Henry Long Ranger

[TSchwab25]

How accurate are they? I'm in the search for a deer rifle and was looking at a Browning BLR, but now a Henry Long Ranger. What are some non-obvious pros and cons about the rifle? What accuracy should I expect? If I can't get 1 moa or better I will shy away from the rifle.

 

[Show Me]

Light weight hunting rifle not a target rifle. Very thin barrel. Three shots and it spreads them

 

[Ru4real]

I have experience with one in 223. Utterly disappointed. About 2 MOA.

Looked good on paper though.

 

[Show Me]

I have experience with one in 223. Utterly disappointed.

Looked good on paper though.

.308. Love the looks but after many many rounds I'm not happy. Have more than several .308s. One axis that cost 209.00 after rebate is way better

 

[wiscoaster]

The only con I can come up with is the limited magazine capacity and inability to use an extended magazine. Mine is also .223 and its accuracy is one of my best rifles. I don't know why the above poster's results are disappointing. I did do a meticulous barrel break in. I am shooting with a decent scope. Don't know what sighting system he's using. The factory iron sights are no great shakes. I'd suggest getting without, if you can.

But it's a lot a fun to shoot. I haven't shot it recently and have no targets to show, but if memory serves I think it should be one MOA capable. I don't recall any problems hitting the smaller gongs at 100 yds.

View attachment 1061853

 

[jmr40]

You've been asking a lot of questions, and I assume to decide about a future purchase. For the requirements you say you want you have the best odds of finding it with a bolt action. With pumps, levers, and semi-autos a 1 MOA rifle is rare. You may stumble on one that will do it with one specific load. But you could spend a lifetime searching too. I won't guarantee 1 MOA from every bolt action, but the odds of getting there are much better.

It also seems that you're wanting something that can be fired rapidly. Quick repeat shots in a hunting rifle are WAAAY down on the list of priorities. If you don't get a hit the 1st shot, chances are not good of doing it when an animal is running away with the other shots. And with some dry fire practice, you'll be surprised at how fast a bolt gun can get off repeat shots. The difference isn't that great.

And you seem to be wanting wood instead of a plastic stock. Wood is fine, but there is nothing special about the wood being put on the vast majority of guns made today. Most of it is cheap and no nicer than what I burn in my wood stove all winter. If you want a rifle with decent wood expect to pay well into 4 figures. For me, if given the choice between cheap wood and plastic, I'll take plastic.

If you want to make this easy, buy a Tikka T3 bolt action. No fuss, no drama, no issues. Probably the most accurate, AND lightest rifle you can touch under $1500. And you might be able to get 2 of them for $1500.

They do make a version with cheap wood, but they are less common.

Choose | Tikka

Synthetic is available in blue for under $700

Choose | Tikka

And SS for around $800

Choose | Tikka

 

[Ru4real]

I don't recall any problems hitting the smaller gongs at 100 yds.

Aren’t the smaller gongs 4” diameter? Or about 4 MOA?

It’s so easy and cheap to find an AR or bolt gun in 223 that shoots better than the Henry lever. Bolts or semiauto’s in 30-30 or 45 Colt are a little harder to find, so for those I’m lever 100%

 

[TSchwab25]

You've been asking a lot of questions, and I assume to decide about a future purchase. For the requirements you say you want you have the best odds of finding it with a bolt action. With pumps, levers, and semi-autos a 1 MOA rifle is rare. You may stumble on one that will do it with one specific load. But you could spend a lifetime searching too. I won't guarantee 1 MOA from every bolt action, but the odds of getting there are much better.

It also seems that you're wanting something that can be fired rapidly. Quick repeat shots in a hunting rifle are WAAAY down on the list of priorities. If you don't get a hit the 1st shot, chances are not good of doing it when an animal is running away with the other shots. And with some dry fire practice, you'll be surprised at how fast a bolt gun can get off repeat shots. The difference isn't that great.

