Henry Rifle Forums

Took my .44 Mag BBS to the range today to try out some different loads. I admit to having a scope on the rifle since my eyes just aren't up to par anymore for iron sights. Anyway, I was able to get 3 shots into just under 1.25" at 100 yd out of a rest. This is the first real load testing I have done and was just curious what others are able to accomplish with their rifles.

Welcome to the Forum from the Show-Me-State!

I don't myself shoot the larger centerfire Henrys; my caliber is the .357 Magnum. But I'm certain you'll get some good comments on your .44 Big Boy.
Enjoy your visits!

Welcome to the forum from CT, Brian. You'll find others here who can speak to the question, for sure. Glad you joined the group and own that fine Henry rifle. BTW, scopes are cool, too. Older eyes are very common and accuracy is quite desirable, especially for older eyes. Enjoy it.

Thanks for the welcomes. I have been lurking for a while now, since I got my BBS last Dec. Killed a whitetail doe with it a week after I bought it, but wanted to find the "best"load for it.

On the doe, I used the Hornady Lever Evolution ammo. It worked, but I wasn't real impressed with the performance of the bullet. I am experimenting with Hornady XTP handloads for this year, or might try some Nosler bullets.

Already planning my next Henry purchase. Probably a .22 LR, but I can see a 45-70 in my future too. Really loving my Henry.

You mentioned possibly getting a Henry .22LR some day. As have many others on the Forum, I enjoyed shooting the Henry Classic H001 (for about 1-1/2 years), which was a loaner from a friend. Just this year I got my own .22LR, the Henry Small Game Carbine (SGC), model H001TLP. If interested, you might read a couple of the Range Reports I posted about this rifle. The subject lines include the words "SGC and Me."

It's a great .22LR to shoot, and might be an option for you down-the-road.
Enjoy planning on what Henry will be your next one!

BrianP wrote:Thanks for the welcomes. I have been lurking for a while now, since I got my BBS last Dec. Killed a whitetail doe with it a week after I bought it, but wanted to find the "best"load for it.

On the doe, I used the Hornady Lever Evolution ammo. It worked, but I wasn't real impressed with the performance of the bullet. I am experimenting with Hornady XTP handloads for this year, or might try some Nosler bullets.

Already planning my next Henry purchase. Probably a .22 LR, but I can see a 45-70 in my future too. Really loving my Henry.

BrianP wrote:Took my .44 Mag BBS to the range today to try out some different loads. I admit to having a scope on the rifle since my eyes just aren't up to par anymore for iron sights. Anyway, I was able to get 3 shots into just under 1.25" at 100 yd out of a rest. This is the first real load testing I have done and was just curious what others are able to accomplish with their rifles.

With my hand loads, I was able to get 1.00" at 100 yards out of a rest with glass mounted on top. I only installed the glass to see how well the rifle would perform. Once I confirmed the precision accuracy out of my rifle, I installed the Skinner Express rear site and a Williams fiber optic front sight. The glass was only mounted so that I could see what was going on. I don't care for glass on lever action rifles. Once done, I took it back off the rifle. I am totally happy with my Henry Big Boy Steel 44 Magnum rifle.

Brian, welcome to the forum.
I think you are on the right track. Play with different loads, your rifle will tell you what it likes!

2" at 50 yds with my bad eyes and peep sights shooting light handloads is normal. The target in my avatar is factory ammo. I'd say yours is shooting just fine.

below is a picture of a target from back in March .... I was shooting a mixture of shells, literally laying loose in the bottom of a drawer .... some factory, some reloads .... some full power hunting loads, some light target loads .... in short, I was pleased that no matter which shells were fired, at 80 yards, they grouped well .... in short, I have no doubt that it is capable of better accuracy that I am ..

Those are beautiful rifles.
Thanks for sharing everyone.