Henry Rifle Forums

I was up at the property yesterday mowing and doing general clean up. Can’t be all work and no play so I brought my Henry Big Boy and Ruger Single Seven 327’s. I have some 32 H&R reloads I wanted to run thru the Henry to check for function. I didn’t take the time to set up the bench and target stand but did have some fun with bowling pins. First I set up a casual target to see what the 32’s would do in the Henry. Shot these at 15 yards is all and again at 25 and as expected shots hit low. When I did my part holding the rifle perfectly vertical the 32’s fed fine. If I tilted it they wanted to hang up. Shooting and keeping the rifle at my shoulder all fed fine it was only when I lowered the rifle and cycled the action that I had a few hangups. Lesson learned.

At 15 yards the Henry mowed down the pins of course and at 25 it was pretty much the same. Next I shot the Ruger at 15 yards as on the last trip I struggled at 25 and that was off the bench on paper. I was probably only around 50% with hits on the pins at 15 yards but that was better than the last outing. I don’t like the rear sight on the Ruger as it’s a V notch with a Big Dot front. For me I struggle getting the dot aligned with the V notch. I looked at a replacement rear site online for Single Six’s that should work for my revolver. It’s said that the Single Six sight will not completely bottom out but since I’m sighted in at 25 yards that shouldn’t be an issue for me. My current sight is set very high.

Here’s some pics of my fun.

Is point of impact higher with 327 loads Hatch?

Sounds like fun. I've always been a fan of 32s.

I don't like V notch rear sights, either. I find them less precise than a conventional notch rear sight. Much prefer some daylight around the front sight in my sight picture.

In going to second that I don’t like V notch either. Nice looking range.

Yup, nice set up. I like shooting pins, don't like resetting them.
I bought swinging metal ones.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 13, 2024 10:21 am

Is point of impact higher with 327 loads Hatch?

At this point I would say yes but that’s without a real test. On the target below the shots in red are 32 H&R and shots in green are 327 FM. This was offhand at 15 yards so not a very good test. The three strung across the bottom were all called “stupid hatchdog” shots with the 327. I think moving back to 25 yards the difference in elevation would be more pronounced.


This is the rear V-notch sight I don’t like. I kept losing the front dot in it trying hard to keep the dot just above the bottom of the notch, kinda like an upside down exclamation point.



Note how high my rear sight is adjusted. This was to hit center 6” bullseye with a 6:00 hold using the 32 H&R loads. The only knock I can find using this Single Six rear sight on the Single Seven is you can’t use the bottom four clicks without the hammer hitting the sight. Based on my elevation setting in this pic that shouldn’t be a problem for me.

In guns where I've been shooting 327 and 32 H&R or even 357 and 38s, the lower power 32 H&R and 38s shoot lower with the same sight setting. In particular, I found the 327 to be amazingly flat shooting. Shooting all the way out to 50 yards required no elevation adjustment. Excellent cartridge for range use.

Thats a tall front sight Hatch. Im not sure I understand why Ruger does that. And I will go along with the v notch rear sight. Ive had one of those before on a Freedon Arms gun. Didnt like it then and still dont like it now

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:14 pm

Thats a tall front sight Hatch. Im not sure I understand why Ruger does that. And I will go along with the v notch rear sight. Ive had one of those before on a Freedon Arms gun. Didnt like it then and still dont like it now

Agreed, it just looks funny with those tall sights. The Single Six replacement sights I’m looking at are said to be lower overall but I bet the appearance won’t change much.

All cleaned up and ready to party again.

Sounds like fun.
I've owned a few BH's, and still have two and a pair of single-sixes and the all have the notched rear sight.
Not sure I've ever seen one like that before on their single action pistols.
Some nice looking firearms none the less, hope you find something you like.

RP