My Henry seems to like fast bullets. The max load recommended by Hodgdon using H110 powder is 16.7 grains for a 158 grain FMJ bullet. Stated velocity is 1757 fps. I regularly get 2" groups with this load using a scope at 175 yards from a bench. I have shot 158 grain powder coated lead using this load. Grouping is about 4" under same conditions. I get better groups using 16 grains of H110 for 158 grain powder coated.

I was surprised yesterday when using 5.5 grains of Titegroup for 158 grain powder coated RNFP. They were hitting the steel target pretty hard with good accuracy at 100 yards. Est. velocity 1300 fps.

BTW, I went to a local steel fabricating plant and asked if they had any scrap steel plate they would sell. The guy said to check the dumpster and I could take any there for free. JACKPOT! I found a 1/4" circular plate 24" in diameter and ten 12" x 12" plates. I'm going to set up a walking range in this blind canyon on my place. Neighbors can't hear anything when shooting in there.

Mike

From what I read, as long as you stick with 158 gr bullets, accuracy from your rifle should be good.
As for plates, you should be be careful of 1/4" mild grade steel cupping under those conditions. It can get dangerous. That said, there are several dealers on ebay and amazon that sell a variety of hardened AR500 grade steel plates for cheap $. Well worth the investment IMHO.

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Dave

Higher velocity does not equal higher accuracy.

As opposed to the very slow powder, the fast 'target' powders have more consistency from shot to shot than slower magnum powders. Also a slower, heavy slugs are less affected by external factors such as wind.

A Henry chambered for a pistol cartridge amounts to having a long-barreled pistol. The most accurate combo for that is usually a subsonic, heavy bullet.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Interesting summation.

I have a very accurate model 19. Twist rate I believe is 1 in 18.75". I have a ruger model 77/357 that has a twist rate of 1 in 16". I get the best accuracy from 158 grain bullets in my model 19. That stands to reason because the 357 was designed for 158 grain bullets. Because the twist rate is faster in my carbine that would indicate to me that it would stabilize a heavier bullet, say 180 grain, better than my model 19. That also stands to reason because the carbine is more likely to be used for hunting. We all know that a heavier bullet is desirable when hunting to compensate for low velocity. Who knows why Ruger came up with that fast twist rate but I'm betting it was for heavier bullets.

Regarding my carbine, I have given up on coated lead bullets and gone back to FMJ. The accuracy just isn't there with lead 158's and 125's. It's quite possible that I was driving them too fast and I may try some coated lead 180's in the future if I can find them. I'm having good luck with 158 grain XTP bullets around 1500 fps but I think it can do better with a heavier bullet. Hornady makes a 180 grain XTP. That is the next bullet I will try.

Thanks for posting that as it made me stop and think about it. My wife says that isn't always good but what does she know?

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That's just somebody talkin.

LostintheOzone, Missouri Bullets makes 2 different coated 180 grain offerings. Out of my 20" Rossi they averaged over 1500 fps over my chronograph and I was grouping around 2" at 50 yards with the stock iron sights. That's not bad for the iron sights on that gun and my old eyes. And that was using the MBC Striker bullets, which are a 180 grain RNFP bullet design. They also offer the Pugnose, which a 180 grain WFN design. I haven't tried that one yet.

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try their HT RNFP Striker as my rifle uses a magazine. I'll see if they will send me a sample pack.

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That's just somebody talkin.

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I got a sample pack of 180 RNFP from MBC.

If I can find a mold for 180 I'll make some and powder coat them. In the meantime I'm pushing 158 grain powder coated at about 1700 fps with my 357 Henry. Max I can get out of 180 is about 1350 fps. The higher speed 158 puts more energy at 100 yds than does the 180.

A steel fabricator that throws away scrap??

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Still Running Against the Wind

Go figure!

I bought a 180 gr RNFP mold from Veral Smith @ LBT Molds . I think he calls it a " wide nose " . It shoots great in everything I have tried it in , but only revolvers . His molds are always a bit more $ , but I have always felt they were the best . Bullets drop easily from the mold , always accurately sized and they stand up well to continual use .