Henry Big boy classic 45 colt

[2guns]

I just got mine last week in 45 colt. Only bullets I had on hand were hornady 250 xtp. I loaded up with 11 grains of Unique and groups were not great. Chrono graphed around 1100 fps. I had some factory lead black hills cowboy ammo that grouped much better. I'm trying to find a good bullet to hunt deer here in north Ga mountains. Probably 75 yards max where I ride my horses in pretty thick woods. Considering the Oregon Trail 250 grain laser cast. Will probably switch to H110 since Unique is really dirty. Any suggestions for bullets and since I don't know twist rate or how stout loads this gun can handle. Any help would be appreciated. This is my first Henry center fire. I do have a 22 mag in one.
One other question. Can you put a Marble or Lyman tang on these. The serial number would be covered up on mine.

[Sir Henry]

I can't answer your question but someone will be along soon.

[tractortad]

Twist rate on a Henry Bigboy 45LC is 1:16 according to their website. I think that rifle will handle any load that you can run in it. Some of the really hot stuff (i.e. Buffalo Bore) is too long for the action to cycle.

[2guns]

I found that out today. 1.60 oal is max for my rifle. Really likes 1.595 to cycle better

[JEBar]

I can't speak directly to 45 caliber but do have many years experience using Nosler's 44 cal JHP bullets while hunting whitetail deer, boar, and black bear .... they preform flawlessly .... should you have any interest, here is a link to a source for Nosler 45 Colt BLEMS ===> http://www.shootersproshop.com/nosler-p ... 100ct.html .... as you can read in the link, the BLEMS are cosmetic and do not impact the performance of the bullets ....we have used thousands and have total confidence in them

[2guns]

I wish I had thought of the Noslers earlier. That's what I use in my single action 357. Your site is much less than I was paying Pulled or blemished don't bother me at all.

[JEBar]

Pulled or blemished don't bother me at all.

well understood .... if you order some, my bet is you will have a really tough time finding the blemish .... with their flat rate of $13 for shipping, I try to place as large of an order as possible .... only negative I have found is it usually takes a week to get an order in house

[BigAl52]

I have shot some of the hornady xtp's for group but it wasnt with that high of charge of Unique. I shoot mostly copper plated bullets in mine and I have had real good luck with HS-6. If you have some of that you might give it a try. I havent tried 2400 yet but Im betting it would do a good job also as it does in 357 and 44 mag. Al

[2guns]

I ordered some 250 grain rim rock bullets yesterday. Lubed but no gas checks. I'm guessing I will try Hornady cowboy load data and work up to a decent load if they shoot good. My rifle is finicky with the xtp. I'm older and far off vision is good for scope use. I can see front sight ok and rear could be about 2 inches forward but it's liveable. I would still like to put a Marbles tang sight on it.

[Jrprock]

I’ve had good accuracy using the 240 and 300gr XTP MAG bullets. With both H110/W296 and HS-6 powders. I’ve also played with Univesal powder and the 240gr. Showed promise but lacked consistency.

I’ve got some 265 and 280 cast bullets to play with now too.

[RanchRoper]

The BB 45 Colt I had loved Winchester Super X 250 gr LFN factory ammo.

[2guns]

I was going to buy some bigger bullets but read that he rifle is for nothing over a 260 grain. Maybe oal. I would love to use thes cast 270s a friend molded for me last year.

[Jrprock]

Disregard that. The 45 Colt Henry has much better rate of twist than the 44 mag does for heavy bullets.

I’ve had excellent accuracy with heavies. Keep the OAL under ~1.65” and it should feed. Even a WFN profile seems ok.

[2guns]

I read that Henry suggested nothing over 260 grain. Would like to use the 300.

[2guns]

I keep reading Universal or Universal clays powder. I looked at lgs and couldn’t find either but they had some just named Clays. Any difference??

[Jrprock]

Load data is basically a wash for Unique.

I’ve also used it in 9mm and 45-70. It’s a little dirty down low but meters nicely and is pretty fluffy.

[Mistered]

I loaded up with 11 grains of Unique

You are at 454 Casull level with that load - you might want to back it off to .45 Colt data.

[2guns]

I backed it back down to 9.5. I'm ok with those speeds.

[2guns]

Unique doesn't meter good at all so I use a Hornady loc n load powder charger for reloading large batches. Clays might be a better option for me.

[Greyhawk]

Just checking in 2 guns- Did you come up with a load that you like? I really like the Hornady 250 grain XTP's. For powder I have used Titegroup, 4227, Lil Gun, and H110. By far my favorite 'ruger only' loads have been with H110. It has a lot of punch and I can easily get 1.25" groups at a 100 yards with my Henry. My only concern as a deer load is that there are some complaints about H110 not working well in cold weather. The closest thing that I have found to H110 is Lil Gun, but I don't get as good as groups and it leaves the rifle pretty greasy.
As I am looking for a 'cold weather' deer load, I think that I am going to experiment more with 4227. Or I may just throw some H110 rounds in the deep freeze for a week, take them to the range in a cooler and see how they do.
If you have any input I would be interested.