Page 1 of 3

First range day with 45-70

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:00 pm
by KTK
New H015 45-70. Shooting Remington core lokt 405gr.
I wanted to start at 50yds, and eventually move to 100.
Never made it to 100. At 50 (off a solid rest), it is grouping awesome. Holes almost touching, and got the windage dialed in great.
Problem came with the elevation. It was shooting way low, so I moved the rear sight up to adjust. Then I ran out of adjustment and I'm still 2.5" low at 50yds.
Not sure what to do, so I called Henry. The guy I spoke to was helpful. Turns out my front bead is the shortest one Henry makes. Only thing to do is send gun in. Not thrilled w that idea unless I absolutely have to.
Soooo, I called Skinner. Awesome dude named Rob had me measure front post, did some calculations, and hooked me up with a shorter one. On it's way now.
Not upset with Henry, or discouraged by this.
Things happen, and new guns have bugs to work out.
Any input appreciated (other than trying different ammo, it is grouping real nice).

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:07 pm
by JEBar
looking forward to hearing how well the Skinner front sight works out ... what was your impression of the rifle's recoil

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:31 pm
by KTK
JEBar wrote:
Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:07 pm
looking forward to hearing how well the Skinner front sight works out ... what was your impression of the rifle's recoil
It isn't too bad. Less than a 3.5" turkey load.

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:45 pm
by Shawn1974
I have one of the early Rice Lake H010 .45-70's. I had the same problem with the ghost ring sight. It didn't have enough adjustment. I removed the ghost ring and installed a Williams FP336 receiver sight. Worked great!

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:49 pm
by North Country Gal
I've also had good luck with the Remington 405 grain factory ammo for both accuracy and for miler recoil. That's the good news. The bad news is the price of that stuff. Ouch!

Not surprised to hear about elevation issues with a 45-70. Just the nature of the beast with so many bullet choices and so many power levels. Might try some of the factory 300 or 325 grain loads and see if that helps.

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 7:29 pm
by Ojaileveraction
Don't think you could find a Williams receiver sight that fits but I would think about finding a better rear sight system.
Shawn1974 wrote:
Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:45 pm
I have one of the early Rice Lake H010 .45-70's. I had the same problem with the ghost ring sight. It didn't have enough adjustment. I removed the ghost ring and installed a Williams FP336 receiver sight. Worked great!

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 7:39 pm
by ESquared
Rob at Skinner is awesome, in my experience, and it sounds like he was the same in your case! As noted above, lots to consider as you move beyond 50 yds with the standard sights, so please keep us posted!

Congrats on a great first outing!

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:45 pm
by fortyshooter
When you get your new front sight on try some Hornady 325 gr. FTX ammo. A great round and use to be one of the lowest cost.
They pack a good punch too!

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 5:20 am
by Shawn1974
[quote=Ojaileveraction post_id=102414 time=1563406192 user_id=2021]
Don't think you could find a Williams receiver sight that fits but I would think about finding a better rear sight system.

The FP336 Williams sight does work on the early H010's... I am using one! Not sure if it works on later versions but the same screws that held the ghost ring on line up with the FP. It has precise click adjustments just like a scope. Kinda hard to see in this pic but it's there

Re: First range day with 45-70

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:19 am
by tractortad
You could also grind your present factory sight down to shorten it - a couple of members have done that to their Henrys in order to get a narrower front sight post vice a larger bead...