Henry Rifle Forums

I usually shoot 158 gr rounds in my BB but found some 125 gr ammo and was wondering if anyone had some input on how it shoots in the BB. This is just for paper targets not hunting. is it generally just as accurate up to 100 yards. I think its Precision brand if memory serves. Thoughts and experiences appreciated. I have to order it but don't want to spend the money if the BB's typically don't like the lighter bullets.

I know someone will chime in here that knows more than me on this, however, I think I heard some positive remarks about the 125's recently. Last trip to my LGS was gonna buy some, but they had none.
My 357 manual does state that it was designed with the 158's in mind though.

over time, we've had several discussions about 125's and as I remember most reports have been fairly favorable .... I use them as part of our standard load for my wife's CC Smith & Wesson J Frame 38 spec and have been pleased with them .... I believe Henry designed their 357's around 158 gr bullets and that's all we use in ours .... I'm sure others with experience using them will chime in

Every gun is different. One way to find out is Chootum and see.

I hate to order just one box to try out so I will probably hold off on trying the 125's then till I can maybe get a box locally. $36 plus shipping for 1 box of 50 kinda makes me squeak. I have some 158 gr and picked up a couple of boxes of 180 gr. locally, so we'll see how those do. Thanks all for the input. If anyone is interested here's the link..... https://www.outdoorlimited.com/handgun- ... &mode=list

No problem LL. I have a box of HSM 180 grn's that I picked up and have not shot any yet from my Henry or 686 revolver. Let's compare notes later.

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 15, 2020 11:58 pm

No problem LL. I have a box of HSM 180 grn's that I picked up and have not shot any yet from my Henry or 686 revolver. Let's compare notes later.

Will do. I posted in a different thread that I just got my TriggerShims.com order and put them in tonight on the lever and hammer. Very happy with results and hoping to get to the range in the next week.

LeverLuvr wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 15, 2020 8:48 pm

I usually shoot 158 gr rounds in my BB but found some 125 gr ammo and was wondering if anyone had some input on how it shoots in the BB. This is just for paper targets not hunting. is it generally just as accurate up to 100 yards. I think its Precision brand if memory serves. Thoughts and experiences appreciated. I have to order it but don't want to spend the money if the BB's typically don't like the lighter bullets.

A few years ago, ZERO Bullets had a production line breakdown that took more than a year to repair/replace. During that time, their inventory of 158 grain JSP/JHPs was depleted, but they had (and I bought) a few thousand 125s. I'm just an off hand, standing paper shooter and not even close to the skill level of our ambassador, RanchRoper, but I found them to be just as accurate as 158s at the 75' indoor shooting range.

That's some darn good shooting Stan!

If not to Late to answer your question- I've had good results with Fiocchi 125 gr SJHP thru my BBS at 50 yds with a 1x4x20 Leupold mounted on it. Can hold to +/- 1" or so without issue

I still haven't tried 125 gr yet but to be honest, It,s been a chore to find an ammo that will shoot reliably because I've had some issues every time I try to do some shooting. first time out was with Magtech 158gr and had issues with extraction of empty shells ( very tight to pull out of chamber after firing). Second time out I was using Winchester Super X and the 6th round left the last 1/4" of shell broke of inside the chamber and ended that day. Before running the Winchesters I was running some Norma 180 gr. It was pretty good accuracy wise but a little finicky feeding. I'm gonna give it one more shot next time out with the same variety of ammo and see what happens. Honestly not feeling to warm and fuzzy about this Henry rifle right now. I will be sending it in for issues if I have anymore problems. Not sure if it's the ammo or the clearances in the gun. I know guns can be finicky about the ammo you feed it, but it's usually accuracy issues, not function. In the last few months I've bought a Walther PPQ, Tikka T3X, and built an AR-15. None of them have had function issues. I've had 2 HBB's and had major problems with both right out of the box. I know customer service is A+. Maybe they should put customer service in charge of quality control. You know, check and fix BEFORE it goes out. Now theres a concept. I've read enough on several forums to see a definite pattern of " Henry's are great rifles but you will need to buy it and then send it back thru customer service before it will run right". They definitely could benefit from some QC improvements. Either customer service is not communicating, or manufacturing and assembly is not listening. I know these rifles can run nicely. My first BB 44 mag had a bad trigger issue right out of the box. Sent it back, fixed it and had it back to me in 6 days. Ran perfect after that and never had another problem with it, so I know it can be done. I love Henry rifles but sometime I feel like a Beta tester.

Try a new Smith&Wesson or Ruger revolver...same deal got to send them back once or even twice to make it run!
Luckily I have had no issues with any of my Henry rifles from .22 thru .45 I have a .357 BB CCH rifle and it runs really slick with .357 Mag or .38 Special that I load using Starline or other mixed brass.

The range testing I have done has been limited but in the short time I have had my BBS back from Henry 125grn bullets do not seem to group as well in my rifle as 158grn bullets. The six different loads I tried 3 were 125grn, 3 were 158grn and the 158grn bullets performed consistently better. My old Ruger Security Six seems to like 125grn bullets the best so I am hoping to find a round they both like. I will try and keep you posted on my load development.

I have a hard time feeling "warm and fuzzy" about my BB also as in the six months I have owned this rifle Henry has had it for over 10 weeks. With the second barrel replacement I finally have a shooter though. I have to agree with you about Henry having to bring up it QC as I could put 7 pages of the owners manual between the stock and the recoil flats of the action.

I've been using Hornady 158gr XTP's until I ran low. Then I bought HORNADY 125gr XTP's in their American Gunner line and shoots better groups at 50yds than the 158gr in my Henry BB steel 357 carbine.