And you seem to be wanting wood instead of a plastic stock. Wood is fine, but there is nothing special about the wood being put on the vast majority of guns made today. Most of it is cheap and no nicer than what I burn in my wood stove all winter. If you want a rifle with decent wood expect to pay well into 4 figures. For me, if given the choice between cheap wood and plastic, I'll take plastic.

If you want to make this easy, buy a Tikka T3 bolt action. No fuss, no drama, no issues. Probably the most accurate, AND lightest rifle you can touch under $1500. And you might be able to get 2 of them for $1500.

They do make a version with cheap wood, but they are less common.

Choose | Tikka

Synthetic is available in blue for under $700

Choose | Tikka

And SS for around $800

Choose | Tikka

Yes I'm looking for a new deer rifle now and wondered about a few specific guns, I will probably go for a bolt gun.

 

[wiscoaster]

Aren’t the smaller gongs 4” diameter? Or about 4 MOA?....

I'm guessing about three inches. But I'm usually able to hit them on the first shot.
In terms of relative accuracy, I'd rate my .223 rifles as:
1) Howa 1500 - bolt
2) AR-15 - semi
3) Henry Long Ranger - lever
4) Ruger Mini-14 - semi

 

[Skylerbone]

I’ve never really experienced mechanical accuracy issues with any lever rifle to include a Henry .22lr and .357 While they won’t set the ergonomics record off a bench I’ve had no trouble achieving MOA and not horrible accuracy shooting seated in the field.

Any lightweight rifle can issue a challenge to the shooter’s ability but I wouldn’t call a lever the wrong tool for the job at hand if distance and ability are a match to purpose. Would I chose .223, in a lever gun for deer? No, but I contend it certainly can be made to make sense for certain geographical locations and some riflemen.

 

[wiscoaster]

I wanted to add that my Henry shoots best with heavier-weight bullets - 75 or 77 grains preferred. I don't doubt someone's sure to get disappointing results with 55 grains.

 

[somethingbenign]

I have one in 243. Never did the kind of testing to say exactly how accurate it is but I was getting half dollar sized groups off the frame of my backpack at 150 yards. That was with some Federal lead free ammo. Remington corlok did about the same. Winchester super x didn't want to chamber. Still working up some hand loads to see what it is truly capable of but between family drama/obligations, work, and poor weather it has taken longer than I care to admit. Given the chance to buy again I definitely would. It is nice to have something that turns a few heads at the range and hunting camp. The magazine release is very nice for a hunting rifle, never accidentally dropped a mag and still glove friendly. It is a pain to clean from the bore so a bore snake or muzzle guide is highly recommend. I am very impressed with the look of the wood stock on my example but wish it wasn't so every time it get a new dent or scratch from the field. I feel that the finish of the metal surfaces doesn't match the finish of the wood. I am very interested in the new express model they released but last I looked the weight was listed the same with the shorter barrel compared to the standard models and haven't gotten word back from any owners to confirm or deny that listing.

 

[Show Me]

I have one in 243. Never did the kind of testing to say exactly how accurate it is but I was getting half dollar sized groups off the frame of my backpack at 150 yards. That was with some Federal lead free ammo. Remington corlok did about the same. Winchester super x didn't want to chamber. Still working up some hand loads to see what it is truly capable of but between family drama/obligations, work, and poor weather it has taken longer than I care to admit. Given the chance to buy again I definitely would. It is nice to have something that turns a few heads at the range and hunting camp. The magazine release is very nice for a hunting rifle, never accidentally dropped a mag and still glove friendly. It is a pain to clean from the bore so a bore snake or muzzle guide is highly recommend. I am very impressed with the look of the wood stock on my example but wish it wasn't so every time it get a new dent or scratch from the field. I feel that the finish of the metal surfaces doesn't match the finish of the wood. I am very interested in the new express model they released but last I looked the weight was listed the same with the shorter barrel compared to the standard models and haven't gotten word back from any owners to confirm or deny that listing.

