Henry Rifle Forums

Getting a new henry 357 carbine, what weight bullets seem to work best. I will mainly shoot 38 specials, but will shoot some magnums.
Thanks.

158 work real well but due to the shorter case of the 38 special I would shoot special loads in 357 brass and avoid the bullet jump and the fire ring issue. Just my.02 worth.

I reload and my two favorite loads for my .357 Henry is:
Hornady 158 gr. XTP JHP over 14.5 grains of 2400 powder in a magnum case.
or
Hornady 158 gr. XTP JHP over 14.2 grains of AA#9 powder in a magnum case.

Recoil is minimal.

Henry sets the barrel twist based on 158's .... that said, I have loaded 110's and 125's as well as 158's .... they have all punched holes in paper and rang gongs .... if you load your own, I'd recommend only using 357 cases ....using shorter 38 cases can result in a carbon ring building up in the chamber that can impede the smooth chambering of a round .... we only shoot jacketed bullets and have found Rose Distribution Zero bullets ===> http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... =ZBJ-38SUP .... they are pretty much sold out right now but when they have them, their bulk pricing is very reasonable

The 158 gr. produce the best groups from my Henry BBS. I've tried a bunch of 125 gr. bullets, but always come back to the 158 gr. Right now I'm loading up 38 Spl. load since I have a lot of 38 Spl brass. So far about 700 round of 38 loads and no sign of a chamber ring, but that may change over time. I'm using a 38 Spl +P load that was suggested by forum member Fortyshooter. 158 gr. Missouri coated bullet with 5.5 gr. of Power Pistol. It works very will and is pleasant to shoot.

Paul

and don't forget those 180 gr. Pug's from Missouri Bullets loaded with 11.6 grs. 2400 powder!

Yes sir you are right on there Forty. Those did shoot very well in mine

I've only shot one load thru the 357 AW. That was a 357 mag 158 jacket soft point. Shot very well. This rifle will never see a 38

I reload .357s and buy ZERO jacketed bullets from Roze Distribution. I prefer 158 grain JSP/JHPs, but there was time when ZERO's 158 production line was down for most of a full year, so I bought 125 grains JSP/JHPs that I used until I could replenish my inventory of 158s. They are just as accurate in my opinion, though my shooting skills are not the best.

I shoot indoors, off hand and standing with iron sights. The target is 75' away.

CT_Shooter wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:54 am

I reload .357s and buy ZERO jacketed bullets from Roze Distribution. I prefer 158 grain JSP/JHPs, but there was time when ZERO's 158 production line was down for most of a full year, so I bought 125 grains JSP/JHPs that I used until I could replenish my inventory of 158s. They are just as accurate in my opinion, though my shooting skills are not the best.

I shoot indoors, off hand and standing with iron sights. The target is 75' away.


Henry H006M Zero 125 JSP_20160824.jpg

Think you have that target fairly well covered...good shootin' !

I'll be in the shop today loading some of those .357/180gr rnfp/2400 rounds up. Plum ran out of .45 Colt cases! then it's on to .45 acp.
Sure do like those 180's in my Henry. Agree with Al; load .38 loads in .357 cases. Win-win.

Thanks for the advice. Rounding upsome 357 brass and 158 gr pills. Debating on trying 2400 and aa#9. Probably get RPP peep. Guess I should wait on rifle.