Henry Rifle Forums

I have used a cheek (and nose) weld on a 38 Mare's Leg without any problem but I would be reluctant to shoot it in 357.

I use the cheek hold style (putting the side of the butt-nub along my cheek) when I shoot my .44 mag ML. No problems at all. Makes the ML a more accurate and viable weapon for me.

slofyr wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 18, 2018 3:57 am

> I have touched off an AR pistol with the gun on my face and a 2.23 has a way hotter charge.

The AR has a recoil-absorbing spring.

Had a friend of mine shoot a Contender in 223 once, he wasn't holding it as good as he should have.
Came back and smacked him pretty good, never wanted to shoot it again.

RP

Barring artistic freedom and being before photography when searching the history of the matchlock rifle a great amount of pictures show what could be called a Mares leg style stock being shot with a cheek weld. I’m still looking but I’m sure that I have seen photos of American Indians with long guns whose stocks have been cut back short. I’ve been shooting a H001 with a 16” barrel and a shortened stock to make a OAL of 26 1/8” using a cheek hold and I have become quite good with it off hand. I’m thinking one of Henry’s single shots in a centerfire might just be my next venture into my short stock craziness.

If you want a hoot. Go with a contender in a rifle caliber like 30-30 or find one in .35 rem. If you scope it, make sure the scope has a 2 foot eye relief and don't hug it. It is not a one hand hold!

I have only taken my Henry 357 to the range twice, so far. Shooting 357 has a very low recoil felt. No problem with cheek weld. Firing rested and free hand.
The only thing I have added after first trip is a sling that I use with arm through loop to help support gun when firing freehand.
Have also fired .38 special and it is even less as most of you know. I have been getting my wife use to firing this rifle has only fired the 38s.. She was warry of the 357 mag. So after she gets more comfortable with the rifle firing the 38s.. She will shoot 357, that is when she feels ready.

I changed my shooting style a year or so ago, and have been shooting better I think. I now put the crescent butt between the bicep and the shoulder instead of tucked in tight on the shoulder. Works better for me and I don't have to have my face mashed into the stock. The crescent butt locks in there quite nicely and i can get on target fast with more accuracy. My breathing is more relaxed too as I am not all hunched up. Works for me, maybe not for others.

Interesting, RR. From what I've been able to research, that is the intended use of a crescent buttplate. Also, traditional guns with a lot of drop in the comb, such as the brass Henry's, were not intended to be used with a check weld. You were supposed to keep your head high, not bent down and tucked down on the stock. The idea was for the gun stock to put the iron sights in line with your eye without bending your neck. Shooting styles, like guns, have also changed over the years.

I am hoping this style will work well with the 1885 tang sight (whenever the gun shows up!!!....still waiting)...

I'll put money on it that you and that 1885 are going to be magic, together.