Y'all done solved my problem :)

[ditto1958]

I just want to say thanks to everyone here for solving a problem I was having today. I had a case of the "new gun blues" earlier. What's that, you ask? Well, it's NOT blues from having a new gun, that's for sure. No, I was frustrated because I have new gun fever, but I couldn't think of a gun to buy that I "needed." What's "need" got to do with it, you might ask? Well, not need in the sense of justifying a purchase. Need in the sense that if I'm going to buy a new gun, it want it to be one that fills an open spot in my collection, AND is a gun I will likely want to shoot a lot.

For most of the day, I was stumped. But then I brought up this here Henry forum, and it was as if a light turned on in my head. I need a Big Boy. In .357 magnum/.38 special.

Now, the only question is, brass or steel?

[North Country Gal]

Been kicking tat one, around, too, but also debating on the caliber. Me, I love the 44 mag, but hubby is not a big fan of recoil, so the 357 is probably more practical and it's also much cheaper to shoot. Weight would be an issue for me, so got to go with the steel. Also want to go with one of the Wisconsin made versions.

[PT7]

That question, for me, is extremely easy to answer. I've had both the Bronze Big Boy and the Steel Big Boy. I'd pick the Steel Big Boy.
For these reasons.

~~I prefer the round barrel for the lesser weight.
~~The ventilated rubber recoil pad looks cool, and really does a great job.
~~I didn't have one, but now the Steel Big Boy is offered in a carbine version with 16.5" barrel (H012MR). I have a Small Game Carbine, and love the balance of this shorter rifle. Betting the .357 is comparable.

Finally, I like your choice of the .357 Magnum caliber. It's a tried and true round with many uses. Also an ammo, which is less expensive to shoot, is always a plus.

That would be my Henry choice in the .357 models.
Looking forward to seeing what you finally get, and how you like to shoot it. Enjoy!

[ditto1958]

Been kicking tat one, around, too, but also debating on the caliber. Me, I love the 44 mag, but hubby is not a big fan of recoil, so the 357 is probably more practical and it's also much cheaper to shoot. Weight would be an issue for me, so got to go with the steel. Also want to go with one of the Wisconsin made versions.

I have a Blackhawk convertible (like yours, but blue), and I'm thinking a .357 lever gun would be an excellent companion for a revolver. I load for .357 and .38 special, so I'd be able to shoot it a lot.

[North Country Gal]

Have also been considering the 45 Colt. We also have a Blackhawk 45 convertible, which we love. The 45 Colt cowboy loads would be very soft shooting, but could also go the Ruger only bear loads and have a serious bear gun. Those would take me into 44 mag country and even a bit beyond.

[JEBar]

I have a Blackhawk convertible (like yours, but blue), and I'm thinking a .357 lever gun would be an excellent companion for a revolver. I load for .357 and .38 special, so I'd be able to shoot it a lot.

I went with a Henry H012 steel 44 mag because I have a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag .... if I had a .357 instead of the 44, I'd of gone with steel Henry H012MR .357 .... the Big Boy H006 (44 mag) and H006M (.357) are beautiful rifles that perform extremely well .... my firearms work for a living and for me the steel versions better meet my needs .... that of course is irrelevant to what will work best for anyone else

[steelersfan97]

Brass.

But I am partial to that style since it is what I own.

[JCN]

My recommendation remains the same: Big Boy Steel in the rifle length or Brass Big Boy in carbine length. The balance is perfect in both models.

[RanchRoper]

Have also been considering the 45 Colt. We also have a Blackhawk 45 convertible, which we love. The 45 Colt cowboy loads would be very soft shooting, but could also go the Ruger only bear loads and have a serious bear gun. Those would take me into 44 mag country and even a bit beyond.

I love my BB 45 Colt and pack it around horseback everywhere. It sends serious wood splinters flying out the back board at the range with a 250 gr lead flat nose bullet. Can't wait for the 1860 original in 45C too.

