Range Report: Small Game Carbine

[Sir Henry]

I just returned from the range where I shot my Small Game Carbine at 50 yards offhand. I was hoping to keep everything in the black which is just under 4 inches but I had quite a nice surprise. After shooting three rounds as a sight-in with no adjustments I put out a fresh target and told myself to concentrate, concentrate, concentrate.

The first five shots which took me about ten minutes gave me the best target I've ever shot offhand at 50 yards. I didn't put the micrometer on it till I got home but I knew it was good. Okay the pressure is off and I didn't really care about the second target. Another pleasant surprise as I beat my first target.

All my winter practice just shouldering the rifle inside and perfecting my stance and hold paid off. And I had about a week practice dry firing the rifle with the bolt replaced by one with the firing pin removed. By the way after replacing the bolt and putting the receiver cover back on which has the sight on it didn't require any adjustment.


This rifle is a dream. It has the perfect balance and the sights are purpose chosen for the NRA TQ-3/2(P) targets. The sight view picture was put together in photoshop but it represents what I saw. The black target is just inside the front globe peep and the front globe peep is just inside the rear peep. In reality the front peep should have been a tad smaller as well as the target but it is really close. And I just noticed in the picture I didn't write that the Lee Shaver insert was in a Lyman Globe.

[JEBar]

I've never seen that sight setup before ... very interesting ... nicely done

[Travlin]

That looks like a very well thought out sight system. What brand of ammo and how about a picture of the target?

[CT_Shooter]

Thanks for the pictures and the great report, SH. Congratulations on your shooting.

[Sir Henry]

That looks like a very well thought out sight system. What brand of ammo and how about a picture of the target?

I was shooting Norma Tac-22 which is a standard velocity. I'm not sure I should post a picture of my target. When I shoot poorly I do but I did two 5-round targets offhand that is quite remarkable. Not sure anyone would believe me. Lets just say it was good.

[Sir Henry]

I'm not sure what it is about the Small Game Carbines but I find them remarkable accurate. Lever actions aren't known for being the most accurate kind of rifle like a bolt action, and while I love Henrys I'm the first one to admit you aren't going to bring home the Gold Metal with an H001.

What I have found that in bench shooting the Henrys can not compete with my CZ's. But offhand they can beat them. I did a rapid fire test with a Henry against a CZ at 25 yards. Any hit in a four inch circle would count no matter where in the circle it hit. It was a timed event and the Henry was almost twice as fast as the bolt action CZ.

[bjohnston505]

I'd like to lay hands on one of the Small Game Carbines. Henry really did a good thing by teaming up with Skinner Sights with this setup.

[Sir Henry]

Its not just the sights. The shorter heavy barrel makes it very accurate. Rimfire Henrys aren't known as target rifles and levers in general aren't either. But the SGC's come close to being as accurate as my CZ's. I have four and they will all outshoot all of my other Henrys.

[PT7]

Your Range Report in total is very encouraging, Sir Henry. Great job all around!

I for one would like to see your targets. Do believe you, but just would be interesting to see. Especially noticed what you did for "winter practice." Yes, the more practice-practice-practice, the better-better-better.

Why did I say your thread is encouraging? First, your comments: "This rifle is a dream.....Its not just the sights. The shorter heavy barrel makes it very accurate." Second reason: I just bought the SGC in .22LR caliber, and have only been out one time with it. But I did find it accurate out-of-the-box, and the barrel balance feels really good. Not least, the Skinner peep sight is the plus for me!

I love to shoot off hand as you did here, and have yet to learn the rifle, and begin "to prove my shooting skill." My distance goal to start is also 50 yards. I very much look forward to this spring/summer with the SGC.

Thanks again for a great Range Report, and explanation of your SGC set up.

