Henry Rifle Forums

I have a brand new Henry 45/70 all weather took it to the range yesterday and shots were scatered at 50 yards at 100 yards 2 kill shots out of 5 rounds at the 100 round target a little diapointed with the iron sights now wondering if i should add optics,also took out the henry big boy 44 mag and ten shots with open sights were kill shots at 80 yards with a group of a 5 inch pattern and this also is with open sights,my question is does the 45/70 being a more powder charged bullet maybe push the bullet off course a little more iam uaualy a pretty good shot with open sights any thoughts on this???

What ammo were you using in the 45-70 ? Scattered shots like that may tighten with a scope but maybe the gun just didnt care for that particular ammo. Like I mentioned my AW was a little finicky about ammo. Try some Hornady Lever evolution in yours. Mine shot that real well at 50 yards. Shooting targets at 100 yards with opens is not easy. Especially if your shooting for group size. I tend to shoot opens at 50 because you can just see the target better and get your sights to the same spot easier.

In addition to trying different ammo, you might consider a peep sight, either Skinner or Williams (do I have that right?) or one or the others out thre. Dig around through the sub-forums (Sights and Scopes) and you'll find comments, recommendations, links, etc.

If you'll be hunting at 75 yds or more, it's just a matter of how good you can be WITHOUT a scope, in my opinion. You want a humane harvest, and shot placement is key, along with the other conditions (lighting, obstructions, size of game, distance).

I ended up scoping, but it's a very personal, specific thing.

as noted, its very much a matter of personal preference .... the recoil from a 45-70 has a way of influencing following shots .... with ours I ended up with a scope ....

I wouldn't be in a hurry to attribute it to the difference between the 44 mag and the 45-70. Keep in mind that while the 44 mag has the 240 grain load as standard, there's really no such thing as a standard load with the 45-70. Factory ammo can range from mild cowboy loads all the way up to really nasty recoiling loads. As mentioned, do try other 45-70 loads. Can make a huge difference in both accuracy and felt recoil.

Also i did not know you could adjust the henry rear sight to left or right
https://youtu.be/J6kY_nG3jLw?t=5
Thanks for all your comments fplks

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Ok, now you going back to the range to try adjusting left/right to see if it helps?

TC Campbell wrote:Also i did not know you could adjust the henry rear sight to left or right
https://youtu.be/J6kY_nG3jLw?t=5
Thanks for all your comments fplks

sure will give it a try

TC Campbell wrote:Also i did not know you could adjust the henry rear sight to left or right
https://youtu.be/J6kY_nG3jLw?t=5
Thanks for all your comments fplks

You're very welcome and best of luck with that 45-70. I'll bet you have it shooting in no time. One of the reasons I have such respect for the 45-70 is its accuracy. For me, with the right load, it's been one of the best ever accurate lever gun cartridges.