[Sir Henry]

I've been thinking about buying my first centerfire Henry and deciding on the caliber is what was holding me back. I like the idea of a traditional round like a 30-30 or a 45-70 but then the shooting costs goes up. Might just settle for the 38/357 as I already have a ton of that caliber.

[PT7]

I've been thinking about buying my first centerfire Henry and deciding on the caliber is what was holding me back. I like the idea of a traditional round like a 30-30 or a 45-70 but then the shooting costs goes up. Might just settle for the 38/357 as I already have a ton of that caliber.

Well, I don't know if you need to "just settle for the .38/.357," Sir Henry. It is a venerable and versatile caliber.

Here's a brief Chuck Hawks comment on this ammo from one of his articles at http://www.chuckhawks.com/357magnum.htm:

The .357 Magnum
By Chuck Hawks

The famous .357 Magnum, the original magnum pistol cartridge, was introduced in 1935 by Smith & Wesson as the world's most powerful handgun cartridge. For over 20 years it was simply known as "the Magnum," as there was no other. Newer magnum cartridges eventually surpassed it in power, but not in popularity or usefulness. The .357 remains the best selling of all magnum handgun cartridges and among the top 10 best selling handgun cartridges.

And the .357 Magnum has come a long way since 1935. The ammo rounds in my avatar are .357 Magnum 140gr Xtreme Penetrator Ammunition, made by Lehigh Defense. http://www.lehighdefense.com/pages/xtreme-penetrator This manufacturer then sends you to one of their partner sites, Underwood Ammo, to buy the bullets. https://www.underwoodammo.com/357-magnu ... enetrator/ There are interesting descriptions of this ammo on these sites; both how produced and the performance.

I like to try out different .357 Magnum ammo, and bought a 20-round box, but haven't tried them yet in either my SP101 or BA derringer. I'd bet that they would produce some great results out of a Henry Big Boy. Anyway, I haven't quite figured out yet a good way to test them to see how they perform. I'll probably do that in the spring at my son's-in-law outdoor range. Maybe will shoot through some of the barriers (various wood thicknesses) he has set up on his training range; I also think he tests ammo with gelation blocks. Shall see.

Anyway, I think the .357 Magnum is a way-cool ammo! I'm envious that you have "a ton of that caliber."

[Sir Henry]

So is there any problems with straight walled ammo in the Henrys?

[PT7]

So is there any problems with straight walled ammo in the Henrys?

I had no problems using either of my .357 Magnum Henry Big Boys. From time-to-time I had some FTFs using .38 special ammo, but decided to stay only with .357 ammo for those rifles. I think it is definitely a .357 rifle. Chambered and ejected the straight-walled ammo just fine for me, unless I caused any type of failure with the way I handled the lever.

My vote is still "go for it" in that caliber!


P.S. Hope other Folk will jump in with their opinions, too......

[Les]

For most of the day, I was stumped. But then I brought up this here Henry forum, and it was as if a light turned on in my head. I need a Big Boy. In .357 magnum/.38 special.
Now, the only question is, brass or steel?

I feel your pain!

I really like the brass .357 BB, and in particular I like the look of the carbine version, but ............ it comes with the big loop, which I'm not a fan of. I suppose I could always buy a spare regular lever and fit it, but it puts an extra level of expense into the equation.

Decisions, decisions.

[ditto1958]

I'm envious that you have "a ton of that caliber."

1. Rumor has it that .357 is not the only caliber that Sir Henry has "a ton of."

2. Rumor also has it that when Sir Henry speak of "a ton" of something, he literally means a ton. As in a 2,000 pound ton. The floors in his house must have a lot of reinforcement under them. Either that or they're sagging something fierce.

[PT7]

I feel your pain!
I really like the brass .357 BB, and in particular I like the look of the carbine version, but ............ it comes with the big loop, which I'm not a fan of. I suppose I could always buy a spare regular lever and fit it, but it puts an extra level of expense into the equation.

