Henry lever loads

[Tactical Tom]

Howdy,Been loading a while, but, I’m new to the forum. So, Here’s the question. I have a Henry Golden boy in .45 LC.
Been Loading for my Pietta 1873 SA, with no issue. Using Berrys FP and Hornady HP Bullets.
I would like to test a ((“rifle only load”))…
Hornady 11th edition says:
45 Colt (Ruger&T/C) page 947
Loads ok for Marlin 1894s and Winchester mod 94
And (obviously) Ruger Black Hawk and T/C revolvers. That’s it
Page 948
Bullet Hornady 250gr. XTP #45200
Col 1.595
I’m going with IMR 4227 21.0gr. According to the book the range is 20.2 bottom and 24.2 for a hot load. I’m starting low to be safe.
AGAIN these are for the rifle ONLY I will most definitely NOT be using them in the pistol.
Anyone here load like this for a Henry rifle?
Ide like an opinion on how it did for you before I test my load.
For the pistol Ive been using
7-8gr of Unique under Hornady 250 XTP
And Berrys 250 gr FP 45LC ( Both.452) and they shoot great…thank you for constructive advice….hope this helps the next guy, too.

 

[dredd]

This is a generalization when it comes to the Henry Levers.

I emailed them a few weeks ago to clear up some internet rumors regarding safe loads.
It was for a 45-70 Gov.

They stated: Do Not Use Ruger Only Load Data.

 

[Cheesemaker]

Agree with @dredd - call Henry.
Henry is not a Ruger, T/C, Marlin or Win. Anything you hear here maybe speculation - and, the fact it worked for someone once....YMMV...

Just shoot your current 45 Colt loads thru it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

This is anecdotal.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=292

States this presumably “Ruger only” and also “+P” 45 Colt load can be used in Henry levers.

Granted this is not a manufacturer recommendation but sometimes ammo manufacturers have more at stake than the rifle manufacturers when it comes to recommendations such as this.

Sometimes they know more about the rifles than do the manufacturers too.

 

[AJC1]

There are no special pressure limits for pistol caliber carbines. Sammi max for the cartridge still applies. Now if you see different loads for carbines using slower powder that will give you better velosity. One such example is 4227. Its terrible in a 4" pistol but great in a 18" carbine.

 

[kidneyboy]

My Henry 45colt load is 8.5gr of Unique under a 250gr boolit. Not a pistol load, for me anyway, and very accurate.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Lyman’s 48th Ed (pg 292) has .45Colt rifle specific data.

 

[Grumpy_old_Fart]

I run 23gr of 4227 under a 250gr bullet (Hornady) in my m92 rossi.

The action strength is your biggest concern. Look into pressures for your model. Don't exceed book max loads for that model, and if you can't find them, use 1873 Winchester load data.

After watching a video of disassembly, I wouldn't put any ruger only loads through it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, I would not use a stiff Ruger only load in a Henry 45 Colt levergun. Just because a rifle is larger that a handgun doesn't automatically make it stronger. They build guns that are safe when shot with tested SAAMI pressure loads for that cartridge.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Has anyone called Ruger to see if they recommend Ruger only loads in their guns? I don’t think they do.

No manufacturer will explicitly recommend loads that exceed SAAMI specs. They won’t recommend hand loads either. Obviously, many folks have had success with above SAAMI 45 Colt pressure levels in certain firearms so manufacturers recommendations are just that, recommendations.

I’m not trying to convince anyone that Henry rifles can handle Ruger only loads. I am asking where the logic is in not recommending them.

 

[buck460XVR]

I am not one with the belief that Boutique ammo makers know more about the strength of firearms actions than the manufacturer of said firearm. I am also not one of those folks that feels the need to make a firearm something other than what it was originally intended for. Seems there are .454 levers out there. Seems that .45 Colt from a rifle with standard ammo should be more than enough for anything it is intended for. Someone needs more than that, there is a myriad of other actions and calibers readily available. While I understand why firearm manufacturers do not recommend stuffing ammo not intended for their firearm into the action, I also understand there is a reason for SAAMI.

 

[Show Me]

I find marlin loads in a marlin to be more than I want off a bench. Full load of benchmark for 300 gr. Hornady kicks plenty and goes threw a deer from stem to stern at 125 yards. That's the biggest animal around here. How dead is dead

 

[EricBu]

Howdy,Been loading a while, but, I’m new to the forum. So, Here’s the question. I have a Henry Golden boy in .45 LC.
Been Loading for my Pietta 1873 SA, with no issue. Using Berrys FP and Hornady HP Bullets.
I would like to test a ((“rifle only load”))…
Hornady 11th edition says:
45 Colt (Ruger&T/C) page 947
Loads ok for Marlin 1894s and Winchester mod 94
And (obviously) Ruger Black Hawk and T/C revolvers. That’s it
Page 948
Bullet Hornady 250gr. XTP #45200
Col 1.595
I’m going with IMR 4227 21.0gr. According to the book the range is 20.2 bottom and 24.2 for a hot load. I’m starting low to be safe.
AGAIN these are for the rifle ONLY I will most definitely NOT be using them in the pistol.
Anyone here load like this for a Henry rifle?
Ide like an opinion on how it did for you before I test my load.
For the pistol Ive been using
7-8gr of Unique under Hornady 250 XTP
And Berrys 250 gr FP 45LC ( Both.452) and they shoot great…thank you for constructive advice….hope this helps the next guy, too.

