Ruger 77/357 or Henry Big Boy 357

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No hard feelings here 2fewdaysafield I feel that the words in my post came out wrong I wasn't trying to flame or start thing but still they didn't come across in a respectable or friendly manner so it's my bad. I've got to slow down a bit and think my post through a bit more carefully. Ive actually come to appreciate a hair of constructive criticism know and again.
 
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I own a Marlin 1894c in 357. It's a very nice handling rifle. One thing I really like about it is the ease of breakdown and cleaning. Remove one screw and the lever comes off, the bolt slides out and the cleaning rod goes straight into the receiver and barrel.
 
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whetrock said:
No hard feelings here 2fewdaysafield I feel that the words in my post came out wrong I wasn't trying to flame or start thing but still they didn't come across in a respectable or friendly manner so it's my bad. I've got to slow down a bit and think my post through a bit more carefully. Ive actually come to appreciate a hair of constructive criticism know and again.
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Not at all man! There was nothing even slightly offensive in your post. I just didn't want you to take my post as a flame. It's all good.
 
The receiver is steel.....If you would like coroberation on all this, let me know and I'll dig it up tomorrow.
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Better dig it up because everything I've ever heard is that the receiver is cast ZAMAK. If they were gonna use steel, they would just use a traditional steel receiver, rather than an internal receiver with a painted cover.
 
It will take me a little while to find all this for you and I have to leave on a trip in a few hours, but I'll find what I can before I leave.

We can start with some basic history.

The .22 leverguns HRA sells now were originally designed by a German company "Erma" and imported at one time or another by Iver Johnson and I think Ithaca as well.

Here is a link to a PDF file that shows the schematic of one of these models. You can clearly see the actual receiver and the receiver cover as being 2 different parts.

http://stevespages.com/pdf/iverjohnson_ew22mhbl(erma_eg73).pdf
 
The receiver for the Big Boy is a brass alloy that is stronger than many steels.
I own the gun in .357 and like it. Would like it even more if it was about 1-2 lbs. lighter! Their lever-action are smooth and cycle flawlessly. My favorite is the .22 mag for best value: function, price, and accuracy.
Henry states that their guns will have better than 2 MOA and the two I have owned easily beat that.
 
I've currently got two Henry rimfire rifles. While I really like them a lot I would not consider a Big Boy for myself simply for the lack of the side loading gate. Those who have pointed out that they are heavier than some other options is simply one more reason.

My suggestion for a smaller and lighter .357 plinking and varmint rifle is to buy a Rossi Win 92 clone in either a 16 or 20 inch ROUND barrel and budget a couple of hundred to have a cowboy action gunsmith slick it up for you. Be sure he doesn't do the whole Cowboy Action treatment since they can end up being a little TOO slick. Instead you want it smoothened up without making it so the lever won't stay locked up on it's own.

I cap'ed the "ROUND barrel" part because the round barrel versions are noticably lighter than the octagonal styles. And for a field plinker or handy varmint gun I'd consider that as highly desireable.

Out of the box the Rossis do operate and shoot quite reliably if not used TOO fast. But start really trying to up the ammo dispensing rate and you can find things jamming up. That's where the tuning by a good smith that knows what a Cowboy Action gun should be like can help.

In the end you would have a very slick handling and reliable gun which doesn't cost any more than finding a good condition Marlin 1894 and would be less than a Winchester Trapper model.
 
Update

I want to thank those who chimed in. I'll be keeping the responses in mind for down the road a bit....

I decided to hold off on the 77/357, but it's staying on the list. I went to the LGS today looking for anything in 357 lever they might have or maybe an autoloader in 12 gauge.

You know how it goes: I came home with a Del-Ton in 5.56/.223 with a Vortex red dot. :D
 
Neither. I just don't see any point at all in a bolt rifle chambered for a stubby rimmed revolver cartridge. There's just no reason for it. OTOH, a levergun is very attractive, but I much prefer a Marlin or Winchester, etc., that has a loading gate. Just my $0.02.
 
I recently bought a Uberti 1873 "Sporting Rifle" (20" barrel) and love it. However, with an octagon barrel, etc., etc., it's not a light carry.

And, the 1866 through '76 Henry cartridge lift-block design precludes the use of anything other than factory or cast-RNFP bullets....but still, it's such a fun rifle.

The Uberti is $1100-plus, but I see this on GA: http://www.gunsamerica.com/97000534...py_Chaparral_Arms_357_Magnum_20_Inch_Colo.htm Don't know anything about it, but it's certainly a lower price than the Uberti, and should be lighter with the round barrel.

Perhaps someone has experience with it?
 
Not sure, but I think Chapparal has gone out of business and if correct that would mean there was no US warranty support. For a while CDNN was liquidating a bunch of Chapparal guns. May still be.
 
of those two I would pick the henry if I hunted from a stand. If you hunt by walking around or have to trek in to your stand a good ways then the lighter ruger would be the top pick.
 
I just picked up my Ruger 77/357 and got to shoot it for the first time yesterday.
I'll do a new post later with pics, but I love it so far.
 
GunnerShotz said:
I want to thank those who chimed in. I'll be keeping the responses in mind for down the road a bit....

