Henry Single Shot Rifle.

[c.dunwoody1234]

Hello!
I’m looking around for a simple, rugged, reliable hunting rifle. Most likely chambered in .308, and I was looking at the Henry Single Shot rifles. I would like this rifle to last a long time with minimal maintenance, and ideally be able to be passed down. Should I consider this single shot rifle? Or would a bolt action rifle last longer? Also what are some recommendations for an heirloom quality bolt action rifle?
Thanks!

 

[BullRunBear]

I have a Henry single shot in .223. It is gorgeous in both fit and finish. You can't get much simpler than a break action single shot and Henry has a great reputation. Single shots have a long history of effectiveness. Think of the buffalo hunters of the 1870s. Of course, the bolt action rifle has been around for well over a century and offers faster follow up shots, if that matters. Like many choices with guns, handle as many as you can to see what feels best in your hands.

Jeff

 

[Random 8]

I have one in .357 magnum. It is stout, well built, and accurate enough for the purposes of casual target shooting and game hunting. Given the break action design, it probably wouldn't stand up to the better bolt guns in that regard, but that's all theory. Haven't fired one in a heavy centerfire caliber, but based on the geometry and weight of mine, recoil should be tolerable. With a low-mounted optic, cheek weld is appropriate. As for durability, I expect it to hold up well. A well established BA such as Win 70, Rem 700, Ruger M77 or anything Mauser 98 based likewise hold up well. Replacement parts and accessories are available for these. With the Henry being relatively new, they may or may not be available for this model long term. I would highly recommend it for your stated purpose.

An heirloom quality bolt action...need to know your budget. One man's heirloom is another man's knockaround.

 

[Obturation]

Barrel life seems more important than action strength, they're all sufficiently strong. Rifles no good with a burned out barrel if replacements aren't available or the cost of replacement exceeds the value of the whole gun. With that in mind is say get the single shot henry, but get a big slow heavy cartridge that can be shot a lot but not burn out for generations. I might suggest 45-70 , but I am biased .

 

[c.dunwoody1234]

Barrel life seems more important than action strength, they're all sufficiently strong. Rifles no good with a burned out barrel if replacements aren't available or the cost of replacement exceeds the value of the whole gun. With that in mind is say get the single shot henry, but get a big slow heavy cartridge that can be shot a lot but not burn out for generations. I might suggest 45-70 , but I am biased .

Thanks, would .308 burn out a barrel faster than 45/70?

 

[LNK]

Thanks, would .308 burn out a barrel faster than 45/70?

Yes, but both are kind to barrels. 45-70 is just a lot more so.

 

[Obturation]

Yes, but both are kind to barrels. 45-70 is just a lot more so.

Agree.

Op-
It just depends on what you're doing to it. A typical .308 win or any "modern" rifle chambering will generally use a jacketed bullet at high speed and high pressure, that equals more heat and forces on the rifling. Something using slower, lower pressure cartridges is not going to cause much wear and 45-70 is right at home with big lead bullets, lead being significantly softer than copper causes minimal wear in a modern barrel. If you're planning on some 100-200 yard shots and less you can't really do better in my opinion than something big and heavy. Additionally if downloaded to powder puff levels the 45-70 will still shoot right through pretty much any critter you can imagine and loaded up hot it is capable of performance (within its range) that puts most other cartridges to shame. It's a most versatile cartridge that's also just plain cool. Anyone who doubts the old 45-70 simply doesn't understand how it should be used. Making cloverleafs at 300 yards, no. Shooting lengthwise through a whitetail? No problem . I'm no rifle expert and wouldn't claim to be, I'm also not a long range shooter- 200 yards is as far as I ever really shoot and if hunting, longer shots may be tough regardless of cartridge to make an ethical shot. Most critters and soup cans are shot under 100 yards - at least around here.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

Hello!
I’m looking around for a simple, rugged, reliable hunting rifle. Most likely chambered in .308, and I was looking at the Henry Single Shot rifles. I would like this rifle to last a long time with minimal maintenance, and ideally be able to be passed down. Should I consider this single shot rifle? Or would a bolt action rifle last longer? Also what are some recommendations for an heirloom quality bolt action rifle?
Thanks!

