PT7 -- Road to a new BBS .357 Carbine

[PT7]

Maintaining ownership of a Henry Big Boy .357 has been a challenge for me for several years now. I just got a new H012MR Carbine this week. But to finally have one of these has been some kind of journey. Sure would like it to stay on a good while in my gun cabinet!

My first .357 Magnum was an H006M Bronze BB (the "Classic" BB), then followed by a H012M Steel BB (20" round barrel).
Both of the rifles I needed to sell to handle some unexpected medical costs while taking care of my wife.

The third Big Boy was the H012MR Steel Carbine (16-1/2" barrel), which I bought early fall 2017. This rifle had a lot of problems. With Henry's good help, I did 2 or 3 repair services with them, all at their expense. Never was able to get the rifle squared away to operate well. They offered to replace it, or refund full cost to make me "a satisfied Henry customer." At the time, I went the "refund route" because I was trying to deal with the hard struggles of my wife dying last July. Then I didn't consider getting another one, and even left the Forum for some months.

Back in the Forum "saddle" again early this spring, I started to consider the Carbine Steel Big Boy. And I pulled the trigger this month and bought the same model Carbine that didn't work out last fall.

So far, I've installed a receiver-mounted Skinner Express, pulled the buckhorn, and covered the barrel dovetail slot with a Skinner blank. Gave the Carbine its first cleaning, and made a range visit today to get it sighted in. I have posted two photos of this Carbine in Daytime Dave's "Photo testing" thread, as I'm a member who is having a lot of challenges with photo distortion. You can see my new Carbine here: http://henryrifleforums.com/search.php? ... g&start=10 The horizontal photo turned out good; the horizontal photo has a distorted stock showing.

I'm also posting here two additional photos for this Range Report. Sure hope they look okay.

Carbine with new Express peep sight. My Henry Big Boy hat can "legally" be worn again!

Carbine and Express1_2482.jpg (1.05 MiB) Viewed 1974 times

Sight-in 12" Splash

1_Sight-In_2486.jpg (1.15 MiB) Viewed 1974 times

First five rounds to set the sights; shot off hand @ 10 yards 5/5 POIs, group size = 1.5"
(Although full target is 12", my first 5 POIs all stayed within a 4-inch circle -- hurrah!)

Ammo is what I think is about my best choice from my .357 Magnum stock: Black Hills 158gr JHP

First shot is far left, lower one of the two touching. Second shot is the POI touching. Moved windage adjust about 1/32" on Express. Next three POIs improved until the near dead-on-bull. No elevation adjust needed.

I let the sight-in stand as a good one -- and easy, too!!

I shot a little more than 30 rounds after this first group at distances of 15, 20, and 25 yards (25 is maximum at this indoor range). POIs were all spot-on at each of these distances....this new Henry performed so much better than I expected. And this isn't an exaggeration. This Big Boy is up to par, if not more accurate, than my excellent .22LR Small Game Carbine!!

So I now have two Henry Carbines, and am also back to my favorite .357 Magnum caliber. When I took it NOOB, I knew it's a great looker. This Big Boy has the best, sharpest-looking wood on it of any of my previous rifles! Now I also know it is accurate and performs well, too.

Thanks for looking!
Have a refreshing and safe weekend, Everyone.
PT7

[RanchRoper]

Classy saddle gun ya got there. I'd take that target any day too.

[North Country Gal]

The pics look great. I think you got that issue solved, now, so post some more.

As one who goes though guns like potato chips, I can appreciate your journey to find that one gun that is a keeper. Love the looks of that Henry. Beautiful lever gun. Shoots like it, too.

[Cofisher]

PT, I am glad you were able to re-acquire a carbine. I know how you feel. Mine brings me great satisfaction. I think it is the most practical, all around rifle out there. Enjoy your time, shooting and just admiring it. God Bless buddy.

[JEBar]

congrats .... that's one fine looking Henry .... be sure to add her to our How Many ? thread .... she sure serves to be proudly listed

[PT7]

Well, the issue is not resolved, NCG. Both of the new photos are distorted and carry an oval-shape to them. It's more evident in the round target. For the side shot of the Henry, the wood forearm and the barrel are both "fatter" as the oval distortion tries to stretch them downward. I've looked at these not-so-good photos too often like that, and it's easy for me to see. I already have quite a few more really nice photos of this new carbine, but just have a hard time posting them like they appear. I could have used 4-5 more for my Range Report, but kept it as simple as possible. I don't know if there is any way I can adjust my camera's photo settings to compensate. A techie I'm not!

'Nuff on the photos. Yes, this .357 Carbine better be a keeper!! It is remarkably accurate to shoot, and dressed beautifully in its wood furniture. Its looks caught me by surprise when I saw the wood colors and grains running through it. That was a NOOB fun happening! Appreciate your comments.

Ah, potato chips.
"You can't stop eating them."
Another enjoyable addiction like Henryitis!

PT7

The pics look great. I think you got that issue solved, now, so post some more.

As one who goes though guns like potato chips, I can appreciate your journey to find that one gun that is a keeper. Love the looks of that Henry. Beautiful lever gun. Shoots like it, too.

[PT7]

Got your reminder, Jim. I'm not going to add another Henry to that thread. Last fall I didn't subtract the Henry BBS that I returned. So the number I own is accurately reported. Both of my Carbines are in the collection!
PT7

congrats .... that's one fine looking Henry .... be sure to add her to our How Many ? thread .... she sure serves to be proudly listed

[JEBar]

Got your reminder, Jim. I'm not going to add another Henry to that thread. Last fall I didn't subtract the Henry BBS that I returned. So the number I own is accurately reported. Both of my Carbines are in the collection!
PT7

makes sense, like I said, that's one fine looking Henry