Lever gun scope
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You might want to wear some BLAZE ORANGE during hunting season, then the idiot won't think YOU are an idiot. And for your information I don't point my rifle at anything wearing blaze orange even deer wearing camo. (LOL) Try being a more responsible hunter sometime, it might help you live longer.
The cheek weld is fine, all my bolt action rifles wear scopes with a 50 mm objective (high rings) so the 40 mm scope fits right in on my cheek weld without any noticeable difference. I have to scrunch down actually to use the iron sights.
Jim
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semi_problomatic
New member
You want him to be more responsible when you are the one scanning with a loaded rifle? Wow...I've heard it all now.
Take responsibility for your actions. Don't try to justify something that is incredibly stupid to do in the first place. Just by "scanning the area" with a rifle you are breaking every safe weapon handling rule. Let alone using a loaded rifle. How about you just practice safer hunting? You just might not accidentally kill someone that way.
And how do you not point your rifle at someone wearing orange if your scanning the area with your scope? Do you magically know they're there before you flag them with your rifle and they enter your FoV?
Take responsibility for your actions. Don't try to justify something that is incredibly stupid to do in the first place. Just by "scanning the area" with a rifle you are breaking every safe weapon handling rule. Let alone using a loaded rifle. How about you just practice safer hunting? You just might not accidentally kill someone that way.
And how do you not point your rifle at someone wearing orange if your scanning the area with your scope? Do you magically know they're there before you flag them with your rifle and they enter your FoV?
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I would like to address post #1. I have posted some pictures on scoping your Big Boy. Here is an example of 2. First, you get the scope base from Henry (about $30). I used loctite on the threads and made sure that the base is straight. There is enough play in them to warrant a slight warning.
The example shows the Vortex 1.75 X 5 scope with Leupold quick detach rings. I was thinking that the iron sights would still be usable with the scope removed, but they are not. You can set the rear sight to the highest and get a sight picture, but it is less then perfect.
The other Henry with the big loop is a 45 colt, and a Leupold VX-3 1.75 By 6. Both scopes are 32mm and use MED rings. I will include a picture of the big loop as well. It is an easy install.
Also, just a note. These rifles are heavy and adding a scope is not such a big thing. I wouldn't want to carry it all day. I use them for teaching new shooters and to make steel plates resonate a loud "PING!".
I hope that answers the question that you had, IF not, please ask away.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/1scope1.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/4scope4.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/3scope3.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/5scope5.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/7scope7.jpg
The example shows the Vortex 1.75 X 5 scope with Leupold quick detach rings. I was thinking that the iron sights would still be usable with the scope removed, but they are not. You can set the rear sight to the highest and get a sight picture, but it is less then perfect.
The other Henry with the big loop is a 45 colt, and a Leupold VX-3 1.75 By 6. Both scopes are 32mm and use MED rings. I will include a picture of the big loop as well. It is an easy install.
Also, just a note. These rifles are heavy and adding a scope is not such a big thing. I wouldn't want to carry it all day. I use them for teaching new shooters and to make steel plates resonate a loud "PING!".
I hope that answers the question that you had, IF not, please ask away.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/1scope1.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/4scope4.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/3scope3.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/5scope5.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/idahosd/Henry/7scope7.jpg
While it is possible for someone that is COLOR BLIND not to see another hunter, I have no such problem with or without a scope. (even across an open field)
You seem to forget the gun safety rules:
1. Keep you finger off the trigger
2. Know your target and what's behind it.
3. Never point a loaded gun at anything your not willing to kill.
Hell, I follow those even at the range let a lone when hunting.
I don't stalk with the hammer back and cocked and locked and my safety is always engaged until I am ready to shoot. My concern would be the hunter in a tree stand that can not see more than 50 yards in front of him and hears a sound to their right or left and swings their rifle to get a better view.
A little common sense will keep everyone safe.
Jim
What is incredible stupid, is not wearing proper attire while hunting. So don't blame someone else for your mistakes.
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semi_problomatic
New member
With the big boy bases- couldn't you bed the bases to the rifle to take out any slop? When you bed the bases you'd have a release agent on the action so it wouldn't be permanent and it could save the finish of your rifle and improve accuracy.
