Henry Rifle Forums

Can anyone who owns a Henry Big Boy in .45 Colt advise on the chamber size? I had a Winchester 94 years ago that had a grossly over-sized chamber. To the point that fired shells would not go in my carbide sizing die without a lot of force and lube. Needles to say I got rid of that one. I have heard that Marlin's chambers are on the large side as well but I've never owned one of my own.
I'd really like to have a .45 to go with my SAA but not if it's gonna be a hassle to reload the cases.
Thanks, B.

Can't comment on the Henry 45 Colt chambers since I don't own one. I do have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in 45 Colt (made in 2006) and have no sizing issues. The resistance to the shell, going into the sizing die, feels no different that when I load 45 ACP cartridges. I'm using a Lee die set for 45 Colt and RCBS for 45 ACP.

I also own two different 357 Mag lever guns. One is the Henry BBS and the other is the Rossi R92. Brass from either one sizes the same in a Lee die set. There are several members with 45 Colt Henry's on here and hopefully some will show up and comment soon.

Paul

Can't help with actual chamber size, but, my Henry .45 Colt has no issues with chambering, firing or extraction/ejection. Been flawless from day one.
Like Headhog mentioned, I also own a BB brass in .357. Again, it works as it should. You should be fine.

I have a new BBS in 45 colt, no problems, expands a little more than my Uberti SAA but no problem resizing or reloading

no problems here with sizing/reloading 45 colt for my Henry Big Boy and Ruger Super Redhawk... I think that you'll be just fine.

Well with a bit of work I could make up a long sizing gauge and remove the bolt and just see what it is!

I guess if you wanted to you could get some dental putty, the stuff that dentists use to take an impression of your teeth, mix it, cut off the finger of a nitrile glove fill finger with putty, press into chamber wait till formed & dry, take it out & measure, should be accurate, the putty doesn't shrink.

I have a BB brass 45 colt. I have had no trouble with sizing. I also have a Ruger 45 colt and I haven't had to change settings on my Dillon 550B. I load all my handgun ammo with the Dillon i.e. 32-20, 9mm, 357 Mag., 40 S&W, 44 Mag x3, 45 ACP x2, and 45 Colt x2. You may need to check your sizer die. All my sizer dies are Dillon carbide dies. Good Luck on finding your problem and solution.

Muddy Waters 67

I have shot a lot of reloads in my BB Steel. I do notice that they are swelled just a tad more than the ones out of my NM Blackhawk, but they size just as easy. No Problems. All my brass is processed now but I'll try and get some measurements of each after my next range trip.

I don't think they can make them very tight because of the lever loading action.

I did some measurements on cases from my BBS and my Uberti El Patron, both in 45 colt. My measurements show the Henry BBS swells the cases .002" more than the Uberti not anything to worry about they size fine