Henry Big Boy .357 w/brass reciever

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loose noose

loose noose

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I'm sure this has been covered before but I'm about to order one from Bud's, so tell me the good, bad, and indifference about this rifle. Thanks in advance for your replies.
 
I have one, I like it, but it is heavy compared to other .357 lever guns. And too beautiful to drag around in the brush. Very accurate, probably because the weight compensates for a jerky trigger finger, smooth action, feeds everything I reload, and fun to shoot.
 
One I worked with put 3 shots inside an inch at 100 yards off the bench.
Heavy, as noted, but good guns.
Denis
 
Basically I want a companion gun for my recently purchased Ruger 3 screw Blackhawk, I appreciate the responses, sounds like a go from here. BTW DPris, do you recall the type of .357 rounds you were firing with the moa accuracy, I am a reloader and so far I'm quite pleased with the accuracy of the Sierra 140grn JHP in front of 16.2grns of 2400 using a Federal Magnum small pistol primer.

That is out of my Ruger Blackhawk. I haven't yet ordered the rifle yet.
 
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It was a couple years back, I don't recall which factory load, sorry.
I've had more Henrys through here than most dealers. :)
Denis
 
I have one. Similar comments to above. Shot it mostly 3yrs ago at Thanksgiving with a bunch of novices target shooting it. Used 38spl +P 158 grn sp. It was as accurate as we could shoot at 50 yds. In addition to low recoil, the sound is also much reduced. Action is very smooth and no feeding problems were noted. This cartridge(.357)/rifle combo should be good for almost anything in North America except grizzly/moose under 100 yds. If I were buying one again would consider getting the steel receiver version for the weight reduction.
 
I went and ordered the rifle yesterday, doubt it will get here before Christmas, but oh well. I was thinking about placing a tang sight on it in place of the buckhorn sight. What is the opinion on that? My 69 old eyes aren't nearly what they used to be. As far as the weight goes I'm not all that worried about that, as I usually do my roaming around on my quad, and only walk about a quarter-half mile or so from the off road vehicle. BTW my legs aren't what they used to be either.
 
Henry's are drilled and tapped for a weaver/picatinny base (which they sell). XS makes a ghost ring sight which fits that base, and puts the ring just a little forward of where a tang sight would be without having to have the tang drilled and tapped. I believe Skinner sights also sells a ghost ring sight just for the Henry Big Boy as well. Advantage of the XS is that you're now able to mount an optic on that base (have to remove the backup XS sight however....one screw to loosen, and you do need a taller front sight), whereas the Skinner sight would have to be removed for an optic. I believe the Skinner sight will work with the existing front sight.
 
My dad has one in 45 colt. He has never shot it. I have. Smooth action. Little heavy but not overly so. No side feed. On his, rounds that feed in my 1873 and Rossi 92 are too long to feed. Simple fix. I am not sure I like the tube feed so much. I don't like that it has no history compared to other lever guns. But the fit, finish, ergonomics, and beauty are top notch. It is side eject so you can mount sights or a scope on top.
 
Hmm, had to drill and tap a Tang sight on my Marlin 30-30 Cowboy model with the Ballard rifling and that is one accurate 30-30, Looks like I'm going to have to do the same thing with the Henry, used a Marbles Tang sight, do like that sight on that rifle reckon I'll do likewise with the Henry.

dh, I do believe the old Henry made in 1860 was tube fed, so it does have some historic significance, just didn't have a fore piece. Up graded 1860?
 
Dog, I do believe I edited my entry from 1866 to 1860 shortly there after. The 1860 was actually the first tube fed big bore lever action that I'm aware of, so therefore the new Henry Big Boy does have some historic significance IMHO.
 
1860 Spencer also had a tube mag, it was just hidden in the buttstock. :)
Denis
 
DPris, forgot all about the Spencer, but you're right. Hoosier, everyone is entitled to their opinion, myself I like a heavy rifle, although I own several AR's I generally take a much heavier rifle with me when I go hunting, or am just riding along on my quad and occasionally plinking.
 
I've shot my friend's Henry .357 a couple of times and I really can't say anything bad about it that isn't just personal preference. One is it's really heavy. And the main thing I dislike is the lack of a loading gate. If I'm going to buy a lever .357, it's going to have a loading gate, it's one of the best things about that type of rifle. And I am going to buy one, a Rossi/Taurus r92, 16" SS one.
 
hemiram said:
I've shot my friend's Henry .357 a couple of times and I really can't say anything bad about it that isn't just personal preference. One is it's really heavy. And the main thing I dislike is the lack of a loading gate. If I'm going to buy a lever .357, it's going to have a loading gate, it's one of the best things about that type of rifle. And I am going to buy one, a Rossi/Taurus r92, 16" SS one.
Click to expand...
I own two rossi 92's in 45 colt both have 16in barrels one has the standard loop the other has the large loop lever on them! I love both of mine plus as a sidenote I also bought two heritage big bore pistols in 45 colt 4 3/4in barrels they shoot great!!
 
I also think the Henrys are too heavy. I don't care for way you load them, either.

With that said, I bought a 16" SS Rossi in .357 and honestly didn't expect much. I was surprised to find it worked great right out of the box. I bought a video from Steve's Gunz and did a action job. It is very slick now. I have put several thousand rounds thru it without a hiccup.
 
well I forgot to mention I do own one henry 22 rifle its the h001 model and it shoots super accurate with certain 22lr ammo I love it for my squirrel gun, its not too heavy and a joy to shoot! :)
 
BTW I also had a Rossi older model '92 in the .45LC prior to the lawyered up safety, that was a really nice rifle, and I never had a problem with it, very smooth action, nice trigger, anyway I got a Marlin in the .45LC and decided to sell the Rossi. Never looked back, fact of the matter is this is my first .357/38 rifle I've ever owned, and just about everything I read about in this thread attested to the accuracy as well as the functioning of the Henry, so low and behold I ended up with one.
 
I prefer the steel version with large loop and 16 in barrel(1/2 lb lighter as well). And yes Henrys are heavier than Winchester 94,also Henry is tube fed that I am not in love with either,but not a deal breaker as Winchester 94's in pistol calibers are twice the $ now:thumbup:
 
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Who all is still making lever action 357's?

I don't see any new Marlins and I'm not sure about Winchester.... I think Taylor does or did....
 
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