The Saga of My Henry H001

[DMW1116]

It’s been a long tale, but it’s now one of my favorite 22s and intend to use it for silhouette competitions with iron sights.

When I got it I intended to use it for Quiet and CB rounds. It turns out it doesn’t work very well with those. Accuracy isn’t what I wanted for the intended purpose of quietly shooting rats in the back yard.

After some experimentation I found out the factory front band sight was too short and I couldn’t lower it to zero at 50 or 25 yards. I tried a scope but it overpowered the rifle so I pulled it off. I contacted Henry and they sent out a new front band. I swapped them out and was thrilled to see the windage did not change. POI was quite low though.

My logic was to file down the front sight to zero with high velocity ammo at the lowest setting of the rear sight. That took two trips or so and a lot of funny looks from the younger guys at the range. When done it would set shots about 1/4 to 1/2 inch high at 25 yards. This was using Thunderbolt ammo but seems to have worked for a variety of on hand 1,250 fps ammo.

This weekend I tried out some standard velocity (1,080 fps) ammo. I think this will work as well but might require one more notch for the proper elevation at 50 yards. I have one more session to formally catalog the different ammo categories at the different notch elevations. I also plan to revisit the CB, Quiet, and Short rounds.

I like the factory pistol style sights pretty well, as opposed to the semi-buckhorn sights on my 336. They are flat across the top instead of having sweeping ends in the rear. I did remount a 4x scope for ammo testing purposes. It seems to prefer Aguila HV Super Extra and Federal Automatch from the supply I have. I pulled the scope off again and as long as I can find something to aim at, it seems just as accurate as with a scope.

 

[DMW1116]

I broke out the Henry and went to the range with a couple kinds of HV ammo and some CCI Standard Velocity ammo. I used Aguila Super Extra 40 grain copper coated @ 1255 fps and a few CCI Mini-mags for comparison. Things didn't exactly go as I had planned.

First off, the CCI SV at the lowest and middle notches were still low. This was done at 50 yards. The highest notch showed impacts about 1.5" above the line of sight. Another unusual thing is the group was sorta large for what I normally consider very accurate ammo. It was about 1.5". This isn't totally surprising based on some ammo testing with a 4x scope at 50 yards, but I'd hoped that was a fluke.

Second, the lowest notch had the Aguila SE HV ammo impact below the line of sight as well by about 2". I thought the elevation was good at 50 yards, but admittedly I did the filing at 25 yards to about 0.5" high. I thought it would keep rising but evidently not. The second and third notches were above the line of sight by about 1.5" and 5" respectively. The CCI Mini-mags hit slightly lower than the Aguila HV, so perhaps I can use that to my advantage and get a little closer to POA with them.

In any event, I think I'll leave it alone for a while and fight my urge to take more off the front sight for a dead on 50 yard zero with the Aguila. The rifle definitely shoots the Aguila HV and SV better than the CCI equivalents, grouping just over an inch at 50 yards with a scope. I'd also like to repeat the shooting @ 50 yards with the Aguila blue box SE SV at 1130 fps and repeat the whole thing at 25 yards. With a scope at that distance this rifle shoots one hole but I can't repeat that with iron sights. It might also be time for some orange paint on the front sight blade. It was tough to see the black blade on a black target or border. The accuracy won't guarantee hits on the steel silhouettes I plan to try, as the smallest is a little under an inch in the shortest dimension. It's a rat silhouette that's about 3.5" wide and just under 1" tall, not including the legs.

 

[DMW1116]

And in another sort of irony similar to using CFE powder to push cast bullets, Federal Automatch hits right at the point of aim at 50 yards. I’ve even confirmed it hits the same when shooting without a rest. It’s also accurate enough I plan to leave it alone and try the rimfire silhouette competition tomorrow.

the impact point for various ammos needs more exploration. I tried to start today but got frustrated and just focused on the task at hand.

 

[Citizen John]

Interesting, I don't have a Henry but I keep hearing good things. My 22's are old and accurate. Ergonomics were taken for granted by hunters and by the manufacturers of a hundred years ago. Most of my 22's have iron sights which are ideal for off hand squirrel hunting. A squirrel bouncing around in a scope will drive you nuts. Scopes help you in poor light and when you can use a rest. Keep us up to date on your Henry !

 

[DMW1116]

It’s very smooth and probably more accurate than I can shoot it. People don’t like the receiver cover but haven’t had any issues. The final group hit the red center of an 8” dirty bird 2/3.

