Henry Rifle Forums

I need a Henry Single Shot, and I’m only gonna get one. Yes, that’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it. So, my issue is, which caliber?

I’m hoping that those of us here who either have a single shot, or will be getting one- or two, or three- will chime in and let me know why you chose a particular chambering for yours, why you like it, what you use it for, would you buy one again... etc.

None of the current calibers have a I want one on it for me. Im waiting to see what else they offer it in. But if it comes out in 357 and or 38-55 I will take one of each. If I was to only chose one of those 2 it would be 38-55 because I love that caliber. I have one currently in a Marlin Cowboy that I love to shoot. Its light in the recoil dept, fun to plink with in the plinking dept and would be a great deer or elk gun if one wanted to hunt with it. Al

We have several TC Contender single shots setup as carbines or rifles in 22 LR, 223, 357 and even 45-70, though the 45-70 gets dusted off only on rare occasions. The others, though, see a lot of use. We are target shooters, only, now, and since we no longer reload, the 22 LR, 223 and 357 do a great job for target work and factory ammo in the 223 and 357 is relatively cheap compared to most centerfires and, of course, if we did decide to hunt, both could do a nice job.

Of the calibers offered in the Henry, I don't think you can go wrong with the 223 for versatility, lack of recoil, low cost for ammo and excellent long range accuracy. With our 223 Contenders, we can shoot all afternoon and keep going. They do a great job with even the cheap bulk stuff.

Of the calibers offered in the Henry, I don't think you can go wrong with the 223 for versatility, lack of recoil, low cost

Ditto this! I have an NEF Handi Rifle in .223 and love it. I reload so I don’t think about ammo cost but all things considered .223 is one of the least expensive center fire rounds there are. If I did not have the NEF I would be taking a look at the Henry!
I am hoping they bring one out in .357 because if they do I will be looking at one!

I would like to pick up a .223 bolt gun, but for single shot for some reason, I'm thinkin .308

The Single Shot and the Long Ranger .223 are listed as .233 REM/.556 NATO.
My question, is it a .556 chamber or a Wilde chambering?

Could also be a standard 223 chamber built for the higher pressures of the 5.56. This is the approach CZ takes with their 223s, since CZ builds their 223 chambers to the higher pressure CIP standard for the 5.56, not the lower pressure standard that SAAMI uses for the 223. Of course, a call to Henry would be the best way to answer that.

They are closed right now so I used the Customer Contact link.

Just a guess, but I would be surprised if it’s not a standard 5.56 chamber.

ditto1958 wrote:Just a guess, but I would be surprised if it’s not a standard 5.56 chamber.

I'll be surprised by a definitive answer.

It's not idle interest. I have expressed an interest in a long ranger in 308, but a Single Shot in 308 may better suit me. For 600 yard target loading one at a time allows for a better bullet selection possibly. Not having to be concerned about magazine limitation.

A long Ranger in 223 makes a lot of sense for many of the reasons stated here, fun, inexpensive, fun, really fast bullets, fun.

I bought my single shot to hunt deer with, so, for me, it was between the .308 and the 45-70. Since I already have a ss .308 Brno, 45-70 was an easy decision . I wish Henry chambered rifles in .35 Remington, that would have made for a tough decision. I have heard rumors that the .338 Federal could be a future offering in the ss, which would also be interesting. If (when?) I buy another, .223 will be on the short list, though. For a kind of all purpose shooter, we have to consider the .243. See how easy it is?

Ojaileveraction wrote:

ditto1958 wrote:Just a guess, but I would be surprised if it’s not a standard 5.56 chamber.

I'll be surprised by a definitive answer.

My guess is you'll have to go up the food chain bit and talk to someone who is familiar with the 223/5.56 issue. Not likely to be the first person that answers the phone.

Speaking for myself, as a 223 shooter, I want a standard 223 chamber for the sake of accuracy. I have no interest in shooting 5.56 in my 223s or shooting the heavy weight 223/5.56 bullets.

North Country Gal wrote:My guess is you'll have to go up the food chain bit and talk to someone who is familiar with the 223/5.56 issue. Not likely to be the first person that answers the phone.

The Email was supposedly sent to someone that handles Tech Questions so we will see.

North Country Gal wrote:Speaking for myself, as a 223 shooter, I want a standard 223 chamber for the sake of accuracy. I have no interest in shooting 5.56 in my 223s or shooting the heavy weight 223/5.56 bullets.

With a 9 twist I wouldn't mind the ability to load 70 grain bullets for the 500 meter line like I do now with the 55 grainers and 12 twist.

North Country Gal wrote:

Ojaileveraction wrote:

ditto1958 wrote:Just a guess, but I would be surprised if it’s not a standard 5.56 chamber.

I'll be surprised by a definitive answer.

My guess is you'll have to go up the food chain bit and talk to someone who is familiar with the 223/5.56 issue. Not likely to be the first person that answers the phone.

Actually, when you call Henry you talk to one of the technical advisors. If one of them doesn't answer, the person who does pick up the phone transfers you directly to one of them. (They used to have their names and email addresses listed on the website, but they've changed that now. Thomas Kotz is the customer service supervisor. I've also spoken with Kevin when I have called). All of them are very good. I'm pretty sure a phone call will easily produce the answer about the chamber.

It took some prodding but I did get a reply from HRA today about their .223 Rifles' cambering.
Her it is with out comment.
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Our engineer who worked on this design offers the following information:


“Henry Rifle actions (whether it is the Long Ranger or Single Shot) are designed and tested to withstand the higher pressure of the 5.56 NATO ammunition. The rifle is chambered in 5.56 NATO, which allows you to shoot either 223 or 5.56. The main chamber difference is the length of the freebore. Many pressure spikes are caused by using 5.56 NATO ammunition in a 223 chamber. The spike being caused by the bullet being seated into the grooves of the rifling, resulting in a pressure spike or action failure at ignition. Never shoot 5.56 NATO ammunition in a rifle chambered for 223 Remington”.


Regards,
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Told ya.

Ammoland.com has a review up on the .223. I’m not good at posting links.

ditto1958 wrote:Ammoland.com has a review up on the .223. I’m not good at posting links.

http://www.ammoland.com/2017/12/henry-s ... z52hG3Rbh4

Thank you. I think .223 will be the one for me. Maybe later the .45-70.

ditto1958 wrote:Thank you. I think .223 will be the one for me. Maybe later the .45-70.

I shoot and reload .223 rem now. With the longer free bore of the 5.56 NATO there is another learning curve.
I'll have to chew on that a little.