That is awesome. My .308 won't do that at 50 yds. I collect .308's and my Henry won't keep up.

 

[somethingbenign]

That is awesome. My .308 won't do that at 50 yds. I collect .308's and my Henry won't keep up.

Both are examples of one in both good and bad rifles. I suspect Henry might work with you if you contact them. I did notice my barrel was only free floated halfway down the barrel. If the accuracy was worse I was going to pull the stock and open that up a bit to see if things improved. Maybe check if your rifle is floating or touching the forend.

 

[Show Me]

When new barrel had a raised divet in it . wouldn't shoot. Henry replaced barrel. Much better. Improved to five inch five shot and four inch three shot groups buy the hundreds. Have tried every thing to change that. So it's just another woods gun. Well anyway can you have too many. P.S. not a rookie.

 

[Eagle103]

Yes I'm looking for a new deer rifle now and wondered about a few specific guns, I will probably go for a bolt gun.

Nothing wrong with a bolt gun. It'll usually be your cheapest, most accurate option but I've been totally pleased with my BAR I bought just over a year ago. Sub MOA, totally reliable and a beautiful gun. It appears to me that most people with accuracy issues were speaking about guns built years ago, sometimes decades ago. You can get a turd in any type of action too. If it's a semi auto you want for deer hunting at a reasonable range I wouldn't have any reservations about a new BAR.

 

[Show Me]

Nothing wrong with a bolt gun. It'll usually be your cheapest, most accurate option but I've been totally pleased with my BAR I bought just over a year ago. Sub MOA, totally reliable and a beautiful gun. It appears to me that most people with accuracy issues were speaking about guns built years ago, sometimes decades ago. You can get a turd in any type of action too. If it's a semi auto you want for deer hunting at a reasonable range I wouldn't have any reservations about a new BAR.

That new black one?

 

[Eagle103]

That new black one?

MKII Safari wood.

 

[Newtosavage]

Light weight hunting rifle not a target rifle. Very thin barrel. Three shots and it spreads them

I find this comment interesting for a couple reasons. First, I don't consider the Long Ranger to be a lightweight rifle. In fact, I was considering buying one until I handled it and realized it's over 7 lbs without a scope. No thanks. I hunt the high elevations in Colorado and I don't want my rifles to weigh over 7 lbs. WITH a scope.

Second, although both my primary (bolt action) hunting rifles weigh less than 7 lbs., they are both routinely sub-MOA and often closer to 1/2-3/4 MOA. If a person thinks that because a rifle is light it cannot be accurate, they need to expand their minds a bit and do a little browsing on the western hunting forums. Those guys, like me, won't own a rifle that is either heavy or inaccurate.

Now, if you just want a lever action, the Henry is a good candidate these days since most other manufacturers have abandoned that platform. And I've read good things about the Henry's accuracy. At least it has a floated barrel and no barrel band, so that should help things.

But you can't expect any lever action gun to be as consistently accurate as most bolt actions. People interested in accuracy choose bolt actions for a reason.

So decide what's most important to you, and go from there. Good luck with your choice.

P.S. - my 60+ year old Winchester 94 30-30, that happens to have an outstanding trigger, is a 1.5 MOA gun (which is good for that type of rifle) and I've killed literal truckloads of deer and pigs with it over the past 35 years.

 

[Skylerbone]

I find this comment interesting for a couple reasons. First, I don't consider the Long Ranger to be a lightweight rifle. In fact, I was considering buying one until I handled it and realized it's over 7 lbs without a scope. No thanks. I hunt the high elevations in Colorado and I don't want my rifles to weigh over 7 lbs. WITH a scope.

Second, although both my primary (bolt action) hunting rifles weigh less than 7 lbs., they are both routinely sub-MOA and often closer to 1/2-3/4 MOA. If a person thinks that because a rifle is light it cannot be accurate, they need to expand their minds a bit and do a little browsing on the western hunting forums. Those guys, like me, won't own a rifle that is either heavy or inaccurate.

