Looking for a new Lever Action

[ford4wd08]

Hi All,

Name is Jordan, I am new here. I have one lever gun, a Browning BL22 in 22 rimfire. I am wanting to venture into the pistol calibers and the Henry Big Boy Steel has caught my eye. I like the carbine version and believe that is the one I'll go with. The question comes down to caliber, this will mostly be a fun/range rifle, and it might serve as self defense, and could possibly become a truck rifle. I was set on the 357 mag/38 sp, but see the 327 fed and it has caught my eye. I'm intrigued by that little caliber, I know ammo might be a little more scarce for the 327 fed, but I think it would be a fun little caliber in a carbine. I do not currently own and handguns, and would like to get a revolver to match whatever caliber I choose for the rifle. Anyone have any advice on this? I might venture into reloading as well for this gun. Just trying to make plans for the future.

[RanchRoper]

Welcome to the forum! You will find a wealth of knowledge from people on here. I personally own a Big Boy in 45 Colt, and a Cimarron revolver in the same caliber. Don't know much about 327, but hang in there until others chime in.

[ditchparrot]

I have a Big Boy in .357 to match my Smith & Wesson 686+ revolver and I absolutely love that combo! Having the ability to shoot .38s for either is a nice bonus.

I have no experience with the .327 caliber.

[North Country Gal]

Welcome to the forum. I'm somewhat new here, myself, but not to lever guns.

As I see it, it all boils down to whether you will reload or not. If not, shooting the 357/38 is going to be less expensive and 357/38 ammo is everywhere. Any place that sells ammo will likely have 357 or 38s. Even though a 327 revolver can also shoot 32 H&R, 32 S&W and so on, ammo availability will still be hit or miss in some shops and when they do have ammo, not much of a selection.

In terms of self-defense, the 327 is a good round for bad guys, but still not up to the 357 level. Around here, I do carry a 357 as a woods gun because we do have bears and heavy 357 loads will handle black bears. A 327 will not. Also, if you plan to hunt, a 357 is doable for deer, too. Again, that's a stretch for the 327. The 357 is the more do it all round.

As for adding a revolver at some point, nothing quite as versatile and useful as a 357 revolver and I say that even though I am a big fan of the 327 and shoot the 327. A single action 357 revolver such as the Ruger Black Hawk would make a great first revolver. Even better, the 357 Blackhawk Convertible that allows you to also shoot 9mm. Nothing cheaper to shoot in a centerfire factory round than 9mm. Here's my Flat Top 357 Convertible with extra 9mm cylinder.



Again, love the 327, but as a first centerfire lever gun or handgun, the 357 is the better choice. Add the 327, later.

[CT_Shooter]

Welcome to the forum from CT. I love my Brass Big Boy .357 that I've paired up with a Taylors & Co. Uberti Cattleman SA revolver. I'd easily make the same choice of caliber today. It's a mild shooting caliber even in the handgun and it's also very easy to reload the brass.

[ford4wd08]

Thanks for all the quick replies! I am leaning back towards the 357 mag now. I like the convertible revolver mention above by NCG. I have my hunting arms covered for deer and the like, I'm looking more for fun/plinking and self defense.

[Deadwood Dutch]

Welcome to the forum, lots of knowledgeable people here.

[ford4wd08]

On another note. I'm in love with the new .410 henry lever, I will have to have one of them this year for squirrel hunting with my sons.

[clovishound]

I definitely think the .357 is a much more practical caliber. It would also make a better self defense weapon IMO.

I have had the Big Boy steel in .357 for about a year and a half. My daughter and I put a lot of ammo through it every month. We have never regretted the purchase for an instant. If something happened to the BB steel, I would buy another just like the one I have as soon as possible.

[Les]

Hi Jordan .... welcome to the Forums from Runcorn, UK!