Henry Big Boy X Model - High Grin Factor!

[Pat Riot]

I really like the look of the case color receiver, I wanted the Big Boy rifle with one, but they were usually back-ordered and local sales didn't have one. I finally got the brass receiver and like it almost as well. I'm thinking of getting the larger loop lever for it now.



Have you looked at the Skinner rear peep sight? I took the buckhorn off my Big Boy and installed the Skinner (and I notice Simon RL has one on his rifle in post #47). It mounts on top of the receiver in holes already there, you can get a dovetail blank to fill where the buckhorn was. The peep gives a longer sight radius and has a replaceable aperture, and you can get different diameter aperture inserts or just remove the aperture and use it as a ghost ring. Sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. You can order them from the Henry website.
View attachment 1205562

As for loads good to 100 yards, I made up some with 20 grains Accurate #9 behind a 250 grain RNFP plated bullet, mine chrono'd at just over 1300 fps. I was hitting an 8" paper plate at 100 yards in the center by aiming at the top of the plate. Mild recoil, and you can go a bit hotter if you like. I was using the load data in the Hornady manual for Ruger/Thompson handguns. Even milder loads at 950-1000 fps work at 100 yards, just add a little more hold over. You can actually see the bullet going downhill to the target when the light is just right.

Thank you. I am familiar with Skinner sights. I actually like the XS peep sights with the white stripe front sight. I have them on my Winchester 94 Carbine and my Marlin 336.
I think I am going to go a route similar to @nipprdog @CraigC @Rock185 have taken. Like CraigC I like having optics and iron sights on my long guns. I like the fiber optic sight on the gun. They stand out nicely even on a cloudy day.
I just have to decide if I want to go with a scout scope or a standard LVPO.

That load of yours sounds fun. I may have to try that. Thanks for the tip.

EDIT: I like the Ranger Point scope rail. If you have QD scope rings you can still use the irons without a scope on.

RHINO 5" Picatinny Rail Scope Mounts | Marlin Henry Rossi 95 Rifles Scope Mount

Shop henry picatinny rail scope mount. RPP designed picatinny rail mount available for Marlin/Henry Rifle Calibers (30-30, 38-55, 35 Rem, 308, 338, .410, 444, 45-70, 450M).

rangerpointstore.com

 

[Rock185]

My BB with the octagon barrel shoots so high with factory sights, that it is almost unusable to me. The nice lady at Henry sent me a new taller front sight at N/C to bring POI down. The factory front sight is very tight in the dovetail, so haven't installed the new front sight yet. I don't do well with buckhorn sights in general, so am currently using a red dot. Not traditional, but don't care. I can actually hit stuff with the red dot installed

 

[Pat Riot]

Not traditional, but don't care. I can actually hit stuff with the red dot installed

That’s what matters most. That’s what a gun is for.
I like that setup you have as well. I was just looking at scopes and debating on whether or not I want to add 14-22 ounces to my gun. I have Sig Sauer “Romeo 5” RDS on my PC Carbine. I also have one on my Kel Tec CP33. I was just debating on adding an RDS to my X model vs a scope.

I do get tired of the old song and dance about optics on lever guns. Functionality trumps opinion.

What rail did you use for your red dot?
If you pull the RDS off can you still use the iron sights?

I like the looks of your rifle. It’s tradition meets technology.

 

[Rock185]

Pat Riot, I used a Skinner rail. Yes, if take off the RDS the iron sights are still usable. FWIW, I tried a scope on this gun using the Skinner rail and medium rings. If I were going to mount a scope on it again, I would use the factory Henry rail. The factory rail adds 1/8" or so in height. This allows some scopes to better clear the rear sight..