any adults here shoot the Henry Mini Bolt?

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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I've always loved the looks of that rifle, but never have had the chance to shoulder to see how one would fit with it's short LoP.

but that aside, does anyone here shoot one? what did you do to make the fit better? how's the accuracy?
 
Don't own a Mini Bolt, but I got a KSA Crickett (And I'm a 5'9" adult). Never did a proper accuracy test, but running bulk ammo it groups better than my 95% stock 10/22.

I looked into the Mini Bolt too, but I didn't like the "sketchy" looking scope mount offered by Henry. Without a scope (or raised sights) it's impossible for me to shoot either rifles off iron sights. The comb of the stock is built far too high for my adult size face. The only way I can get a sight picture is by turning the entire rifle 90 degrees and shoot it gangsta style. With a scope, comb height is perfect.

As for the LOP, yes it is a problem for both rifles. It was designed for kids after all. I plan on modifying the stock on my Crickett by adding 1/2" to 3/4" behind the butt pad.

The Crickett is also less expensive, and in my opinion, the lack of a trigger safety makes it a safer firearm for those that are shooting for the first time. See video -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFMMh_BFi1E

Hope that helps!
 
Try stacking your hands like you would hold a pistol, put the stock up to your cheek and if you are right handed, pull your right elbow into your right rib cage and left elbow into you chest. You will have reduced the points of contact on your rifle from 3 to 2 but it should not matter because there is not much recoil from a .22 but the point of contact for your shooting stance is still 3.

Alternatively there are target shooters that let the bottom of the grip rest in one hand in a teacup hold or on a shooting glove or on the back of their knuckles. These are very accuracy holds and they really make all my smaller LOP .22 shine. Only rifle it doesn't work with is something like a mare's leg.
 
I bought a Henry Mini Bolt for my 6yr old daughter this year....I have shot it 5 times and with iron sights at 44m it will shoot with little effort less than a 2 inch group....if I practised I am sure I could do better.

This Gun does not have a feed ramp so the shell must be placed in the chamber then closed. It is unnessesarily a long process to load, close the bolt and then #### the gun but then again it is for training children. I looked at other options and felt that the Henry in Muddy Girl Pink was the best choice for my daughter.
 
I picked one up, years back, for my daughter as well. It's a fine trainer for the beginners. I eventually started throwing it into my pack during grouse season. Accuracy is more than acceptable and I don't have any issues using the provided iron sites. LOP is tiny, but nothing that seriously effects the usage after a bit of practice.
 
We have a Savage Rascal in the family that I like..but I find it impossibly small. I've designed an interesting stock to replace it, just haven't had time to get on that.
 
I dont own a mini bolt either but i do have a savage rascal, the length of pull and size is about the same so figure its pretty safe to comment on it. The size is really meant for children, ive shot it a couple times and really find it much to small and way to light to get good accuracy out of it. Mind you when i bench the rifle it shoots just great but for me its rather difficult to shoot. Im 5'11" fairly average build. I looked at the mini bolt for my kids but after reading how some kids have difficulty cocking it i decided on the savage since the action cocks on close which is very easy to operate. My boy will get to try it out for the first time later this summer. I also have a 10/22 youth compact, which he will graduate to some day, the stock is just a bit longer and find it easier to hold. I hold the rifle sort of like how one holds a shotgun to get over the short LOP. You may be better with a 10/22 compact since you can have a full length and then find a spare stock to take a few inches off.
 
I'm pretty sure I'll get something like the Henry Mini Bolt. I looked at the Cricket and not too keen on it, though I do love the looks of the Tactical, LoL.

I might just have to screw on a spacer or something to get that extra 2" needed to fit properly.
 
Mr. Friendly said:
I'm pretty sure I'll get something like the Henry Mini Bolt. I looked at the Cricket and not too keen on it, though I do love the looks of the Tactical, LoL.

I might just have to screw on a spacer or something to get that extra 2" needed to fit properly.
Click to expand...

Just a thought... If you're OK with cocking the gun as a separate operation (on the Henry MB) then you may as well look at an old Cooey 39. They're diminutive guns as well, but much better proportions if an adult is using it. Iron sights-only, but the LOP will be much more useful...and you'll still have a tiny rifle. I don't know what the Henry's cost...but I have a hunch the Cooey will cost less. I've owned an old Cooey 39, and shot the newer Winchester-made 39s. Nice little guns.
 
The thing I like about the mini bolt henry is that it really looks like a smaller scale version of a full rifle. Its perfectly sized for my daughter and will probably be just fine for her till she is about 12yrs old. When she is totally safe and has mastered the action then it will be time to introduce her to the 10/22 or CZ 512 semi's which are smaller lighter rifles as well. I feel that the henry is a very good value plus there is essentially no issue with Jamming etc because they have to place the round in the chamber then do the whole action thing and the spent casings eject quickly easily and without much flip that could disturb a small shooter.
I used CCI standard for the first and only 10 shots that it fired, 5 rds from me and 5 from my daughter (she was more excited with a snail she found at the range). recoil was non-existent (at least to me), noise wasn't too bad either for a small child.
 
Henry made a larger version of the mini-bolt called the accu-bolt. It was 22, 22 mag, and 17HMR. the 17hmr version came up in auction a few weeks back.
Here is my 22 mag scout accu-bolt I pieced together from gunshow finds.
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I bought a Mini bolt for my son. I have used it more than him. I have killed more grouse, rabbits, and squirrels with the mini bolt then all my other guns put together! I always kept it in my ruck sack while in the woods. With the Williams Sure fire sights it is a laser beam!
 
A bought one a few years back in stainless for my oldest boy who has since handed it down to my youngest. Great little rifle: reliable and shoots well enough and there are great sights on it. There is also a scope rail offered if you are inclined to mount optics. I never bothered because with optics because I wanted my kids to learn on iron sights first and foremost. Would make a great small game survival gun: much better than the AR-7.
 
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