I decided to hold off on the 77/357, but it's staying on the list. I went to the LGS today looking for anything in 357 lever they might have or maybe an autoloader in 12 gauge.

You know how it goes: I came home with a Del-Ton in 5.56/.223 with a Vortex red dot. :D
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You will regret that decision. I have bought and sold many guns over the past 5 years but the .357 Marlin that I have isn't going anywhere. ARs and the like are fun but the cool/ fun factor wears out quick and you want something more handy. Lets face it, although I have carried my AR in the woods, it isn't going to come with me regularly. It is too big and bulky and quite frankly it just doesn't feel right walking through the woods with an EBR. The fast action and quick handling of a Marlin 94 make it a joy to shoot/ carry/ and look at.
 
BCRider said:
I've currently got two Henry rimfire rifles. While I really like them a lot I would not consider a Big Boy for myself simply for the lack of the side loading gate. Those who have pointed out that they are heavier than some other options is simply one more reason.

My suggestion for a smaller and lighter .357 plinking and varmint rifle is to buy a Rossi Win 92 clone in either a 16 or 20 inch ROUND barrel and budget a couple of hundred to have a cowboy action gunsmith slick it up for you. Be sure he doesn't do the whole Cowboy Action treatment since they can end up being a little TOO slick. Instead you want it smoothened up without making it so the lever won't stay locked up on it's own.

I cap'ed the "ROUND barrel" part because the round barrel versions are noticably lighter than the octagonal styles. And for a field plinker or handy varmint gun I'd consider that as highly desireable.

Out of the box the Rossis do operate and shoot quite reliably if not used TOO fast. But start really trying to up the ammo dispensing rate and you can find things jamming up. That's where the tuning by a good smith that knows what a Cowboy Action gun should be like can help.

In the end you would have a very slick handling and reliable gun which doesn't cost any more than finding a good condition Marlin 1894 and would be less than a Winchester Trapper model.
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Excellent post. If any of you were in close proximity to me, I would be glad to show you how to slick up a Rossi. Its really not very difficult. Two mandatory parts to replace are the magazine follower, and the ejector spring. The ejector spring is responsible for the lions share of the "slicking" of the action. One other item would be thinning the extractor a tad, making it a little more flexible. They make them quite thick and stout, and it requires a bit of force to get them up over the cartridge rim on closing the action.

There are a lot of other little smaller tricks to add to a smoother Rossi, but the above items have the greatest impact. The rest is not usually so necessary.

The Rossi's come with decent triggers, and pretty darn good bluing. I like em, and they will last a good long time, and they dont have some of the problems that can crop up with the Marlins.
 
I love .357 rifles & carbines and have .357 lever guns and love them, but if Ruger releases the 77/357 in a southpaw variant, I'll bite!
 
As much as I like my Henry .357, I have been pining for a Puma .357 with Brass receiver and 24" octagonal barrel for quite a while. Just never found one while I had any cash. :( Happened to run across one a couple of weeks ago on GB and despite a few other bidders, I managed to snag it! http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=286087625

Fit and finish is AWFUL compared to my Henry .357. Action feels like a rock-polishing tumbler. The seller had had the trigger worked on and its now crisp, clean and under 3 1/2 lbs. If it was any lighter it would be too light.

Gotta get it out to the range and see how it groups. If it can shoot, I'll have the action slicked up and refinish the stock with a little extra sanding for wood to metal fit. All in all, pending shooting it, I'd say a real diamond in the rough with the potential to be my new favorite rifle.

Of course, that horrific abortion called the sights and safety are going to have to go.
 
The *only* thing about the Henry Big Boy I don't like is the weight.


Everything else is FRICKEN FANTASTIC.

I had a similar internal debate before purchasing, and I went Henry.

What scared me away from the Ruger is the potential inability to fire .38's reliably.
 
I would get a .357 long gun in this order:

1. Old Marlin
2. Rossi
3. New Marlin (roll the dice)
4. Henry (hate the weight, method of loading it, and most of all the name "big boy")
5. Ruger
 
The Henry's look good and feel good, but they are too heavy and need a side loading gate.

It would be great if someone made a real 1860 clone in .357 Mag though.... I'd take the funky loading then. :D
 
.....It would be great if someone made a real 1860 clone in .357 Mag though.... I'd take the funky loading then......

That's probably not going to happen. I see Uberti and Cimarron both make an 1860 clone in both brass and steel, but limit the choice of calibers to 44-40 and 45 Colt, both of which have a maximum SAAMI pressure of 14,000 CUP.

Both companies add .38 Special (32.40) for their 1866 versions, but don't chamber the .357 Magnum until you reach 1873 models.

That's because the maximum pressure on a .357 Maggie, as we all know, is 35000 CUP; too high for the brass receivers on the 1860 & 1866.

I know, I know: Cimarron also makes the 1860 in a steel-framed version. Can the toggle mechanism be that much different than the 1873?

Before this turns into a high-jack....maybe a topic for another thread!
 
I have a new Marlin and I really think all the bad rap is way over weighted. I am sure that just as with any new manufacture there were a kinks that needed to be worked. Mine is an excellent rifle and it is out right beautiful. The checked walnut is a huge improvement over the previous stocks.
Marlin.gif
 
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