Henry Rifle Forums

I took the Big Boy Steel carbine in 327 Federal to the range last weekend. I tried various loads with cast bullets at 75 yards. Most of them grouped around 3 inches with velocities running from 1200 for the light loads to 1650 for the heavier loads. I tried some jacketed bullets and got 1760 fps from a 32 mag load of 11.7 of H110 and a Hornady 85 gr XTP. Factory Federal 100 gr averaged 2142 fps. The 85 XTP gave the best group for 5 at right at 1 inch for the first 5 but opened up to 3.5 inches for the next 5. I will have to do some more experimenting with cast to see if I can get it to do better. Cast bullets I used were Saeco 322, Ideal 311316, NOE 315, and RCBS 098.

The 5 shot 85 gr group below.




The 10 shot 85 gr group below.




The factory 100 gr 10 shot group.

Forgot to mention. I was shooting it with a 6 power scope.

interesting .... looking forward to following your search for a load to use with your 327

Are you using the small magnum pistol primer or small rifle primer? I need to develop a load for the .327 when it comes in Monday. I'm thinking I need to go get a box of small rifle primers although I've got a box of 1000 Federal 200 primers in the closet. I thought about changing powder from Power Pistol to Lil' Gun but seems like you're having good luck with H110.

I have used both. The loads I posted above were done with small rifle primers. I just tried a load of 13.5 of Lil Gun behind a 100 grain Hornady XTP that did real good at 75 yards. I used small pistol magnum primers in it. Don't know what the velocity was I left the chronograph at home. I still haven't come up with a cast load that groups at 75 yards.

Interesting info. Nice shooting too. Thanks.

rigger wrote:I have used both. The loads I posted above were done with small rifle primers. I just tried a load of 13.5 of Lil Gun behind a 100 grain Hornady XTP that did real good at 75 yards. I used small pistol magnum primers in it. Don't know what the velocity was I left the chronograph at home. I still haven't come up with a cast load that groups at 75 yards.

Got my Henry yesterday. I was going to scope it out today but alas, didn't get it done. I plan on doing that tomorrow and if time and not too damned hot head to the range. I'm just going to shoot what I've already loaded: Federal 200, 12.8 of Accuarate No. 9, Starline case with 100 gr Hornady XTP. If not tomorrow I'll have to wait and see what this tropical storm is going to do. We've got a lot of "warnings" out already for the weekend.

Shakey Jake wrote:I'll have to wait and see what this tropical storm is going to do. We've got a lot of "warnings" out already for the weekend.

Take good care. I've seen the maps and predictions for bad weather along the gulf. You may be in for a rough ride. Let us know how you make out.

I got the scope mounted and glad I had the Wheeler kit to help out. I put in the Burris Fullfield E1 scope in 2X7. I haven't bore sighted yet. I'm not going to the range until after Henry says goodbye. I've got to get my gutters cleaned out tomorrow. Already got plenty of batteries and water. Lots of dog food as we have four rescue dogs. (Two strays and two taken in from shelters). Plus have got to get some more food for the pantry. Here's a picture of my street from the last storm that came by. This one is supposed to hang around a bit longer.

My God this storm is going to be ugly. It's just gonna sit there for 48 hrs and POUR.

Looks like it's to your west, Jake so I hope you miss the brunt of it.

Take care, Jake, and anyone else in the storm's path.

Okay, the range is finally open even though it's on a limited basis. They really got flooded out and the clubhouse is still closed because the insurance inspectors haven't gotten around to them yet. Anyway, went out today and shot the Henry for the first time. The purpose of the trip was to sight in the scope and to see what different loads shot like. I'll attach a picture of the target. My first three hit low. I then over adjusted the scope and went high with two shots to the right. There was an 8 mph crosswind I was trying to compensate for. The group of 3 was really nice and compact but low and right by a bit ( once again, going a bit too far). My fourth group was high but tight again by a couple of inches. I finally settled down and tore up the center ring with a few drifting a bit right. I used loads that I normally use for pistol with the first 3 groups of 3 using PowerPistol. The rest were loaded with Accurate No 9. All loads were with 100 gr Hornady XTP and Federal 200 small pistol magnum primers. I'll get it dialed it better the next time out. I really enjoyed shooting the Henry. It was a HOOT to say the least.

Regarding a couple of things...1st, small pistol magnum primers are identical to small rifle primers...this is no difference. 2nd, the pics showing a few below and a few above the "group" is likely the shooter...if it starts low and goes high every time then its the rifle, but if its indiscriminate as to whether it goes up or down or centered, its probably your sandbag rest or akin to that...I have a BBS 357 20" that I shoot in lever gun silh. It started by shooting lower as the barrel heated up ....consistently...I removed the forend screws and adjusted the forend cap a couple of times...I got lucky..it now, for some reason, stays at the same point of impact no matter how hot the barrel gets...I suggest you "shoot in" your rifle (ie. at least 300 rounds), before you start looking for gremlins...good luck. Bob in VA

The rounds used were already made before I got the Henry. I use small magnum pistol as per the Speer loading data for .327 magnum. I see no reason to purchase additional primers, if that is what is suggested, since I have 1000+ already on hand. The scope had been bore sighted to get on the paper. I was "dialing in" to get on target. Thank you for your suggestions.

Round 2. Hope BobGinVa can help me out here.

Shakey Jake wrote:Round 2.

Round 2 looks mighty good to me .... if I shot a 100 yard outdoor target like that, ain't no way I'd mess with the scope, ammo, or anything else

Just to be "honest" this is the last 20 shots of 50. I was dialing the sight (Burris E-3 2X7) in. The first 30 weren't bad either but I'm happy and will keep it where it is.