Henry Rifle Forums

I waited until senior citizen status before becoming a lever fan. There was a 9422M that I probably should have kept and there was a Marlin .44 Mag with the crossbolt safety that really needed some action and trigger tuning but it was a sweet little H001 that ignited the flame. Then came a .357 Carbine big loop and a couple of weeks ago the 20" .45 Colt with standard lever. All three are good looking and good functioning guns and have decent trigger pulls....a big deal for me.
I've owned a couple .45/70's purchased back when I was a rough and tumble lad in my late 50's...a BFR 10" and a Ruger #1. Both went down the road along with a few .458" bullet molds and .45/70 brass and dies. I loaded both a little warmer than necessary and really don't miss the recoil. So today wifey and I took a ride to Green Bay and stopped at Fleet Farm. They had a Henry .45/70 All Weather in the rack. I'd never seen one of these in the flesh before but have seen what the gougers on GB were pricing them at. Looked at the sticker and it was only $999 and besides that they've got a 10% off sale going on. There was a few minutes of temptation but reality set in. By the time I rounded up brass, dies, bullet molds and optics it wouldn't have been such a bargain after all. Besides that, there was that look my better half was giving me...

I always wanted a Henry 45/70 to go with MY Golden Boy and 357 Carbine, but I too lack the set up for reloading, brass, or bullets. As much as I wanted one in the safe, and on my 50 yard line... I drew the same conclusion.

Nope.

"..that look my better half was giving me". Seen THE LOOK myself a time or two. A couple times with some sort of colorful Asian words in there I think!

I just looked for .45/70 brass on a few sites and everybody shows "Out of stock". It's just as well though, my worn out old shoulder was protesting .45/70 recoil a couple years ago and it certainly hasn't improved any. The .45 Colt could safely be steamed up with "Ruger Only" loads of 255 gr. bullets in the 1500 fps range or the 300 gr. Lee GC at 1300 to 1400 fps. Plenty of horsepower for woods deer hunting and still relatively mild recoil. I haven't tried them at the range yet but dummy rounds of the 300's cycled very well in the Big Boy.

5shot wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 14, 2022 10:52 pm

I just looked for .45/70 brass on a few sites and everybody shows "Out of stock". It's just as well though, my worn out old shoulder was protesting .45/70 recoil a couple years ago and it certainly hasn't improved any. The .45 Colt could safely be steamed up with "Ruger Only" loads of 255 gr. bullets in the 1500 fps range or the 300 gr. Lee GC at 1300 to 1400 fps. Plenty of horsepower for woods deer hunting and still relatively mild recoil. I haven't tried them at the range yet but dummy rounds of the 300's cycled very well in the Big Boy.

With age comes wisdom. I applaud this choice. Like you I had a 45/70 years ago and I’m happy to no longer own it.

Yep images of flame shooting out the 5.5 inch barrel of my old .45-70 BFR while hanging on to the grip but was fun shooting much milder Unique loads.
Just had a time making it shoot consistently. Still have my Marlin 1895 and a single shot High Wall though.

I guess I haven't gained the old man wisdom yet. I am 71 now. I have had my Henry 45-70 Big Boy Steel with the recoil pad for several years. I have wised up enough not to load upper end Marlin loads but still load them hotter than trap-door loads. From my chronograph, my 405 grain lead bullet loads travel 1500 - 1600 fps and my 300 gr. & 350 gr jacketed bullet loads travel 1600 - 1700 fps.

In truth, my Henry .44 magnum Big Boy is plenty sufficient for me but I have no plans parting with the 45-70. Those big 405 grainers sure make the steel ring.

My other half has not been with me, when I selected a firearm. But, I can understand the look. I get something sort of, when I bring a firearm home. Yet, we have an agreement: we discuss purchases over $1,000. Other than that, we pretty much get what catches our eye. However, I did pickup something on another forum about firearms and wives: 'When you bring a firearm home, just let her know it is for her. If she don't shoot it, more fun for you. If she shoots it, it may open the door for more.' There are two firearms that I have told my wife that I was thinking of her; Smith and Wesson M360 and Marlin 1894C. The M360 is hard to get out of her hand, once she shooting. The Marlin has not gotten any love, from her yet (more fun for me). But, she is thinking about giving it try. So maybe, one day.

That's an interesting strategy GFK but my wife knows just enough about guns to not bite on the offer of a .45/70 for her.

I can understand 5Shot. I did not think about mentioning that the 12GA was for her, when I got it. On some things, I just got to go at it along.