Speed loader for 357 Big Boy

[gregw72]

I love my Henry 357 steel big boy. It puts 10 shots into <1-3/4" at 100 yards routinely. I went thru a bunch of Marlin 1894s in 357 and 44 Mag plus one Rossi 357 and never came close to this accuracy.

One thing that I would like to fix on the Henry is a way to reload it fast. I actually like the tube better than the loading gate, or should I say my thumb likes it better. I saw where one forum poster bought Henry inner mag tubes, removed the spring and used them to pour rounds into his BB. Seems kinda expensive, though it worked. There are the plastic speed loaders, but they are not optimal for 357. Anyone found a cheaper means of "pouring" ten rounds into their BB?

[PT7]

Why are "the plastic speed loaders not optimal for 357," e.g. such as shown here?
https://www.amazon.com/QUICK-FILL-Speed ... ast_bbp_dp

I think there are some threads on the HRF where DIY centerfire speedloaders are discussed. But I can't find them using our search tool. I know there are youtube vids where folk share their DIY products. One I recall is a fellow who used pvc pipe. Of course, getting the correct inside diameter is a key to building your own.

I used a Henry Spee-d-Loader for my SGC in .22LR. Worked great and provided a total of 120 rounds. From my perspective, I didn't need a speedloader for my Henry .357 BBB. 10 rounds was easy to load individually with that size bullet. The small, light .22LR cartridge is definitely a different handling story.

Good luck with getting what you need. Let us know what you end up with.

And Welcome to the Henry Forum.
PT7

[CT_Shooter]

Welcome to the forum from CT. Glad you joined us.

I love my Henry 357 steel big boy.

[JEBar]

welcome to our forum, happy to have you join us .... understood on the accuracy of your Henry 357, ours has proven to be a real shooter .... please feel free to jump into ongoing conversations; as well as, to start others of your own .... be sure to follow the link below and add your Henry to our community's total


http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 99#p118199

[BigAl52]

Welome to the forum glad you joined us. I think PT has you pointed in the direction that I would have suggested also.

[GunnyGene]

I've been kicking around an idea for a different design for a speedloader for about a year that I think would work. Haven't got around to making a mockup yet, but hopefully this Spring when it warms up enough to spend some time in the shop. If it works, I might go for a patent.

[The Wiz]

Welcome in the forum!!!

[gregw72]

Thanks for mentioning the plastic tubes. I have formerly looked at them and the reviewers all said that they work great for 44 mag and 45 LC, but not so well for 357. The problem for 357 is they do not fit inside the magazine tube, so you really have to carefully align everything to get them to work. I would like to figure out what size brass tubing Henry is using and get some from McMaster Carr and make either 5 or 10 round holders that fit inside the mag tube. I would cap them one end and have a pin on the other that can be removed (i.e. Dillon primer drop tube).

[Mistered]

I would like to figure out what size brass tubing Henry is using

Just 'miked' mine - its .529 OD.

I think you'll be fine using .50 .

[gregw72]

Fantastic, thanks. I was meaning to get into the safe tonight and do that. SAAMI lists the rim of the 357 as 0.440 +0/-0.012, so ideally for a sliding fit I would get a tube with an ID of 0.442" for worst case. Ok, now time to find some brass stock.