New BBS 44mag barrel issue

[Junior37]

Hello all,

New member from CT with my 2nd Henry. Picked up a new BBS 44mag from Cabelas last month, cleaned it and threw her in the safe. Finally got a chance to shoot approx 50rds through this weekend and when i got home to clean it noticed marring in the barrel from breach to bore in a straight line. At first i thought it was just fowling but after cleaning it I took a closer look and it doesn't look good.

I had tried checking the barrel at Cabelas but it was near impossible since they zip tie the levers to the stocks on all thier lever guns now. Has anyone had any issues like this on the forum? I tried a search but only found one rifling issue near the crown. At least everything I read sounds like Henry has top notch customer service so I am suspecting it should be a smooth process.

[Jdl447]

Looks kind of rough. How does it shoot?

[PT7]

KCMO.jpg

Welcome to the Forum from the Show-Me-State, Junior.

Sure sorry to see your first post with those not-so-good bore shots of your new Big Boy .44 Magnum. I might be the person that posted the crown rifling issues you mentioned. Had the problem back in 2017 with a new BBS .357 Carbine. Like you, I included photos of the crown damage.

From my perspective, and based on your photos, I'd give the rifle back to Henry. You are absolutely right in that Henry has "top-notch" Customer Service. They will make it good, either through their repair service or rifle replacement. My resolution/choice, however, was to request a complete refund. In total I had 3 different Big Boys all with serious problems, and back then had basically "quit" on buying or owning that Henry model rifle. Just this year I took the "plunge" and I have a Henry Big Boy All-Weather .357 Magnum. So far, it has been looking good.

Because of my experiences, I'd first go for a replacement. Just my choice.

Best as you work on resolving this. Keep us informed.
PT7

Hello all,

New member from CT with my 2nd Henry. Picked up a new BBS 44mag from Cabelas last month...

Has anyone had any issues like this on the forum? I tried a search but only found one rifling issue near the crown. At least everything I read sounds like Henry has top notch customer service so I am suspecting it should be a smooth process.

[Steve51]

Call Henry customer service, describe the barrel issue and tell them you are not satisfied. They most likely will have you return the rifle. My experience has been, you should have a repaired or new rifle within a week to 10 days.
Sorry you had this issue. No company is perfect but Henry should make it right. If not, email Anthony Imperato.

[CT_Shooter]

Welcome to the forum from a fellow Nutmegger. As others have said, call Henry. It seems Blackdog has a similar issue with his 22Mag.

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 779#p85779

Call Henry CS asap and describe your experience and the condition of the barrel. Keep us posted.

[Junior37]

Thanks for the replies. I will call them later today. The gun itself runs fine. Not sure on accuracy as I havent scoped it yet and was only shooting bowling pins at 50yrds. I will be asking for it to be replaced or re-barreled as I dont want a higher risk of corrosion or pitting to begin in the gouges.

[BigAl52]

Like others have said call Henry and they will take care of it. Just sent one in recently myself and had it back in about 10 days. Welcome to the forum glad you joined us.

[fortyshooter]

Welcome and sorry you have that issue on your new BBS. They are fine shooting rifles and have one also.
'Give them a call and they will get it fixed for you!

[JEBar]

first welcome to our forum, happy to have you join us .... sorry to hear of the barrel issue and can only echo the positive comments about Henry's support after the sale .... looking forward to following your resolution and future post .... please take a look at our How Many ? thread (link below) and had your Henry rifles to our community's total


http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 729#p85729

[Mistered]

Welcome from Wickiup Junction, Oregon!
I would also at a minimum contact the Cabelas store you bought it from.
They (of all retailers) should have caught this themselves and never allowed it on the rack, and an 'outdoor' store NOT allowing one to open the action to inspect the barrel is wrong on another level.

[Mags]

.
Hello and welcome from the TV Oregon! Sad to see your new Henry has an issue. Like the others here said do call.

Hello all,
New member from CT with my 2nd Henry. Picked up a new BBS 44mag from Cabelas last month, cleaned it and threw her in the safe. Finally got a chance to shoot approx 50rds through this weekend and when i got home to clean it noticed marring in the barrel from breach to bore in a straight line. At first i thought it was just fowling but after cleaning it I took a closer look and it doesn't look good.

