Henry Rifle Forums

I am looking at purchasing a Henry New Original and am not sure which caliber to choose. I was leaning toward the 45LC for no particular reason but now I am divided. My research on line says it is really a “Ford vs Chevy” type question. I will use the gun for range shooting and basically for one of my 3 grandsons. I have a Henry Frontier 22LR and a Henry BB 44 magnum and I want a third so they each get one. My two granddaughters will each get a Glock pistol. Any help on the caliber, I want the ammo to be readily available and I don’t reload.

Can't speak for the USA but easier to find 45 Colt in Canada than 44-40. Mine is a Uberti in 45LC. Nice rounds to shoot, recoil manageable even for kids. I shoot either 250gr lead or 200gr lead. And who doesn't like great big cowboy bullets?

Whatever you choose, enjoy! Shooting an 1860 Henry is a trip back in time, you'll love it.

First question I would ask is do you reload and if you do are any of the children interested in reloading. 45 Colt ammo over the counter will be much easier to buy. I like 44-40 and have own both calibers. I still have the 45 Colt but I sold the 44-40 sometime back. I wish I would have kept it now.

Deacon wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:44 pm

I want the ammo to be readily available and I don’t reload.

agree with RanchRoper ====> you can still find 44-40 ammo .... when you do, it will be more expensive than 45LC .... abour $10 a box higher at Cabela's

I have no 'dog in this fight' but .44-40 is a round that is bordering on the necessity of reloading.

.45 Colt I see plentiful with the other typical revolver calibers but not .44-40. My LGS may have it but it is probably in the 'less plentiful' ammo section and it's a large store.

The Cabelas here carried 2 boxes of 44-40 but lots of 45 Colt. And the 44-40 was more expensive.

Dang, Deacon. I didn't know Kentucky had mountains like that. The .45 Colt is more available here in Delaware.

If you handload, it doesn't matter. .44-40 is closer to the original cartridge. .44-40 was designed to be a rifle cartridge. .45 colt was made for a revolver.

Not that it matters in today's setting, but it feels more historically correct.

Frontiersman wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2020 9:17 pm

.44-40 is closer to the original cartridge. .44-40 was designed to be a rifle cartridge.

Another reason why I would lean 44-40.

Although expensive Ammo is not fun, lol.

If I had one and shot it a lot, I would invest into re-loading equipment.

If I ever happen to stumble across the Henry I want it will be in .44-40 and I will have to tool up to load for it but I am not actively looking for this particular rifle right now.

I'd choose the 45 colt, because you said, (I Don't Reload) guess most of the Yahoo's hear don't read so well.
I do reload and I would still choose the 45 over the 44-40.
I too would very much like to have one some day, and it will be a 45 colt.

RP

Looking thru a couple of manuals, they're fairly close in ballistics. So for that reason alone(just me mind you), I'd opt for the .45 Colt. Ammo is certainly going to be easier to find, especially in different manufacturers, types of loads(heavy, light and in between). Good luck with which ever one you decide. Everyone will enjoy it.

Go with the 45 Colt if you don' reload. I can even find it, locally, in our out of the way area. Not so the 44-40.

I agree, though, that the 44-40 is historically more correct as a rifle cartridge. 45 Colt in a rifle is a modern era concept. There were no 45 Colt lever guns in the Old West. The 44-40 is the cartridge that gets credit as the original 2 gun cartridge that could be used in your rifle and six gun. It was the cartridge used in the Winchester 1873, the gun that "won the west". Very popular cartridge in its day.

45 Colt, and save your brass. I never expected to reload either and have been doing it now for a year. Easier than you think, and you will shoot more and maybe even save a bit of dough.

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 11, 2020 8:43 am

I'd choose the 45 colt, because you said, (I Don't Reload) guess most of the Yahoo's hear don't read so well.
I do reload and I would still choose the 45 over the 44-40.
I too would very much like to have one some day, and it will be a 45 colt.

RP

Im a Yahoo and missed that when posting mine. Was right there at the end of the post. I will say this about 44-40 vs 45 colt. When shooting Levergun sillywet years ago for me the 44-40 would out do the Colt at the longer distances. I owned both at the time and liked shooting the 44-40 much better.

Al I don't really have a problem with the 44-40,but I just don't really care about another cartridge to load for.
Lol, the 14 or so I have are enough.

But that's some interesting info though, thanks for the insight.

RP

Randy if it sounded that way in the post wasnt meant to. I get the to many calibers to load for Im there now. I was just making a reference to my experience with the 44-40.

Lol, the 14 or so I have are enough.

I here this!

Over the years I have reduced mine down to eight now - well 7 actually - .38/.357 are kind of one in the same.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 11, 2020 11:24 am

Randy if it sounded that way in the post wasnt meant to. I get the to many calibers to load for Im there now. I was just making a reference to my experience with the 44-40.

Naw, I didn't get that or take it that way, buddy.
Good to know about the difference in the distance shooting though. Sure others will find that interesting also, Thanks.
never knew that, got a good buddy that's got several 44-40's and he is always messin' with me about my 45's.
I will share with him what you said.

RP

I'll have no choice to add .44-40 if I ever find a Navy Arms Henry I would really like.

Passed on two over the years like a dumazz.