Long Range Accuracy Test: Henry U.S. Survival AR-7
Russ Chastain 04.17.20
The AR-7 Survival Rifle has been around for a long time, and has been manufactured by numerous companies over the years, including Armalite, Charter Arms, Survival Arms, AR-7 Industries, and finally the current manufacturer, Henry Repeating Arms Co, beginning in 1997. It’s a funky little semi-automatic takedown rimfire rifle whose main claim to fame is compactness and that all the parts of the gun can be stowed in the butt stock — and that package will float (though not for long, according to another test he did).
How far can one of these little 22 LR rifle shoot accurately? Well, that’s what one YouTuber aimed to find out. He’s a good ol’ boy who calls himself Buffalo, and he decided to fire at an eight-inch diameter steel target, standing and shooting offhand. He starts at 10 yards and moves away from the target in 10-yard increments, firing 4 rounds at each increment. If he hits with at least 3 out of 4, he calls it accurate and moves to the next station.
It should come as no surprise that he can easily hit the target out to 50 yards. After all, the 22 LR’s immense popularity is due in large part to the excellent accuracy of which it is capable. Beyond about 50 yards with a rifle of reasonable quality, the main factor is the shooter — especially when standing and shooting offhand.
By the time he gets out to 80 yards, he’s having to aim higher than the target — but he hits it every time at 80.
At 90 yards he hits 3 out of 4, and at 100 he rings that little gong every time. At 110 he produces 3 out of 4 hits, then at 120 he only hits with half of his shots. Therefore, he calls 120 his maximum effective range with that rifle and ammo.
Speaking of ammo, he was shooting Remington Thunderbolt groceries, which is some of the cheaper stuff. Who knows? He may have done even better if he’d been shooting premium ammo.
Clearly, Buffalo knows how to shoot.
I hope you enjoy the video.
