Henry BBS 357 mag

[TraderVic]

Greetings,
I've been considering a 357 levergun for some time now. The Big Boy Steel interests me the most in the Henry lineup. A purely subjective question ; what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of the rifle vs the shorter carbine ?
Regards, Vic

[Cofisher]

Purely subjective. I Love my carbine. I doubt a rifle will outshoot it. The shorter length is well balanced and very easy to handle. I can shoot minute of deer at 100 yds. No further!
You can walk with it dangling from one hand. Still 8" above the ground! I've not shot the rifle, don't need to. Good luck in your search.

[markiver54]

I chose the BBS 357 rifle assuming I might get a bit better accuracy. I've always heard that a longer barrel is better, considering such. I don't have any data to prove that the rifle is any more accurate than the carbine.
I WILL say; I think it definitely makes a difference when talking about handguns. Many years ago...many!, when I ordered my S&W 686 357 mag revolver, I ordered the 4" barrel, but changed my mind at the last minute and got the 6". I'm very glad I did, as it is a very accurate shooter and I feel certain that it will outshoot the 4".

[BigAl52]

Get which on you like the best. The extra barrel length isnt going to make much difference.

[daytime dave]

I have the carbine and love it!

[Steve51]

The only advantage the rifle has is magazine holds 3 more rounds of ammo and possibly the added barrel length could give better accuracy (not with my eyes).
I have an older .44 Brass Big Boy (octagon barrel) and more recently purchased the .44 Big Boy Steel Carbine w/sidegate. The carbine has the large loop lever. I really like them both but if I had to choose just one of them - I would have to choose the carbine.

[Mags]

Greetings,
I've been considering a 357 levergun for some time now. The Big Boy Steel interests me the most in the Henry lineup. A purely subjective question ; what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of the rifle vs the shorter carbine ?
Regards, Vic

I prefer the rifle's longer barrel for appearance sake. If you go into a lot of thick brush, the carbine may be easier for getting through.

[GFK]

This is subjective. But, it is something to consider. According to this, 16" provides the best velocity, and 20" provides the best accuracy. Yet, 18" will gives the best of both worlds: https://usarmymilitary.info/best-barrel ... num-rifle/.

As a gauge:
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

[Hatchdog]

Purely subjective for me. I don’t hunt with my Big Boys so carry advantages/disadvantages do not affect my decision. My first two Big Boys were rifles and my third is a carbine. To my OCD eye the three of them lined up in the safe just look off. Recently a member here offered a standard loop lever so I replaced the large loop on my carbine with it. It helps sooth my OCD a little but that short barrel and mag tube still nag at me a little.

All the above is a little tongue in cheek but I do notice the difference. The carbine (41 mag) shoots great and is a very accurate firearm. As are the other two (.357 and .327).

Funny side story, when I bought my carbine the LGS had both the rifle and the carbine side by side. I asked my wife to make the decision and she chose the carbine. So you see, it’s all her fault.

[Mags]

... My first two Big Boys were rifles and my third is a carbine. To my OCD eye the three of them lined up in the safe just look off. ....

For the OCD eye, add a fake barrel extender so that they look better together in the safe.

[TraderVic]

Thanks for your feedback (comments, opinions, etc) as this is what I asked for. Henry manufactures these rifles in Rice Lake, WI....about an hour north of my farm.

[TraderVic]

What bullet configurations cycle well in the BBS 357 ?

[Hatchdog]

What bullet configurations cycle well in the BBS 357 ?

I shoot Hornady 158 gr XTP hollow points in mine and I’ve never had a problem.

[leverjc]

What bullet configurations cycle well in the BBS 357 ?

I haven't had a problem with any rounds feeding from 125grn hollow points to 180grn lead bullets.

[Vaquero]

What bullet configurations cycle well in the BBS 357 ?

My BBS is a 41 mag. not the 357, but
I load and shoot several bullet types and have never had any issue with any of them.
SWC's, WFN, and XTP's all go smoothly.
Have the same results with the 44 BBB.

RP

[Hellcat1]

Purely subjective for me. I don’t hunt with my Big Boys so carry advantages/disadvantages do not affect my decision. My first two Big Boys were rifles and my third is a carbine. To my OCD eye the three of them lined up in the safe just look off. Recently a member here offered a standard loop lever so I replaced the large loop on my carbine with it. It helps sooth my OCD a little but that short barrel and mag tube still nag at me a little.

All the above is a little tongue in cheek but I do notice the difference. The carbine (41 mag) shoots great and is a very accurate firearm. As are the other two (.357 and .327).

Funny side story, when I bought my carbine the LGS had both the rifle and the carbine side by side. I asked my wife to make the decision and she chose the carbine. So you see, it’s all her fault.

To my OCD eye, my 20" barrel with the (added) large loop, is just right in the looks department. In fact, I bought an extra large loop to put on my next Big Boy, if I can ever find one around me with a 20" barrel and side gate, in either steel or case hardened.




Frank

[Vaquero]

I like the large loops and have swapped out both the BBS 41 and BBB 44 20" models.
Never swapped the H001 out though.

RP

[JVogler]

I own a Henry Big Boy Brass 357magnum. With a 10 round magazine I usually only load 5. I don't hunt so it shouldn't matter but if I buy another Henry it would probably be a 10 rounder.

[The Wiz]

Owned both, carbine just felt good in the hands. Gave the other one to my son. He uses it for Cowboy shooting.

[jstanfield103]

I much prefer the comfort and the size of the carbine.