Henry Rifle Forums

For those that have followed my winters handloading. http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2213
I finally got a chance to get some range time in with my Big Boy: Mr Ambassador!


I'm also going to throw this out just because. For a part of this testing I had someone in the next lane shooting a 308 with a compensator. It did affect my concentration some and some of my groups do show this. So some of these groups were me not just powder difference.

For the last year or so I've been loading very light cowboy style loads with Unique Powder. I'll start with that.
This was just kind of a control comparison. I'll soon test this load with different bullets.
Anyway 44 mag, Berry's 240 gr target HP, 8 gr Unique.

I shot over my chrono.
low = 945 fps
high = 1,099 fps
avg = 1,005 fps

3" group at 50 yds. The black part of all these targets is 8".


Next up is a new load and a new bullet for me.
240 gr Missouri Bullet Co lead rnfp, 7 gr of trail boss

low = 935 fps
high = 981 fps
avg = 954 fps

3.5" group at 50 yds


3" group at 50 yds


And just trying to get the same load on paper at 100 yds.


And the surprise of the day. Berry's 240 gr copper plated rnfp, 7 gr of Trail Boss.
Check the speed difference from above. Exactly the same load just a different 240 gr bullet.

Low = 720 (fluke)
high = 830 fps
avg = 801 fps

2.25" group at 50 yds.


2.75" group at 50 yds


1.5" group at 50 yds. 5 shot is flyer just off top of paper.


Add 2 full turns up on my rear Skinner peep and 1.75 ' group at 100yds! This is the best 100 yd group I've ever shot with this rifle.


Over all I'm very pleased with the results. The combo of 7 gr Trail Boss and the Berry's plated bullet have a lot of promise. This is a light load! Like shooting a 22 recoil wise. At these speeds you shoot then wait to hear it hit the target at 100 yds.

I should also note that with my eyes I don't shoot at 100 yds much lately. But I was seeing it well(for me) yesterday.

This is the 1st time I've used Trail Boss. The loads seem a little more consistent than Unique. I weigh every charge! Can't wait to try the 45/70 loads I loaded with this powder.

I have recently used Trail Boss in my Marlin 45-70 loads. My gun likes 300 grain lead flat points with the max load. It is much more pleasant to shoot than full power hunting loads and in my gun the first two shots from a cold barrel form a ragged hole so accuracy is good. My 357 big boy did not like Trail Boss with any load or bullet combination.

Cool range report with some very nice POIs. You and Mr. Ambassador did just fine. Also kind of forgot how sharp Mr. Ambassador looks all dressed in his finest leather and shine. Great pose on the cut wood pile.

I don't know much about reloading or the specs you provided, but I sure do like the looks of the bullet placement on those DBs. Plus those are excellent small groups. Agreed on liking your 100-yard target result. I sure would like to see my shooting end up with that many bullets touching in one group! Thanks for your range report....enjoyed it.

Squatch wrote:For those that have followed my winters handloading. http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2213
I finally got a chance to get some range time in with my Big Boy: Mr Ambassador!


.....Add 2 full turns up on my rear Skinner peep and 1.75 ' group at 100yds! This is the best 100 yd group I've ever shot with this rifle.


Over all I'm very pleased with the results. The combo of 7 gr Trail Boss and the Berry's plated bullet have a lot of promise. This is a light load! Like shooting a 22 recoil wise. At these speeds you shoot then wait to hear it hit the target at 100 yds.

I should also note that with my eyes I don't shoot at 100 yds much lately. But I was seeing it well(for me) yesterday.

Mr Ambassador not only looks the part - he's accurate, too.

Squatch,

That is an excellent group. I think you have a winning load. That is also a beautiful photo of Mr. Ambassador. Perfect name for a Henry Big Boy as they always draw lots of attention at the range!

Nice shooting especially the last load. I can't imagine getting that tight a group at 100 yards with my eyes using open sights.

Squatch -
Great range report and nice shooting from a beautiful Henry - appreciate all your time and efforts in documenting reloading data for "Mr. Ambassador". For those of us that are going to get into reloading for our 44Mag and 45-70 Henrys, your info is invaluable - a great place to start for any 44Mag reloading newbie....

DAVIDF wrote:Squatch,

That is an excellent group. I think you have a winning load. That is also a beautiful photo of Mr. Ambassador. Perfect name for a Henry Big Boy as they always draw lots of attention at the range!

It got that name because so many folks have shot the Big Boy and walked away with a smile on their faces. It's probably sold a couple of Henry's!

Thanks for the kind words folks. Of course I only posted the best targets. But I was as surprised as any with the 100 yd group! Don't know whether I can repeat that but sure going to try!

Just a note to add. When I cleaned the rifle I found no leading from the MBC lead bullets!