BassCliff
Hellcat
Greetings and Salutations!
It was a weather whiplash day here in the Wild Wild Upper Midwest. After 70° the day before we got a little snow overnight. But it was warming up and melting fast. I didn't even bother to brush off my truck before I left for the range.
On the way out of my neighborhood I had to stop and let Lucy and Dezi cross the street. They're in my backyard as I type this, helping themselves to the feeder.
The first thing I did when I got to the range was procure my favorite lane then immediately started the paperwork to take possession of my latest acquisition. This is my new Henry .357 Magnum/.38 Special, 10 round, large loop, 20" barrel, Side Gate, Walnut, Buckhorn sight masterpiece.
The transfer didn't take that long. While I was waiting for the NICS check I borrowed a Q-tip so I could put a little oil on the bolt. Yes, I shot it without cleaning it first. Please don't hate me. You all know my favorite lane.
I had brought a box of .357 in anticipation. I bought the case while I was here too. I didn't want to take it home in a cardboard box.
I put on one of my custom B-8 centers over the target. The yellow dot in the X-ring is a little easier for these old eyes to see. I sent it out to 25 yards.
Using a rest, I shot three rounds, would check the target, and then make adjustments on the rear sight. The first three rounds were very right.
You have to drift the rear sight on this model. I did not have a little mallet so I used my little screwdriver to whack the rear sight to the left. Each time would be a little closer, until I got too rambunctious, went too far and actually knocked the rear sight out of the dovetail. Oops. I got the sight back in the groove but now it was a little left.
I thought I could do better so I pounded it back the other way. I guess I overcompensated. I put 10 more rounds downrange and took out the "9".
This was all shot using my backpack as a rest. After I give this new Henry a good cleaning I'll take it back out with the proper tools and get that group moved to the left an inch and a half or so. It's really fun to shoot. The lever action was not perfectly smooth but got much smoother at the end of the 30 rounds I shot through it. After a good clean/lube and a few more rounds it will be like butter. When the weather warms up I'll take this outside and try for 50 yards, if I can see that far.
This Henry is drilled and tapped for a PIC rail. I guess I could put an optic on it but that would ruin the esthetic.
I wanted to exercise my optics one more time while I was here. It was getting late so I put just 25 rounds through each of the XD9 Mod.3 and Echelon 4.5F Comp. Both have Holosun 507C-X2 optics. I started with the Mod.3 at 10 yards.
I started off well. As I shot faster the group spread out. Then I put a quick 25 rounds through the Echelon.
I'm pretty sure the optics are zeroed at 10 yards. With my backpack rest, both of these were shooting well previously. So, ya know, it's me.
I knew it was going to be tight. I had to really stuff my new rifle and case into my cabinet. There is absolutely no more room.
I guess I'm going to have to rearrange things, maybe take some of those long guns out of the cases, in order to make more room. Now I'll have to find a place to store all the cases.
First world problems, I guess. Anyway, it was a fun range day. Now I'm trying to decide what next to add to my "one-of-each" collection. Maybe a Hi-Point?
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
It was a weather whiplash day here in the Wild Wild Upper Midwest. After 70° the day before we got a little snow overnight. But it was warming up and melting fast. I didn't even bother to brush off my truck before I left for the range.
On the way out of my neighborhood I had to stop and let Lucy and Dezi cross the street. They're in my backyard as I type this, helping themselves to the feeder.
The first thing I did when I got to the range was procure my favorite lane then immediately started the paperwork to take possession of my latest acquisition. This is my new Henry .357 Magnum/.38 Special, 10 round, large loop, 20" barrel, Side Gate, Walnut, Buckhorn sight masterpiece.
The transfer didn't take that long. While I was waiting for the NICS check I borrowed a Q-tip so I could put a little oil on the bolt. Yes, I shot it without cleaning it first. Please don't hate me. You all know my favorite lane.
I had brought a box of .357 in anticipation. I bought the case while I was here too. I didn't want to take it home in a cardboard box.
I put on one of my custom B-8 centers over the target. The yellow dot in the X-ring is a little easier for these old eyes to see. I sent it out to 25 yards.
Using a rest, I shot three rounds, would check the target, and then make adjustments on the rear sight. The first three rounds were very right.
You have to drift the rear sight on this model. I did not have a little mallet so I used my little screwdriver to whack the rear sight to the left. Each time would be a little closer, until I got too rambunctious, went too far and actually knocked the rear sight out of the dovetail. Oops. I got the sight back in the groove but now it was a little left.
I thought I could do better so I pounded it back the other way. I guess I overcompensated. I put 10 more rounds downrange and took out the "9".
This was all shot using my backpack as a rest. After I give this new Henry a good cleaning I'll take it back out with the proper tools and get that group moved to the left an inch and a half or so. It's really fun to shoot. The lever action was not perfectly smooth but got much smoother at the end of the 30 rounds I shot through it. After a good clean/lube and a few more rounds it will be like butter. When the weather warms up I'll take this outside and try for 50 yards, if I can see that far.
I wanted to exercise my optics one more time while I was here. It was getting late so I put just 25 rounds through each of the XD9 Mod.3 and Echelon 4.5F Comp. Both have Holosun 507C-X2 optics. I started with the Mod.3 at 10 yards.
I started off well. As I shot faster the group spread out. Then I put a quick 25 rounds through the Echelon.
I'm pretty sure the optics are zeroed at 10 yards. With my backpack rest, both of these were shooting well previously. So, ya know, it's me.
I knew it was going to be tight. I had to really stuff my new rifle and case into my cabinet. There is absolutely no more room.
I guess I'm going to have to rearrange things, maybe take some of those long guns out of the cases, in order to make more room. Now I'll have to find a place to store all the cases.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff