Henry Rifle Forums

Even though there was a high % of rain predicted, it actually held off this afternoon and I was able to get out to the nearby MDC shooting range.

The Rifle
~~~Henry .357 Brass Big Boy

The Ammo -- 59 rounds
~~~Armscor 158gr FMJ
~~~Fiocchi 142gr FMJTC
~~~PMC Bronze 158gr JSP
~~~S&B 158gr FMJ

I had a small surprise with the PMC ammo (that's why my total ammo is the odd number of 59 rounds). It is new ammo, and I had one failure-to-fire. The primer was tapped slightly by the firing pin, but zip. When I checked it, the primer was pushed too deep into the brass -- never before happened to me. All other rounds were fine.

Set up & Action & Results
~~~Off hand
~~~First time use of newly-mounted Weaver V4.5 scope

~~~25 yards - Shot three 5-round groups using three 6" splash targets. 14/15 POIs in target; 1 outlier in cardboard backing just below left target. (The bullet holes with black marks were from a previous range day). ~~~50 yards - Shot 14 rounds using an 8" splash target. 12 in target; 1 outlier at edge of paper; 1 resting in the range dirt. (PMC failure here). ~~~75 yards - Shot 15 rounds using an 8" splash target. 9 in target; 1 outlier in cardboard backing; 3 resting in the range dirt. Range Report Grade & Some Comments.

"F" for fun with the gun!

However, this Big Boy once again let my left arm know the octagon barrel is a heavy dude. Not sure the weight of the set up: Big Boy + Weaver scope + rings + scope mount. But I'd say it is upward of 9 lbs. Still is a great-shooting Henry!

I haven't figured any "grades" for my targets, but I'm good with the day's shooting. Only would like to say that I'm quite pleased with my 50-yard POIs. And especially the 3-round touching group just below the red bullseye!

Final comment on the Weaver scope. I'm still learning how to use it, and getting a little better. But I must admit that I said to myself that I missed the Skinner peep view today. Regularly have been shooting with iron sights, like using them very much, and this scope sight is a new world for me. It's been interesting.

Everyone have a great evening!

nicely done shooting off hand .... both our Henry 44 and 45-70 are barrel heavy .... for me, that makes it difficult to fire so many rounds off hand .... at the ranges you fired, they would a have put venison in the freezer .... have you fired it from a rest so as to determine the size of the smallest groups it is capable of making

That's great shooting, PT7! Thanks for sharing your targets, and I'm really glad that you had an opportunity to get to the range for a bit of too much fun with your Henry!

Nice shooting! Those targets will get you hired by the Wells Fargo Stage line any day...I agree the 50 yd one's a keeper. thanks for sharing. Now I want to go and shoot!

PT7 wrote:Final comment on the Weaver scope. I'm still learning how to use it, and getting a little better. But I must admit that I said to myself that I missed the Skinner peep view today. Regularly have been shooting with iron sights, like using them very much, and this scope sight is a new world for me. It's been interesting.

just curious .... did you hold your cross hairs on the same spot on the targets at the different ranges .... if not, how did you adjust the aip point for the crosshairs for each distance ?

No, I haven't, JEBar. And I don't think I'll be doing that.

When I wrote my range report about sighting in the Weaver scope, http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... aver#p7369 I think I mentioned several times how difficult it is for me to shoot from a bench rest. So that's why I won't do anything further that requires that positioning. Whenever I have to sight in any rifle again, I will take Retired Seabee's suggestion and get my seating higher to I don't bend over as much....that might be helpful. Simply cannot shoot well or comfortably from a rest. I think it would be cool to really know how accurate this Big Boy is. But the way I shoot from a rest, it would probably not tell the true story anyway.

And that's why today was most enjoyable shooting with the "new" scope. I shot standing and offhand!

JEBar wrote:nicely done shooting off hand .... both our Henry 44 and 45-70 are barrel heavy .... for me, that makes it difficult to fire so many rounds off hand .... at the ranges you fired, they would a have put venison in the freezer .... have you fired it from a rest so as to determine the size of the smallest groups it is capable of making

I've got an answer for this question, JEBar.

Yes, I held the cross hairs on the same target spot at all ranges -- the bullseye. When I started shooting at 75 yards, I wondered if I would need to adjust for that distance, but decided not to and aimed the same. I think it came out fairly well. The main challenge at 75 yards (again) was the weight of the Henry and trying to keep that barrel steady/on target. But the more I shoot it, I think I'll improve. At least I'm determined to!

Talk about pumping iron!!

JEBar wrote:

PT7 wrote:Final comment on the Weaver scope. I'm still learning how to use it, and getting a little better. But I must admit that I said to myself that I missed the Skinner peep view today. Regularly have been shooting with iron sights, like using them very much, and this scope sight is a new world for me. It's been interesting.

just curious .... did you hold your cross hairs on the same spot on the targets at the different ranges .... if not, how did you adjust the aip point for the crosshairs for each distance ?

thanks for the info on your approach .... the targets are proof that the way you are going works well for you