Big Boy 45 Colt

Post by **White Squirrel** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 3:03 pm

RanchRoper wrote:Stockpile is good...just talked to store and they have a BB 45 Colt, new in box, with my name on it...so far the plan is to head up to the city on the weekend.

Good news. Wish we could see the grin on your face the first time you shoot it!

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 5:45 pm

When you get it we'd sure like a range report.
Thanks

Post by **RanchRoper** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 8:12 pm

This time tomorrow I'll be putting the Big Boy through its paces. Can't wait!

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 12:30 pm

We'll be waithing bet it's nice.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:08 am

Shot my new 45 Colt Big Boy for the first time last night. At a friends ranch not a range. He hunts with a Winchester '94 30-30 and was shooting it also. Here's a sort of range report:
I cannot believe how accurate my Henry is right out of the box. I find it very easy to use the sights, and pick up the target quickly. I'm 59 years old, and expected to have a little more difficulty with the sights due to aging eyes but only my second shot blew a hole clean through a tin can sitting on top of a fence post at what my buddy estimated at 80-90 yards. I was shooting 255 gr Hornady cowboy loads LFN, and the thump that slug makes surprised us both. I read that cowboy action loads were wimpy? I'm not an experienced shooter but it sure seemed to have plenty of power. It was taking notches out of an old fence post at 100+ yards. Reasonably accurate from what we could see up to about 150 yards (again, more than expected); after that I'd have to play with the sights. Not sure how much drop you'd get beyond that anyway. But last night was just mainly to shoot it and experiment a little with the distance. It handles well, with very little recoil. Even the noise is not an issue, which is good news for my horses. His 30-30 has a way bigger Kaboom than the Henry. I find the weight of the gun nice, it really feels substantial in my hands. The action cycles well, every cartridge fed perfectly and ejected well. You do have to operate the lever with authority though, if you wienie-arm it, I can see how it might jam. But 40 rounds went through it last night and zero issues. My buddy shot it too, and could not believe how smooth the action is. Not to mention it looks real old school cool! Look forward to taking it to the local range and will post some target/groups when I do.
What an awesome rifle! I'm pretty darn happy with my choice of caliber. Thanks again for everybody's help and $.02 worth.

ps...this is my first rifle, and other than last night I've not shot much. A common theme on many rifle forums I see is "how much stopping power?" do certain calibers / rifles have for big game (seems most everybody talks about bears). I am just guessing but the lead I was shooting last night seemed pretty darn powerful to me, and the guy I was with said so too and he's an experienced hunter. Anyhow, I'm fairly confident that this rifle & caliber are a formidable combo to carry in the back country. With luck I'll never need to prove it as I don't go looking for trouble out there and try to use my head so as not to put myself or horse at risk. But having the Henry in the scabbard won't be a bad thing for sure.

Post by **CT_Shooter** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:14 am

It's not really surprising that you're happy with it. Thanks for the great, detailed report about the first outing with your new rifle. Congratulations!

Post by **PT7** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:47 am

I can easily relate to much of what you did on your first time out with a new Henry. It was a good reminder to me of my first range times with my .357 Big Boy. Interesting. So many new-out-of-box Henrys act the same way! They work well, shoot accurately, and are as smooth as silk. Another validation post that the Henry RAC knows how to put together a rifle!

Best of all, Ranch Roper, was reading how much fun you had with your "awesome rifle," and coming away "happy with your choice of caliber." An excellent experience with your first rifle.

Enjoy and be safe. Thanks for sharing a great report on your rifle. It will do well riding along in the scabbard!

Post by **RanchRoper** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:56 am

PT7 wrote:I can easily relate to much of what you did on your first time out with a new Henry. It was a good reminder to me of my first range times with my .357 Big Boy. Interesting. So many new-out-of-box Henrys act the same way! They work well, shoot accurately, and are as smooth as silk. Another validation post that the Henry RAC knows how to put together a rifle!

Best of all, Ranch Roper, was reading how much fun you had with your "awesome rifle," and coming away "happy with your choice of caliber." An excellent experience with your first rifle.

Enjoy and be safe. Thanks for sharing a great report on your rifle. It will do well riding along in the scabbard!

....did I mention that I LOVE this rifle?

Post by **White Squirrel** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:18 am

Congratulations, RanchRoper! Great report and glad you like (LOVE) it so much. Look forward to hearing (seeing) more about it.

Post by **daytime dave** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 12:53 pm

Thanks for your report. I'm glad it shot so well for you. A tin can at 80 to 90 feet is pretty good. That 45 colt will do fine if you ever need it in the field. I'm glad you like it.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 1:06 pm

daytime dave wrote:Thanks for your report. I'm glad it shot so well for you. A tin can at 80 to 90 feet is pretty good. That 45 colt will do fine if you ever need it in the field. I'm glad you like it.

Based on what I saw last night, if I miss it's not Henry's fault!!! Nobody to blame but me. By the way, it was a big 'ol paint can but I was still happy to blow a hole in it!

Post by **RanchRoper** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:28 pm

I did manage to find a photo from last night's shoot...once I got the knot out that wascally wabbitt tied, things went pretty good.

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 6:04 pm

RanchRoper that's cute. I remember watching those cartoons.
Now I'm dating myself??????????

Post by **daytime dave** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:14 pm

Shhhhhhhhhhh. Be werey qwiet, I'm hunting wabbits.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 11:08 am

Today I'm gonna give my new rifle a good clean after shooting the other night. She'll be all shiny and ready to go for next time. I can't get over what a thrill it is to shoot. I'm a happy buckaroo.

Next time I'll try the Winchester 250 gr rounds instead of the Hornady 255's. I don't think I'm experienced enough to see any difference but I'll give it a try.

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 1:20 pm

RanchRoper wrote:Today I'm gonna give my new rifle a good clean after shooting the other night. She'll be all shiny and ready to go for next time. I can't get over what a thrill it is to shoot. I'm a happy buckaroo.
Next time I'll try the Winchester 250 gr rounds instead of the Hornady 255's. I don't think I'm experienced enough to see any difference but I'll give it a try.

Shoot over a good rest, & shoot carefully, your rifle will tell you which it likes the best!

It's fun learning!

Post by **RanchRoper** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 2:25 pm

Thks. Got my membership. Range is open year round, shoot anytime! Might just head over later today. Thhey said it's not uncommon to have the range to yourself!

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 2:42 pm

RanchRoper, good for you.
Having the range all to yourself is a lot of fun.
Easier to get serious without distractions too.
At our range I often lock the gate behind me, that way I know someone coming in is a member.

Post by **RanchRoper** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 7:21 pm

Frank V wrote:RanchRoper, good for you.
Having the range all to yourself is a lot of fun.
Easier to get serious without distractions too.
At our range I often lock the gate behind me, that way I know someone coming in is a member.

Good point locking the gate. Thanks. I posted a little range report, take a look. Sure is a fun rifle to shoot!

Frank V · Post by **Frank V** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 8:15 pm

RanchRoper.
Sounds like tin cans won't have a chance. If you want to get out to longer range place the bead front sight up just out of the notch of the rear sight. It'll look like it's perching just on top of the notch. Years ago I found that zeroed for 100yds that sight picture would have me on at 200, give it a try next time you are out shooting.
If you can imagine your front bead perched on top of a fence post, the rear notch being the fence post, that's kind of what it'll look like.

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