Henry Big Boy 357 Bullet Choice

[Rcwill]

My apologies if this has been covered in other threads. Been experimenting with various powder (Unique, 2400, BE-86, AA7, AA9) and 158 bullet combinations. In all loads, light, mid, heavy, I’m having terrible accuracy with lead bullets (Lasercast, Missouri Bullet Magum Hi-tek, Acme coated) but really good accuracy with all plated, jacketed, and Blue Bullets. Can’t figure out why...but at the point where I just acknowledge that my Henry just doesn’t like lead and I’ll stick with what works. Anyone have similar experience?

At 50 yards the lead “patterns” at around 5+”...plated, jacketed and Blue yields 1.5” if I do my part.

[CT_Shooter]

Welcome to the forum from CT. I've never used a lead bullet, but do use both ZERO brand 158 grain JHPs and JSPs over H110. I like it in both my BBB and my SAA revolver. Several of our members are big fans of 2400 with these bullets. You will get several replies, I'm sure. You will like the company here. Glad you joined us.

My apologies if this has been covered in other threads. Been experimenting with various powder (Unique, 2400, BE-86, AA7, AA9) and 158 bullet combinations. In all loads, light, mid, heavy, I’m having terrible accuracy with lead bullets (Lasercast, Missouri Bullet Magum Hi-tek, Acme coated) but really good accuracy with all plated, jacketed, and Blue Bullets. Can’t figure out why...but at the point where I just acknowledge that my Henry just doesn’t like lead and I’ll stick with what works. Anyone have similar experience?

At 50 yards the lead “patterns” at around 5+”...plated, jacketed and Blue yields 1.5” if I do my part.

[JEBar]

first, welcome to our forum, delighted to have you join us .... agree with CT, in our BBS 357 we load Rose Distribution 158 gr bullets ===> http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... de=ZBJ-38S .... they are cheap and perform really well .... we push them with 14.8 gr of W296 or 15.9 gr of H110 .... our Henry and GP100's like them .... please take a look at our How Many ? thread (link below) and add your Henry to our community's total


http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 494#p99494

[Mistered]

Welcome to the forum from Wickiup Junction, Oregon!
I too have never had consistent accuracy with lead bullets out of my BBB .357.
I wouldn't sweat it too much as long as you do get good accuracy with jacketed or plated.
Some guns simply do not shoot lead well and quite frankly with plated nearly the the same price (or sometimes less) than lead it's really not an issue.

[ESquared]

I just picked up a "Sample Pack" of MBC's 158 gr HiTek "Rangers," as RifleTom vouched for them in combination with 2400. They're a little harder to find on the MBC site, as they're buried on Page 4 of some "Rifle Bullets" category. Tom says he gets better accuracy with them than anything plated, so I'll find out and report back!

[Rifletom]

My apologies if this has been covered in other threads. Been experimenting with various powder (Unique, 2400, BE-86, AA7, AA9) and 158 bullet combinations. In all loads, light, mid, heavy, I’m having terrible accuracy with lead bullets (Lasercast, Missouri Bullet Magum Hi-tek, Acme coated) but really good accuracy with all plated, jacketed, and Blue Bullets. Can’t figure out why...but at the point where I just acknowledge that my Henry just doesn’t like lead and I’ll stick with what works. Anyone have similar experience?

At 50 yards the lead “patterns” at around 5+”...plated, jacketed and Blue yields 1.5” if I do my part.

Hmm. I've had very good accuracy with 158 XTP's/2400 combo. So-so accuracy with 158gr plated. Go figure! I've also had very good accuracy with RNFP coated bullets from Missouri. Like Mistered mentions, some rifles like lead, some rifles don't. Even same makes and models. Like you, I use Unique and 2400. Head scratching indeed. Hope you get it figured out. Keep us informed please. BTW, WELCOME!

[Mistered]

I have not had as much experience shooting lead out of rifles as I have pistol but a while back I bought a 100, 165 gr .30 caliber to try in my various Winchesters and all three shot them equally as bad ! Inconsistent is the best description - a couple shots like match accuracy then the next several all over the target and I am definitely doing my part!
I think consistency is the biggest problem with cast in that they will vary In size and in hardness from one to another. I am sure if one could take the time to cast their own, properly slug the barrel & test fire different sizes and weights good accuracy could eventually be obtained but it will be a crap shoot (no pun intended!) with commercially cast bullets.

[Mags]

Welcome from the TV Oregon.

[BigAl52]

Ive shot plenty of lead out of 357 and I just am tired of the lead thing. Like JEBar says roze dist and zero bullets. There about the same money as lead and they shoot great for range work. I use them all the time.

[Old Syko]

we push them with 14.8 gr of W296 or 15.9 gr of H110

????? WW296 and H110 are the same powder. This comes straight from Hodgdon. I think Phil was the first to pass on this info some time ago. Granted there may be differences from one lot to the next as there is with any powder but they are the same powder. I've never seen a lot to lot difference that varied more than about 3 tenths of a grain in comparability.

