Henry/66/73 Longrange?

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Just curious as to what most of you consider "long range" for Henry/66/73 rifles. Was at Whittington Center first of June and discovered that the sighting-in range can be more fun than most of the others. Shot my 66 at ranges of 200-600 yards and found that the old 44-40 can make meat at those distances. Either I have a jewel or some folks been blowin' smoke about their accuracy and killing abilities "out there". I have an opinion but want to hear what more experienced folks have to say. Let her rip!

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Forgot to mention that most loads were "full" cases of BP but some were 6.7 Trail Boss wimp loads. They all showed their backsides.

[Marshal Deadwood]

600 yard 'meat making' loads with a 44-40 ?

I'm doing something seriously wrong then...

MD

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[Flint]

I could keep the Henry 44-40 on an 18X24 plate at 250 yds, but not the 66.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I kept a '66 on a plate out to 400 yds. with BP loads. Of course the plate was about 4' x 4'. 

[Dr. Bob]

Aw gee, you guys talking about plates has gone and made me hungry!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Was that BOOM-KLANG the dinner bell?

[Montana Slim]

Used to shoot at a circular plate ~ 42" diameter at approximately 435 yds with my "Improved" Henry repeater (modern clone), in 44-40, BP loads.  Once I got on the plate & maintained position (cheek weld) it was no problem repeating the hits. The rear elevator was set on ~ 450 yds.

Regards,
Slim

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Marshall D,  The term "makin meat" has entirely different meaning in target shooting as opposed to hunting. It merely means placing a hit on an animal sized target, in the killing zone. While it is easy to "kill" steel at these ranges, it isn't so easy on real animals. However an acquantance from Colorado has done this very thing on a mule deer with a Win. 92 in 44-40. Of course the 92 will shoot higher velocities with heavier bullets and get the job done. Even he said it was a lucky shot.

[will52100]

I've used my henry in 45 colt to take deer out to 75 yards, about as long a range as I'll try on living animals with that round.  I have killed steel chickens out to 200 meters with the same load, 45 PRS bullet with case full of black powder.

[Marshal Deadwood]

Exactly Will.. an ethical hunter would never try to 'make meat' with these 'pistol calibres' at great distances.

A professional shooter that writes for one of the more 'famous' mags told me once...and I suscribe to this myself...

'we all shoot better in our minds than we can actually do with the gun.'

If'n I werre hunting with a fella that tried to take a deer with a 44-40 at say,,,200yds,,,he could hunt by himself ever-after,,,I'd have no more to do with him.

I don't mind killing deer,,,kilt more deer than some folks have ate hamburgers,,but I DO NOT go in for wounding, crippling,  'Hail Mary' shots.

MD