Jim-No one but you has said anything about not wearing hunter blaze orange. read #6 under hunting safety:http://www.magtechammunition.com/sitepages/pid80.php
#3:http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/outdoor-learning/hunter-education/online-course/hunting-safety
4th paragraph: http://www.rmef.org/TheHunt/During/Glassing.aspx
Thread from here: http://TheFiringLine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531431
Some more: http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-687360.html
Look! More! http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=106340
More: http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=328489
Jim-No one but you has said anything about not wearing hunter blaze orange. read #6 under hunting safety:http://www.magtechammunition.com/sitepages/pid80.php
#3:http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/outdoor-learning/hunter-education/online-course/hunting-safety
4th paragraph: http://www.rmef.org/TheHunt/During/Glassing.aspx
Thread from here: http://TheFiringLine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531431
Some more: http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-687360.html
Look! More! http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=106340
More: http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=328489
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I'm 54 and have never hunted on land that was not family owned. For deer all hunting is done from stands. I do not use my scope to search for deer but if I see movement I will scope it if it is in bad light conditions. But if I do scope an animal it is close to a feeder and no one is in the vicinity, it is how our stands are arranged. And if you are not a family member you will be in a stand with a family member. Also since we are in stands, a round is not chambered until you are ready to pull the trigger. Our hog hunting is done out of stands too.
I would never use a scope to scan the horizon and don't see much utility in it b/c the FOV is so narrow. If I were to ever hunt someplace other than my own land and saw someone checking me out with a scope I would want to go over to them and butt them in the face with my rifle but I wouldn't because they would be holding a loaded firearm.
I have a 336W that doesn't get used a lot for deer anymore but gets used for hogs a lot. It wears a good recoil pad and a Viper 2x7 scope. I need the scope for my eyes. If it were all I had for deer I would not feel under gunned. It also sports a Happy Trigger and I polished the internals. The first ammo shot in it was 150 gr. Core-Lokts and they were so accurate I never bothered to try anything else. I do hand load but 30-30 is so inexpensive I have never bought dies.
I would never use a scope to scan the horizon and don't see much utility in it b/c the FOV is so narrow. If I were to ever hunt someplace other than my own land and saw someone checking me out with a scope I would want to go over to them and butt them in the face with my rifle but I wouldn't because they would be holding a loaded firearm.
I have a 336W that doesn't get used a lot for deer anymore but gets used for hogs a lot. It wears a good recoil pad and a Viper 2x7 scope. I need the scope for my eyes. If it were all I had for deer I would not feel under gunned. It also sports a Happy Trigger and I polished the internals. The first ammo shot in it was 150 gr. Core-Lokts and they were so accurate I never bothered to try anything else. I do hand load but 30-30 is so inexpensive I have never bought dies.
semi_problomatic
New member
Scout mount or standard?
Regarding the second topic being discussed here...
If I am in the field, and I observe some distant person aiming a scoped rifle at me, how is that different than if I am in the grocery store parking lot and someone aims a 9mm pistol at me?
How should I react in either case? I suppose I could assume that the gun (rifle or pistol) is not loaded, or it does not have a round chambered, or the safety is on.... I suppose I could assume the rifle bearer is trying to get a look at me with his scope.... I suppose I could assume that the pistol brandisher is evaluating the new night-sights he just installed...
Or I suppose I could assume that someone is about to attempt to murder me... and take action accordingly.
I think it is important to remind folks that not everyone who is in the field during deer season is a hunter, and the non-hunters will not be wearing orange... in fact they may not even know it is deer season. I have met hikers and backpackers during deer season... not a trace of orange on them.
If I am in the field, and I observe some distant person aiming a scoped rifle at me, how is that different than if I am in the grocery store parking lot and someone aims a 9mm pistol at me?
How should I react in either case? I suppose I could assume that the gun (rifle or pistol) is not loaded, or it does not have a round chambered, or the safety is on.... I suppose I could assume the rifle bearer is trying to get a look at me with his scope.... I suppose I could assume that the pistol brandisher is evaluating the new night-sights he just installed...
Or I suppose I could assume that someone is about to attempt to murder me... and take action accordingly.
I think it is important to remind folks that not everyone who is in the field during deer season is a hunter, and the non-hunters will not be wearing orange... in fact they may not even know it is deer season. I have met hikers and backpackers during deer season... not a trace of orange on them.
You assume much .....
All four of us (myself and 3 kids) were wearing the required 400 sq. inches of blaze orange- hats, and jackets ..... didn't stop the doofus from bringing his gun up to look at us- he saw movement down in the timber and probably desperately wanted it to be a deer .....
I dunno...... I yelled at him not to point the gun at me......
Don't do this.
You can set your gun up any way you see fit ..... my opinion of it does not matter a hill of beans ...... but if you go walking around looking for deer through your scope and muzzle sweep somebody, they will be convinced you are unsafe idiot.
Condoning this in public says a lot about you, too ..... as does telling me it was my fault because I was not hearing blaze orange (even theough we were) ......
Good Night!
All four of us (myself and 3 kids) were wearing the required 400 sq. inches of blaze orange- hats, and jackets ..... didn't stop the doofus from bringing his gun up to look at us- he saw movement down in the timber and probably desperately wanted it to be a deer .....
I dunno...... I yelled at him not to point the gun at me......