Now, if you just want a lever action, the Henry is a good candidate these days since most other manufacturers have abandoned that platform. And I've read good things about the Henry's accuracy. At least it has a floated barrel and no barrel band, so that should help things.

But you can't expect any lever action gun to be as consistently accurate as most bolt actions. People interested in accuracy choose bolt actions for a reason.

So decide what's most important to you, and go from there. Good luck with your choice.

P.S. - my 60+ year old Winchester 94 30-30, that happens to have an outstanding trigger, is a 1.5 MOA gun (which is good for that type of rifle) and I've killed literal truckloads of deer and pigs with it over the past 35 years.

Can I double “like” your post! Well said.

 

[Chuck R.]

Yes I'm looking for a new deer rifle now and wondered about a few specific guns, I will probably go for a bolt gun.

Where are you, and more importantly what are the conditions you'll be hunting in IE:

Wooded, predominately short range?
or
Open country, longer distances etc. ?

Are you going to be mostly stand/blind hunting?
or
Still hunting/stalking?

Will the need for faster follow up shots trump the need for accuracy at distance?

Will rifle weight matter? Carrying all day at altitude places more emphasis on weight than covering a 1/4 mile hike to the stand. Lightweight also helps with "quickness" when still hunting or on drives.

The lever might well be perfectly acceptable accuracy-wise depending on your hunting conditions, the faster follow up shots may be an advantage, but only you really know how you're going to hunt. Many of us have ended up with multiple big game rifles to account for conditions.

I haven't managed to buy a rifle yet that does all things exceptionally well.

 

[Show Me]

I find this comment interesting for a couple reasons. First, I don't consider the Long Ranger to be a lightweight rifle. In fact, I was considering buying one until I handled it and realized it's over 7 lbs without a scope. No thanks. I hunt the high elevations in Colorado and I don't want my rifles to weigh over 7 lbs. WITH a scope.

Second, although both my primary (bolt action) hunting rifles weigh less than 7 lbs., they are both routinely sub-MOA and often closer to 1/2-3/4 MOA. If a person thinks that because a rifle is light it cannot be accurate, they need to expand their minds a bit and do a little browsing on the western hunting forums. Those guys, like me, won't own a rifle that is either heavy or inaccurate.

Now, if you just want a lever action, the Henry is a good candidate these days since most other manufacturers have abandoned that platform. And I've read good things about the Henry's accuracy. At least it has a floated barrel and no barrel band, so that should help things.

But you can't expect any lever action gun to be as consistently accurate as most bolt actions. People interested in accuracy choose bolt actions for a reason.

So decide what's most important to you, and go from there. Good luck with your choice.

P.S. - my 60+ year old Winchester 94 30-30, that happens to have an outstanding trigger, is a 1.5 MOA gun (which is good for that type of rifle) and I've killed literal truckloads of deer and pigs with it over the past 35 years.

Bolt locks into barrel. Winchester into receiver. Skinny azz barrel. Aluminum receiver. Heavy wood , heavy trigger.

 

[Nature Boy]

Hunting rifles aren’t target rifles and weight does play a part in that, but not the whole story.

1. The trigger - 2lb trigger is about as light as I would want in a hunting rifle. My target rifles are in the ounces

2. Ergonomics - no adjustable cheek piece, no wide fore end to ride the bag, too light to settle into your shooting supports and manage recoil

3. Magazines - adjusting seating depth in load development is restricted to magazine length.

I guess it might be good for the OP to define what accuracy level he’s hoping for

 

[Newtosavage]

Bolt locks into barrel. Winchester into receiver. Skinny azz barrel. Aluminum receiver. Heavy wood , heavy trigger.

You don't think skinny barrels can be accurate?

 

[Show Me]

You don't think skinny barrels can be accurate?

What's your point. I was describing my experience with one of eight .308's I have. I think this is one of the few times anyone has talked about the long ranger. So what is your experience with one or you about to impart your wisdom on a rifle you have no experience with. So again what's your point.