Aug 21 Big Boy 45C

[RanchRoper]

Well there's nothing like a 50mph wind to see if you're meant to be a cowboy or not. Shot today, 50 yds off hand standing. My usual Winchester 250 gr LFN. Wind had its way with me! 30 rounds. A couple of the smaller holes were an SKS that a guy let me shoot. Interesting rifle. Bayonet and all. Also had a chance to fire his 1911 at another target. 12 yds. I shot low. 45 ACP. Fun gun to shoot though.
All in all I did ok for a very windy day. Love that Henry!

[PT7]

Yes, Henry is treating you well....no wonder you love it!
And your wind shooting is quite good.
Next time out in the wind, really go for the windage aim adjustment to compensate, and shred that bull!!

[JCN]

Hitting the paper is good enough for me! I'm going to post about my day with the 357 BBS.

[RanchRoper]

At 50 yds with the wind blowing like a jet engine, it's a challenge for sure to get lead where you want it. I actually have not adjusted the sights yet for windage, how exactly does that work? Supposed to tap it over or something? For the ones inside the diamond target, I just aimed a little off center. Not real scientific but it got me closer to the middle.

[PT7]

Whoa, RR!!! Don't adjust your sights on the rifle!! I see that I wasn't clear enough when I told you to adjust.

What I meant was use "Kentucky windage." And that's what you said you did -- see your quote below, in bold letters. Kentucky windage is simply a horizontal adjustment, either to the right or left, of the point of aim that you do for wind. That you do without doing any actual mechanical sight adjustments on your Henry. I hope this clears it up; don't want you to mess up any sighting you've already done for the rifle.

At 50 yds with the wind blowing like a jet engine, it's a challenge for sure to get lead where you want it. I actually have not adjusted the sights yet for windage, how exactly does that work? Supposed to tap it over or something? For the ones inside the diamond target, I just aimed a little off center. Not real scientific but it got me closer to the middle.

[RetiredSeabee]

At 50 mph I would need sand bags to anchor my feet so I wouldn't blow away.
Great shooting Sir.

[CT_Shooter]

Great shooting in tropical storm wind, RR!!! Thanks for the great report.

[RanchRoper]

Whoa, RR!!! Don't adjust your sights on the rifle!! I see that I wasn't clear enough when I told you to adjust.

What I meant was use "Kentucky windage." And that's what you said you did -- see your quote below, in bold letters. Kentucky windage is simply a horizontal adjustment, either to the right or left, of the point of aim that you do for wind. That you do without doing any actual mechanical sight adjustments on your Henry. I hope this clears it up; don't want you to mess up any sighting you've already done for the rifle.

At 50 yds with the wind blowing like a jet engine, it's a challenge for sure to get lead where you want it. I actually have not adjusted the sights yet for windage, how exactly does that work? Supposed to tap it over or something? For the ones inside the diamond target, I just aimed a little off center. Not real scientific but it got me closer to the middle.

Ok good. I didn't want to mess with it anyway.

[JEBar]

For the ones inside the diamond target, I just aimed a little off center. Not real scientific but it got me closer to the middle.

Kentucky windage is the way to go and has been since shortly after someone figured out gunpowder could push a ball out of a barrel .. .. I really respect the way you can shoot offhand under such conditions .... under those conditions, I'd consider your target to be exceptional

[RanchRoper]

Thanks! Unfortunately while I figured out the wind with the first 10 rounds the grizzly would have had me for lunch...so I only go into the back country on nice days!! haha

[JEBar]

Thanks! Unfortunately while I figured out the wind with the first 10 rounds the grizzly would have had me for lunch...so I only go into the back country on nice days!! haha

wisdom gained from years of experience .... the reality is, the closer he would get, the less the wind matters and with your skill, I'm pretty sure you'd put him down or drive him off well before he could get to you

[RanchRoper]

Ha...appreciate the vote of confidence and pray I never have to put it to the test! I give those big bears a wide berth when I see them. As much as I like my Henry, coming home with the same ammo I left with is a good thing!

[PT7]

Agree with JEBar.

wisdom gained from years of experience .... the reality is, the closer he would get, the less the wind matters and with your skill, I'm pretty sure you'd put him down or drive him off well before he could get to you

AND you're not out there hunting a bear, right?!? So as JEBar noted, you more than likely would not be shooting at 50 yards distance. And the bear is definitely wider than your bull on that target, if you needed to stop him! If I were on the range working like you are doing, and have the Henry for protection, I'd definitely keep on honing those off hand shooting skills to simply maintain them. You're doing fine with your shooting....just don't let those good results "disappear."

