Henry Rifle Forums

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

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.

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".

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

I have the carbine and love it!

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.

TraderVic wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 09, 2023 2:36 pm

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.

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

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.

Hatchdog wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 10, 2023 10:51 am

... 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.