Henry SGC and Springfield Model 53-B at the range

[Sir Henry]

I bench shot at the range yesterday and was the only one there. I shot at both 50 and 100 yards. I was delighted with the Springfield made by J. Stevens Arms but a bit disappointed with the Henry. I was shooting mostly Norma TAC-22 but tried some Federal HV Match at 100 yards.

Here is my 50 yard target. The Springfield gave me a ten round group of .879" and the Henry was a five round group of 1.925".

The 100 yard target was a bit messy as I used the same target for both rifles and different ammo as the patterns were different. I'm not including a picture because with all the shots you couldn't really make anything out of it. I would like to say the Springfield shot five rounds in about an inch so I actually did relatively better at the further distance.

[PT7]

I think both target's POIs at 50 yards look very good, although you were disappointed in the SGC. I glanced at my 8" DB splash target when I shot my SGC at 50 yards on "Open Sight Friday." I didn't do 5-round groups as you did, which is maybe because I don't shoot for group size. However, I was pleased with 21/30 POIs in the 8" target at that distance. The real difference we have in how we shoot is that I enjoy always shooting off hand.

Out of curiosity, I just measured this entire "group," and hits all were within approximately 6". That "size" should be okay as I hope to do some rabbit hunting yet this fall. I'd like to be able to shoot at less than 50 yards for that trek in the woods --- looking for the rabbit to agree!

Good Range Report....glad you had the range to yourself, and especially that you were "delighted with the Springfield."

[Sir Henry]

Yes the Henry would have taken five rabbits with five shots but I can never find a rabbit within 50 yards of a bench. Although I shot these from a bench I've shot offhand with the Henry and gotten almost the same size group.

I think the longer sight radius of the Springfield gave it the advantage. That and the fact the bolt lockup is much better.

[RetiredSeabee]

Good to see you get some range time in. Wish I was there!
Maybe someday I will get out to your neck of the woods and we can enjoy a day at the range.
You have me looking for old single shot .22 rifles now.