Need some honest opinions from owners of Henry single shot 45/70s
Background –
I am new to 45/70 and am now set up to reload it. I am primarily interested in loading BP cartridges and have one of the Lee 459-405-HB molds to try first. I’m not going to be shooting competition, long range distances, hunt, etc. – primarily interested in playing with the cartridge and plinking at a variety of distances out to about 200 yards on gongs, buckets and whatever. I am only interested in single shots. I had a nice Springfield trapdoor lined up to buy and then the deal went south on the seller’s end. At this point, I am still looking at trapdoors but am leaving my options open for other single shot rifles. I have owned Handi-rifles in other calibers so am aware of the and others similar as well.
One of the rifles I am possibly interested in is the Henry single shot in 45/70 and thus I am posting this. I own some Henry lever guns – like them – but am also well aware of the trigger issues, recall and all the threads concerning that on the Henry single shots so do not want this post to go there as far as those things go. From videos and posts, there seem to be many who, regardless of those posts, own, shoot and and for the most part, like the Henry single shots in the variety of calibers they are offered in. I am asking for some honest feedback from those that own one of the Henry single shots in 45/70s – who still own and shoot them.
While I am mainly interested in shooting BP 45/70 – if I ended up with a Henry I would at some point probably play with smokeless loads as well. All I will be shooting is cast boolits in either BP or smokeless cartridges.
So . . . . if you own and shoot a Henry single shot in 45/70 – whether the steel or brass frame – can you give a brief review of your thoughts on the rifle. Are you satisfied with the accuracy of it and at what distances are you normally shooting at? If you are shooting cast boolits, what diameter and weight have you found seem to work the best out of the rifle/barrel? Are you satisfied overall with the accuracy and the function of the rifle and would you purchase one again? Are you using it as it came from the factory or have you done “tune ups” to the trigger, etc. Overall, are you happy with the rifle?
I am looking at a variety of things in regards to the Henry – price, function and quality for the dollar and also the ability to add a scope should I go with what I will call a “modern” rifle (although a break action has been around more a looooong time) as opposed to another traditional trapdoor, high wall, rolling block, etc. that I would not be inclined to put a scope on.
I realize that we all like different things and we all have different opinions – I’m just trying to get some honest feedback from those that have one of the Henry single shots in 45/70 to determine if I should leave it on my list of options or to chalk it off. I like the looks of both the steel and the brass frame models, they seem to have the Henry fit and finish and the price/quality seem good – BUT – pretty gals are a dime a dozen and they serve no purpose if they can’t read and write – i.e. the rifle may look good but looks don’t make them accurate or functional.
Any feedback by those who own and shoot a Henry single shot in 45/70 would be greatly appreciated. On the surface, the price/quality of the Henry is certainly good and I am just trying to determine if, for me, if it is worth paying double or triple the price for a different rifle if the Henry will perform the same and allow me to play with the 45/70 cartridge in BP (and/or smokeless) and do the fun shooting that I want to do.
Thanks.
