Henry Big Boys

[BobbyQuickdraw]

First I apologize if this topic exists somewhere, but the search function keeps giving me error pages.

I was wondering if anyone owns/has shot a Henry Big Boy, specifically in .357. I'm wondering if the Big Boy .357 has any trouble cycling .38 Special.

I'm wanting to get into CAS, and keep flip flopping between .45Colt (historically accurate - though my guns won't be with transfer bar safeties and what not) and the .357.

All things being equal I'd choose .45Colt, but one thing that is not equal at all is price. The .45Colt costs upwards 30 cents per round, and that's for the cheap stuff that's always sold out. .45Colt can cost up to a buck per round. .357 is significantly cheaper (in bulk it can be half as much) and .38 special is even less.

So my concern is how well the Henry would cycle .38special, which would be my plinking/training round. I've heard some .357 rifles have trouble with .38.

Anyone have anything to weigh in on?

The Big Boys have been coming down a little in price (MSRP is 800 and up) and if anyone here is shooting .45Colt, Budsguns.com has a BigBoy in .45LC for $600 shipped - that's what got me thinking about the Henry over other assorted models.

 

[rocinante]

They hate Henrys in cowboy shooting. Not considered authentic nor reliable is the griss I get. I got a Marlin 1894C cowboy and it does 38 special fine but some say theirs can be finicky. I got the rifle for the same reason (cheaper shooting) and got vaqueros in the same caliber.

do a search on henry. Few backers and lots of haters.

http://www.sassnet.com/forums/

 

[Sniper X]

my Winchester 1894 cycles .38spl and .357 mag both great.

 

[BobbyQuickdraw]

Interesting. Haven't really researched the Henry yet, but will do. Good to know there are some lever guns cycling both .357 and .38 well, as I think for now I've switched back over to preferring to shoot that caliber.

Will look into the other rifles.

 

[Urbana John]

I've got both---45 LC Henry 1860 and 357 Winchester 1873 by Uberti

Cost a little more, but both are REALLY fine rifles

The 357 cycles 38's just fine

Last time I checked, factory 45LC's were about .70 cents @ round, that's why I reload.

 

[ArmedBear]

Hell, you can get a Marlin 1894 in .357 or .45 at Big 5 for $379, without getting it shipped, if you're in the LA area, if you care about the price.

What's nice about that is that you can use the extra cash to get it tuned, if you have any trouble or questions about what it will feed and how fast.

CAS shooters sometimes use guns that, bone stock, are relative crap, e.g. Stoeger side-by-sides, but put their money into tuning them. Something to consider. The Marlin is a great gun in its own right, but speed shooting competition always benefits from a gunsmith's expertise.

 

[ScottsGT]

I'm wanting to get into CAS, and keep flip flopping between .45Colt (historically accurate - though my guns won't be with transfer bar safeties and what not) and the .357.

Back in the old days that the cowboy action shooters re-enact, the only thing chambered for the .45LC was the Colt SAA, or Peacemaker. Colt held the patent and would not let anyone else use that chambering. I bought the Uberti 1866 in .45LC since I already had the Vaquero in .45LC already. If your going to get into CAS, your going to have to reload to afford it! My Uberti handles like a .22LR.
BTW, the Henry Big Boy loads with a tube opening at teh end of the barrel, not a loading gate in the receiver.

 

[rocinante]

my marlin has an action job, new titanium firing pin, safety plug, upgraded rear sights. It didn't have a scratch or mark on it. I think I FINALLY got a deal only because other bidders shied away from a modified gun. Funny it works the same way with cars. Everyone wants a hot rod but they want to do the mods themselves or have confidence they were done right.

FYI Marlin 357 rifles are in short supply. Hunters and Cowboys dig them a lot and Marlin doesn't pump out enough of them.

 

[Dave P]

What I don't like about the big boy, is that to load it you have to stare down the barrel of the weapon!

How do you safely top-off the magazine???

 

[williamthedog]

for one thing dont point it at your head!
j.k.
you would have to open the tube .