You have the best answer, RR....that is always to come home with all your ammo.
Have a great day!

Ha...appreciate the vote of confidence and pray I never have to put it to the test! I give those big bears a wide berth when I see them. As much as I like my Henry, coming home with the same ammo I left with is a good thing!

[White Squirrel]

I will echo the sentiments of the others. If I were a bear or some other predator, with how you shoot that Henry off hand at 50 yards, I fear the out come for me would not be good!

[JEBar]

Ha...appreciate the vote of confidence and pray I never have to put it to the test! I give those big bears a wide berth when I see them. As much as I like my Henry, coming home with the same ammo I left with is a good thing!

absolutely .... way beyond absolutely .. .. back in the mid '60's my grandfather introduced me to big game hunting .... memories of bear hunting with him and his club are very precious to me .... given, the black bear we hunted were not in the same class as those in your area .... on average, our adult females weigh between 100 to 300 pounds and adult males weigh between 200 to 700 pounds ... I believe the current world record black bear is still the same one harvested in Craven County in 1998 and weighed 880 pounds .... for us, when it comes to being dangerous, the rapidly growing population of wild boar would have to rank above black bear .... just curious, given you know your rifle and how it performs, what type of bullets would you want in it if you were ever facing one of your big bears ....

[RanchRoper]

Here's a 45 Colt slug after impact. I think this would do some damage. That being said, grizzlies are protected here so anybody taking one down would have LOTS of explaining to do. You'd have to prove it was your last option with your life in the balance. I just avoid 'em. I've seen lots over the years. Closest I've been horseback was about 40 feet one time. Bear was as surprised as I was. Both of us headed the other way.

[JEBar]

Here's a 45 Colt slug after impact. I think this would do some damage. That being said, grizzlies are protected here so anybody taking one down would have LOTS of explaining to do. You'd have to prove it was your last option with your life in the balance. I just avoid 'em. I've seen lots over the years. Closest I've been horseback was about 40 feet one time. Bear was as surprised as I was. Both of us headed the other way.

understood .... some of the folks on this forum have introduced me to a new concept in big game hunting .... that being using solid lead bullets which are supposed to give deeper penetration .... historically, I've always used jacketed hollow points or solid points that expand similar to the one in your picture .... with the deer, black bear and boar that I've taken, jacketed Noslers have done the job but as noted, the grizzlies in your area are in a different category .... have you experimented with solid lead bullets ? .... I'd appreciate hearing any thoughts on them that you may have

[RanchRoper]

I wish I had more useful info to give you. I've only shot these 250 gr LFN bullets, plus some 255 gr same style, plus some jacketed soft points.
The LFN send wood splinters flying out the backboards at even 100 yds. To me that's a deadly impact. I'm not a hunter, so other guys would have to weigh in. The 45C lead flat nose bullet is a big chunk of lead, and the one in the photo would certainly leave a nasty wound.
The JSP's, to me, seem to not hit the board as hard. Juts going by the sound, I have no data to prove anything. But they seem a little wimpy to me. The lead flat nose Winchesters hit with authority every time. I'm sure the range backboard maintenance guy hates me.

Sorry, I'm likely the least technical shooter you'll ever meet. I'm like the Paul McCartney of shooters. Guitar player magazine excitedly asked McCartney one time what kind of bass guitar strings he used; "long shiny ones" was his answer.
I really like reading all the techy stuff you guys put up here, and the reports on ammo and reloading, but then I go to the range, load my rifle and shoot. Walk out, check the target, hmmmm a little to the left....that's pretty much how it goes for me. Probably shoot open factory sights until I can't hit the backboard anymore. Bought a whole bunch of the same ammo I like on sale, and shoot the same stuff over and over. My 1872 Open Top revolver will be the same when I get it. 1 size ammo fits all.

[JEBar]

info appreciated .... we have been on the road in our camper all summer and just got back home yesterday afternoon .... I hope to get our reloading equipment out of boxes and in service .... then looking forward to trying to come up with good 100 yard paper punching and hunting loads for our Henry 357, 44 Mag, and 45-70

[RanchRoper]

All I can say is I love a great big lead bullet flying through the air and the big 'ol whack it makes when it hits.