Shot the Henry today

[gman]

With all the rain we had all week it's a muddy mess on the farm but I was able to set up a folding table and angle the shots in the berm. Only able to get some 30 yard shots but I've been sitting on this rifle since Friday and had to shoot it before leaving for work. Once the sights were adjusted she shot very good. Action is very smooth and the trigger breaks clean. Loaded some cast from NOE 454-276 SWC (Keith Signature mold) on top of 20g IMR-4227 sparked by a Fed 150. Bullets were PC'd and sized .4525. 8 out of ten grouped into 1.250 with the other 2 not far off. Did not chrono with all the mud but on a better day will. I shoot this load in several RBH's and it always shoots well. Picture won't post. Real joy to shoot.

 

[S Mac]

Refresh my memory, it's chambered in 45 Colt?

 

[gman]

Yes sir, 45 Colt. The bullets weigh 280 grains as loaded.

 

[9.3X62AL]

This bodes well for my incarcerated Henry in 357 Mag. 5 more days until it makes parole.

 

[gman]

Finally able to upload picture. 1st shot was the one to the left and it knocked off my dot. Have a skinner sight on the way.

 

[Brad]

Looks like it shoots well.

 

[Ian]

Busting hand-thrown clays off the lee side of the rig with it yet?

 

[35 shooter]

Nice looking rifle!

 

[Pistolero]

Good shooting gun.

 

[gman]

I'd settle for them letting me cast bullets out here. Shooting this rifle is in the plans next week especially once that Skinner comes in!

 

[Ian]

Waiting on mine, too. It shipped today but I'm a little irked that they charged me something like $12 to ship a tiny sight through the post office. There must be a "handling" charge in there somewhere.

 

[gman]

I ordered a front sight also. If mine doesn't need it and your does let me know I'll send it your way.

 

[Ian]

Mine looks just like yours in the picture, so let's keep our fingers crossed! You mentioned in the other thread that you bought the receiver-mount sight, but since there are no tapped holes in either my receiver or barrel, I'm stuck with the dovetail rear sight replacement version.

 

[gman]

The dove tail mount looks good in my opinion. If it works out that's what counts. If mine works out I may take it on a late season hunt at my bud's place in Mississippi. There are several places I like to sit that would offer some shots for that rifle. Need to chrono that load I was shooting.

 

[Ian]

If I had any of those components I'd work it out for you, but alas no. Next time I fire up the pot I'll run some plain-based Lee 300-grain bullets and give those a go.

 

[9.3X62AL]

I have the HBB in hand now, and its first shots will get made with a box of W-W factory 158 JHP loads I have from The Old Days when my shop used that load for duty rounds. I like the first shots fired in a new rifle to be done with factory ammo on board--that way, if something really funky occurs initially the maker can't deny warrantee coverage via use of handloads. That may well be the ONLY factory ammo the rifle ever sees. I test functioning, safety, relative accuracy, and overall initial performance in that fashion. Factory ammo has its uses, for certain--though darn few of them.

 

[gman]

Awaiting your report. It may force me to go pick up that used 357 Henry at the shop.

 

[Brother_Love]

I just got home with a Henry Steel in 357, saw it, held it, bought it! It will be Thursday before I can shoot it.

 

[9.3X62AL]

Same here, B/L.

 

[Ian]

I need to hit up Mr. Imperato for a spiff....