I am thinking about what I want for my next gun purchase and am looking into getting a Henry Big Boy after seeing so much good stuff about them. I have shot a .22 lr marlin lever a couple of times before and it was a lot of fun but don't have experience with the revolver calibers in them. Would you recommend getting it in .357 or .44 mag? I was thinking .357 since it would be cheaper and bit less recoil but is there a reason I should look into the .44 mag?
Henry Big Boy
- Thread starter bullzeye8
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I have a Winchester Trapper in .44 mag, and I like it a lot. Recoil isn't really an issue, it's nothing like shooting a .44 mag handgun. And it knocks the snot out of a deer.
I'm fixin' to pick up a used Marlin 336 in .30-30, but my next lust is for a Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt with the 24" barrel. For some reason the Henry's don't appeal to me, I think it's the brass receiver and the lack of a loading gate. They have to be loaded by dropping rounds into the tube like a .22 and I don't care for that.
But revolver cartridges in lever guns are a perfect match!
I'm fixin' to pick up a used Marlin 336 in .30-30, but my next lust is for a Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt with the 24" barrel. For some reason the Henry's don't appeal to me, I think it's the brass receiver and the lack of a loading gate. They have to be loaded by dropping rounds into the tube like a .22 and I don't care for that.
But revolver cartridges in lever guns are a perfect match!
Crunchy Frog
Member
A pistol caliber lever action rifle is a lot of fun to shoot. You get a lot more performance out of the ammo with the longer barrel and as rondog said there is little recoil as compared to the same load in a handgun.
I'm a huge fan of the .357 because of its versatility so between the two that would be my choice, but if I were buying a rifle for hunting medium sized game I might tip towards the .44.
No disrespect to the HBB but you might also look at some of the other brands as well. Henry is now making its rifle in a blued finish with checkered wood; looks better to me than the original.
I'm a huge fan of the .357 because of its versatility so between the two that would be my choice, but if I were buying a rifle for hunting medium sized game I might tip towards the .44.
No disrespect to the HBB but you might also look at some of the other brands as well. Henry is now making its rifle in a blued finish with checkered wood; looks better to me than the original.
bannockburn
Member
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- Apr 24, 2007
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Love my Rossi M92 and the way it pairs up so nicely with my Beretta Stampede, EMF Hartford U.S. Cavalry Model, and Ruger Vaquero; all in .45 Colt.
Panzerschwein
member
Unless you're hunting, I'd spring for the .357 magnum version.
Even then, a .357 magnum carbine would be good medicine on whitetail out to 100 yards with right load, and great for things like coyote. Would serve very well too for personal protection.
Like you said, ammo is cheaper and there is less recoil, and you've plenty of power. A 158 grain .357 cal bullet at almost 2000 FPS is going to work real well for most needs. I'd go for the .357 magnum no doubt.
Even then, a .357 magnum carbine would be good medicine on whitetail out to 100 yards with right load, and great for things like coyote. Would serve very well too for personal protection.
Like you said, ammo is cheaper and there is less recoil, and you've plenty of power. A 158 grain .357 cal bullet at almost 2000 FPS is going to work real well for most needs. I'd go for the .357 magnum no doubt.
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