Range Report June 2nd

[RanchRoper]

Shot kinda crappy tonight. The cross wind was so strong the staples wouldn't hold the target on the board. Found some push pins that held it. 50 yds off hand standing. 255 gr LFN as usual. Still figuring out the sights, the setting I had for elevation the last time out was shooting too low this time. I went up 1 notch and it was a little better. Sorry I'm not more technical with my reports, I kinda just go and shoot.

[PT7]

You're doing what counts! Nothing better than that.
Thanks for the Range Report.

Sorry I'm not more technical with my reports, I kinda just go and shoot.

[JEBar]

I kinda just go and shoot.

if I had to catch fish to enjoy a fishing trip, there would be many a trip I wouldn't enjoy .... if I had cut one ragged hole every time I went to the range to enjoy it, there would be many a trip I wouldn't enjoy .... shooting off hand in a stiff crosswind at 50 yards, I have no doubt that many of us would be very happy with the target you posted .... following your progress in adjusting your rifles sights really interest me .... any observations you would care to express would be appreciated

[RanchRoper]

I have found that the top notch on the rear sight is actually not bad at 100 yds. Reasonably consistent with putting lead on the backboard which is about 4 feet wide and maybe 3 feet high plywood mounted on posts. Hitting paper is a tough one, and I always feel I just got lucky. Even in the wind it seems to hit wood which is kinda strange to me, because I'd expect it to just go wildly astray.
But at 50 yds, I'm in the 2nd or 3rd notch from the bottom and it seems to make a HUGE difference on the target which one I select. Depending on the wind. It would be interesting to know the actual FPS of the bullet because I think the wind plays havoc with it. If you look at the target from tonight, there are shots in the blue outside the circle. When I shot, I didn't think I was doing anything different. Plus the fact that I'm not an experienced shooter and maybe wobble all over the place when I think I'm keeping still. Anyhow, I had fun!

[JEBar]

having fun is what its all about .. .. I just picked up 300 rounds of HSM cowboy loads that I plan to fire next week at a range near St Louis .... our 44 is sighted in for our reloads and I'm looking forward to seeing how much effort it takes to adjust the scope

[PT7]

It doesn't sound like you're having any problems sighting/shooting, but just working away at it. Thought I'd make a comment based on what I did with my .357 Big Boy.

You've noticed several Henry Folk have mounted Skinner peep sights, both barrel-mounted and receiver mounted. I'd check out those threads, if you're interested, to possibly consider replacing your stock barrel-mounted buckhorn with a barrel-mounted dovetail peep. I know others, including myself, have found this helpful and definitely improved target acquisition. BTW, the barrel-mounted dovetail peep is the least expensive route to try out a Skinner peep on your Henry. Mine is a brass peep, and cost was just $49.

I've not heard you mention wanting to change sights, but just thought I'd send this comment anyway. Of course if you're content/pleased with the buckhorn, that's great!! Keep on after that shooting. The practice...practice...practice... is the very best way to improve. Plus as I always say, the best part is ---- having fun!

I have found that the top notch on the rear sight is actually not bad at 100 yds. Reasonably consistent with putting lead on the backboard which is about 4 feet wide and maybe 3 feet high plywood mounted on posts. Hitting paper is a tough one, and I always feel I just got lucky. Even in the wind it seems to hit wood which is kinda strange to me, because I'd expect it to just go wildly astray.
But at 50 yds, I'm in the 2nd or 3rd notch from the bottom and it seems to make a HUGE difference on the target which one I select. Depending on the wind. It would be interesting to know the actual FPS of the bullet because I think the wind plays havoc with it. If you look at the target from tonight, there are shots in the blue outside the circle. When I shot, I didn't think I was doing anything different. Plus the fact that I'm not an experienced shooter and maybe wobble all over the place when I think I'm keeping still. Anyhow, I had fun!

[RanchRoper]

It doesn't sound like you're having any problems sighting/shooting, but just working away at it. Thought I'd make a comment based on what I did with my .357 Big Boy.

You've noticed several Henry Folk have mounted Skinner peep sights, both barrel-mounted and receiver mounted. I'd check out those threads, if you're interested, to possibly consider replacing your stock barrel-mounted buckhorn with a barrel-mounted dovetail peep. I know others, including myself, have found this helpful and definitely improved target acquisition. BTW, the barrel-mounted dovetail peep is the least expensive route to try out a Skinner peep on your Henry. Mine is a brass peep, and cost was just $49.

