May 5th 45 Colt at Range

[RanchRoper]

Shot tonight. Both targets are 50 yds off hand. The interesting thing is that the one with the least holes was my last 10 rounds fired as fast as I could cock the lever and pull the trigger. Kept it tight to the shoulder and went at it. 8 rounds on paper! Heated up the barrel too. Pretty happy with results. The other target where I was trying to be careful, slowly aim; they are all over the place. I moved my sight a notch to shoot higher and it seemed better. But I'm still to the left a fair bit.

But I have to say....cranking off those fast rounds is just way too much fun!

[RetiredSeabee]

I have found very much the same when shooting off hand with most firearms. When I just point shoot naturally my groups are tighter.
Glad you got in some trigger time with that beautiful Henry.

[Deadwood Dutch]

You shot well off hand. If you shoot it from a bench rest and you find it still shooting to the left more than you wish, then have you considered moving your rear sight slightly to the right?

[RanchRoper]

Thanks. I have not moved the sight to the right or left yet. I guess it wouldn't take much? I don't really quite get the sight adjustments yet but I definitely veer left often. Is it easy to move it right or left? Do I loosen anything first?

[Deadwood Dutch]

The reason that I asked is because I remember you saying something in a previous post about it shooting to the left. I don't have a Henry centerfire, so I don't know if there is a screw to loosen first or not. I don't have one on my Marlin. But a brass punch is advisable to use to drift it either left or right. With the rear sight you move it in the direction that you want your rounds to hit. With the front sight it is just the opposite. I have had to move both front and rear on my one Marlin because the guy before me had moved the front sight out of the center of the base. This one I bought used. I don't know if the Henry even has a front sight adjustment? But I would make adjustments with the rear sight if you are going to need an adjustment.

[RanchRoper]

The manual talks about sight adjustment. I'll read up on it. Thanks.

[PT7]

Good shooting, RR. Rapid-fire shooting is a lot of fun. Our MO ranges restrict all rapid-fire, but when I get to either of my friends' ranges, I get to do that!

As far as moving your buckhorn rear sight for windage, the manual definitely will help you. And Dutch noted the correct way to go after it. Also there is a small set screw on top of the sight right over the dovetail slot on the barrel. Just loosen that first, then drift your sight either way.

BTW, check out the Henry Gunsight Kit on their website: https://www.henryrifles.com/product/henry-gunsight-kit/
I got it a few years ago, and it is exactly what is needed to work with dovetail sights.

[Sir Henry]

Our range lets us shoot as fast as we can as long as ALL shots hit paper. This includes full-auto. I shoot lever action both rapid and slow fire and my stance is completely different. I suspect you were using your rapid fire stance but just shooting more slow.

Shoot one more time before adjusting your sights. You can end up chasing them back and forth. When you do adjust them just remember the rule -adjust the rear sight in the same direction as the bullet impact. If you remember the rule you will be set for life but if you try to think about it you will get it wrong. Trust me.

[RanchRoper]

Ya I'm just going to keep practicing and work on it. I'm sure it's not the rifle. Adjusting to shoot a little higher helped so I'll keep at it. Thks.

[White Squirrel]

You will soon be an "expert" with that .45 Colt Big Boy! I will take that kind of shooting offhand at 50 yards any day.

[RanchRoper]

Thanks. I just bought some American Eagle 255 gr JSP ammo for it as well as more Winchester LFN. Out to the range again tomorrow.