Range trip today - 3/2/21

[Headhog]

Nothing special, but needed to get out and burn some powder. Took the Henry BBS 357 and my Ruger NM Blackhawk 45 ACP/45 Colt for the outing. Set up some steel plates at 20 yds for the Ruger and 70 & 100 yds for the Henry. Weather was great; sunny and temps in the upper 40's with no breeze.

After going thru about 50 rounds with the Henry at the far targets I switched to the Ruger. Since it had the 45 ACP cylinder in it, I shot 50 rounds of my 200 gr. semi-wadcutter load. This is a fun load and very accurate. Then I switched cylinders and brought out my 45 Colt loads. Those loads are very addictive. There is an authoritative thump that the 45 ACP rounds can't match. I'm using a 250 gr. Missouri RNFP bullet with 7.2 gr. of Universal and boy do those steel plates dance.

After 50 rounds of 45 Colt I went back to the Henry to finish off another 50 rounds. Since 357 Mag. brass is hard to come by, right now, I've been loading 38 Spl. loads. I've got a lot of 38 Spl. brass and only about 300 rounds of 357 Mag. Some of the 38 Spl. brass is very old and has been reloaded upwards of 20 times. I had two cases split and both were nickel plated. I sort of expect this to happen with the nickel plated brass. It seems to be brittle because of the plating. I can't remember the last time I had a non-plated case split.

A side note here is the operation of the Henry. I'm not a round counter, but my best guess is that I have between 700-1000 rounds thru it now. I just marvel at how smooth the action is on the Henry. It was very good out of the box, but now it feels like butter sliding across a hot pan. Overall a great day in the sun with two favorite firearms.

Paul

[JEBar]

A side note here is the operation of the Henry. I'm not a round counter, but my best guess is that I have between 700-1000 rounds thru it now. I just marvel at how smooth the action is on the Henry. It was very good out of the box, but now it feels like butter sliding across a hot pan.

Paul

thanks for the observation, its good to hear .... well understood, all 3 of our Henry rifles are the same way

[BigAl52]

You just cant beat shooting steel with guns. I like that a lot more than paper. Good to see you getting out under the shortage of ammo and reloading components situation.

[Headhog]

You just cant beat shooting steel with guns. I like that a lot more than paper. Good to see you getting out under the shortage of ammo and reloading components situation.

Steel, steel and more steel - instant feedback!!

I'm pretty good on components for now. My first shortfall will be large pistol primers. My estimate is I have enough to get thru this year and then I'm in trouble. Small pistol primers I should have enough to carry me thru 2022 and I hope the shortages end by then.

Paul

[fortyshooter]

A great shooting combo to bring out Headhog and finally some great weather coming to enjoy range time! The .357 Henrys have a certain slickness to them. Planning on some range time myself this week.

[Vaquero]

Sounded like a darn good outing, hard to beat the 357 rifle and some 45 colt pistol shooting.
Of course 45 colt rifles and 357 pistols can be fun also.
Suppose to be a nice weekend here, and I plan on some lead slinging myself.

RP

[Headhog]

A great shooting combo to bring out Headhog and finally some great weather coming to enjoy range time! The .357 Henrys have a certain slickness to them. Planning on some range time myself this week.

Have fun Forty and make sure we here about it.

Paul