Henry Rifle Forums

I am continuing to test loads in my Henry .45 70 Single Shot. I love this rifle.



I found that I get much better groups if I cradle the fore end in my hand and rest my hand on the rifle rest, rather than rest the fore end directly on the rifle rest.

I am getting great results with the 405-grain Missouri cast bullet and Unique, using either 14.0 or 14.7 grains of Unique. With both of these loads, the rifle shoots approximately to point of aim at 50 yards, and the rear sight has enough adjustment in it to put the bullet on the point of aim. I tried these loads at 100 yards and the rifle shot reasonably well for a 70-year-old guy using iron sights.

I also tried Trail Boss loads, using 12.0 and then 13.0 grains with the same Missouri cast bullet. These were more accurate, but the rifle shot very high (about 15 inches high) at 50 yards with both loads (I could not lower the rear sight enough to get the bullets to hit near the point of aim). I calculate that I would need a front sight that is 0.150 inch taller to bring the point of aim into agreement with the point of impact using the lower velocity Trail Boss loads. On the target below, for the circled Trail Boss loads I was aiming at the bottom two bullseyes (holding at 6:00 on those targets).





I then moved the target out to 100 yards. The Trail Boss loads went sailing over the top of it. It's counterintuitive, but the lower velocity Trail Boss loads shoot higher.

I could see a difference in the group location with Unique at 100 yards. I was getting just under 6-inch groups at 100 yards (with iron sights). Using the 14.7 grain load, I shot the lower group holding at 6:00 on the bullseye. When I tried the 14.0 grain group, it went sailing over the top of the target, so I then tried holding at the bottom of the target's cardboard backing to shoot the group that hit in the bullseye.



Ignore the smaller holes on the above targets; they are from a .22 Hornet I had out that day. I sure wish Henry would offer the .22 Hornet in their Single Shot. I'd buy the first one.

I have more info on loading the .45 70 in the Henry Single Shot on the http://www.ExhaustNotes.us/Guns.html page.

Gatling wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 18, 2020 3:59 pm

I am getting great results with the 405-grain Missouri cast bullet and Unique, using either 14.0 or 14.7 grains of Unique.

where on the scale from Cowboy Action Loads to max power Dangerous Game loads would these fall .... how would you rate the felt recoil

Enjoyed your report and pictures! That is a beautiful rifle.

Great range review on the .45-70 Single Shot, Gatling! I like to shot that Unique load with the 405 gr. bullets out of my 1895 Marlin and my 1885 High Wall. They are at the low end of power,if there is such a thing with a .45-70,and very comfortable to plink with.

Have you tried any IMR 3031 with the 405 gr. bullets?

And that IS a beauty of a Henry you have!

I don't shoot cowboy action, so I can't answer your question. These are all Springfield-level loads. The Trail Boss loads are the easiest to shoot in terms of recoil, but I would need to put another front sight on the rifle to do so and I don't think I'm going to do that. The Unique loads are accurate and the recoil is more than the Trail Boss load gives, but still not bad. The brass Single Shot's butt plate and the rifle's light weight combine to make for a healthy kick. It's maybe a little tougher in the summer months, as a T-shirt doesn't soak up too much recoil. That said, I love this rifle. I shoot with a bunch of geezers that have Ruger No. 1 rifles with great wood (I have a few of those, too), Sharps, and other exotic single shots, and this rifle always brings them over to admire it and ask questions. The Unique load is probably perfect for deer. I may get out for a hog with this rifle later this year. The Henry Single Shot is a beautiful rifle with fantastic walnut.

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 18, 2020 9:12 pm

Great range review on the .45-70 Single Shot, Gatling! I like to shot that Unique load with the 405 gr. bullets out of my 1895 Marlin and my 1885 High Wall. They are at the low end of power,if there is such a thing with a .45-70,and very comfortable to plink with.

Have you tried any IMR 3031 with the 405 gr. bullets?

And that IS a beauty of a Henry you have!

Thanks. I've tried this bullet with 3031 in my Marlin 1895 (also a fine rifle), but in that rifle, I prefer IMR 4198 with this bullet.

Gatling wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 18, 2020 9:40 pm

These are all Springfield-level loads.

Springfield loads are on light end, close to Cowboy Action level .... should you ever want to give any a try, HSM puts out a good one ....



https://hsmammunition.com/cowboy-action/

JEBar wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 18, 2020 10:03 pm

Gatling wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 18, 2020 9:40 pm

These are all Springfield-level loads.

Springfield loads are on light end, close to Cowboy Action level .... should you ever want to give any a try, HSM puts out a good one ....



https://hsmammunition.com/cowboy-action/

Thanks. I pretty much only shoot my own reloads in everything except .22 LR or unless the loaded ammo is less than just buying the brass (as occurs occasionally with .223, which I buy and burn up in my Mini 14 just to get the brass). I guess there's one more exception: I buy a box of factory .45 ACP occasionally for my CCW 1911, because the issuing agency recommends not using reloads in a carry weapon due to the additional liabilities one would occur should using the weapon ever be necessary.

Both Rifles look really nice. The wood is exceptional on both the Marlin and the Henry. If you have any Universal Clays I have had great luck with that and a 350 Berrys plated bullet.

Oh, those two rifles have really excellent wood! A little surprised that the Trail Boss loads were shooting so high. Thought about some TB in my new .45 Colt revolver. Fine shooting you have going there. Those loads work.