Best profile for Henry Big Boy?

[OldIron86]

I know this question has probably been asked ad nauseum. But I'm gonna ask it again to gain a little knowledge on the issue. I picked up a Henry big boy in .357 magnum a couple years ago and haven't been able to get any of my usual loads to cycle reliably. SWC, RNFP, SJSP and SJHP bullets give me at least one per magazine tube that doesn't want to chamber easily. I'm not overly experienced with lever guns (mostly use an SMLE) but never had this problem with my 30-30 Winchester 94.

Would using a different style/profile of bullet like truncated cone or plain old round nose bullets increase the reliability or help overcome my poor technique? I cycle the lever firmly and quickly but not violently. Any particular designs feed well in lever guns? I like the loads I'm currently loading for hunting and defense but would prefer more reliable feeding if possible. Current loads are Speer 158 grain bonded soft points and 180 grain hard cast RNFP both at 1.59 OAL, both are loaded to the crimp groove.

I might try one of these
https://www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=343
https://www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=241
https://www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=233

 

[Charlie Martinez]

If the problem is bullets getting caught on the feed ramp the round nose bullet will be the least likely to do that. However if you have had problems with RNFP, SJSP and SJHP maybe the bullet isn't the culprit.
Are you cycling the action all the way? Lever actions tend to jam when the lever is not fully cycled and since (you said) you're not experienced with lever guns you may be short cycling once in a while. .

 

[dannyd]

A lot of people have had problems with the Big Boy feeding, but I have never had a problem. I have used the second (125 gn.)sixth (158 gn.)and tenth (180 gn.) bullets from the left without any problems. Shot clean cowboy matches with the 125 no problem feeding.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Hmm. In my Henry BB brass .357, I load/shoot Missouri and T & B coated 180gr rnfp. No problems feeding or ejecting. OAL for mine are 1.585".

 

[Bearded Phil]

I voted TC just because they give better accuracy in my Henry BB steel over RN.

Never really had that much trouble feeding XTPs, RNFP, SWC, TC or WFN. (Side note, SWC 158gr had the most unpredictable grouping of all profiles I've tried, SNS's 158gr SWC. I tried 50ea and decided to not even bother wasting the primers on the other 50 I have, YMMV).

If you have having some trouble be sure you're holding the rifle upright when feeding. As in, the side of the receiver should be as perpendicular to the ground as possible.

Henry barrel breaches have bevels in the 12 & 6 o'clock position to help with feeding but not the 9 & 3 o'clock so if you rifle is slightly tilted left or right when feeding that may be giving you issues.

 

[Mars5l]

Anyone try Federal HammerDown?

 

[OldIron86]

I voted TC just because they give better accuracy in my Henry BB steel over RN.

Never really had that much trouble feeding XTPs, RNFP, SWC, TC or WFN. (Side note, SWC 158gr had the most unpredictable grouping of all profiles I've tried, SNS's 158gr SWC. I tried 50ea and decided to not even bother wasting the primers on the other 50 I have, YMMV).

If you have having some trouble be sure you're holding the rifle upright when feeding. As in, the side of the receiver should be as perpendicular to the ground as possible.

Henry barrel breaches have bevels in the 12 & 6 o'clock position to help with feeding but not the 9 & 3 o'clock so if you rifle is slightly tilted left or right when feeding that may be giving you issues.

I hadn't considered that, thanks. I didn't want to be working up into a new load if I didn't need to, Other than the bunny load I need to work up.

 

[OldIron86]

If the problem is bullets getting caught on the feed ramp the round nose bullet will be the least likely to do that. However if you have had problems with RNFP, SJSP and SJHP maybe the bullet isn't the culprit.
Are you cycling the action all the way? Lever actions tend to jam when the lever is not fully cycled and since (you said) you're not experienced with lever guns you may be short cycling once in a while. .

Maybe? I might try videoing myself shooting to see if I'm short cycling. Even being mindful of working the action I could be getting complacent at times.

 

[OldIron86]

Anyone try Federal HammerDown?

that's almost exactly what I'm loading, weird.

 

[25-20 WCF]

…I might try videoing myself shooting to see if I'm short cycling.…

That’s a great idea. Many lever designs need to be cycled fully and quickly to feed properly, looking at a video of yourself might help to diagnose that potential cause. I know that one of my Marlins will occasionally jam if I try to cycle the action too slowly.




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