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I've been eyeing this rifle on the shelf at my local gun shop for the past month and thought it would make for the perfect camping/hiking/4-wheeling carbine. I have a Marlin 1894 carbine in .45 Colt and like the size, but the action is clunky, doesn't always feed reliably, and it's heavy. I built an AR in .450 Bushmaster to replace it, and it works great, but is bulky and just as heavy.
The Henry is lighter than both by a couple of pounds, and feels great. Took it straight from the store to the range and was disappointed in the accuracy. Maybe 8" groups at 55 yards using stock FO sights. Was also using a couple of different loads with both 250 grain XTPs and 250 grain cast bullets. My Marlin will do 1.5" at the same distance. Not sure if it was the loads, or the sights, or what. Planning on mounting a red dot and will try more recipes tomorrow. Don't think I have any factory ammo, and there is none available.
As to the rifle itself, it is a great handling little rifle that had zero malfunctions. Trigger is crisp but heavy at 6.5 lbs. Finish is a nice matte black that is noticeably better than my Marlin's, but the plastic to metal fit of the stock is horrible. I mean, it's a plastic stock, which is why the rifle is so light, but the gaps are all over the place for an $800 rifle.
I looked on Gunbroker for one before plunking down my money, and they are going for quite a bit more online; between $900 and $1200, if you can even find one. Plus, I got a 5% military discount, so with tax, my out the door price was just under $800.
Overall, it is not a bad little rifle, but I've got to get the accuracy figured out.
The Henry is lighter than both by a couple of pounds, and feels great. Took it straight from the store to the range and was disappointed in the accuracy. Maybe 8" groups at 55 yards using stock FO sights. Was also using a couple of different loads with both 250 grain XTPs and 250 grain cast bullets. My Marlin will do 1.5" at the same distance. Not sure if it was the loads, or the sights, or what. Planning on mounting a red dot and will try more recipes tomorrow. Don't think I have any factory ammo, and there is none available.
As to the rifle itself, it is a great handling little rifle that had zero malfunctions. Trigger is crisp but heavy at 6.5 lbs. Finish is a nice matte black that is noticeably better than my Marlin's, but the plastic to metal fit of the stock is horrible. I mean, it's a plastic stock, which is why the rifle is so light, but the gaps are all over the place for an $800 rifle.
I looked on Gunbroker for one before plunking down my money, and they are going for quite a bit more online; between $900 and $1200, if you can even find one. Plus, I got a 5% military discount, so with tax, my out the door price was just under $800.
Overall, it is not a bad little rifle, but I've got to get the accuracy figured out.