 

[22250Rem]

The saga of my Henry H-001 began in Oct. 2018 when the local Runnings, home, farm & outdoor store had them on sale. Fondled one for a couple minutes and bought it on the spot. I've always loved .22 lever guns ever since a buddy had a Winchester 9422 back in the 1990's. For a lower priced lever gun the Henry has exceeded all my expectations. By 2020 I had put a pic rail on it and mounted a Red Dot and that's when I found out how accurate it is. Although now the rail and Red Dot are off it because it just seemed too big to be sitting atop such a trim little gun. Replaced the front sight with a fiber optic and it's now one of my favorite plinkers. Older eyes really appreciate a glowing front sight. .. No receiver cover issues here, either, and I love the smoothness of that action. Here's a shot of it in its current configuration with just the fiber optic front sight, with a couple .22 handguns, a Ruger Single Six & an H&R Model 676. This Henry's a keeper for sure, gonna get passed on to my son when that time comes around. ..

 

[Meeks36]

My son loves his. Put plenty of federal subsonics through it. It’s still louder then I would like for pest control at the house. Might suppress it one day. It’s accurate and smooth. Keep us updated on your progress. I might try something like what you are doing on his.

 

[kidneyboy]

I broke out the Henry and went to the range with a couple kinds of HV ammo and some CCI Standard Velocity ammo. I used Aguila Super Extra 40 grain copper coated @ 1255 fps and a few CCI Mini-mags for comparison. Things didn't exactly go as I had planned.

First off, the CCI SV at the lowest and middle notches were still low. This was done at 50 yards. The highest notch showed impacts about 1.5" above the line of sight. Another unusual thing is the group was sorta large for what I normally consider very accurate ammo. It was about 1.5". This isn't totally surprising based on some ammo testing with a 4x scope at 50 yards, but I'd hoped that was a fluke.

Second, the lowest notch had the Aguila SE HV ammo impact below the line of sight as well by about 2". I thought the elevation was good at 50 yards, but admittedly I did the filing at 25 yards to about 0.5" high. I thought it would keep rising but evidently not. The second and third notches were above the line of sight by about 1.5" and 5" respectively. The CCI Mini-mags hit slightly lower than the Aguila HV, so perhaps I can use that to my advantage and get a little closer to POA with them.

In any event, I think I'll leave it alone for a while and fight my urge to take more off the front sight for a dead on 50 yard zero with the Aguila. The rifle definitely shoots the Aguila HV and SV better than the CCI equivalents, grouping just over an inch at 50 yards with a scope. I'd also like to repeat the shooting @ 50 yards with the Aguila blue box SE SV at 1130 fps and repeat the whole thing at 25 yards. With a scope at that distance this rifle shoots one hole but I can't repeat that with iron sights. It might also be time for some orange paint on the front sight blade. It was tough to see the black blade on a black target or border. The accuracy won't guarantee hits on the steel silhouettes I plan to try, as the smallest is a little under an inch in the shortest dimension. It's a rat silhouette that's about 3.5" wide and just under 1" tall, not including the legs.

Have you considered a peep sight? I have a Williams on mine and it's been on there longer than any other sight I have used.

 

[DMW1116]

I have considered a Skinner peep sight. I was not aware Williams had one for 22. I have a Williams on my 336 already.

I decided I wanted to keep at least one of my 22 rifles with the open style sights and I like the Henry version better than the two Marlins I have, though the Marlins have more elevation adjustments.

Due to a late return from a band competition last night I won’t be going to the silhouette shoot this morning. I also feel a little more practice wouldn’t hurt. Hitting where I want three times out of all the rounds I put through it so far isn’t really confidence inspiring.

 

[kidneyboy]

Williams FP-GR Receiver Peep Sights. I didn't need to change the front sight on my Henry. 25 yard zero with the sight as low as it would go.

 

[22250Rem]

My mind keeps wandering back to the idea of a rear peep sight on my Henry H-001 to go along with that fiber optic front sight shown in my previous post. I know it would help me out, as that gun shoots better than I can with iron sights. I discovered how accurate it was when it had the Red Dot on it. I'm a big fan of aperture (peep) sights.... I should go for it. That would be sweet.

 

[DMW1116]

Skinner Black Gold rear and brass front Patridge sight. The factory front blade is too wide for me to use with a peep. I’ve gotten used to a 0.052” or Chevron pointed front post/blade.

That Williams sight is a good option if this does turn into a dedicated target gun. While the Skinner peep would fit the character of the rifle, I’m sure I’d grow frustrated with the lack of fine adjustment on a target rifle.

 

[DMW1116]

Now that I say it out loud that actually sounds pretty good. I’d have matching lever guns in 30-30 and 22 with the same sights. Since my 30-30 shoots mostly “Short Range” cast loads now, the trajectory would even be similar.