Henry Rifle Forums

Hi Everyone.......Looking for some advice. I have several Henry rifles (22LR and 22 Mag). Absolutely love them! I enjoy target shooting and plinking. I'm getting the itch to move up in caliber. I found a Henry H015B single shot in 357 / 38 and love the simplicity. I talked to the LGS rep and he said the recoil between 22LR and 357 is huge. He said 38 Special for target shooting would be more forgiving than the 357. So, am I crazy for looking at a 357 / 38 or is there another caliber that would make most sense? It would be ideal to shoot a caliber all day without wearing out my shoulder. Thanks in advance for the advice. Rich

The 357 isn’t all that bad in a rifle and if it is you can always shoot it in 38. Both are easy reloads and a caliber I would recommend for plinking.

The 357 is not bad at all. Personally, I would go with a lever over a single shot. Just me though.

I have a Brass Big Boy .357. Recoil is not bad at all. The BBB has a solid metal pad where the steel models have a rubber recoil pad which would probably make the felt recoil even less, also I believe the steel model is lighter than the brass. I love my BBB and it's a beautiful rifle but if I had it do over I would get one of the Big Boy Color Case hardened side gate models.
Good video in this link, he does mention how little recoil it has.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy ... side-gate/

Both single shot .357's weight over 7lb's. Recoil will be light. .357/38spl would be an excellent choice.

Ive got a 357 Single Shot and love it. Sir Henry shot it while I was at his house and said he liked it. Recoil is nothing especially with lighter 357 loads. No need to shoot full house loads when shooting any of these guns for target practice. I like leverguns to but this Single Shot is a lot of fun and Im not sorry I bought it.

No recoil issue with my Henry .357 even with those hot little 180 gr. loads.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 2:36 pm

Ive got a 357 Single Shot and love it. Sir Henry shot it while I was at his house and said he liked it. Recoil is nothing especially with lighter 357 loads. No need to shoot full house loads when shooting any of these guns for target practice. I like leverguns to but this Single Shot is a lot of fun and Im not sorry I bought it.

Yeah, if I could only have one, it would be a lever. I guess that was my thinking.

Hey Rich, I've been shooting a BBS carbine in 357 for over 5 years. Rarely do I shoot anything but full Magnum loads. Have never noticed recoil to be anything but oh! Go for it anyone you decide on will treat you right.

Thanks Everyone! Great advice! I think I will move forward with the 357/38. Just need to decide which model.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 2:36 pm

Ive got a 357 Single Shot and love it. Sir Henry shot it while I was at his house and said he liked it. Recoil is nothing especially with lighter 357 loads. No need to shoot full house loads when shooting any of these guns for target practice. I like leverguns to but this Single Shot is a lot of fun and Im not sorry I bought it.

That was a sweet rifle.

Are you planning to reload? Because I doubt that you can locate enough factory ammo to shoot all morning, much less all day…. If you reload, then a .44 Mag is also an option, use very light loads and cheap lead bullets and it won’t beat you up at all. The same cannot be said for full power bear loads.

John Davies
Spokane WA

richg87 wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 5:25 pm

Thanks Everyone! Great advice! I think I will move forward with the 357/38. Just need to decide which model.

The 357 out of a rifle isn't much more than a 22 mag.
I'm a small guy and I tell you I could literally shoot one from daylight to dark on the longest day of the year.
Then get up the next day and do it all over again, well depending on the ammo supply.
Get one, you'll thank us later.

RP

The 357/38 in a rifle/carbine is a nice choice. I have one in the Marlin flavor and enjoy it! Recoil? I am not aware of any. What there is, it is very mild. It fact, I think that it is something that my wife would enjoy shooting. And, she does not like recoil at all. Moreover, we may go to the range today, and she may shoot it. I will probably take a 357 revolver that she like shooting 38s out of and take the 357 carbine to check the sighting. While there, she may give the carbine a try. My thought is that she may hunt with it one day; and, we may hit the woods together.

I know you have made your decision and are planning on picking up a 357 and I agree with all that you will really appreciate your decision. The difference in recoil between the 357 and the 44 mag lever rifle is significant. Neither are punishing but when shooting the 44 you know you are shooting a centerfire. When shooting the 357 you just giggle.

John E Davies wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 8:09 pm

Are you planning to reload? Because I doubt that you can locate enough factory ammo to shoot all morning, much less all day…. If you reload, then a .44 Mag is also an option, use very light loads and cheap lead bullets and it won’t beat you up at all. The same cannot be said for full power bear loads.

John Davies
Spokane WA

John....I'm relatively new to shooting and haven't thought about reloading. I'm thinking I probably will want to reload down the road. When I started in traditional archery it was just a matter of time before I fletched my arrows. Thanks for the advice on the light loads.

Pick any model. The hardest thing will be finding ammunition unless you reload. It's a nice caliber and all the Henry Rifles will be enjoyable.
Keep us posted.

Just remembered that I had a link to a recoil tablet. Might help, might not. But, it may be worth a look.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Thanks GFK!

Well, I pulled the trigger and purchased the H015B 357/38 this morning. I was surprised they still had in stock. Beautiful gun! I went from the register to the range. No recoil shooting 38spl. I shot high and to the right. I didn't have any tools to adjust the sights. I shot from 15 - 25 yards. First 5 shots grouped pretty good. The further out put me closer to the bullseye.