Henry Rifle Forums

I once had an 1894 and its weight (I think it was just around 6 pounds) combined with the 44mag just wasn't all that pleasant to shoot. I know one can shoot 44 specials in these usually, but I'd like one that can shoot 44mag and not pound on the shoulder too much.

My question is, are the big boy steel any better in this regard in 44mag? It seems like the non carbine is a little heavier since it is longer at 7 pounds, but the carbine says it is 6.58 pounds.

On some YouTube videos it looks like a small push that is hardly anything, but on others it is much stronger. Maybe that is an ammo selection thing, but I think they are using 240gr 44mag in some of them that didn't look too hard so I'm trying to figure it out before buying one.

first, welcome to our forum ..... do hope you will read and post often .... our Henry BBS 44 Mag rifle is literally fun to fire with hunting level ammo .... recoil is minimal, as you note, more of a push .... be sure to follow the link below to where you can add yours to our community's total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 03#p204503

Had a friend years and years ago who had an 1894 in 44 mag.
Like you the light weight of it seemed to recoil quite a bit.

Now my Henry BBB 44 mag. with the extra weight of the octagon barrel, I Love octagon barrels.
Doesn't seem to be bad a all no matter what I shoot through it.
I have a 41 mag. in the steel version, and even shooting it with some Heavy 270 gr. cast it's a pleasure to shoot.

Hope that helps a little.

RP

There are a few on the forum that own a .44 mag rifle or carbine. I am not one. I have a 1894CS .357 mag. If a .44 mag may be more than you want to deal with, have you considered a .357 mag? Will it be used for hunting, self-defense or target practice? Why .44 mag? It probably is a fine caliber for hunting. But, I probably would not want one in a handgun. If pounding is a concern, have you considered a slip-on recoil pad?

I went from a steel carbine in .357 to the same BBSC in .44 Mag. There is definitely more recoil than the .357 Mag, but it’s still not bad. My Ruger .44 carbine was worse (or seemed like it), even with it being a semi auto. OP, if you are concerned, get one in brass or CCH as both come with octagon barrels and that will help significantly.

welcome to the forum. I do not own anything in 44 mag but I have a Ubert 92 in 45 colt with an octagon barrel a that is still very light and with stiff loads the recoil can bother me but Henry's are somewhat heavier and should be some what easier on the shoulder.

Thanks for all the replies everyone; I should have mentioned that I've got a couple of handguns in 44mag so that is the reason for the 44mag. I really like the cartridge, and I can hand load so I can choose the power level. It seems to be more of a fit issue or maybe I just don't like my shoulder pounded on because the two handguns aren't particularly oppressive (ruger alaskan/desert eagle) although they deliver some recoil as well with full power loads. I don't know what it was with the 1894, it just wasn't that fun to shoot even with lower power loads, so I'm looking for something with a little more weight to tame that a bit. I don't usually hunt so it will mostly be for range fun.

I would not think the little bit of difference in the weight of the rifles would make that much of a difference if the recoil is bothering you that bad. It is kind of like, it is what it is (nature of the beast). If it were me I would add a shotgun style butt pad to the stock replacing the current butt pad or plate. My Marlin 189444CB has a plate not a pad, I would think a pad should take care of your problem. Just take your time fitting it.

I think the key to shooting ANY firearm, in this case long guns, is your interface with it. The 44magnum, especially factory ammo, should not in any way be hurting you when fired from a 6 or 7 pound firearm.

Your shooting position wasnt stated in your OP I dont think, are you standing? Sitting at a bench? If youre shooting from a bench that would be the most "punishing" to the shoulder. The key to that, as with any longarm shooting is to have your body square to the target , as square as possible anyway and to place any recoil pad over on the pectoral muscle. Believe me, you will be much more comfortable. This can be done from a bench but is more easily done standing and is even more rewarding in that position. Then you hands, what are they doing? Are they pulling the firearm into the body tight? They should be. Do you have a slight forward stance? You should, with feet spread out slightly and weight forward. Body mechanics plays a major role in shooting well.
Ill shoot 300 or 300 rounds of 44mag at the range and Im am never think that "hey, this hurts" and I shoot sanding and from a bench. Oh, my staple load is 23.8gr of H110 and a 240gr XTP, not a puff load by anyone's measure . I only download cast bullets.
Shooting big bore firearms is not difficult or painful with decent technique. If you watch where youre placing the buttstock youll be ok, and happier.

It didn't seem to make much difference with the 1894. I sent its stock off to put a limbsaver on it and that also didn't make much difference.

Some of this may just be the expectation or thing I want. I began with an 1895 in 45/70 and I could do heavy rounds in it, but sure didn't want to shoot more than a few. Then I discovered the gmdr.com and some of their much lighter pistol power loads and I loved the way they felt. Just a small pop, they were so enjoyable to shoot. I ended up thinking that I didn't want such a small amount of powder in such a huge case and decided to try the 1894, but even with 44 special it just wasn't quite the same.

Bill.68 you could be right on that I may not be using the right form; thanks for the detailed description as that is something I can try and see how it does. Maybe it is just a fit issue I need to work on.