Decisions, decisions.

"Decisions".....that's the fun of the purchasing side of Henrys, Les. And Henry has sure been building up the rifle choices we now have!

[Catherine]

When we owned several or shall I say MANY 357Magnum firearms... we bought a HENRY Big Boy in 357Magnum and we loved to shoot it.

My husband and I shot cast bullets, hand loads and factory ammunition in it. It ate it all in 357Magnum and in 38Special. It shot wad cutters fine too.

It was a tack driver and a BEAUTIFUL gun. It IS a heavier rifle compared to some other rifles but it has outstanding BALANCE in my opinion.

We don't own that caliber in ANY firearm now but if my husband had decided to stay in it compared to another choice of his... we would still own and shoot that outstanding BIG BOY rifle!

Best wishes to you.

Cate
PS: Our BIG BOY was in brass/walnut and I think that is all they made at the time.

[Catherine]

PS:

I used to own and shoot MORE 22lr and 357Magnum firearms years ago with a sweet 9mm Glock (My first gun!) and a RUGER Blackhawk in 45Long Colt thrown in, bought back east - late 90's, and out here for some time. I never owned a CF rifle until I moved out west even though I shot several back east that did not belong to me.

My late husband only owned 22lr and 357Magnum firearms. Handguns and rifles. He only owned about 5 of them in his life on purpose. I would have to stop and remember them now.

My MT husband conceal carries on a daily basis and open carries sometimes too. For YEARS he carried a 357Magnum smaller d/a revolver (Ruger SP 101) and sometimes his former 45long colt and 45acp handguns depending on where he was going and how he was dressed.

He competed in handguns as I did too. Only he was and still is in the Big Sky Club out here. He just retired so he may get back into formal competition but he has not made a final decision yet.

I still think HIGHLY of the 357Magnum, 38Special and Plus P for a cartridge in a handgun and rifle even though I no longer shoot handguns due to my arthritis and old accident issues.

I LIKE the idea of carrying/owning/shooting a rifle and handgun that are chambered in the same cartridge.

Plus I did that on purpose when I first got into buying my own firearms and shooting from the late 90's and on so I could SHARE AMMUNITION with all of my guns shy of the 9mm and 45Long Colt ones. I shot and owned MORE handguns than my 3 RF rifles back east. I did that for some time out here too.

Anyway... I say go for it and get a caliber that shares ammunition with your other guns. You own several, sweet, large CF rifles if my memory serves me correct. (30-30 and so forth?)

Added more:

Do you own any 45Long Colt or 44 Magnum guns? More matching calibers!

I LOVE the 45long colt caliber but I do not know if you own that caliber. IT is expensive to buy ammo for it but you already started to reload. I only owned one 44Magnum CALIBER gun and I shot a BIT of 44Magnum and more of 44Special in that famous Smith and Wesson Model 29 model. Gift to me - actually two of them were here and they were in a -2 and -3.

Cate

[Bish1309]

I've been thinking about buying my first centerfire Henry and deciding on the caliber is what was holding me back. I like the idea of a traditional round like a 30-30 or a 45-70 but then the shooting costs goes up. Might just settle for the 38/357 as I already have a ton of that caliber.

Congrats to the OP.

If I can jack this thread for just a moment....do .357 magnums/38s work in pistols the same as rifles or are they totally different shell casings?

I was told you can't run one in the other.

[Catherine]

I used the same ammo in my handguns as I did in my matching PISTOL CALIBER rifles. FMJ and/or HP depending on the gun and purpose.

Cast bullets, hand loads - reloaded ammunition, wad cutters, and factory bought ammunition.

I do NOT reload, I never reloaded but my MT husband has reloaded for over 40 years now.

Back east, I only used factory bought ammunition. Out here I used/use factory ammo but I use/used a lot of my MT husband's hand loads too.

Some rifles and handguns PREFER one ammo over another but it depends on the factory brand/type or hand load.

Cate
Added more.