Observation - Most Popular Centerfire Calibers

[PT7]

GFK,
The .357 magnum caliber may not be the number one seller in the Henry line, and that's really okay. But it is a fine rifle that they make. And I know you've noticed how many Henry members have and enjoy their Big Boys....myself included.

For many reasons, your consideration of a .357 is right on. Especially as you said, "fun to shoot." And I think if you chose a Henry over other brands, that would be an added plus! Let us know if you join the Henry .357 BB group....enjoy the gun hunt.
PT7

I have been considering a 357. I have not shoot a 44 mag. But, I guess people prefer shooting them out of a rifle than a handgun. I could be wrong. But, it seems like the recoil in a handgun could be challenging to deal with on a continuous basis. So, a 357 make be more fun to shoot in a handgun or rifle. Just my 2 cent.

[JEBar]

I have been considering a 357. I have not shoot a 44 mag. But, I guess people prefer shooting them out of a rifle than a handgun. I could be wrong. But, it seems like the recoil in a handgun could be challenging to deal with on a continuous basis. So, a 357 make be more fun to shoot in a handgun or rifle. Just my 2 cent.

I've fired some full power loads in 357 handguns that had considerable recoil .... load them with 38 Spl loads and it tames them right down .... much the same is true with the recoil of full power loads in a 44 Mag when you load them with 44 Spl ammo .... with Henry rifles, there is a bit of an increase in recoil between 357 and 44 Mags but that increase isn't anywhere near excessive .... use Cowboy Action loads and they mellow out

[Henry88]

Aw come on.

We all know the reason the .44 is the most popular

What I can't remember, though, is whether I fired five rounds or six..........but then again........LOL

[ESquared]

Many of you have probably already seen the video referred to in this article, but, if not, it's pretty interesting. I never knew of Paul Harrell until recently, and, while he's no Hickock45, he's informative (if quirky).
Great thread, very informative to hear everyone's $.02 on calibers.

https://www.alloutdoor.com/2018/07/02/w ... ever-guns/

[Mistered]

From the standpoint of reloading ammo the .357 has always made more sense to me as I can reload .357 for about 2/3 to close to 1/2 the cost of .44 mag. Also being as I own a couple of .38 Special only revolvers this does not inhibit reloading as the same dies are used.
Iv'e only owned one .44 Mag, A Super Blackhawk, and it really shot well as long as I kept the loads on the 'lighter' side.
I shoot more than anyone I know (I probably average 500+ rounds a month) and the .357 fills this bill well.

[ESquared]

Such an interesting thread, as it intersects so much other content here on the forum. There's the other thread about .22 being "my favorite caliber" (or words to that effect), and this thread started out about the popularity of the .44 Mag in the world of Henry ownership.

And then there are the ".357 guys" (and gals), and the .41 advocates, etc.

I think the .22LR is great and it's cheap and it hones my skills, but, in many ways, it's hardly like shooting, especially after years of handguns, from 9mm to .257Sig to 45ACP (with some .40S&W on the side). It's so fun, but pretty tame. Not to belittle it, because it's still lethal, I get that.

I came back to the rifle world and to Henry due to a lifelong friend of mine who bought a BBS in .357 and crowed about it. A year or so later, I bought one and have loved every round. Maybe more fun than 22 because it's more challenging and there's more to tame. But not so wild that one has to worry about a sore shoulder, right?

Hard to pick a favorite round right now. Maybe my answer today would be "the last one I shot at the range."

[Rifletom]

Being as I'm new to centerfire lever guns in revolver calibers, I had an absolute hoot shooting my BB Brass at the range yesterday. Mine, as some of you know is the .357/.38spl with the 20" octagon barrel. To say it was a pleasure to fire .38's or .357's would be an understatement. Taking my wife to shoot it over the weekend cuz I KNOW it won't beat her up. She'll like that. She isn't much, if at all into guns, but, she thinks the BBB is "pretty". I'm glad I stumbled across this one. Pure joy.
Now, about that BBS in .45Colt.

[Redthies]

I’ve got a .44 Ruger Carbine and a .45-70 JM 1895GS and I REALLY want a BBS or CCH in .357. I bet I’d seldom shoot the other two if I get one. I’d like to sell one of them to fund the .357 purchase, but I’d really have a hard time deciding which one would go. Dilemma...

[GunnyGene]

Popularity (of anything) has never been one of the criteria that influences me. Availability, performance, quality, reliability, and similar factors carry far more weight in my decision making.

[Vaquero]

I would have never thought there were that many different 44's.
I would have thought the 22's would have had more models.

RP