Dry Firing Henry Acubolt 22 Bolt Action Rifle

[mikemyers]

To dry fire the Henry Acubolt 22 bolt action rifle, which shoots 22 Magnum ammo, what is the appropriate thing to use to protect the gun from damage? I assume it is not acceptable to dry fire on an empty chamber.

Choices might include old brass, dummy rounds, or ??? Are standard 22 Dummy Rounds suitable?

 

[aarondhgraham]

First let me say,,,
Oh My Gawsh, another Acu-Bolt shooter!

I thought I was the only one out here,,,
Even though mine is .22 LR.

I have used an empty case in several bolt rifles for years,,,
I've never damaged a firing pin that way.

Aarond

.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Some people like plastic drywall hangars, I usually use old, fired cases.

 

[loose noose]

I use fired cases also, and have so for years. Never broke a firing pin yet, and it keeps the firing pin from striking the wall of the chamber mouth, which over time will cause problems.

 

[mikemyers]

Thanks!!!

Hey, are these guns really that scarce?

I just bought four boxes of ammo this morning. Will find out soon how well I can shoot it.

 

[aarondhgraham]

It's not so much that they are scarce,,,
But they have been discontinued by Henry for several years now.

An all stainless bolt-action single-shot with a polymer stock,,,
Didn't really fit the "cowboy" image of Henry rifles.

It's a shame too because they really are fine shooters,,,
With the 4X scope mine came with, shooting from a bench,,,
I can keep every shot inside or cutting the edge of a 1/2" circle at 50 yards.

The Mini-Bolt is the childrens version of the Acu-Bolt,,,
That rifle is still in their inventory and is very well thought of for junior shooters.

The only gripe I have is about the trigger,,,
It's not terrible but it isn't great either.

Let us know how you do,,,
I predict you will be happy with the rifle.

Aarond

.

 

[mikemyers]

I mostly shoot handguns, not rifles. I want to be able to shoot it standing up, no bench, no rest. Years ago I think I was better suited to this than I am now, but I'll soon find out.

What I like about it, is that it seems to be nicely made, and isn't too heavy. The first time I picked it up, it was a case of sea-sickness to watch the thing wander all over. Slowly, it is now behaving in a more civilized manner. Either it is getting used to me, or vice versa. My brother suggested having my left elbow supported by my hips, not floating in the air - that might help.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have a pile of rimfires, but only have one that dry firing is likely to damage. It is a benchrest gun with a cone chamber. I simply try to avoid dry firing it. Every now and then someone wants to try a 2 ounce trigger. I keep a piece or two of spent brass in the case for such occasions.

 

[BilliamB.]

I have a pile of rimfires, but only have one that dry firing is likely to damage. It is a benchrest gun with a cone chamber. I simply try to avoid dry firing it. Every now and then someone wants to try a 2 ounce trigger. I keep a piece or two of spent brass in the case for such occasions.

I'm not sure I understand. You say you have, "a pile of rimfires, but only have one that dry firing is likely to damage." I thought dry firing any rimfire had the potential to damage the firing pin.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'm not sure I understand. You say you have, "a pile of rimfires, but only have one that dry firing is likely to damage." I thought dry firing any rimfire had the potential to damage the firing pin.

Most won't....Lots of guns get dry fired after the mag or tube runs dry. Some, like Ruger MK pistols, cannot be disassembled without dry firing first.

 

[Skylerbone]

I think people are remembering horror stories told of soft steel mushrooming into chambers and needing ironing after. Most people don’t own an iron, some have never heard of such a thing, and still fewer are those who have likely needed one.

 

[Picher]

"Tactical .22 rimfires are not necessarily more accurate than most decent regular rifles, or those that can be improved by tuning triggers and replacing barrels. Barrel quality makes the biggest difference, not a funny looking "tactical" stock. A Lilja, Shilen or other great target barrel on a .22LR can be amazingly accurate. However, nothing will make a .22 WMR into a MOA shooter, simply because the ammo itself isn't that accurate. I managed to shoot one brand/batch into 1 MOA, then subsequent boxes of the same ammo couldn't even come close.

 

[Picher]

Be very careful dry-firing, especially rimfires. About the only ones I haven't had problems with have been Ruger 10-22s and Ruger semi-auto handguns. They can't be de-cocked without dry-firing, but I've never noted any metal peening or fractures in those models.

Check the barrel breech often to see if the firing pin is striking the the barrel. I've even had external-hammers break from dry-firing. Thompson Center Contender hammers were problematic for years.

 

[22250Rem]

Years ago I got into the plastic drywall anchors on the advice of some folks more experienced than I. Use them for both 22LR & 22 Mag. in both pistols & rifles and I see they've been mentioned in this thread already. There's always some confusion on my part about which rimfire is totally safe to dry fire so now I just assume they all are. That makes life simpler & less complicated. They are packaged as "Ribbed Plastic Anchors" and the size is: #4-6 x 7/8". Got then either at Home Depot or Lowes but most any hardware dept. should have 'em. One of those is good for quite a few hits from the firing pin before it starts looking too beat up. Even if I know a rimfire is ( supposedly) safe to dry fire I still have that old ingrained habit about feeling guilty pulling a rimfire trigger on an empty chamber.