Henry Rifle Forums

Does anyone have experience using 300 gr jacketed bullets in a Henry .44 Mag BB? A few years ago I loaded 50 rounds .44 Mag using Hornady 300 gr XTPHP bullets atop 17 grs of Accurate #9. These rounds were loaded for my S&W Model 29 Classic with a 6" barrel which I used for Florida hog hunting. Those loads averagely chronied at 1250 fps. I have 30 of those rounds left, and I am thinking of using them in my Henry .44 MAG BB. Are there any "Watch Out For's" that I should be aware of before firing these rounds through my Henry BB?

The Henry will handle the power of any 44Mag round, but some of the big heavy bullet stuff is too long to cycle thru a Henry (or a Marlin for that matter). Additionally, the 1/38 twist rate on your Henry may not give you the best accuracy when you start launching bullets heavier than 240g.

Tractortad, Thanks for your 30 years Sub service. I'm currently shooting Hornady 240 gr XTP's using 20grs of #9. Getting two and half inch groups at 75 yards off a bench rest; which is good enough for deer hunting up here in New England. However, I want to tighten up the groups to 1", so I'm thinking of replacing the factory Marble sight with a Skinner peep sight. Don't want to scope the rifle because, as a prior Navy guy myself, I am a traditionalist.

Pitchman1968 wrote:I'm thinking of replacing the factory Marble sight with a Skinner peep sight.

Great idea, Pitchman. We've got 7 Henrys and 6 of them wear receiver mounted Skinners - they really improve the sight picture over the buckhorn. In my opinion, it's the best improvement you can make to a Henry rifle....

I've shot the 300 gr Hornady Critical Defense rounds through my Big Boy. They shot just fine.

I think if you go any heavier than that you might find the twist rate is too slow to stabilize them well.

Pitchman1968 wrote:Tractortad, Thanks for your 30 years Sub service. I'm currently shooting Hornady 240 gr XTP's using 20grs of #9. Getting two and half inch groups at 75 yards off a bench rest; which is good enough for deer hunting up here in New England. However, I want to tighten up the groups to 1", so I'm thinking of replacing the factory Marble sight with a Skinner peep sight. Don't want to scope the rifle because, as a prior Navy guy myself, I am a traditionalist.

2 1/2" groups at 75 yds. with Henry factory iron sights sounds very good to me. I have the Skinner barrel mounted peep sight on mine and I would be very satisfied with that group at 75 yds.