[Sir Henry]

PTy,

There are two very distinct different holds and stances for offhand shooting. One is for rapid fire and the other is for slow precision shooting. If you watch the shooting in the Olympics you know what I'm talking about. I've heard some people say I "shoot like a girl" because I put all or most the weight on my left foot, swing my hips out and rest my elbow on it or slightly about it. I first raise the rifle up, pull my elbow in and then lower the rifle. The rifle is totally rested on my left hand. I use the youth stock and pull the rifle back firmly but not with excessive pressure. My right elbow is down next to my body. I am holding the rifle in as close to me as possible. I try to keep the rifle steady with my body and any adjustment is made with my entire body by adjusting with my right rear foot. I also try to keep the movement in a circle around and crossing the bullseye rather than just crisscrossing it.

This winter I must have spent 200 hours watching online videos and trying different stances and holds out. And I had two excellent online coaches on another forum. One taught me mostly about sights and sight pictures and the other was more stance and trigger.

I also use a nose/thumb weld which I made a separate post about.

I shoot only standard velocity ammo. HV ammo is not going to give you the best results.

I don't feel comfortable posting my targets. I'm shooting against my self and not others. Usually I do post my targets but they aren't anything to write home about. But this last time out I nailed it.

[Frank V]

That's an interesting sight, the Henry's I"ve seen shot would put almost all bullets touching at 25yds off a bench.

[PT7]

Appreciate the additional "tips" and comments.
And sounds neat that you had good coaching over the winter, especially on sights and sight pictures. Good stuff.

[ace73]

Sir Henry,
Thank you for reminding this 'newbie' that it takes time, determination and practice to show improvement!
I tried the 25yd off hand using Bob's target over at RFC, and let's just say I follow the "Weebles wobble but don't fall down" routine!

The Small Game Carbine will be the next rifle I buy, can you give me a little more info on your front sight?

[Sir Henry]

Sir Henry,
Thank you for reminding this 'newbie' that it takes time, determination and practice to show improvement!
I tried the 25yd off hand using Bob's target over at RFC, and let's just say I follow the "Weebles wobble but don't fall down" routine!

The Small Game Carbine will be the next rifle I buy, can you give me a little more info on your front sight?

The front sight is a globe sight made by Lyman. It accepts inserts which can be changed in just a few seconds. The different inserts have different strengths and weakness's. The peep inserts are for precision shooting but its difficult to find the target with them. But once that target is found you can really see the target and fine tune centering it. They are sized for specific targets and specific distances. If the black target is too big then the black peep gets lost in the circle. And if the black target is too small you can't see fine adjustments. You need a clear black and white target.

On the other hand most of the post type inserts are for hunting and you can see a wide field of view. But then again you can't fine aim them. The post inserts are also for point of aim or six o'clock. You just have to pick the correct one for how you want to aim.

The Lee Shaver inserts take up less space in the field of view and you can find the target easier with them but still get the precision of the peep. Globe sights work best with a rear peep.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/sigh ... es-17a.php



This picture shows the barrel end and Lyman Globe on a Mare's Leg. Skinner removed the front sight on the tube hanger and modified it to take a standard groove. Near the bottom of the linked page is information on it. Andy does precision work. The groove edges will be crisp and at the exact angles they need to be.

http://www.skinnersights.com/henry_rifles_18.html

[PT7]

Gosh! I'd have to make a spreadsheet showing me what insert to use for all those factors you listed.
The "choice" would sure be a big challenge to start with.

For my new Skinner peep sights, I also have three new, different-sized apertures. Enough of a challenge for me just starting to learn how to use them based on Andy's recommendations.

Hmmm -- Wonder how many columns in the spreadsheet it would take?!?

[Sir Henry]

Gosh! I'd have to make a spreadsheet showing me what insert to use for all those factors you listed.
The "choice" would sure be a big challenge to start with.

For my new Skinner peep sights, I also have three new, different-sized apertures. Enough of a challenge for me just starting to learn how to use them based on Andy's recommendations.

Hmmm -- Wonder how many columns in the spreadsheet it would take?!?

I have purpose built Henry rifles for precision and fast action. Both have different inserts among other things. Once you find the right insert for the right target all the work is done. I basically only use three different inserts. On the peep inserts I use the same targets all the time. The NRA makes one for 25, 50, and 100 yards and the bullseyes sizes are different but have the same size when viewed at their correct distances. So the correct insert is the same for all three distances.