Accuracy issues with new BBS 41 mag

[Steel41]

First time out with my new BBS 41 mag was disappointing. Accuracy was simply atrocious.

Before I start, let me say that I was using polymer coated hard cast bullets along with a moderate charge of H-110. This combination has worked quite well in my Winchester 1873, 357 mag. Even with iron sights, it will shoot groups of just over 1" at 50 yds. So, I figured I would try the same thing with my Henry knowing that this particular rifle might not like cast bullets being pushed to relatively high velocities. Apparently, it doesn't.

I tried two different bullets, a 215gr SWC and a 225gr RNFP, both loaded in new Starline brass with 19.6gr of H-110 and CCI magnum primers. Both shot groups in the 6" to 10" range at 50 yds with a good quality 6x scope (mounted with the Henry rail). I know the scope is not the issue since it shot the same with the factory sights.

Now here is where things get a little weird. With the 225 RNFP, the last round in the magazine would shoot 5 to 10 inches low every time. But, with the 215gr SWC, the first round was ok, but the last round would shoot 5 to 8 inches high! If I single loaded, the flyers went away and the groups tightened up to 3 to 5 inches; still not very good.

Has anybody else experienced anything like this?

My next step is to bore scope the barrel and see if its leading up. Then I will try some Hornady Factory ammo and see how that does. If the problems persist, then back she goes to Henry and hopefully they will get it straightened out.

Thanks in advance for any input from the members.

[Oksrt]

I have shot both bobs and bobs carbine. Both shoot very well. 210 berry and tremendous bullets over 9 gr unique, also 210 XTP and Nosler jacketed sort hollow points over 20.5 gr h110.
It is puzzling why the last round would shoot that far off. Does not sound like an ammo issue. Sounds more like a barrel, mag tube in a bind.

[Steel41]

You are probably right, older. The generally poor accuracy is probably the bullets, but the wild first and last round flyers seem more like a mechanical issue.

[Oksrt]

Possibly leading. Have you tried any jacketed bullets (xts, nosler) ?

[Steel41]

I got out again today with some Hornady XTP 210gr ammo. The good news is, the accuracy was outstanding; just over 1/2 MOA at 50 yards with a 6x scope. The bad news is, that happened only if I single loaded. When I loaded from the magazine, the first shot went 1 to 1.5 inches high and the last round went 1 to 1.5 inches low... every time. All rounds in between first and last, regardless of how many I loaded in the magazine, went into a nice tight cluster. To add to the mystery, the point of impact would shift .75" left and 1.5" low when I single loaded as compared to magazine loading.

This is very frustrating. Based on how tight the groups are, I don't think the barrel is the problem. I seems that when the magazine spring has pressure on it, it's somehow applying some torque on the barrel causing the POI to shift. It's easier to understand the last round going low since when the last round is chambered, there is no longer any pressure from the mag spring. It's a little harder to understand why the first round goes high. Why would there be any more or less pressure from the first round that any other? It's also worth mentioning that this pattern was consistent no matter how many rounds were in the mag. I was shooting 5 rounds at a time till I got down to the last 10. I loaded all 10 and ... you guessed it. The first round went high, the next 8 were dead on and the last round went low.

I attached a pic of two groups; one single loaded and the other mag loaded. It's obvious which is which. If anyone has any insight on this, please let me know. I plan on calling Henry on Monday to see what they say about it.

My apologies if the pic doesn't work. I'm new here and this is my first attempt at posting pics.

henry groups by mark cooper, on Flickr

[JEBar]

this is the first time I recall hearing of an issue like this .... I suggest you give Henry customer service a call and relate your info to them ... if you do, please report back on what they say

[Oksrt]

Yes, we want to hear what they say.

[Steel41]

I spoke to Henry customer service yesterday and I must say they were a pleasure to deal with. They couldn't have been any nicer or more helpful. Henry has definitely earned the great customer service reputation that everyone speaks of.

So, after describing the problem, we did a little trouble shooting over the phone and I discovered that the magazine tube is a little loose. I can twist it about 1/16 on an inch left or right with very little effort. We're not sure that this is the problem but it's the most likely culprit so far. They said that they had gotten a batch of out of spec mag tubes and some of them may have gone into production before they discovered them.

They sent me a shipping label, so back to Wisconsin it goes. After my conversation, I'm confident they will correct the problem one way or another. I'll keep you posted as updates arise.

[tractortad]

It is good that Henry is going to fix that loose mag tube, but I don't understand how a slightly loose mag tube can affect accuracy after the round has been chambered and fired...

[Steel41]

It is good that Henry is going to fix that loose mag tube, but I don't understand how a slightly loose mag tube can affect accuracy after the round has been chambered and fired...

Probably something to do with spring pressure from the mag causing changing load on the receiver due to the fact that it isn't securely fastened. Similar to the way that simply changing your grip on the rifle can change the point of impact. If everything isn't 100% consistent from shot to shot, accuracy suffers.

[JEBar]

I spoke to Henry customer service yesterday and I must say they were a pleasure to deal with. They couldn't have been any nicer or more helpful. Henry has definitely earned the great customer service reputation that everyone speaks of.

absolutely no surprise there; none the less, good to hear yet again .... looking forward to your coming reports

[albe123]

I just received my 41 mag steel rifle 7/20/2017. I have not had it to the range yet. I too am able to rotate the tube at least a sixteenth of an inch left and right! Does anyone have this rifle that the tube cannot be rotated left or right.
Should I be concerned at this time?
Thanks
Al

[JEBar]

I just received my 41 mag steel rifle 7/20/2017. I have not had it to the range yet. I too am able to rotate the tube at least a sixteenth of an inch left and right! Does anyone have this rifle that the tube cannot be rotated left or right.
Should I be concerned at this time?
Thanks
Al

first, welcome to our forum, delighted to have you join us .... we have several folks who fire 41's and I'm sure they will be able to answer your question .... looking forward to your ongoing range reports .... please take a look at our How Many ? thread (link below) and add your Henry to our community total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 528#p43528

[Steel41]

I just received my 41 mag steel rifle 7/20/2017. I have not had it to the range yet. I too am able to rotate the tube at least a sixteenth of an inch left and right! Does anyone have this rifle that the tube cannot be rotated left or right.
Should I be concerned at this time?
Thanks
Al

Mine did the same thing and I was having erratic accuracy when loading from the magazine but great accuracy when single loading. Not sure if the lose mag tube is the problem or not. Sent it back to Henry to have it checked out. The tube should not have any movement. Will let you know what they find.