What does it like to eat?

[Henri carabine]

Hi everybody, I will be receiving my first Henry in a few days, a Big Boy Carbine in .357 Magnum. I am already reloading for my 686 Smith and Wesson in .357 and 38 special. I am assuming that some reloads will work in both the S&W and the BB and that some will not. I can't imagine the 148gr hollow base wad cutters with 2.9gr of Bullseye would work very well for example, but that 158gr SWC with Trailboss would work fine. I just recently bought some 130 gr Truncated Cone that I haven't loaded yet, would those be too pointy to be loaded in the tube?

[runnin n gunnin]

Hey Henri, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your first Henry. I also have A BB .357 and love it ! I also load for my 686's as well.

If you are looking for suggestions, this is the place. The forum has a great following of long time re loaders and shooters, and you will be getting a lots of suggestions. I was turned onto the Missouri Bullet Co 180 grain striker for my .357 BB by one of the old guard, and it is my go to round for the Henry.

Pointy is generally not recommended for a tube magazine. I keep my loads to flat nose, round nose (like ball ammo) or hollow points.

[BigAl52]

As RnG said 180 grain pugnose and strikers powered by about 11.5 grains of 2400 has been a popular load round these parts

[Vaquero]

What BigAl said those 180 gr Missouri bullets are the cats meow,
Shoot in my Rossi 357 and 11.4 seems to be it's preferred load.
I pretty much only shoot cast in all my pistol caliber rifles.

RP

[BigAl52]

Wonder if Missouri Cast has a clue of how many bullets there selling on the Henry forum

[CT_Shooter]

Henry advises against using FMJs because of their hard surface, which could detonate primers in the magazine, but JSP/JHPs and any shape of lead bullets are fine.

ZERO makes fairly inexpensive jacketed bullets that I like.

http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... de=ZBJ-38S

[Henri carabine]

So the Henry Big Boy would favor a slower, heavier bullet rather than a lighter, faster one?

[CT_Shooter]

So the Henry Big Boy would favor a slower, heavier bullet rather than a lighter, faster one?

My BBB certainly likes 158 grain JSP/JHPs. I load them with 13.9 grains of H110 to achieve 1550 fps with the rifle and 1100 fps with my SAA revolver.

[fortyshooter]

A good .38 Special +P load I use for both my SA revolver and my Henry .357 BB is the Missouri Bullets 158 gr RNFP loaded with 5.6 gr. Power Pistol.
Makes a very accurate plinking load and cycles fine in the Henry.
But yes the MB 180 Pugs are the sweet .357 load ! I just got another 500 in yesterday.

[Vaquero]

Henry advises against using FMJs because of their hard surface, which could detonate primers in the magazine, but JSP/JHPs and any shape of lead bullets are fine.

ZERO makes fairly inexpensive jacketed bullets that I like.

http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... de=ZBJ-38S

The only FMJ's that I shoot are from the 223's, and the 9mm and 45 acp in handguns.
Everything else is cast, soft points, and a few ballistic tips, & HP's.
My Henry BBS 41 hasn't seen a jacketed bullet since it left the factory.

RP

[fortyshooter]

IMPORTANT CORRECTION regarding .38 Special load I posted....It should be 5.6 of POWER PISTOL with the 158 gr. MB bullet!!!
I did correct it in post.

[BigAl52]

Best way to find out what yours likes is to load some of each and shoot them. I will also put a plus 1 on what CT said about Roze Dist. and Zero Bullets there good bullets.

[Henri carabine]

I picked up the Big Boy and took it to the range. I used some Cartridges I had already made for my S&W. Both 158gr SWC, some with Trailboss and some with AA # 7. The AA # 7 seemed to be more accurate but I am still getting used to shooting it. I have some bone spur on my clavicle and shooting in a little painful. I'm going to need a recoil pad. I hate to ruin the looks of this beautiful gun. Does anyone know of a recoil pad that works with this design?

[Team Roper]

I picked up the Big Boy and took it to the range. I used some Cartridges I had already made for my S&W. Both 158gr SWC, some with Trailboss and some with AA # 7. The AA # 7 seemed to be more accurate but I am still getting used to shooting it. I have some bone spur on my clavicle and shooting in a little painful. I'm going to need a recoil pad. I hate to ruin the looks of this beautiful gun. Does anyone know of a recoil pad that works with this design?

Do a search on a "Past Recoil Shield". I keep one of these in my range bag for the big shoulder busters. You just slide your arm through and adjust it to your shoulder . No need to ugly up your rifle. I used mine all the time when I shot my 338 magnum from the bench.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/past_recoil_pads.htm

[Henri carabine]

Update on what I have been feeding the big boy: I found some 2400 powder and loaded 158gr SWC coated lead that I already had. I used Lyman data for the 158gr #358665 12.2,12.4, 12.6, 12.8, 13 and 13.2gr. I thought 12.8 and 13gr were more accurate in the Henry, but they sure kick ass in the revolver. The SWC cycles a little roughly through the lever action.
Supply being what it is these days I gave up on trying to acquire some zero 158gr bullets for the time being but I found some 158gr RN coated lead. They have the same seating depth as the SWC I was using so I kept the same 12.8 and 13gr powder weight. Turns out I like the 13gr best. Maybe I will run broader ladder in the future. The round nose feeds better.

[Steve51]

I have my .357 Big Boy Steel sighted in at 50 yds. I only shoot magnum loads in mine and for the most part, always the same load. I use the Hornady 158 grain XTP JHP over 14.5 grains of 2400. The only time I vary from this is when 2400 is not available When 2400 is not available, I use the same bullet over 14.2 grains of AA#9. For me, these loads group well and have same POI.
Except for my .45-70, I only shoot jacketed bullets in my rifles.

[Henri carabine]

It seems to like the 158gr RN coated with 12.8 gr of 2400 best. I ran a ladder from 12.2 to 13.2 gr.
This is my best group at 50 yards. I don't know if this is good or not. My experience with rifles is very limited but I shoot groups of less than half this size with my Ruger 10/22 and bulk ammo.

[Rifletom]

Henri, that 12.8 load does look way better than the others.(upper right) You mention looking for a recoil pad; so, you must have the brass model. Are you shooting with iron sights? If so, it may just be getting used to those factory irons. Maybe try 10 rounds at 13.0gr 2400 just to see.

[Henri carabine]

Henri, that 12.8 load does look way better than the others.(upper right) You mention looking for a recoil pad; so, you must have the brass model. Are you shooting with iron sights? If so, it may just be getting used to those factory irons. Maybe try 10 rounds at 13.0gr 2400 just to see.

I am shooting with a scope.
I had tried 13.0 and 13.2 previously but with iron sights, maybe I should revisit now that I have a scope.
I ended up getting a rubber pad. Not very pretty but not too bad, it's nice and comfy.

[Grunt67]

Try Limbsaver slip on recoil pad. Put it on when shooting, take it off afterwards.