Big Boy .357 carbine --- sight-in was a 1/2 dud!

[PT7]

I did get out today to the MO Dept of Conservation range, Parma Woods, to first-time shoot and sight-in my new Henry carbine. The day was mild with temps only in the 70s, and overcast. Got all set up with some quality .357 magnum JHP ammo, and the shiny clean Henry!

Set my 3" sight-in target at 25 yards on a 16" wide X 12" high white cardboard....just in case the factory set was wide or high. I did use a rifle rest, and ended up shooting 10 rounds. With six o'clock in mind, first round was 5-1/2" low from bull, and 5" to the right. So I adjusted the buckhorn 2 notches, and had the elevation about perfect. But the following rounds I shot were still to the right.

Amazing! I then reached the point of DUD. I couldn't adjust/drift the dovetail sight for windage because I left my Grace gunsmith screwdriver and Henry bronze mallet at home!!! A big-time DUMB DUD, Folks! Guess since I haven't been to the range for quite a while, nor on the Forum, the thinking cells are all leaded up! So the sight-in ended up a 1/2 DUD. Such is the way of it.

At least there will be another range day for windage.

The carbine performed quite well IMHO. Lever action was very smooth. I can tell it will be an accurate shooter. I "played" with it a little, and did some Kentucky windage adjusts. With the good setting for elevation, I adjusted my POA to the left and came nigh onto the bull! It was very FUN to shoot this carbine. I saved a lot of ammo rounds today, but wait until next time on the range.

OK for the DUD report. Have a great week, Everyone!
PT7

[JEBar]

folks in Missouri are truly lucky to have a really fine set of state ranges .... good to hear your 357 appears to be a good shooter ..

[BrokenolMarine]

We've all gotten to the range and forgotten something. Spotting scope, brought the wrong ammo, no hearing protection, the list is long and entertaining. In nearly fifty years of shooting I have greatly reduced MY personal error rates with a couple tricks.

1. Checklists are not just for pilots.
2. Dedicated range bags for range gear, stuff you KNOW you need. If you take it out and clean it... put it back in the bag. Plus, when you run down the checklist, don't just think... it's in the bag... check the bag. (Don't ask me why I say this... )
3. You can GREATLY reduce all the problems by moving to a farm an hour away from everywhere... and building your range right out back.

[BrokenolMarine]

Ah... the downside to number 3 above is you live an hour away from everything.
The upside... you... live... an hour away from everything.
After a career being paid to deal with stupid...
I rarely leave the ridgeline.

[North Country Gal]

Seems like it's always the little things we forget, like the allen wrenches for adjusting Skinner sights, a small screwdriver for some brands of rear sights, an extra battery for red dot sights and more. We've all done it. I leave most of those things in the ammo box because that's one I always remember to bring .. usually.

[tractortad]

Still sounds like a lot of fun - even without the Grace tools and Henry hammer....

[RanchRoper]

It's great to read a range report again from our friend PT7. That little carbine will serve you well. It sounds like you had a good time, and I look forward to more shredded targets!

[BigAl52]

At least you didnt forget the ammo. Dont ask me how I know about a complete DUD. Al

[PT7]

And to mention some good CS at Parma Woods today. I got there right when they opened the range, so was at the start of the hour with the alternating sequence of fire/ceasefires. Well, it didn't make a lot of sense to continue shooting without the carbine being sighted in, so I packed everything up after only 15 minutes.

The ROs know me, as least by face, maybe not by name. The fellow that checked me out asked, "What happened?" So I briefly told him about my DUD, and he immediately got out a range card, stamped it, and gave me a free hour for my next range visit! He didn't need to do that, and although unexpected, 'twas a nice surprise. You're right, JEBar. Our MO state ranges are really cool; the good CS also keeps me coming back to them.

folks in Missouri are truly lucky to have a really fine set of state ranges .... good to hear your 357 appears to be a good shooter ..

[PT7]

Appreciate your comments, RR. It was good to be at a range again, and fun (kinda) writing about the DUD.

Even though I got 8/10 rounds in target, they were mostly about 1-1/2" to 2" "steps" in trying to move the POIs toward the bull. After shooting with a buckhorn sight again, I can almost guarantee that there will NOT be shredded targets in my future. The elder eyes told me that today. However, you are right.....it was a good time.

I'm already thinking about another Skinner peep sight. My receiver-mounted Skinner on my SGC is great! This .357 carbine already has the drilled/tapped holes to mount a receiver sight, and will be a snap to put it on. Thinking about getting a Skinner Big Boy "Express" sight; and if I need to adjust to a taller front sight, I'll probably try the Skinner Patridge Blade this time and remove the brass bead. Shall see.....Skinner has a lot of variations and choices for sure.

It's great to read a range report again from our friend PT7. That little carbine will serve you well. It sounds like you had a good time, and I look forward to more shredded targets!