Don't do this.
You can set your gun up any way you see fit ..... my opinion of it does not matter a hill of beans ...... but if you go walking around looking for deer through your scope and muzzle sweep somebody, they will be convinced you are unsafe idiot.
Condoning this in public says a lot about you, too ..... as does telling me it was my fault because I was not hearing blaze orange (even theough we were) ......
Good Night!
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This is the answer for post #49:
I also struggled in deciding on what type of scope to install. It came down to one thing; how was I going to use this rifle. I purchased this rifle more as a fun shooting gun. I have done a great deal of bench rest/long range varmint shooting and the big boy is not one of those type rifles. So, in selecting a scope, I wanted to match the rifle with something that was more for fast target acquisition and not precision shooting.
I also worried about the required eye relief, because there is a great deal of drop in the stock. That is why I went with the 1.75 to 6 Leopold. The eye relief is from 3.5" to 4.5" based on power setting. Anything below 2 power I could leave both eyes open and treat it more like a red dot scope.
What I learned from shooting the Big Boy standing is that even with the scope, it is very well balanced. It is just a "natural pointer" type of rifle and not the same as target rifles were cheek melt to the stock is important.
I went with Med scope rings and if I had to do it over, I might go with low rings and take the back sight off. Not that ring height has anything to do with accuracy. But as is, it is a high sight plane for sure. It is almost like a flat top AR with a high scope mounted in terms of the "hover" above the stock.
I do feel that, with practice, it will become more natural pointing feel and you will find your own fit in time.
I did document the first 50 shots of my Big Boy in a youtube video. It shows both of the Henry rifles shooting. Please notice how much faster the shots go on the last 10 shot string. The last part is with both of us standing and the target is 74 yards away. Try hitting a plate size target 20 out of 20 times, in that time frame with 2 bolt action rifles.
BTW: I do not feel that putting a scope on "cripples" a lever action rifle. Watch the video, does it look like we are shooing with a Crippled rifles?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iPibYdBcPk
I also struggled in deciding on what type of scope to install. It came down to one thing; how was I going to use this rifle. I purchased this rifle more as a fun shooting gun. I have done a great deal of bench rest/long range varmint shooting and the big boy is not one of those type rifles. So, in selecting a scope, I wanted to match the rifle with something that was more for fast target acquisition and not precision shooting.
I also worried about the required eye relief, because there is a great deal of drop in the stock. That is why I went with the 1.75 to 6 Leopold. The eye relief is from 3.5" to 4.5" based on power setting. Anything below 2 power I could leave both eyes open and treat it more like a red dot scope.
What I learned from shooting the Big Boy standing is that even with the scope, it is very well balanced. It is just a "natural pointer" type of rifle and not the same as target rifles were cheek melt to the stock is important.
I went with Med scope rings and if I had to do it over, I might go with low rings and take the back sight off. Not that ring height has anything to do with accuracy. But as is, it is a high sight plane for sure. It is almost like a flat top AR with a high scope mounted in terms of the "hover" above the stock.
I do feel that, with practice, it will become more natural pointing feel and you will find your own fit in time.
I did document the first 50 shots of my Big Boy in a youtube video. It shows both of the Henry rifles shooting. Please notice how much faster the shots go on the last 10 shot string. The last part is with both of us standing and the target is 74 yards away. Try hitting a plate size target 20 out of 20 times, in that time frame with 2 bolt action rifles.
BTW: I do not feel that putting a scope on "cripples" a lever action rifle. Watch the video, does it look like we are shooing with a Crippled rifles?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iPibYdBcPk
If you do find this to be the case, there are comb raising kits available to correct the problem:
http://www.beartooth-products.com/shop/vmchk/comb-raising-kits.html
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...eces-amp-palm-swells/scope-eze-prod15487.aspx
http://www.accu-riser.com/products/Accu%2dRiser-Monte-Carlo-Comb-Raiser.html
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/86...y-rifle-cheek-rest-m1-garand-m1a-usgi-leather
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...ells/leather-lace-on-cheekpiece-prod1870.aspx
semi_problomatic
New member
Do you often have animals standing still at archery distance painted orange while you sit in a fixed position? If that's the case, then no, your rifle's not crippled by your scope. Could you not have done just as well with iron sights?
Real nice shooting though, 12" stationary targets at less than 100 yards from a stable position with a scope.
In the end it's YOUR money and YOUR gun and the only one who has to be happy with it is YOU. If you want to put a 50x telescope on your rifle to shoot 30 yards away, go for it. If you're okay with a chin weld and you want a scope on a lever gun to kill zombies with...more power to you. Everything is a compromise and if it suits your needs, great.
Real nice shooting though, 12" stationary targets at less than 100 yards from a stable position with a scope.
