Henry lever jamming with .38SPC

[Charlie98]

I did a search, but didn't really find anything relevant to my question... if you have a link to a thread on this subject, I'm all ears.

Anyway...

Went shooting with a couple of friends this weekend, one of them had a Henry brass-frame lever-action in .38/.357. He only had .38SPC ammos for it... and that rifle gagged on every round. I'm talking lockup... with a loaded cartridge half jammed into the chamber. I've heard of the dreaded Marlin Jam, but never experienced it, personally... but I was surprised the Henry was doing this.

For those of you with a .38 Henry... is this normal with SPC ammos? I suggested to him to try some .357MAG cartridges, but he was so disgusted with it by then, he just put it away. I don't have a dog in this hunt, but I was curious about it, so I thought I would axe here. I've considered a Henry... but, yowza, I don't know, now.

 

[NMexJim]

Does Henry Big Boy .357 jam when using .38 Special?

I'm thinking about buying a Henry Big Boy .357/.38 Special and I've seen some reports of .38 special jamming. If anyone owns this rifle I'd like to know if you have experienced this issue. thx

www.northeastshooters.com

A “few’ out there on feeding issues.

 

[dannyd]

I shot about 25 clean cowboy matches with my Henry Big Boy, 357 magnum cases with 125 TCFP mouse fart powder load, but I have seen people have a hard time with them, mostly operator's error. Never tried any 38 special.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I have and shoot the same Henry.38/357 rifle. No issues using .38 spl with 158gr rnfp bullets. Probably a good idea to contact Henry.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

What type of 38 ammo was he trying to run? I would go with longer/easier to feed stuff before I contacted Henry or wrote them off.

Mine hasn't had issues which I recall, but since I handload I usually opt for light 357's for it if I want to keep life simple and less noisy.

 

[PapaG]

Wadcutters, semi-wadcutters and sharp shoulder bullets don’t normally feed well in lever guns. My 357 converted 92 hates swc.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Wadcutters, semi-wadcutters and sharp shoulder bullets don’t normally feed well in lever guns. My 357 converted 92 hates swc.

Yeah, pretty much why I went with 158 rnfp. Those seem to work fine.

 

[Charlie98]

He was shooting some GFL jacketed TC type bullet, I don't know the weight.

If this isn't it... it's very close...

Geco 38 Special Ammo 158 Grain Full Metal Jacket - Ammo Deals

Geco 38 Special Ammo 158 Grain FMJ ammo at Target Sports USA with free shipping avaialble. Enjoy delas on 38 Special ammo for sale

www.targetsportsusa.com

 

[Riomouse911]

I had a Rossi 92 in .357/.38 that choked on .38 ammo no matter what the bullet shape was. There was no fix for my gun, it went twice to a cowboy action shooting gunsmith and it never did work well. I do hope your buddy can get his addressed easily, I like those Henry center fires.

Stay safe.

 

[Kp321]

I load 38 special level loads in 357 brass for my Rossi 92. Feeds without a hitch and I never worry about the carbon ring in the chamber that 38’s would leave. The extra volume in the case will reduce the velocity from what the book shows.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I load 38 special level loads in 357 brass for my Rossi 92. Feeds without a hitch and I never worry about the carbon ring in the chamber that 38’s would leave. The extra volume in the case will reduce the velocity from what the book shows.

That is one way to get around the feeding issue in some lever guns. It does work.

 

[Charlie98]

That is one way to get around the feeding issue in some lever guns. It does work.

If it was my rifle... that would be the way I would load it... but it's not, and the owner doesn't handload. I did tell him to try some .357's... I'm curious if he will have feeding problems with those. I wouldn't think so, but you never know.

 

[MarshallDodge]

It could be that the throat is tight, and did not like the profile of those bullets. I would try some different ammo. 

 

[twofewscrews]

From Henry:
357 Magnum is designed with .357 Magnum cartridges in mind. While you can use .38SPL loads, you must
ensure they are 158GR with an overall length that closely mimics the .357 Magnum cartridge. Due to the
shoulder location on the carrier, the gun will not feed: 110GR,125GR, 130GR, etc. .38 special loads reliably.

 

[ms6852]

My brother has the same issues using 38's instead of .357. I believe it is the length of the 38 that creates the jam. When the elevator lifts it the bullet nose dives before touching the chamber whereas the .357 longer case length allows the elevator to properly align it with the chamber. Wish I new what the fix is.