Ammo recommendations for .357/.38 Special BB

[iceman-cometh]

Hi guys.
I have a new Henry BB coming in, the "X" model, and I'll use it for target and fun shooting with .357 and with a suppressor with .38 special ammo. I don't reload and I have no interest or patience to learn that skill, as I am somewhat of a klutz and would likely blow up the house and infuriate my wife.
So I need some recommendations, specific recommendations, for manufactured ammo in .38 special and.357, that will work smoothly in my new rifle and be accurate.
What do you suggest that you've used successfully?

[Hatchdog]

I believe Henry recommends to use 158 grain bullets. This is what I use in my Big Boy Steel and have great success with them. You should find plenty of factory ammo offerings in .357 with 158 bullets. 38 special I’m not too sure about but in the past I have used the 130 gr metal case from Federal. Not in the Henry but in other 38’s, mostly revolvers. But due the bullet profile of this 130 MC it should feed great in your X.

Nice find on the X-Model by the way.

[Headhog]

+ 1 for what Hatch said. I reload my own with Missouri Bullets 158 gr RNFP lead. They feed well and shoot well out of my BBS. I've reloaded 38 Spl. with the same bullet and the also feed & shoot well in the BBS, but not in my Rossi R92. The Rossi will misfeed about 1 in 15 rounds of 38 Spl. Not a major problem, just a pain in the rear to clear.

Paul

[Vaquero]

+ 1 for what Hatch said. I reload my own with Missouri Bullets 158 gr RNFP lead. They feed well and shoot well out of my BBS. I've reloaded 38 Spl. with the same bullet and the also feed & shoot well in the BBS, but not in my Rossi R92. The Rossi will misfeed about 1 in 15 rounds of 38 Spl. Not a major problem, just a pain in the rear to clear.

Paul

I've never had an issue with my Rossi feeding the 38's.
When I first got it, if I filled completely with 357's it would jam on the first couple of rounds.
I removed almost half of the mag spring, and haven't had a problem since with either.
I love that rifle, could literally shoot the thing all day.

Not much help on the factory ammo as I load my own, my favorite is the 180 gr. Pugnose bullet from Missouri bullet co.
I haven't seen but very little 357's on the shelf, but quite a bit of 38.
Not sure why that is.

RP

[BigAl52]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new Henry. Ammoseek will be your friend when it comes to buying 357 and 38 special. Get ready to pay around .70 ea for 357 and about .40 for 38 special. Im not a fan of a steady diet of 38 special in guns chambered for 357. Others do it and like it. To each there own.

[Vaquero]

I agree with Al on the 38's in the 357.
Like I said though I load my own so it's all 357, I see no since in loading the 38's, and
I no longer own any 38 spl. firearms, and now just the one rifle and one revolver in 357.

RP

[DsGrouse]

I'm loading 148 grain wadcutters in my 38 spl brass. I don't shoot a lot of 357, what i do is usually 180 grain JSP/HP rounds. Shooting 148 grn wc's out of the henry big boy x is crazy amounts of fun and quiet.

[markiver54]

I shoot only factory ammo as well. Do not reload, and have no use for 38's. 357, 158 gr is ideal.
BTW, welcome to the forum.

[Hatchdog]

I'm loading 148 grain wadcutters in my 38 spl brass. I don't shoot a lot of 357, what i do is usually 180 grain JSP/HP rounds. Shooting 148 grn wc's out of the henry big boy x is crazy amounts of fun and quiet.

Incredible that the wad cutters will cycle in your big boy. Thumbs up Henry.

[DsGrouse]

I only have problems when i slow-stroke it. I'm not one for treating guns agressively.