Like leather slings on my walnut rifles, but the paracord sling seemed like a good fit with the X. Put a Ranger Point Precision sight on today, with a standard round aperture. Note that it wasn't because the factory sights are bad... they're actually very good. The aperture does help with smaller targets at longer ranges, and gives a longer sight radius, but the main reason was to have an easily adjustable rear sight. 357 Magnum is a very versatile cartridge, but different loads can produce massively different POI. While the RPP doesn't have nice graduated clicks like a good scope, it's very easy to adjust. Have also found it predictable in adjustment once you get a feel for how much things move for each 1/8 turn on the screws. Two small adjustments & I was in business.
Very pleased with the accuracy! The handload that was used has done well in several rifles & revolvers. Had no problems with feeding, extracting, or ejecting. Action is fairly smooth out of the box. Used the side gate exclusively on the first trip and it's both easier & less critical of exact alignment than the one on my Marlin. Prefer to top load from empty, (& definitely prefer unloading from the top!), but I do like having the option to top off through a gate. Best of both worlds, well done Henry. Same can be said of the lever- I like having an enlarged loop for gloved hands, but many are way larger than necessary. This one's just right; big enough for a gloved hand but not much more.
Trigger is crisp & breaks right at 5 lbs. Might prefer a pound less, but like the results both from a bench & offhand, so I'm calling it good.
Probably going to get a Versacarry ammo caddy for the stock. Also contemplating factory rear sight removal & replacement with a dovetail filler. The rear sight didn't seem to bother me today (it & the RPP are actually co-witnessed, lol), but it does occupy most of the sight picture's lower half. No problems today with a bright orange target on a white background, but want to try it with something more field realistic... maybe tape up a plain brown grocery bag & see if I can center it without issue.
Length of pull is ~3/4" longer than ideal for me. Not Henry's fault that I'm 5'8", short armed & barrel chested, of course. Can't say it affected accuracy today, nor cycling, but I was making a conscious effort to throw the lever open all the way. Can envision a scenario where I short stroke it a bit & an empty doesn't quite make it out, especially if I have a heavy coat on. Not sure yet how I'll go about the reduction.
All in all, I'm a happy camper!
