Henry Rifle Forums

I’m planning on picking up a Big Boy Steel .357 this week and I am wondering for those of you who own both a carbine and a rifle in the same caliber which do you prefer? Both are available to me at my LGS with a price difference of $20 with the carbine being the more expensive. I tried a search on this question but did not find a post specific to this. Appreciate your input.

I have the BB brass with 20" octagon barrel, so, I'm not much help. But, I've always liked the rifle with the 20" barrels. My .45 Colt is that version. Love it.

I bought the rifle first. Just as the carbine was being introduced. Quickly traded. While the rifle was very traditional and comfortable, the carbine was simply way too handy. It was by far the better choice for me. Good luck with your choice and with your new Henry.

I wrestled with the same question before buying my BBS 357. I went with the rifle.
I figured 4 more inches of barrel is not going to hinder me, as little as I carry it in the woods anymore. Also, even though it's probably hardly measurable, I figured I might get a bit more velocity and accuracy from the longer barrel.
Cannot give a comparison though because I don't have a carbine.

I too debated which one to buy .... in the end, if I needed a rifle to carry in the woods on walking hunts, I'd of gone with the carbine .... since any future hunting I may do will almost certainly be form a stationary stand/blind I chose to go with a rifle

I dont hunt with any of the pistol caliber levers at this time. But even if I did the 16 inch carbine barrels are my choice. I like the way they handle. Just my 02 cents worth

I have the .357 rifle in CCH and think it shoots great with the 20 inch barrel. Love the Carbine size too especially in .45 Colt and .44 Mag!

Hunting Ohio with strictly straight wall cartridges I chose the longer barrels ( 20 inch) for my 44 mag Henry and my 1894 ,45 Colt). I want all the extra velocity I can squeeze out of the longer barrels. I sit on stand mostly and usually get there on my Yamaha Grizzly or Rhino so the extra length is no hindrance. The only short barrel rifle I hunt with is my Marlin Guide Gun 45-70 and it is what it is, a heck of a thumper on both ends. Maybe a longer barrel on it would have helped tame it down a little.

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:31 am

I wrestled with the same question before buying my BBS 357. I went with the rifle.
I figured 4 more inches of barrel is not going to hinder me, as little as I carry it in the woods anymore. Also, even though it's probably hardly measurable, I figured I might get a bit more velocity and accuracy from the longer barrel.
Cannot give a comparison though because I don't have a carbine.

Depending on the ammo, you are probably getting somewhere between 50 and 100fps faster than a carbine. For example my .41BBSC chrono's at 1738fps (avg) with Underwood 210grn XTP. That same ammo from my NMBH (6.5" bbl) avg's 1560fps, for a 178fps difference. Which works out to about 18.7 fps per inch of additional barrel length. YMMV. .357 should be roughly similar FPS/Inch.

Well both of my center fire Henrys wear the 20" barrels. When I bought the 41 the first year they didn't and said they weren't going to make them in the carbine, or I'd waited.
Now I have a pair of Marlins in 35 Rem. and three years ago now I had one of them shortened to 16.5".
It's nice, and carrys right well, and the deer I took with it the first season couldn't tell the difference.
At 75 yds., that 200 gr. piece of lead went right through him at that distance.
In the steel version I don't think the weight difference will be very noticeable, but
in the BBB's with the thick octagons, it probably does.
It's all really a person thing, I like the short barrels a lot.
But I do have a few Long barreled one also.
Like Gunny said the shorter barrels will be just a tad slower.

RP

I'll take whatever positive I can get Gunny. Also, before I decided to scope it, I figured a slightly longer iron site set-up would help with accuracy also.
I also, just like the look of the rifle. I do however have the SGC which I love as a rimfire carbine.

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 27, 2020 6:26 pm

I'll take whatever positive I can get Gunny. Also, before I decided to scope it, I figured a slightly longer iron site set-up would help with accuracy also.
I also, just like the look of the rifle. I do however have the SGC which I love as a rimfire carbine.

I know. Old habits die hard, and I used to get paid pretty good for playing with numbers.

Either model is a worthy addition to anyone's gun safe. That said, the carbine caught my eye when it came out and I had to have it.
Every time I take it out I like it more and more. It's a good, consistent shooter, light and fast handling. Nobody who picks it up doesn't like it.
When they shoot it they are all smiles, just like me. I'd choose it again in a heartbeat.
If you like the large loop, it's a no-brainer.

Conax wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:00 pm

Either model is a worthy addition to anyone's gun safe. That said, the carbine caught my eye when it came out and I had to have it.
Every time I take it out I like it more and more. It's a good, consistent shooter, light and fast handling. Nobody who picks it up doesn't like it.
When they shoot it they are all smiles, just like me. I'd choose it again in a heartbeat.
If you like the large loop, it's a no-brainer.

Conax, the lever is easy to change out if you prefer the standard one.

RP

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:11 pm

Conax wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:00 pm

Either model is a worthy addition to anyone's gun safe. That said, the carbine caught my eye when it came out and I had to have it.
Every time I take it out I like it more and more. It's a good, consistent shooter, light and fast handling. Nobody who picks it up doesn't like it.
When they shoot it they are all smiles, just like me. I'd choose it again in a heartbeat.
If you like the large loop, it's a no-brainer.

Conax, the lever is easy to change out if you prefer the standard one.

RP

I prefer the large loop. I would have had to buy one for the rifle if it didn't come with it, hence, a no-brainer for me.
I take the lever off every time it needs cleaned to get the bolt out of the way.

My LGS opens in a couple of hours so I gotta make my mind up soon. Anybody else want to chime in”

Rifle! LOL! That help? Which ever you choose, you'll like.

Rifletom wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 29, 2020 11:01 am

Rifle! LOL! That help? Which ever you choose, you'll like.

DITTO!

And the winner is.........

Rifle!

Just ordered a mount from Henry and will get my scoped mounted upon arrival. Then it’s off the the range.....

I have added this rifle to the counter thread.

Well done dog! You are going to love it.