In the end it's YOUR money and YOUR gun and the only one who has to be happy with it is YOU. If you want to put a 50x telescope on your rifle to shoot 30 yards away, go for it. If you're okay with a chin weld and you want a scope on a lever gun to kill zombies with...more power to you. Everything is a compromise and if it suits your needs, great.
L_Killkenny
New member
As amazing as it would seem on the internet there are many proven facts being disputed by folk that just plain don't know any better here in this thread.
For SHOOTING a properly mounted low power scope is better 100 times outta 100 vs. open sights. Low light, moving game, near or far, makes no difference. Hands down they are better and that holds true even if your comb isn't just right for it. Sight and game on one focal plain and a brighter, clearer picture being most of the advantage. That'd be why more and more shotguns are seeing scopes for deer hunting in shotgun only states like here in Iowa. As a matter of fact, I dare say that most slug guns I see are wearing scopes nowadays.
That doesn't mean that some mall ninja that sticks some 50mm monstrosity w/ thoose crappy see-thru rings on his lever gun has a better sighting system. He doesn't. But truth be known it's not much worse than stickin that same POS on a boltgun for 99.9% of hunters. Hunters today are way over scoped as a general rule.
What hurts lever guns and their close range cousin the slug gun when you scope em isn't in the shooting, for that is helped a great deal, it's not in the handling either. It is in HOW THEY CARRY. It's bulk in the wrong spot. Right where you hand wants to go as you move thru the woods. This can be helped by going with a scout set up but that raises other issues that make any effort to do so a waste of time, cost and effort IMO.
Still, the benefits of a good optic set up far out way the bulk for most shooters. Don't believe me? Go out and find ya someone who served over seas in the sand box or asscrackastan and see how many of em were cussing their optic set ups. Answer? None. And a lot of their shooting was spitting distance in old crappy houses.
My favorite scope range for slug and lever guns is 1.5-4x but most look like they were pushed outta the back end of a bear. Too keep with the classic looks of a lever gun nothing is better than an old Elpaso Weaver K2.5 or K3.
For SHOOTING a properly mounted low power scope is better 100 times outta 100 vs. open sights. Low light, moving game, near or far, makes no difference. Hands down they are better and that holds true even if your comb isn't just right for it. Sight and game on one focal plain and a brighter, clearer picture being most of the advantage. That'd be why more and more shotguns are seeing scopes for deer hunting in shotgun only states like here in Iowa. As a matter of fact, I dare say that most slug guns I see are wearing scopes nowadays.
That doesn't mean that some mall ninja that sticks some 50mm monstrosity w/ thoose crappy see-thru rings on his lever gun has a better sighting system. He doesn't. But truth be known it's not much worse than stickin that same POS on a boltgun for 99.9% of hunters. Hunters today are way over scoped as a general rule.
What hurts lever guns and their close range cousin the slug gun when you scope em isn't in the shooting, for that is helped a great deal, it's not in the handling either. It is in HOW THEY CARRY. It's bulk in the wrong spot. Right where you hand wants to go as you move thru the woods. This can be helped by going with a scout set up but that raises other issues that make any effort to do so a waste of time, cost and effort IMO.
Still, the benefits of a good optic set up far out way the bulk for most shooters. Don't believe me? Go out and find ya someone who served over seas in the sand box or asscrackastan and see how many of em were cussing their optic set ups. Answer? None. And a lot of their shooting was spitting distance in old crappy houses.
My favorite scope range for slug and lever guns is 1.5-4x but most look like they were pushed outta the back end of a bear. Too keep with the classic looks of a lever gun nothing is better than an old Elpaso Weaver K2.5 or K3.
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semi_problomatic
New member
I'll have to disagree L. Don't confuse lack of ability on a shooter's part with a mechanical device being better. If that were true then you wouldn't see competitve shooters using 1x optics or mounting irons on canted bases for close up shots while running low powered optics. Also, if your comb isn't right then your cheek weld isn't going to be right which means that scope is going to be off. Sure, you can offset that with practice and train yourself to get a repeatable chin weld...If you don't believe that then why are those same slug guns you're talking about made with raised combs? Also, it's hard(er) to mount a scope low on most levers if it has anything larger than a 20mm objective, unless you remove the rear sight or mount it far forward. A lot of people don't like the scout set-up because they are not familiar with it.
And, as far as soldiering, I've seen many guys drop an acog in Iraq in favor of a reflex sight. Really, a burris fastfire would be the perfect sight for a lever. Low, extremely light, easy to use and forgiving of cheek placement...
And, as far as soldiering, I've seen many guys drop an acog in Iraq in favor of a reflex sight. Really, a burris fastfire would be the perfect sight for a lever. Low, extremely light, easy to use and forgiving of cheek placement...