Henry Big Boy 45LC

[ruger1228]

This is the first year that the use of rifles for deer hunting will be allowed in Southern Michigan. Only straight wall cartridges with case length less that 1.8 inches will be allowed.
I am going to use my Henry Big Boy 45LC. My question is: What would be a good load for this rifle? Shots would be under 100 yards and most likely between 40 and 75 yards.
Any and all information would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

First question i would have is:

Who made your Henry? Reason asking is, if it is a Cowboy reproduction you made be limited to cowboy loads, i think around 14k to 19K depending on maker.

If its a modern full capable Henry, then any option is possible.

Even though saying that, You can still hunt with an Original Henry spec'd rifle, heck they did it in the past, thats all they had. You will just have to remember to shoot close in to no more than 50yds max for accuracy.

I have a Uberti 45LC leveraction, i have hunted with it using Max Cowboy loads with a 250gn MB LRNFP. Hunted small game and varmits, but it works.

 

[ruger1228]

Rifle is Henry Big Boy Model H006C. I am looking for information on a
suitable load for whitetail deer.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Are you wanting to load lead, plated or jackets? And what powders do you have available.

 

[ruger1228]

I have Hornady 250gr JHP XTP and 200gr LSWC for bullets. As far as powder goes, I have Win 296, Win231, H110, Hodgdon Universal Clays, Hodgdon Clays, Titegroup, HP38, and IMR4227.

 

[Edster12]

The max fps for the 250gr XTP is 1500fps. Take a peek at Hodgdon's online reloading data. They have loads listed for the 250gr XTP.

If you want something a bit harder hitting than that you might want to consider a 290gr lead gas checked.

 

[RealGun]

I have that rifle and am using Hornady LeverEvolution ammo. I don't load anything for it that I wouldn't shoot in a Redhawk sidearm.

 

[gamestalker]

If it's a full pressure capable firearm, TC / Ruger pressure grade, I would just go with a stout 296 / H110 load, some XTP's or Speer RNSP, or Gold Dots, or semi jacketed, anything jacketed and capable of performing with the above powders / pressures.

There are other slow burning powders that will get you what you need also, but I would personally, and would in fact, stick with the slower burner's for the kind of velocity needed for hunting deer. It becomes difficult to attain higher velocities with faster powders without having to push the pressure envelope.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The 45 Colt at standard pressures is a very capable round for taking deer unless they developed armor this year. They are a thin skinned animal and no harder to kill than a man. No need for super hot dinosaur killin loads.

I just can't understand how our grandparents managed to put meat on the table? After all, they were using rifles that shot those puny 25-20 cartridges w/75gr bullet at only 1500 fps.

If it were me I would load that 250gr XTP bullet with Universal and see how well they shoot from your rifle. I would only use that bullet if your load develops the minimum velocity required for expansion. That information is available from Hornady. That 200gr LSWC will do a good job on deer. Of the powder you listed I would use Universal with that bullet too. A 200gr or 250gr heavy projectile will enter one side and exit the other when used on deer.

 

[GaryL]

Arch,
All true, but I think the deer we have up north are kind of really dumb. Plenty of rounds will kill them, but it seems to take them a while to figure out their spirits have left and it's time to stop running.

I've shot a couple with 30-06 that blew out the heart and plenty of lung and they took off and went a good 70 yds before dropping. Might not seem far, but one took an hour of searching to locate down in some swamp brush.

Anyway, I have learned to favor large heavy rounds. A 12ga slug is devastating. But I would not go over 125yds with one. Personally I'd be very reluctant to use a 45 colt over 40-50yds. Some places the deer are much smaller and it would certainly be effective on them.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Arch,
All true, but I think the deer we have up north are kind of really dumb. Plenty of rounds will kill them, but it seems to take them a while to figure out their spirits have left and it's time to stop running.

I've shot a couple with 30-06 that blew out the heart and plenty of lung and they took off and went a good 70 yds before dropping. Might not seem far, but one took an hour of searching to locate down in some swamp brush.

Anyway, I have learned to favor large heavy rounds. A 12ga slug is devastating. But I would not go over 125yds with one. Personally I'd be very reluctant to use a 45 colt over 40-50yds. Some places the deer are much smaller and it would certainly be effective on them.

I'm also a little surprised the OP chose a 45 colt for the rifle he wants to use on deer but I answered the question as asked.

To the OP, why are you using a 45 Colt? What were you "allowed" to use before this year for deer hunting? Please explain the new law and why a shorter case is allowed (1.8" limit) but not a longer case. I'm a little confused what's going on there...

 

[RealGun]

A 50 yard shot is about right for a brush type gun with no scope.

 

[Edster12]

Prior to this I believe shotgun only was allowed. No rifles. Now I believe they are allowing rifles chambered in pistol calibers only. I believe this was similar in Ohio.

Wait I just read the OP's original post. Straight wall with case length of 1.8 inches max.

 

[mkl]

Your 250 grain bullet should work just fine.

If you place your shot in the front shoulder it will break that shoulder and the deer will not move more than 20 feet from where it was hit. Yes, you will ruin a few pounds of meat, but never have a deer run away.

 

[midland man]

personally I shoot deer in the neck only and I never have one to run as they fall and stay where they were standing! neck shots work!!