Shooting Uberti's 1860 Henry Rifle in .44-40

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

Here is the full length video on the Henry Rifle. I apologize, because I know it is really long, but, on the plus side, there is lots of shooting in it.

https://www.full30.com/video/f501c364eba365bea61b5f01b86f1f16

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

[w44wcf]

Mike,
THANK. YOU for that wonderful video! Awesome!  

I really miss seeing your column in Guns Of The Old West. 
As a matter of fact, I did not purchase the last two issues since your column was not in them

Will your column be in future issues?

w44wcf

[Thumb Buster]

Thanks for the video Mike.  You're having too much fun there pard'.  Miss your column also.    

[w44wcf]

Historically speaking, here is a story about how a Henry rifle saved this man from an early demise.....

Capt. Wilson was an unconditional Union man, living in a strong disloyal section of Kentucky. His neighbors had threatened his life. In consequences of this, Capt. Wilson had put his Henry rifle inside a corn crib across from his house.

One day, while at home dining with his family, seven mounted guerrillas entered his home with the intention of killing him. After a parley, Capt. Wilson convinced them to take him outside to be shot. The moment he reached the front door he ran to his cover with bullets flying around him.

He thus retrieved his Henry rifle, turned upon his foes and with 5 consecutive shots, killed 5 of his enemies. The other 2 sprang for their horses. As the 6th man threw his hand over the pommel of his saddle, the 6th shoot took off four of his fingers. The seventh shot killed him. Then Capt. Wilson fired his 8th shot, killing the 7th and last man.


ACCURACY AT EXTENDED RANGES

On October 6 and 8, 1866, the Official Swiss Commission at Aarau, Switzerland, tested the Infantry Model of The Winchester Repeating Rifle at extended ranges.

At 300 paces, 30 shots were fired. 27 grouped into a 12" x 12" area with 2 shots 4" below the main group, and one 4" above. All shots would have hit a man sized target with ease.

At 600 paces, 31 shots were fired and fell into an area 5 feet high by 4 3/4 feet wide. 28 of the rounds went into a group measuring 2 1/2 feet high x 2 feet wide.

At 1000 paces, 40 shots were fired at a target 8 feet high and 10 feet wide. 31 bullets connected and impacted into an area 6 1/2 feet high x 7 feet wide. There was a cluster of 21 shots that went through the target within a 3 foot high x 4 foot wide area.

The angle of the barrel at 1000 paces was shown at 2 degrees, 16 minutes. It was reported that the bullet hit with sufficient force at that distance to penetrate 4" of wood.

w44wcf



 

[w44wcf]

Here is a pic of an original .44 Henry "Flat" cartridge (So named due to the flat point.)
Actual case capacity is just a bit more than a .44 Special case.



w44wcf

[Coffinmaker]

Contrary (me, at times), the 44 Henry Flat was not exactly anemic.  While not matching some later chamberings for bullet weight or velocity, it was an extremely effective round.  Certainly, it had the long range trajectory of a rainbow, but at more reasonable ranges it had more than just acceptable accuracy.
I also consider the Henry rifle to be the Grandaddy of the "assault" rifle.  When properly employed (seldom) it could be and was a game changer.  The only real drawback, the durn things get HOT!!  Really HOT!!  My Henry rifles are set up to run cartridges more in keeping with the original "Load on Sunday, shoot all week" round.  My .45s will hold 18 rounds.  18 rounds, fired quickly, one after the other, give real appreciation to GLOVES.
I currently have 4.  Had 5 (stupidly sold one).  My 18 1/2 inch carbine and my 16 Trapper are my "go to" rifles for CAS. 

Coffinmaker   

[w44wcf]

"The .44 Henry Flat  was not exactly anemic.".  Nope, not at all! 
I have never heard of the .44-40 in a six gun being anemic.
The .44 Henry rifle is about 20% more powerful........

w44wcf

[Jake C]

Kind of an off-topic question, but how was the .44 Henry Flat out of a revolver length barrel? I had always heard that the .44 Henry was anemic, but never quite bought it, but I've never seen any data as to how it would be coming from a 7.5 inch barrel.

[Blackpowder Burn]

Just don't put me downrange of any!