I bought a Henry single shot in .308 a year or so back. I put a Williams peep sight on it, because I planned to load heavier bullets for it, to use as a brush gun. It worked out very well for this purpose. They are very well made guns. They are fitted and finished really nice and they have some pretty wood. They are a lot of gun for the money. Imop it would be a rifle you could pass down. I own a Thompson Center TCR 87, in 270. It is a fine rifle and I like it very much. I think the Henry single shot is a mid grade rifle. The Thompson Center being the high end and the H&R being the low end. The Henry is much more than the H&R but just short of the Thompson Center. I love single shot rifles but never liked the H&Rs. They, to me are just a utilitarian rifle, a truck gun or something on that line. The Henry single shot is not a utilitarian rifle by any means. It is a much better made rifle. If you are in the market for a single shot rifle, the Henry single shot is the way to go. For what you pay and for what you get, is going to be a suprise. It is a better gun than what the price would lead you to belive.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Also what are some recommendations for an heirloom quality bolt action rifle?

Depends on how you define heirloom quality -- wood and steel? Composite stock OK?

For current production wood and steel bolt actions in .308 Winchester, I wouldn't kick any of the following out of bed:

Kimber 84M, Tikka T3, Howa 1500 (including Weatherby Vanguard), CZ 557, Ruger Hawkeye, Sako 85, Winchester M70, Remington M700

Final selection would depend on your budget, availability, and which stock design you prefer. It really pays to handle lots of different rifles before committing to a particular stock and action choice. Personally, I like the Kimber 84M factory offerings: one action with several finish and stock choices.

Bear in mind, this is the shallow end of the pool price-wise -- there are custom and semi-custom choices that require seriously deep pockets. Here's an article from last year on the subject: https://precisionrifleblog.com/2019/01/28/best-gunsmith/

With regard to which class of rifle class lasts longer, the part that usually wears out is the bore (unless its a Remington 700/721 -- I've personally seen broken extractors on 3 different rifles.) There are exceptions, but the more common models of bolt action rifles are relatively easy to have barrels replaced, while single shots (particularly break barrel) less so. That said, it takes a long time to wear out a hunting rifle bore, often generations. The guys who burn through barrels quickly are varmint shooters, competitive target shooters and the full auto guys.

BTW, I just bought a copy of a book that may whet your appetite for fine hunting rifles. It includes the author's advice on what selection criteria he finds important -- he makes great points but I personally think he's pretty fussy!: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Hunting-Rifles-Victorian-Present/dp/1510731695

 

[SMK-1000plus]

I bought a Henry single shot in .308 a year or so back. I put a Williams peep sight on it, because I planned to load heavier bullets for it, to use as a brush gun. It worked out very well for this purpose. They are very well made guns. They are fitted and finished really nice and they have some pretty wood. They are a lot of gun for the money. Imop it would be a rifle you could pass down. I own a Thompson Center TCR 87, in 270. It is a fine rifle and I like it very much. I think the Henry single shot is a mid grade rifle. The Thompson Center being the high end and the H&R being the low end. The Henry is much more than the H&R but just short of the Thompson Center. I love single shot rifles but never liked the H&Rs. They, to me are just a utilitarian rifle, a truck gun or something on that line. The Henry single shot is not a utilitarian rifle by any means. It is a much better made rifle. If you are in the market for a single shot rifle, the Henry single shot is the way to go. For what you pay and for what you get, is going to be a suprise. It is a better gun than what the price would lead you to belive.

I agree with the Henry Single Shot being a mid-grade rifle. I recently purchased one in 308 Win from a Gunbroker seller. The walnut is gorgeous but, my rifle arrived with a broken hammer spur! Turns out the hammer is made of a cast steel type material that will break relatively easy, as is the action release lever. There was obvious signs on the box that the USPS had been rather unkind to this package, to put it mildly. I contacted the seller who in turn contacted Henry and Henry sent him a replacement hammer for free. He in turn sent it to me. With the aid of a very good YouTube video from Henry on disassembly and reassembly of the H015 Single Shot rifle, replacement was relatively simple.

I now store my Henry H015 308 Win with the hammer cocked (Unloaded, of course!) to make it lower profiled in storage and as a bonus, it also locks the action closed.

My rifle shoots very well. I was shooting 1-1/2 MOA at 100 yards with the open sights. Surprised me because my eyes aren't that great. I may put a scope on it at some point, for load development but, will take it off when finished. I bought this rifle for a lightweight, quick use, open sight hunting rifle.

I may at some point, make a custom hammer and action release lever from 4130 steel, harden then polish and blue them, just for piece of mind. That would truly make this rifle a heirloom!

 

[dh1633pm]

Henry makes nice rifles that's for sure. Nothing about their single shots inspire me. Look like higher quality H&R's. What makes it an heirloom isn't the rifle, its the fact that you owned it at one time. What inspires one doesn't inspire another. Get what you like and make it yours. Then you have an heirloom.