Henry Rifle Forums

I see Henry now offers Color Case Hardened versions of the .357mag/38special & 44mag/44 special in both 20" barrel and carbine versions. I have been waiting a long time for them to do these. Now the decision of which one will be the dilemma. How do the shorter carbines shoot compared to the 20 inch barrels? I already have a .357/38 Big Boy Steel version and all the reloading necessities for .357/38's. Money is really tight right now (one of the reasons I have not been posting here much). It would seem to make more sense to get the 44 but I do enjoy shooting .357 mag in the Big Boy Steel and would not have to also buy 44 dies, brass and bullets.

is there anything a 44 would allow you to do that would be problematic with your current 357 .. .. in addition to what do you need, another (to me) important consideration is what do you want .. .. I really like the CCH look and have strongly considered having it done to ours .... that isn't a cheap option .... the bottom line is, what do you think is the best choice for you right now .. ..

JEBar wrote:is there anything a 44 would allow you to do that would be problematic with your current 357 .. Probably not as I am only using them for range shooting fun at the moment. Hunting is not an option here at this time but may open up in the future when we relocate in a couple of years.
.. in addition to what do you need, another (to me) important consideration is what do you want .. I think I would like to try a carbine, shorter barrel but wanted some input from those who own the carbines as to how they compare shooting wise to the longer 20 inch barrel. How much accuracy is sacrificed with the shorter barrel? I know I will lose some velocity with the 16.5 inch barrel. Is the shorter and light barrel quicker on target and more fun to shoot steel plates and clay birds on a bank at say 50 yards?
.. I really like the CCH look and have strongly considered having it done to ours .... that isn't a cheap option .... the bottom line is, what do you think is the best choice for you right now .. ..

Not sure at this point will have to consider some input before I can make that decision. I could sell my only AR15 to fund this as I really do not enjoy shooting the AR platform.

If you are shooting steel and clay at 50 yds, you won't see a noticeable difference in accuracy or velocity between the carbine and the rifle - get the one that feels the best for you. I personally like the balance of a carbine with an octagon (heavy) barrel and the balance of rifle in the round (lighter) barrel.

I gotta agree with Tad. I have a Carbine in brass 45 colt. I have been eyeing the color case models on GB. After going shooting yesterday with my 357 which I really like its heavy. After some shooting off hand for a while my shoulders get tired. Since I dont shovel snow like RR and throw ropes and wrestle those big cows to the ground Im just not as good as I once was. I can tell the difference between the carbine and the rifle. I have been going back and forth between the 357 and the 45. Just because I have a cowboy in my heart and was born about 100 yrs to late Im probably going to get a 45. I read some where life begins at 45. Al

I like the idea of variety which would lead me to the 44. When you feel the octagonal barrel models, they are noticeably heavier. I'd prefer a carbine model just to balance out the rifle. I believe it's a full one pound lighter from the shorter barrel. That's a nice weigh reduction at the end of the gun. So there you go... carbine color case hardened 44 mag!

As much as I love the 44 mag, unless you really need that kind of power, I don't see any advantage over the 357. Even if you do reload, the 44 mag is still more expensive to shoot than the 357. Again, I love the 44 mag and still shoot it, now and then, but our various 357s see MUCH more use.

As for the barrel length on a 357, the difference in velocity between a 16.25" and 20" is insignificant for most uses at the kinds of ranges most folks shoot with the 357, namely under 100 yards and typically half of that.

I agree with BigAl on the weight thing. The older I get, the more I tend to grab the lighter carbines than the big rifles, even if going light on weight is sometimes a bit more difficult to steady. I may not get small groups as consistently with the light guns, but I can shoot them longer before getting fatigued and they sure are fun to shoot. As far as I'm concerned, there's no such thing as having too many 357s.

Bugs wrote:Probably not as I am only using them for range shooting fun at the moment. Hunting is not an option here at this time but may open up in the future when we relocate in a couple of years.

I think I would like to try a carbine, shorter barrel but wanted some input from those who own the carbines as to how they compare shooting wise to the longer 20 inch barrel. How much accuracy is sacrificed with the shorter barrel? I know I will lose some velocity with the 16.5 inch barrel. Is the shorter and light barrel quicker on target and more fun to shoot steel plates and clay birds on a bank at say 50 yards?

Not sure at this point will have to consider some input before I can make that decision. I could sell my only AR15 to fund this as I really do not enjoy shooting the AR platform.

just as points to consider :

with hunting down the line a consideration, the 44 makes good sense .... as you noted, already having the reloading equipment and supplies for 357 would reduce initial expense .... with the cost of components, 357 is cheaper to shoot .... its a very capable round for shooting steel plates and clay birds on a bank at say 50 yards .... if you were to go with a new CCH 357, do you want or need two 357 rifles .. .. if not, have you given any consideration to selling your BBS .. .. because revolver powders are used for loading 357's & 44's they develop full power in shorter distances .... consequently, you will not loose as much muzzle velocity with a carbine as is common with slower burning rifle powders .... are you happy with the feel/balance of your current BBS .. .. understood on the AR, I share your feeling

Great responses, thanks everyone. Going to get the shorter carbine with octagon barrel; that part is decided.
I have way too much fun with my round barrel .357 BBS so that one is a keeper. It is also a tack driver; you could not pry it out of my hands.
Still mulling the .357 vs 44. It may be a dilemma but it sure is nice too have choices.
I really have no need for the .44 at this time and would not have to buy the reloading components for another caliber. I'm thinking with cash being tight it may be smarter to stick with the .357 carbine for now and put the .44 on the wish list for later when finances improve.

Now just having a tough time locating one.

Yeah I haven't seen many available either.