Henry Rifle Forums

Here it is folks. Mother Nature said "So you got a new rifle huh cowboy? Well here's a 75 mph cross wind for ya to try yer luck." Wow is it blowing hard today. Several tractor trailers flipped over on the highway just east of here today. Wind just blows them over. Anyhow, here is my first range report since Dec 22/16.
The Cimarron 1860 Henry rifle. Shooting mostly Winchester 45 Colt 250 gr lead flat nose bullets. The others I shot were some reloads that the LGS threw in with the rifle. Some of these are on target #2. I did not like them much, they are very mild loads and pretty wimpy. The factory bullets are my favorite ammo. Rifle shoulders really well and the weight loaded makes for NO recoil. Like shooting my Red Ryder. However, I might be getting more velocity with the 24" barrel versus the 20" on the Big Boy, because it sent chunks of wood exploding out of the backboard. I shot all targets at 50 yds, off hand standing. No 100+ yd shots today, the wind was nuts. Took a little while to figure out the windage, but target #3 was much better. 8" targets, and I had to aim quite a bit to the right to get in the circle. The wind was relentless. Loading is quite fun and gets some attention when you swivel the muzzle. It's comfortable to shoot and the mag tube tab was not an issue at all, in fact I didn't even notice I was moving my hand to avoid it sliding with each round ejected. The barrel gets warm but not uncomfortable. The sights are very easy to work with. Aim will get better with a few trips to the range. I really like it.
For an old cowboy like me, this was a trip back to the future.

That is really good, very accurate rifle especially standing in that kind of wind. I would never have the nerve to try to shoot in that kind of wind.

If I waited for a calm day here, I'd shoot twice a year....

Thanks! Here she is in all her glory... The scabbard will be here next week, and then we'll take a trial run horseback.

I'll admit I know nothing about reloading. Why would the 45 Colt reloads I shot today be so gutless? The lead was slightly less beefy than the Winchester factory lead, but is it the powder? Too little? The LGS guy is a CAS shooter, so I imagine this is what they shoot at competitive matches? It was like shooting a BB gun literally. I am interested in reloading but not if that's what I'll get. I'm not worried about the squirrels in the back country....

RanchRoper wrote: I am interested in reloading but not if that's what I'll get. I'm not worried about the squirrels in the back country....

Welll....... 45 Colt can be loaded very mild to pretty hot.Think antique 45 Colt revolvers vs modern firearms.
I suggest someone new to reloading to go to Hodgdon Powders website and look up the cartridge you are interested in and study the charts. Once you understand what the information is telling you than you can make an informed decision of what is safe for YOUR guns and what you want out of it.

I'll check it out. Thanks. No hot loads in a toggle link rifle that's for sure, but I'd sure like the secret recipe for the Winchester factory loads, they are consistent and shoot great. At least for me they do.

Ranch, I love it! You're a kindred spirit, out there shooting offhand no matter what Mother Nature throws your way. Just outstanding.

Those cowboy loads are designed for cowboy action shooting with the six shooters where it's all about shooting fast. As little recoil as possible makes for faster work with the six shooters and since it's all up close, don't need much punch, anyway. Shooting heavy loads is actually a handicap for this work. Fun to shoot, though, but for accuracy sake, I usually do better with standard loads.

That is one fine looking lever gun, by the way. Congrats.

Thanks; appreciate the kind words. High praise coming from the Forum's version of Annie Oakley. Yes, I certainly enjoy a big 'ol cowboy lead slug that goes THUMP. Exploding wood splinters make me very happy.

I love HRA rifles, but Uberti/Cimarron make some serious shooters too. This Henry is robust and meant to be shot. It's like loading and firing a piece of history.

Nice rifle!

As for handloads, a rifle- even a toggle link- can easily shoot loads that are much hotter than CAS loads.

The Winchester ammo is sold as "cowboy action" so I'm sure it's fine for these old style guns, as that is Uberti's target customer, the CAS and SASS crowd. But the lead hits with real authority which I really like.

after using them for a while, I'm really looking forward to your comments contrasting the handling and performance of your two rifles

Yes I will do some comparisons. So far, the noticeable difference is the extra 4" on the barrel, just from a handling standpoint. Both are hefty rifles, but the 1860 has a much slimmer feel to it, not just the barrel but the stock too. Both shoulder nice, but the 1860 crescent fits into the shoulder extremely well. Recoil is less on the 1860 for sure. I shot 50+ rounds yesterday, and have not shot for 3 months. No sore shoulder, whereas with the Big Boy I would feel it today. Slick as butter action on both, the 1860 was a little stiff the first few times I cocked it last week when I bought it, but after a good clean and oil it is smooth. You can see the cartridge load into the pipe quite clearly via the elevator. Ejection out the top is very smooth. I don't know how to measure trigger pull but both are effortless. The 1860 only has the 1/2 cock safety, no transfer bar. I am hoping that the 1860 will pack well horseback, with no wooden fore end it should make less bulk between my leg and my horse. You definitely know the Big Boy is alongside your horse when you throw your leg over it. Both rifles have unbelievable fit & finish, with great attention to details. More to follow as I shoot more.

assessments appreciated .... have to admit I hadn't considered the thickness as it relates to comfort while in your scabbard on your horse .... looking forward to your continued observations

RanchRoper wrote:Yes I will do some comparisons. So far, the noticeable difference is the extra 4" on the barrel, just from a handling standpoint. Both are hefty rifles, but the 1860 has a much slimmer feel to it, not just the barrel but the stock too. Both shoulder nice, but the 1860 crescent fits into the shoulder extremely well. Recoil is less on the 1860 for sure. I shot 50+ rounds yesterday, and have not shot for 3 months. No sore shoulder, whereas with the Big Boy I would feel it today. Slick as butter action on both, the 1860 was a little stiff the first few times I cocked it last week when I bought it, but after a good clean and oil it is smooth. You can see the cartridge load into the pipe quite clearly via the elevator. Ejection out the top is very smooth. I don't know how to measure trigger pull but both are effortless. The 1860 only has the 1/2 cock safety, no transfer bar. I am hoping that the 1860 will pack well horseback, with no wooden fore end it should make less bulk between my leg and my horse. You definitely know the Big Boy is alongside your horse when you throw your leg over it. Both rifles have unbelievable fit & finish, with great attention to details. More to follow as I shoot more.

I enjoyed that report!

Like a kid in a candy store and I dont blame you. Looks good RR. Should you ever decide to take up reloading let me know I think I can give you a few loads that will help you in your quest for winchester type loads. Im sure there are other people on here loading for the 45 colt that can do the same. Al

Thanks for another very informative range report, RR, and for the photos demonstrating your innate skill at offhand shooting. I'm very impressed, especially given those windy conditions and after three months in hibernation. Awesome.

Thanks! The light was good this morning so here's some photos of my 1860 pair!

BigAl52 wrote:Like a kid in a candy store and I dont blame you. Looks good RR. Should you ever decide to take up reloading let me know I think I can give you a few loads that will help you in your quest for winchester type loads. Im sure there are other people on here loading for the 45 colt that can do the same. Al

I will keep that in mind. Thanks.