You're welcome Alan. Form matters alot, for me it has improved my work with a carbine to a great degree, both speed and precision.

Im not sure what that recoil pad is on my 870 but that thing is jist about the most effective one Ive ever used. I can empty 7 tounds of 12gauge in a mattet of seconds over and over and be no worse for wear at the end of the day, and Im 54. Its a factory pad but its probably available separately from somewhere. Ill look to see if it has a brand name on it this evening. Im going to guess Limbsaver. Limbsaver is what I have on my BenelliM4 and both of our Beretta 1301's but the one on the 870 just feels better for whatever reason.

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 22, 2022 8:30 am

Had a friend years and years ago who had an 1894 in 44 mag.
Like you the light weight of it seemed to recoil quite a bit.

Now my Henry BBB 44 mag. with the extra weight of the octagon barrel, I Love octagon barrels.
Doesn't seem to be bad a all no matter what I shoot through it.
I have a 41 mag. in the steel version, and even shooting it with some Heavy 270 gr. cast it's a pleasure to shoot.

Hope that helps a little.

RP

+1 to the octagon barrel! Might have to get another 45-70 to compare them.
+1 to the Limbsaver buttstock pad too, came with my pistol grip mod for my 870 tactical 12 gauge. Love it!

I have a .44 BBS carbine. I always find the meanest loads for it for reasons unknown to me. The guys out at the range will say, "dang, those are hot" and I smile because that's what .44s are all about. I tried shooting the same loads with a new Cimarron Bad Boy (stupid name) 6" revolver and found them to be punishing with a ton of blast and recoil. They were pure punishment and zero fun.
When I bought the rifle I was about 62 and it was a lot of fun. Now I'm 67 and it is starting to move me when I shoot it off the bench. Offhand it's not a problem. Seated, it has become a little uncomfortable, so I have been shooting more offhand.
I demoted the Cimarron to a .44 special and it's like a Cadillac. Smooth and sweet.
Getting older changes everything, and not for the better. I know why the seniors out there shoot a lot of .22s and .38s now.
The BBS .44 came with a nice recoil pad, thank goodness. And Henry.

Conax, when youre at the bench are you getting down real low and shooting it? If so, terribkebidea. Try bagging up and raising yourself along with it.
When you get down low, like mose people do shooting off a bench, they (you( are still presenting to the buttstick a part of your anatomy that has the bone and nerves very, very close to the surface, as in no padding there. This is the reason putting that recoil pad over onto the pectoralis is such a huge benefit, more pad there. Im not talking right next to your sternum but you know that "pocket" people always say to put the buttstock in and shoot? Move it over another 2" or so and just see how much nicer it is there. Just get it off the shoulder joint and onto some muscle. Sitting more upright at the bench and moving the buttstock over a bit is actually very natural, hunching down and squinting is not.
All of this because youre right, firing those "mean and angry" rounds in a 44magnum is what its all about, I agree and do the same thing.

You're right, Bill. I don't sit up as vertical as possible because my rest is just a shooting bag with an ammo box on top sometimes.
I'm just out there to trigger off some rounds and make a big noise. I especially like shooting jugs, clay birds, fruit and melons.
The .44 puts on a show on action targets. One guy donated a 6 pack of soda and we all got to bust one, to the cheers of the crowd. I do fun style shooting. Paper just ain't the same. We make every round count.
The rifle doesn't really hurt me, it just has the ability to rock me back a little, a new thing. I really need to keep on with the offhand shooting, it's important to keep in practice anyway. By the time I'm 75, I won't be shooting those hot loads anymore.

Bill.68, that was a damn good post regarding shooting positions. That may just help alank2 out.

I have a Henry Big Boy Brass .44 magnum rifle with the brass butt plate & octagon barrel and also have a Henry Big Boy Steel .44 magnum carbine with round barrel & cushioned butt plate. I only shoot magnum hunting loads out of both of these firearms. I really don't feel like the recoil from either firearm is objectionable. I have never fired any other .44 magnum rifles, so I really can't make a comparison.

I have grown very attached to the Big Boy Steel .44 carbine with side gate. It is a great woods gun.

If any of you reload .44 Mag try some lighter loads for target and plinking fun. I find that a 200 gr bullet loaded with 9 gr. of Unique is a great and pleasant shooter for rifle or pistol. It still hits the steel plates with a good slam and would work as well as a 10 mm round!

Since you said you reload, I suggest trying IMR 4227. This powder is just a bit slower than H 110 but the recoil is nowhere near the violent recoil of H 110 or comercial loadings. I want to say that the recoil is a good push on your shoulder and not the violent snap recoil felt with other well known powders used in magnum pistol loads.

I have 2 44mag lever actions. One is a Rossi 92 with a 20 inch barrel and I have a Henry X chambered in 44mag with a 17.4 inch barrel and neither have punishing recoil even though I load at near maximum powder load under either a 240gn or 300gn Hornady XTP's.

Good luck with your journey.

Warlock wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 04, 2022 4:17 pm

I have a Henry X chambered in 44mag with a 17.4 inch barrel

I agree with your recoil assessment .... be sure to follow the link below to where you can add your Henry and your son's as well to our community's total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 68#p205368