Henry Rifle Forums

New Hampshire just made “pistol caliber lever guns” legal in what were formerly shotgun and pistol-only towns during deer season, which is where I do 99% of my deer hunting. Bought a Henry Big Boy Side Gate in 357 and am shooting Federal Hammerdown 170 grains through it after topping it off with a Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5 scope.

My question is, am I ok sighting it in at 50 yards? The areas I’ll be hunting with this gun are mostly swamps where the longest possible shot is about 75 yards and most shots would be between 30-50 yards. I’m shooting 1-inch groups in the ten ring at the 50 yard lane at my local shooting range. Should I shoot a group or two at 100 just to see where they land? If it’s zeroed at 50, shouldn’t that be good for anything from 30-75 yds?!?

Hey Dan. I shoot the 357 also. There is very little difference between the 50 and 100 yard shots. If you end up with a 75 yard target, the shorter zero will not be noticeable. I’ve taken 2 Whitetail’s at 40-60 yards. Easy kills. Good luck.