Henry Rifle Forums

as of now, the 45-70 is the strongest/most powerful caliber offered by Henry and there is no question that its a hoss .... given the standard lever actions and the rotary bolt in their Long Ranger line, can Henry offer an even stronger caliber and, if so, what calibers are possible .... if they can, I know I'd be interested

I guess you don't need anything bigger, at least in North America......................

Henry88 wrote:I guess you don't need anything bigger, at least in North America......................

I really don't need anything bigger but instead of getting by with a 4 cylinder engine in my Chevy pickup, I opted for a V-8 ...

I'm thinking 444 Marlin

DWD445 wrote:I'm thinking 444 Marlin

isn't a 444 supposed to be close to a 44 mag .. ..

JEBar wrote:

DWD445 wrote:I'm thinking 444 Marlin

isn't a 444 supposed to be close to a 44 mag .. ..

Same diameter, but COL is OVER 2" and
Velocity (ft/s)2,234 W/240g bullet

DWD445 wrote:

JEBar wrote:

DWD445 wrote:I'm thinking 444 Marlin

isn't a 444 supposed to be close to a 44 mag .. ..

Same diameter, but COL is OVER 2" and
Velocity (ft/s)2,234 W/240g bullet

10-4 .... that would put it above the 44 and below the mid level 45-70

Since they already have a 308, H.R.A. should next go with the .358 W.C.F. All they would have to do would be change the barrel. I would be surprised with a 444 as there is already two 45-70's.

Henry needs to make a 444 in a tube feed rifle similar to the 45/70 and a 358 in the Long Ranger series. I could use one of each. You guys keep coming up with ideas that cost me money.

I believe that Browning still offers a 358 in their BLR .... its another one of those calibers that I know very little about

As someone who used to shoot a lot of 444, trust me, it ain't no wimpy cartridge. You can tack on another 600 fps to standard 44 mag factory loads in a 44 mag rifle. Gets you into 30-06 muzzle energies, above 3000 fpe. It may not have the power of the heaviest 45-70 loads, but it shoots flatter and I find the recoil a bit easier to take because it typically shoots 240 or 265 grain bullets instead of the big heavies in the 45-70. It is a fine elk or bear cartridge at short to medium range and a super lever gun cartridge, actually designed for lever guns. If Henry would make a 444, I would buy one instead of the 45-70. (The 444 case has some taper to it, though, so you can't shoot 44 mags in it without the risk of ruptured cases.)

FWIW, I copied some load data for 444, this is Hodgdon which is conservative
Not holding my breath as 444 is quite expensive unless you reload. My friend Mike is on the fence
between a Henry 45/70 and a Marlin 444 !! COL is 2.535"
240 GR. SIE JHP
Starting Loads Maximum Loads
Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure COL
Hodgdon H335 .430" 2.535" 52.5 2,049 29,200 CUP 56.0 2,222 38,900 CUP
Hodgdon H4895 .430" 2.535" 51.0 1,999 29,600 CUP 53.0C 2,069 33,100 CUP
Hodgdon Benchmark .430" 2.535" 51.0 2,042 31,600 CUP 55.0C 2,234 40,600 CUP
Hodgdon H322 .430" 2.535" 49.5 2,049 31,400 CUP 52.0C 2,185 35,900 CUP
IMR IMR 4198 .430" 2.535" 42.0 2,112 36,000 CUP 45.6 2,276 42,600 CUP
Hodgdon H4198 .430" 2.535" 44.0 2,206 36,100 CUP 49.2C 2,499 42,100 CUP
IMR SR 4759 .430" 2.535" 33.0 2,055 43,600 CUP

For sure, 444 factory ammo is not any cheaper and it's actually harder to find, now, than the 45-70. Definitely another reloader's cartridge.

Well -- I guess they could just keep going up in caliber, but IMO, with my 45LC -- more than one shot is just a waste of bullets. LOL

Oh A 358 W chambering would be nice , and anyone with experience with the Cartridge would probably buy another so Chambered .I find not to many would think of anything in the 35 Caliper the Nod goes the 30 Cal or under. The Winchester 356 was ahead of it's time , but would put the hammer on most game in the bush where I hunt .
Then top off the big boy too with the 454 C Since the "Cartridge" is getting Scarce in the Rossi . The big boy from Henry just might give a bit less recoil and might hold up a bit better .