I had tried checking the barrel at Cabelas but it was near impossible since they zip tie the levers to the stocks on all thier lever guns now. Has anyone had any issues like this on the forum? I tried a search but only found one rifling issue near the crown. At least everything I read sounds like Henry has top notch customer service so I am suspecting it should be a smooth process.

[The Wiz]

Welcome!!!!!!!!!

[Junior37]

Ok, so quick update. Henry was quick with the approval and got the shipping label to me the next morning. Got her shipped out yesterday without issue at UPS.

So while I wait for her return I continue my reading on optics. Setting this gun up for white tail and occasional black bear. Right now i'm looking at the vx3i 1.5-5x or the vxr1-4x. Has anyone looked through these to comment on how the vx3i glass compares to thr vxr glass? When I purchased the rifle i was looking through the vxr offerings and they looked pretty clear but they didnt have the vx3i there to compare.

[North Country Gal]

I have both. The R series is basically the same, optically, but offers the illuminated reticle and all versions use a 30mm tube. Definitely a bigger, heavier scope and way more expensive, but that illuminated reticle is great. Really designed for hunting, but I enjoy it for my target shooting, too.

[Mags]

.
I love my Vortex Strike Eagle. Perfect for my Henry .30-30.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vor ... dc-reticle

Ok, so quick update. Henry was quick with the approval and got the shipping label to me the next morning. Got her shipped out yesterday without issue at UPS.

So while I wait for her return I continue my reading on optics. Setting this gun up for white tail and occasional black bear. Right now i'm looking at the vx3i 1.5-5x or the vxr1-4x. Has anyone looked through these to comment on how the vx3i glass compares to thr vxr glass? When I purchased the rifle i was looking through the vxr offerings and they looked pretty clear but they didnt have the vx3i there to compare.

[Owly]

Junior 37, sorry to hear about the barrel issues with your BBS. I was hopeful the Rice Lake facility had resolved their barrel quality problems.
I too had a BBS with damaged bore several years ago. Tooling mark running in a straight line through rifling causing a deep gouge. Henry was accommodating and rebarreled the rifle for me. Unfortunately the rifle then shot around corners.
In the end, Anthony Imperato got involved and the entire rifle was replaced.
Again, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't mean for my post to sound disparaging of Henry, I just wanted to let you know this is not an unheard of abnormality in barrel quality coming out of the Rice Lake WI plant.

[Junior37]

.
I love my Vortex Strike Eagle. Perfect for my Henry .30-30.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vor ... dc-reticle

Ok, so quick update. Henry was quick with the approval and got the shipping label to me the next morning. Got her shipped out yesterday without issue at UPS.

So while I wait for her return I continue my reading on optics. Setting this gun up for white tail and occasional black bear. Right now i'm looking at the vx3i 1.5-5x or the vxr1-4x. Has anyone looked through these to comment on how the vx3i glass compares to thr vxr glass? When I purchased the rifle i was looking through the vxr offerings and they looked pretty clear but they didnt have the vx3i there to compare.

Just checked out that scope you referenced. I’m looking for something with a simpler reticle. It reminds me of the Ta11 horse shoe reticle on my 6.8spc which has been my deer rifle for the past 6yrs. I’m pretty sure i’m going with the Vx3i referenced above with #4 reticle, just not sure if i’ll miss the illumination at dawn/dusk.

[Mags]

.
Don't know if you noticed, the Vortex has illumination. I also like the ladder recticle in the middle. With the scope zeroed at 50yds I know which rung of the ladder to use for hold over/under for different target distances. Anyway, best of wishes in your choice.

... just not sure if i’ll miss the illumination at dawn/dusk.

[Junior37]

So just a quick update. Henry was quick to send the shipping label(next day) and the rifle was mailed out Wed. It arrived Tuesday and was shipped out Thursday night back this way. No call or email so I assume it was re-barreled but I guess I will find out Wed when it gets here. Just received a case of Fiocchi 240’s to run through her and will report back after with a range report.

[Redthies]

Let us know what they did for you please.

Mags, that Vortex is great for .30-30, but the 100 yard parallax might be too far for .44 mag? I found Nikon’s Rimfire scopes work well withhandgun caliber because of their 75 yard parallax.