cowboy77
Member
Cant get Henry to answer this as they always say no reloads suggested. I'm shooting a 45 colt in a Big Boy Classic with brass frame and octagon barrel. Does anyone know if this will handle Ruger only hand loads.
Henry Big boy classic and Ruger only loads
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cowboy77
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So does the 44 and 41 magnum and from what I read it's a brass coating over a different alloy. Not sure what but not 100% brass. Honestly not wanting full powerhouse Ruger loads but trying to get close to 1400-1500 fps. I'm getting around 1150 running max loads with Unique.
Ruger only loads are just that Ruger #1 and nothing else. Its a lever gun so use levergun data.
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cowboy77
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I thought they were for the Blackhawk. Rossi claims to handle Ruger only loads. I don't know how but they do.
Dr T
Member
If you decide to become a firearms tester, there are three possible outcomes, two of which are bad:
1. Everything will work just fine with no problem (never an automatic assumption when handloading, and IMHO even worse when using relatively fast pistol powders in large volume handgun cartridge cases).
2. You turn your bright shiny brass framed rifle into a bomb.
3. You will begin to stretch the frame which will ultimately result in outcome #2.
If it were my gun, I would not be particularly interested in the test.
1. Everything will work just fine with no problem (never an automatic assumption when handloading, and IMHO even worse when using relatively fast pistol powders in large volume handgun cartridge cases).
2. You turn your bright shiny brass framed rifle into a bomb.
3. You will begin to stretch the frame which will ultimately result in outcome #2.
If it were my gun, I would not be particularly interested in the test.
Here's some responses that people from other forums have reported.
From one poster:
'Thank you for owning a Henry rifle.
I do not have any information on what loads are specific to other manufacturers' firearms.
In general, for Big Boys chambered for either .44 Magnum or .45LC, you can use any reputable brand of the standard and +P factory loads, with standard profile bullets (round-nose, flat-nose, and hollow-point), up to maximum projectile weight of 260-grains, and which conforms to SAAMI specs.
Regards,
Jeffrey Post
Customer Service'
From a second person:
'Thank you for your interest in Henry. The rate of twist is 1:38. This does not matter for the larger rounds as our Big boy rifles are not made to be able to safely or properly feed rounds with bullet weights over 270 gr. Our Big Boy's can handle all the +P pressure out there even Big Buffalo Bore ammunition as long as the rounds are not to big (over 270 gr.) to feed through the action.'
It's worth noting Henry makes this 'brass-framed' rifle in .44 Magnum.
From one poster:
'Thank you for owning a Henry rifle.
I do not have any information on what loads are specific to other manufacturers' firearms.
In general, for Big Boys chambered for either .44 Magnum or .45LC, you can use any reputable brand of the standard and +P factory loads, with standard profile bullets (round-nose, flat-nose, and hollow-point), up to maximum projectile weight of 260-grains, and which conforms to SAAMI specs.
Regards,
Jeffrey Post
Customer Service'
From a second person:
'Thank you for your interest in Henry. The rate of twist is 1:38. This does not matter for the larger rounds as our Big boy rifles are not made to be able to safely or properly feed rounds with bullet weights over 270 gr. Our Big Boy's can handle all the +P pressure out there even Big Buffalo Bore ammunition as long as the rounds are not to big (over 270 gr.) to feed through the action.'
It's worth noting Henry makes this 'brass-framed' rifle in .44 Magnum.
Are you looking at pistol data or rifle data in your manual?
I suggest you go to Hodgdon.com and look up their 45lc data. They didn't list anything in the rifle section but the pistol section says Ruger, TC ONLY and then a plain 45lc section. If your wanting more velocity I would maybe pick a different powder out of a reloading manual that lists the velocity you want and remember start at the beginning of the minimum data and work up!
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someguy2800
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Its easy, you make it out of steel.
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cowboy77
Member
My download from Lasercast shows 8.5 grains with Unique. I stretched it out to 9.5 in .3 grain increments and it's perfect. The Lasercast is a real hard bullet and it holds up well. No primer pocket issues. Head stamp not marred up on the brass. Gun is heavy so recoil is near to nothing. I'm staying right here.
You can safely use loads that equal the .44 Mag pressures.
In the .45 Colt case, with its bigger case volume, it allows you to push harder while still keeping within those do-able pressure levels.
I would not exceed too far, though.
And the receiver material is not a coating over something else, that's the rimfire Henrys.
Receivers are solid, that color goes all the way through.
The material is a brass alloy, but uses a mix of other metals to harden it.
It is very strong.
Denis
In the .45 Colt case, with its bigger case volume, it allows you to push harder while still keeping within those do-able pressure levels.
I would not exceed too far, though.
And the receiver material is not a coating over something else, that's the rimfire Henrys.
Receivers are solid, that color goes all the way through.
The material is a brass alloy, but uses a mix of other metals to harden it.
It is very strong.
Denis
someguy2800
Member
It will have blown up long before the primers go loose or the head stamp is marred up. Even the ruger only loads are only 30,000 psi. The pressure signs your describing are like 60,000 to 70,000 psi pressure signs.
midland man
Member
I don't have the henry but do own two rossi 92's in 45 colt and yes I reload ruger only loads for both of these rifles using sierra 300gr bullets and h110 powder and I shoot this in those two rifles without any problems and I get extremely superb accuracy in both rifles! so I can't help about the henrys but if you could I would buy a rossi just for those loads!
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
If it's also made in .44Mag then "Ruger only" loads should be fine.
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cowboy77
Member
I don't see those excessive pressure signs. Alliant shows max load for a Speer lswc at 9.5 grains where I am at. Not a Ruger only load.
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