I've not heard you mention wanting to change sights, but just thought I'd send this comment anyway. Of course if you're content/pleased with the buckhorn, that's great!! Keep on after that shooting. The practice...practice...practice... is the very best way to improve. Plus as I always say, the best part is ---- having fun!

I have found that the top notch on the rear sight is actually not bad at 100 yds. Reasonably consistent with putting lead on the backboard which is about 4 feet wide and maybe 3 feet high plywood mounted on posts. Hitting paper is a tough one, and I always feel I just got lucky. Even in the wind it seems to hit wood which is kinda strange to me, because I'd expect it to just go wildly astray.
But at 50 yds, I'm in the 2nd or 3rd notch from the bottom and it seems to make a HUGE difference on the target which one I select. Depending on the wind. It would be interesting to know the actual FPS of the bullet because I think the wind plays havoc with it. If you look at the target from tonight, there are shots in the blue outside the circle. When I shot, I didn't think I was doing anything different. Plus the fact that I'm not an experienced shooter and maybe wobble all over the place when I think I'm keeping still. Anyhow, I had fun!

I'll take a "peep" at it. At this point I'll stick with the factory sights but once any progression hits a brick wall, it may be time to explore alternatives...appreciate any suggestions though, so thanks.

[White Squirrel]

Nothing wrong with going to the range "just to shoot" and have fun. I'm not sure there is any other reason.

[PT7]

I like your reasoning.

Nothing wrong with going to the range "just to shoot" and have fun. I'm not sure there is any other reason.

[Sir Henry]

Some of my best times shooting has just been plinking tin cans.

[PT7]

The "good times" for me have been clanging black steel!

[Hitman]

Once you have Skinner's you'll never go back.

[RanchRoper]

Once you have Skinner's you'll never go back.

General Custer used open sights and it worked out fine for h......oh wait a minute.

Looked at the website....the $49 one or the one marked "Big Boy"? What's the difference? I would not want to modify anything on the rifle...

[PT7]

On the Skinner web site, Andy does have an abundance of options. He also notes that you need to be careful to order the correct sight offered for the exact Henry model you have. I've spent a lot of time reviewing the various peep sight options since I've purchased the peeps for two different caliber Henrys.

I'm certain you're on this Skinner web page: http://www.skinnersights.com/henry_rifles_18.html For the Big Boy, you have noted two options. Yes, there is a difference.

As you scroll this page, fairly close to the top is this option.
BARREL MOUNTED DOVETAIL SIGHT
This sight works well on any Henry rifle with a 3/8" Dovetail


This is the sight I have on my .357 Big Boy. In this Henry thread I posted after cleaning the bronze on my Big Boy http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... ight#p6214, there are three pics, which show my peep sight.
It is barrel-mounted. All that is needed for installation is to drift out the buckhorn from the dovetail, and tap in the peep. A pretty easy job. I didn't have to alter the rifle at all, nor change the front sight either.


Further down on same Skinner page.
Big Boy Express sight.

The primary difference is that this is receiver-mounted, and not barrel-mounted. The sight is designed to fit the existing tapped holes on the top of a Big Boy receiver. Mounted here rather than on the barrel, the peep sight is closer to your eye. To mount this sight, again there is no alteration to your rifle. But Skinner notes that there is a percentage of the time that the front sight must be changed because of height differences. That would mean a change to your stock front sight, as well.

Trust this somewhat helps. BTW, I don't know which iron sights Custer used....but he must have had some trouble getting them sighted in.

General Custer used open sights and it worked out fine for h......oh wait a minute.

Looked at the website....the $49 one or the one marked "Big Boy"? What's the difference? I would not want to modify anything on the rifle...

[RanchRoper]

Great info, thanks. I am very curious to see what difference (if any) the leather stock cover makes in shooting off hand. It certainly feels tight and locked in against my shoulder, more so than the brass plate did. As I mentioned in another post, it kind of "sticks" when I press it against my shoulder. I'll get out to the range sometime over the weekend, and see what happens.

[White Squirrel]

I would echo what PT7 said. I put a Skinner dovetail sight on my Frontier and did not need to change the front sight. I have thought about getting the "Express" sight in order to get the longer sight radius. I did not do that originally, as I had the brilliant idea that I could use the dovetail slot sight and then still mount a scope on the receiver and get the best of both worlds. Except, with the rings I have, the scope hits the peep sight. I need to get a taller set of rings to do that.