Rimfire Silhouette with Henry H001

[DMW1116]

I have tried a local rimfire silhouette competition a couple of times. I was using my old Marlin 60 with Tech Sights for the iron sights portion. The distance is 55 yards.

I have begun to realize the Marlin may not be accurate enough for this type of competition. Groups at 50 yards are only small enough to hit about half the targets reliably.

The only other 22 rifle I have to use is a Henry H001. I spent some time dialing the factory sights in, as the front sight was too high and couldn’t zero for 50 yards. I tend to prefer peep sights but these factory open sights seem to shoot pretty well for me. I can shoot them out to 50 yards with more consistent groups than the Marlin. This seems to indicate the Henry is a more inherently accurate rifle and at least with limited testing shoots groups that would hit the smallest targets most of the time.

Many of the other competitors have fairly specialized bolt or single shot rifles but I wanted to try with what I have and maybe learn where to go from here.

 

[kidneyboy]

I think they are plenty accurate.
4" group at 100yards with the little carbine and CCI mini mags and adjustable Williams peep sights. My H001 rifle shoots about the same with mini mags and the same sights.

 

[whisler]

I watched a rimfire silhouette match in Indiana that was shot with 2 categories, antique (pre 1898) and modern, both with scopes allowed. Scopes for antiques had to match the era. Stages were 50 yds off-hand, 100,150, and 200 yds prone off cross sticks. Watched one fellow with what I think was a low-wall antique rifle clean the 200 yd. silhouettes. I was in awe!

 

[DMW1116]

That would be pretty impressive to see. I don’t know what it is about that old Marlin but some days it shoots great and other days it won’t run. I have another 60 I use for the scoped portion of the match at 100 yards and it shoots fine.

I pulled the 4x scope off my Henry and resolved to use the iron sights I spent so much time tuning. The scope will go on the first Marlin after I tune the factory sights.

I have the Henry set to hit about 1” high at 50 yards with 1250 fps type ammo on the lowest ramp notch. I should be able to use a 6 o’clock hold for the silhouettes except the smallest one, which is affectionately known as the postage stamp. A little windage tuning might be in order.

The H001 seems to have a preference for Aguila high and standard velocity Super Extra and may shoot Automatch about the same. The Thunderduds I zeroed it for have shown a tendency to open up a lot when shot to 50 yards. I should have know better.

 

[DMW1116]

I watched a rimfire silhouette match in Indiana that was shot with 2 categories, antique (pre 1898) and modern, both with scopes allowed. Scopes for antiques had to match the era. Stages were 50 yds off-hand, 100,150, and 200 yds prone off cross sticks. Watched one fellow with what I think was a low-wall antique rifle clean the 200 yd. silhouettes. I was in awe!

The rules for this one are 55 yards if using iron sights and 100 for scoped rifles. Everything is shot from the bench with only a front rest. I use a bean bag usually.

 

[DMW1116]

I think they are plenty accurate.
4" group at 100yards with the little carbine and CCI mini mags and adjustable Williams peep sights. My H001 rifle shoots about the same with mini mags and the same sights.
View attachment 1107880

I thought about some Skinner peep sights for the H001 but I decided to try it in factory condition other than sight adjustments. I like to tinker as much as the next gun guy but I am disillusioned with how much work sometimes is needed to get a factory gun to shoot well.