Henry Rifle Forums

On my most recent trip back home, I took my BBB .357 along to shoot with the kid. In a moment of madness, I gifted the gun to him. He was always lusting over it and he was going to get it anyway so I gave it to him just to see him go crazy(along with his daughter). When I got home, I realized I had a whole bunch of .357 ammo and nothing to shoot it with. So whats a man supposed to do? Why buy another .357 rifle you silly people! And here in is the problem. A Big Boy Carbine H012MRCC made its way to my door. Inspecting it at the LGS, all seemed right. I got it home knowing that it needed to be cleaned. The barrel was filthy from testing and I expected that. Two hrs later and the bore will not come clean. I used two different brands of bore cleaners, ran a brass brush numerous times but it is still not shiny It is better but not all where it should be, It does not look pitted. It looks like smudges or streaks up and down the bore. The patches come back black and green and then clean but the bore is still not clean. Repeat, repeat. Same thing. I am going to let the bore soak in Hoppe's #9 over night and then see what happens. Any thoughts ? If it does not clear up, back it goes and I have been down this road so many times with my Henry's. I don't understand why I keep buying Henry's. It is like being in a bad relationship that you want to end but something just keep pulling you back. Did I tell you Anthony and I are on each others Christmas card list?

I can't figure that one out. I don't think I have ever had a new un shot bore that hard to clean. I have a BBS that I am trying to send back to Henry because the bore has so much chater in it I have to spend at least 2hrs to clean after shooting a few rounds and accuracy goes bad also. After cleaning the bore never shines. Check it with a bore scope. If you don't have one a smith will probably take a fast look for free.

dang it .... you had a very nice 357, he's a very lucky fellow .... have you called Henry and asked about the barrel .. .. it would be very interesting to hear what they have to say

Man Wiz sorry to hear this for sure. I know they will fix it. Im betting you will get a new barrel. I know its frustrating . Hopefully the turn around time wont be to long.

Bad news, Wiz. It does sound like the new rifle is headed back to the factory. Let us know what your good friend, Anthony, has to say. And, yeah. You are seriously generous.

Wiz, do you have any Kroil? If so, make a 50/50 mix of Hoppe's #9 and Kroil and let it soak for a while, maybe a couple of hours. This has worked before on cruddy barrels and shotguns with wad build up. Give it a shot if you have some.

I have been dealing with a similar thing. Over the years, I have just decided to cleaning it, until the cleaning patch has only a light blue tint. If I decide to clean it until it is shiny, I use an ammonia based cleaner. Below is how it looked after a return to Henry for cleaning then after my cleaning.

GFK, is that the Tetra foam? I've heard that works pretty darn good.

Rifletom, it is not foam. It is more like a jelly, with a heavy ammonia smell. I think it works well. I apply it with a patch and let it set a time or two for 15-30 minutes then run a tornado brush through it. It cleans up nicely. The first time, I spent a few hours working out a process. Now, I apply it, let it set for about 30 minutes. Then, I run a brush through it. I follow up with Hoppe's and Rem Oil. Lately, I have been letting a light trace of copper remain. I figure that it may fill in any rough spots in the barrel and allow the bullet to travel smoother. I could be wrong. But once the spots are filled, it should be less friction on the bullet. As time goes on, things should smooth out.

Ok, thanks for that GFK. Wasn't sure. Also, "Wipe out- Patch out" works well also. We all try different things.

Rifletom wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:51 pm

Ok, thanks for that GFK. Wasn't sure. Also, "Wipe out- Patch out" works well also. We all try different things.

Thanks! I was not aware of this. Will check it out.

The Wiz wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 04, 2020 4:58 pm

The barrel was filthy from testing and I expected that. Two hrs later and the bore will not come clean. I used two different brands of bore cleaners, ran a brass brush numerous times but it is still not shiny It is better but not all where it should be, It does not look pitted. It looks like smudges or streaks up and down the bore.

have you fired it .. .. if so, how does it shoot .. .. I believe that in your place I'd contact Anthony

Agree with Jim. Wonder how it shoots.

Contacted c.s. and they wanted more info which I supplied. Waiting on reply. Have not shot it yet as I only got it yesterday. Probably won't be able to shoot it until Tuesday as range time is hard to get.

I'd try some more radical bore cleaners before shipping it back to the factory. I had good luck with copper fouling in my BBS .44 using stuff called Wipe-Out bore cleaner. It is a foam that you fill the bore with and give it an hour to soak. Two or three dry patches and you won't recognize it.
The spray can has a neat funnel thing to get it in the bore.

I would think that sending the rifle back to H.R.A. is the thing to do. This man bought a new rifle, has not fired it, and is supposed to spend a lot of time to try and get the bore clean enough to use? I don't think so. When you buy a new vehicle are you supposed to rebuild the engine before you can drive it?

Well...where should I start. After waiting 4 days for a reply Rice lake, I said screw it and went out and shot the rifle. Good shooter out of the box. Only a 24 yd range but could tell at fifty yds , it will be ten's all the way. Anything more than that I can't see with out a scope. I did put a Skinner sight on it that I had from my SGR. I could only line up one hole on the receiver but good enough. Got home and cleaned it not hoping for much but low and behold after a normal cleaning for me, the bore was nice and shiny, just what I expect in all my rifles. WTH!!! No clue! Anyway, put it up on the wall and decided to see how long it would take for Henry CS to respond. 4 days later i gave up and drop a line to Mr. A. I. to let him know the circumstances . Responded immediately, apologized, and said he would find out what happen. Three days passed (weekend). Today got a email from Rice Lake apologizing and to send the rifle back. Since the situation has been resolved I will keep the gun. I am on record with the bore so if any thing does happen down the road, I am good. No explanation of what happened. This is the last time I will buy a Henry....although those side gates look good. Oh crap, I am doomed!!

looking forward to seeing and firing it this fall along with new ones you purchase between now and then ...

My rifle shot well until I had about 15 rounds through it and the accuracy went down from there, Would take me about 2hrs to get it clean and remove the copper. When I got my bore scope working there was chatter all through the barrel. I am wondering how many rounds you put through it and how it cleaned up. Hope it was just some type of stubborn goo in your barrel and do not have to ship it back to Henry. Their service dept. is very backed up from the China flu thing. My rifle has been there a couple of weeks and the only thing I know is that they received it.

I shot about 45 rounds.