob
I agree precision work isnt for a red dot. The magnification with a scope helps for shooting groups. To me red dots or( green dots )which is what I like are just something that eliminates the need for lining up a front sight in a rear sight. The size of the dot can hinder when trying to pinpoint the same aimpoint

I am with BigAl on the limitations of a red dot. There are things that you can do to aid precision, but those are very "paper target centric" and probably not a good way to use the dots for other purposes. The real strength of a dot is in rapid target acquisition, and not needing to have that floating dot centered in the lens. Neither are important for shooting from a bench.

Try turning down the intensity of the dot to where you can barely see it. That forces your focus on that dot, and sometimes makes it easier to position the dot reproducibly. Another trick is to size your target based upon how big the dot is, so if you can place your dot over a circle that is just slightly larger than the dot, it can be used similar to an aperture sight.

Rusticbob, Id take that 8lb jug of 800x if you can. I love that powder. In 44mag Ive acheived some unbelievable velocities, good accuracy too in my Henry. Its my go-to 10mm powder.