Henry 357 side loader shooting 38 special

[Hatchdog]

Hello all… new to the forum!

So, the owners manual for the non-side gate 357 has the warning about shooting only 158 grain 38 special, but the owners manual for the 357 BBX has no such warning on the use of 38 special ammo.

Does that mean that the 357 BBX has no issues with any standard 38 special load, but the old style non-side gate has issues?

I’d like to pick up another (!) Henry to plink 38 special, but if I can’t use the cheap bulk 130 grain commercial stuff, it kind of defeats the purpose. I was all excited to pull the trigger (ha!) on a 357 Mares Leg until I read about this issue

Thanks all!

From reading posts on this forum it appears Henry recommends the 158 grain for both feeding reliably and for accuracy. Many on here regularly shoot 38 specials of different bullet weights and styles with success. If you currently own a Henry in .357 I suggest you try different ammo types in it. I don’t believe you can damage anything only possibly have feeding issues.

[kent5]

Hello all… new to the forum!

So, the owners manual for the non-side gate 357 has the warning about shooting only 158 grain 38 special, but the owners manual for the 357 BBX has no such warning on the use of 38 special ammo.

Does that mean that the 357 BBX has no issues with any standard 38 special load, but the old style non-side gate has issues?

I’d like to pick up another (!) Henry to plink 38 special, but if I can’t use the cheap bulk 130 grain commercial stuff, it kind of defeats the purpose. I was all excited to pull the trigger (ha!) on a 357 Mares Leg until I read about this issue

Thanks all!

From reading posts on this forum it appears Henry recommends the 158 grain for both feeding reliably and for accuracy. Many on here regularly shoot 38 specials of different bullet weights and styles with success. If you currently own a Henry in .357 I suggest you try different ammo types in it. I don’t believe you can damage anything only possibly have feeding issues.

Thanks for the response!

I haven’t picked up the 357 Henry yet. I’ve got 44mag and 22 Henry’s and am a fan, and was thinking the 357 Henry would be fun too. I already stock cheap 38 special for plinking with my revolvers (130-ish grain cheap commercial), but don’t want to stock up a specific 38 just for this rifle, so I’m paused on the 357 purchase.

Henry’s are good, but not cheap to buy, so I’m trying to get answers before committing the cash.

[GFK]

Hello all… new to the forum!

So, the owners manual for the non-side gate 357 has the warning about shooting only 158 grain 38 special, but the owners manual for the 357 BBX has no such warning on the use of 38 special ammo.

Does that mean that the 357 BBX has no issues with any standard 38 special load, but the old style non-side gate has issues?

I’d like to pick up another (!) Henry to plink 38 special, but if I can’t use the cheap bulk 130 grain commercial stuff, it kind of defeats the purpose. I was all excited to pull the trigger (ha!) on a 357 Mares Leg until I read about this issue

Thanks all!

From reading posts on this forum it appears Henry recommends the 158 grain for both feeding reliably and for accuracy. Many on here regularly shoot 38 specials of different bullet weights and styles with success. If you currently own a Henry in .357 I suggest you try different ammo types in it. I don’t believe you can damage anything only possibly have feeding issues.

Thanks for the response!

I haven’t picked up the 357 Henry yet. I’ve got 44mag and 22 Henry’s and am a fan, and was thinking the 357 Henry would be fun too. I already stock cheap 38 special for plinking with my revolvers (130-ish grain cheap commercial), but don’t want to stock up a specific 38 just for this rifle, so I’m paused on the 357 purchase.

Henry’s are good, but not cheap to buy, so I’m trying to get answers before committing the cash.

Maybe, give Henry a call?

[iAMB]

My 357x has no problem with .38 reloads, even had loaded. I will say that the longer casing of the .357 just runs smoother. I’ve actually found that with rifles that are rated for multiple calibers, .22lr & .22 short, 357 & 38, etc, that the longer of the designated rounds just runs smoother.

[JEBar]

My 357x has no problem with .38 reloads, even had loaded. I will say that the longer casing of the .357 just runs smoother. I’ve actually found that with rifles that are rated for multiple calibers, .22lr & .22 short, 357 & 38, etc, that the longer of the designated rounds just runs smoother.

welcome indeed .... delighted to have you join our community ..... like yours, our Henry 357 works with any and every round we've run through it .... be sure to follow the link below to where you can add yours to our forum's total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 75#p205075

[220]

My 357 is a marlin it feeds both without a problem.
I wouldnt expect any issues from a Henry, my 327Fm will feed 32H&R and even 38swl.
The difference in length between a 327 and 32swl case is double that of 357 to 38spl.

[Randyzzz]

I was out Thursday and put a box of the Winchester 130gr .38’s through my BBS. It fed them smooth as glass and was super accurate too. The 130gr are about the only thing I’m stocked up on in .38…gotta get the reloading press set up.