New Henry owner, CA

[kittyboom]

First time Henry owner here in California, I am patiently waiting out my 10 days to pick up a new H010 Steel Wildlife 45-70. I had been interested in getting a lever gun for some time and admittedly have a penchant for shooting big bore firearms. My LGS, being sneaky and wanting to steer me away from the Marlin I was talking about, found this beautiful piece of functional art available and I splurged.

I have a bad habit of trying to improve what I purchase so I've already picked out a Skinner Express sight and scope mount and accompanying 1-4x Skinner Optics scope to mount. I'm a fan of open sights but I am trying to make plans for a guided pig hunt at some point in my future, I've never hunted but have been shooting for decades. It seems around the Central California hills longer shots are common so I am willing to mount the optic, specifically for that use.

Now I have to sort out what ammunition will be best since California require lead-free. If anyone has practical suggestions for 100-200 yard shots at pigs with lead free I'd welcome hearing them. So far I've found 5 different loads and I might be leaning towards the lighter bullets for this particular situation. I'm thinking flatter trajectory and less deviation out to 200 yards for all the help I can get since I rarely have shot past 100 yards.

Underwood Xtreme Hunter Ammunition 45-70 Government +P 225 Grain Xtreme Defense
Muzzle Velocity: 2735 fps
Muzzle Energy: 3737 ft lbs
45-70 Government 250 gr MonoFlex LEVERevolution
Muzzle Velocity: 2025 fps
Muzzle Energy: 2276 ft lbs
Barnes VOR-TX 300gr TSX Hollow Point Lead-Free
Muzzle Velocity: 2469 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1925 ft lbs
BUFFALO-BARNES 45-70 MAG +P LEAD FREE 300 gr. TSX-FN
Muzzle Velocity: 2400 fps
Muzzle Energy: 3836 ft lbs
BUFFALO-BARNES LEAD-FREE 45-70 MAG. +P 350 gr. BARNES TSX-FN
Muzzle Velocity: 2200 fps
Muzzle Energy: 3760 ft lbs

[Cofisher]

Have you been shooting at poor, defenseless mountain lions? Cool. Welcome from Nebraska! Glad you joined us.

[kittyboom]

No, lol, though they do prowl around where I live. The name is just an inside joke with my SO. Thanks for the welcome!

Have you been shooting at poor, defenseless mountain lions? Cool. Welcome from Nebraska! Glad you joined us.

[CT_Shooter]

Welcome to the forum from CT. Congratulations on your soon to be new Henry. Your LGS done ya good and you made a greatchoice when you bought the Skinner Express. Glad you joined us.

[GunnyGene]

Welcome and congrats on your new Henry. I'd go with the Underwood for ammo. I've been using Underwood ammo for about 10 years and have chrono'd various calibers in my rifles and compared with more common ammo such as Federal, Hornady, etc. Underwood always proves more consistent (low Std Dev.) in MV by quite a lot. To me, that means more than the advertised MV, because it means tighter groups at longer ranges. I can count on the bullet going where I want it to go, subject to the vagaries of mother nature.

[kittyboom]

Thanks for the welcome CT_Shooter and GunnyGene.

I'm glad to hear some data based positive feedback on the Underwood ammo, that was what I was really leaning towards just based on published numbers. Practical experience data is even more valuable. The more consistent the ammo is the more I can only blame myself for shot placement

[JEBar]

first, welcome to our forum .... delighted to have you join us .... given a clear shot, I'd have no problem taking shots out to 200 yards while hunting hogs with our 45-70 .... naturally, the closer the better .... for our hunting we use jacketed bullets that contain lead .... in considering the possibility of one day hunting in an area that prohibits lead, the best solid bullets I've found are 400 gr Barnes Buster FN FB ===> https://www.barnesbullets.com/bullets/buster/ .... they fly straight in hit hard

be sure to follow this link ===> http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 84#p139084 .... there you can add your Henry to our community's total

[GunnyGene]

Thanks for the welcome CT_Shooter and GunnyGene.

I'm glad to hear some data based positive feedback on the Underwood ammo, that was what I was really leaning towards just based on published numbers. Practical experience data is even more valuable. The more consistent the ammo is the more I can only blame myself for shot placement

Here's what I got comparing Hornady 190grn LeveRevolution against Underwood 210 XTP in the .41mag BBSC I bought in 2018. Sorry, don't have the numbers for anything prior to that.

Hornady



Underwood

[RanchRoper]

Welcome from Alberta.

[Rifletom]

Welcome from Ca! Nice choice of a rifle. Think you'll like it here.

[Ernie]

Congrats on your new Henry and welcome to the forum.

[leverjc]

Welcome to the forum from Kansas. I hated the 10 day wait when I lived in Cal (most of my life). It felt really strange the first time I went in to a store and took the gun home with me right then. Hope the wait goes fast for you but they never did for me.

[BigAl52]

Welcome to the forum KB glad you joined us. I have a couple 45-70 Henrys but both of mine run on leaded. But if I was to go unleaded Barnes would be my choice for sure.

[kittyboom]

Again, thanks all for the welcome. I think I'm going to try and get some the Underwood round test first. That's if I can even get them here in CA from my LGS.

[GunnyGene]

Here's what Underwood says regarding shipping to some CA locations. I don't know how up to date it is.

https://www.underwoodammo.com/pages/shi ... strictions

State Shipping Restrictions

California Restrictions apply to the following areas:
---Los Angeles No ammunition shipments
---Marin County CCW card must be on file
---Oakland No ammunition shipments

[brettitt41]

Welcome Kittyboom. Sounds like you have a good plan and a fine choice in rifles. I'm an Underwood fan, but just based on videos and forum reviews. I shoot lead in mine.

[If1Hitu]

Welcome from KY.