I'm yet to find a similar gun that couldn't be made to shoot lead. Some may take a bit more effort than others to discover what the issue is but that's the same for shooting jackets accurately also. In the OPs case I would start by checking the bore to see that is properly lapped and then slug it to insure proper bullet sizing that will allow for proper obturation. From there you need to make sure you have the correct twist rate for the bullet bearing surface you're trying to use. And so on. As I say, it can be done. but sometimes it takes a little effort.

[JEBar]

we push them with 14.8 gr of W296 or 15.9 gr of H110

????? WW296 and H110 are the same powder. This comes straight from Hodgdon. I think Phil was the first to pass on this info some time ago. Granted there may be differences from one lot to the next as there is with any powder but they are the same powder. I've never seen a lot to lot difference that varied more than about 3 tenths of a grain in comparability.

understood on W296 & H110 .... I too have long heard that they are identical powders .... all I can tell you is the recommendation on the powder charge comes directly from Nosler's Volume 8 loading manual .... when it comes to loading manuals, Nosler is .... I've read that MEC powder bushing charts also recommend different charges but have no personal knowledge on it .... to me that says either something has changed or recent testing has found something new

[Old Syko]

we push them with 14.8 gr of W296 or 15.9 gr of H110

????? WW296 and H110 are the same powder. This comes straight from Hodgdon. I think Phil was the first to pass on this info some time ago. Granted there may be differences from one lot to the next as there is with any powder but they are the same powder. I've never seen a lot to lot difference that varied more than about 3 tenths of a grain in comparability.

understood on W296 & H110 .... I too have long heard that they are identical powders .... all I can tell you is the recommendation on the powder charge comes directly from Nosler's Volume 8 loading manual .... when it comes to loading manuals, Nosler is .... I've read that MEC powder bushing charts also recommend different charges but have no personal knowledge on it .... to me that says either something has changed or recent testing has found something new

There are lot to lot variations in all powders as we all know but I will say that one thing I learned a long time ago is to not accept data from a single source. What you are getting by doing so is data that was created under different circumstances than you can duplicate. I never load anything without averaging out the data from at least 3 sources. I've found that one source being from the bullet manufacturer, one from the powder distributor, and a third from an independent party such as Lyman give the most reliable outcome. I also never rely on any data from the ole interwebs unless it is acknowledged by written sources. In the case of 296 and 110 since Hodgdon is the distributor for both I sent them an email many years ago to confirm. Phil Hodgdon himself confirmed this as fact. Different testing equipment and guns themselves are what give us the variation in data we have to come to terms with. As a test, chrono some identical middle of the road loads side by side in the same gun but with powder from each and see what the results are. At one time I had access to pressure testing equipment and was able to make similar comparisons between WW296 and H110 and we also tested WW760 and H414 and found them to be the same. Even printed data is only a rough guide and if not viewed as such can cause a shooter to have a bad day. This is why we start low and work up and a good chrono is invaluable since most of the signs recognized as overpressure in the past are now known to be merely old wives tales. Happy loading. But be careful.

[JEBar]

one should most certainly use reliable loading data .... I started loading my own ammo back in 1965 and that fact has remained constant over time .... there is certainly nothing wrong with using multiple sources for that data .... for the last 55 years I've used Nosler's for every load that they offer data and only seek out another source if they do not .... doing so has served us well and I don't foresee making any changes

[Old Syko]

Elmer Keith went a lifetime loading by the seat of his pants. His theory was, if the gun didn't come apart the pressure wasn't too high. He did blow up a few but luckily never received any major personal damage. I started loading in 1967 and have compared multiple sources of data before loading from the beginning. Just like you, I won't be making any changes either and it's what I pass on to everyone I mentor.

[Rcwill]

First, thanks everyone for the warm welcome to the forum and the great advice. So I took my other Henry BB 357 (no Scope) to the range tonight. Shot lead, coated, and plated and lo and behold...tight groups. Must just be my other henry’s Barrel just doesn’t like lead. So plated and jacketed it is for that one. I have a box of Zero jacketed 158s due to be delivered tomorrow. Going to slug both barrels and see if there is a noticeable difference.

[JEBar]

I have a box of Zero jacketed 158s due to be delivered tomorrow.

looking forward to hearing your assessment after loading and firing some of the Zero bullets

[Rcwill]

Well, thanks all for the advice on Zero bullets. Finally was able to load some up and get to the range. Problem solved...it is now my go to bullet. 5-shot groups at 50 yards. I’m happy!

[Mags]

.
nice!

Well, thanks all for the advice on Zero bullets. Finally was able to load some up and get to the range. Problem solved...it is now my go to bullet. 5-shot groups at 50 yards. I’m happy!

[JEBar]

Well, thanks all for the advice on Zero bullets .... it is now my go to bullet. 5-shot groups at 50 yards. I’m happy!

outstanding .... per Hannibal, I love it when a plan comes together!

[Rifletom]

Dang! That is some good shooting. Glad things worked out. Are those Zero's jacketed or...? Thanks.
BTW, have you tried that BE-86 yet? I like it in .357.