Lol, just had some discussion on this on another thread. First, Henry will waffle, they will either flat out say no, or not directly answer your question. I do not have a Henry Big Boy, and don't know a thing about the model. I do have a Henry X lever gun in 45 Colt and have put it next to the same in 44 Mag, and as near as I can tell, it's the same exact gun, just a different bore, so I defaulted the generality of "45 Colts built on the same chassis/frame as 44 Magnums can handle Ruger/TC only loads". That said, I worked up loads to Tier 3 in my Henry X and they were just fine. If you can verify that your Big Boy is built on the same frame/chassis as the Big Boy 44 Mag, you're probably all right......but I'd make sure.....there's no going back if you damage your gun. Ultimately you'll have to decide if it's worth the risk for you. Also, there is "carbine only" load data that floats around tier 2, and that may work just fine for you. You can also use this as an excuse to buy the new Ruger 45-70 threaded lever gun........their first redo of the old marlin line.

 

[AJC1]

Lol, just had some discussion on this on another thread. First, Henry will waffle, they will either flat out say no, or not directly answer your question. I do not have a Henry Big Boy, and don't know a thing about the model. I do have a Henry X lever gun in 45 Colt and have put it next to the same in 44 Mag, and as near as I can tell, it's the same exact gun, just a different bore, so I defaulted the generality of "45 Colts built on the same chassis/frame as 44 Magnums can handle Ruger/TC only loads". That said, I worked up loads to Tier 3 in my Henry X and they were just fine. If you can verify that your Big Boy is built on the same frame/chassis as the Big Boy 44 Mag, you're probably all right......but I'd make sure.....there's no going back if you damage your gun. Ultimately you'll have to decide if it's worth the risk for you. Also, there is "carbine only" load data that floats around tier 2, and that may work just fine for you. You can also use this as an excuse to buy the new Ruger 45-70 threaded lever gun........their first redo of the old marlin line.

I cant wait to see them reintroduce the 1894 in a cowboy. I dont believe it would be all that difficult or costly to change calibers on the same model, so a few novelty runs like 41 mag and 327 federal would be really nice.say maybe a few thousand. More likely the market wants 45c or 44-40 for the growing 3 gun matches

 

[.45Coltguy]

Howdy,Been loading a while, but, I’m new to the forum. So, Here’s the question. I have a Henry Golden boy in .45 LC.
Been Loading for my Pietta 1873 SA, with no issue. Using Berrys FP and Hornady HP Bullets.
I would like to test a ((“rifle only load”))…
Hornady 11th edition says:
45 Colt (Ruger&T/C) page 947
Loads ok for Marlin 1894s and Winchester mod 94
And (obviously) Ruger Black Hawk and T/C revolvers. That’s it
Page 948
Bullet Hornady 250gr. XTP #45200
Col 1.595
I’m going with IMR 4227 21.0gr. According to the book the range is 20.2 bottom and 24.2 for a hot load. I’m starting low to be safe.
AGAIN these are for the rifle ONLY I will most definitely NOT be using them in the pistol.
Anyone here load like this for a Henry rifle?
Ide like an opinion on how it did for you before I test my load.
For the pistol Ive been using
7-8gr of Unique under Hornady 250 XTP
And Berrys 250 gr FP 45LC ( Both.452) and they shoot great…thank you for constructive advice….hope this helps the next guy, too.

OP, I have those two firearms you're refering to. Have not shot any jacketed bullets thru either, only coated cast. In my Pietta[or my Uberti/Taylor's for that matter], it's 8.0gr Unique or7.2gr Universal. 250gr rnfp. In my Henry BB steel[20" barrel], it's 8.0-8.5gr Unique. For my intended use, I don't need to look further. These loads are plenty. And accurate.

 

[Grumpy_old_Fart]

Looking at the design, lockup is achieved by a toggle link.
The 1892 design uses a pair of blocks to absorb bolt thrust.
Based on design, I would err on the side of safety.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I do not have a Henry Big Boy, and don't know a thing about the model.... If you can verify that your Big Boy is built on the same frame/chassis as the Big Boy 44 Mag, you're probably all right......but I'd make sure.....there's no going back if you damage your gun. Ultimately you'll have to decide if it's worth the risk for you. Also, there is "carbine only" load data that floats around tier 2, and that may work just fine for you. You can also use this as an excuse to buy the new Ruger 45-70 threaded lever gun........their first redo of the old marlin line.

So, Here’s the question. I have a Henry Golden boy in .45 LC.

Well, firstly, the Golden Boy is only available in .22 S/L/LR, .22 Mag, and .17 HMR so I'm guessing the OP does have a Big Boy, not a Golden Boy. On the other hand, it could also be The New Original Henry, which looks a lot like the Golden Boy and is made in .44-40 WCF and .45 Colt on the '66 frame with the original Henry lockup. So, maybe a good first step would be for the OP to post some pictures of what he's actually got?

 

[.45Coltguy]

Well, firstly, the Golden Boy is only available in .22 S/L/LR, .22 Mag, and .17 HMR so I'm guessing the OP does have a Big Boy, not a Golden Boy. On the other hand, it could also be The New Original Henry, which looks a lot like the Golden Boy and is made in .44-40 WCF and .45 Colt on the '66 frame with the original Henry lockup. So, maybe a good first step would be for the OP to post some pictures of what he's actually got?

True that.^^^ My .357 Henry is the Big Boy Classic. That is one of the centerfire versions. Brass model.

 

[Pat Riot]

Not trying to be a smart alec, but you have to think to yourself “Do I want that bolt forcefully impacting my eye socket?”

I would call Henry and ask or stick with SAAMI loads.

 

[Seedy Character]

They guy I talked to at Henry stated that the .44 mag and .45 C were the same frame.

 

[EricBu]

I cant wait to see them reintroduce the 1894 in a cowboy. I dont believe it would be all that difficult or costly to change calibers on the same model, so a few novelty runs like 41 mag and 327 federal would be really nice.say maybe a few thousand. More likely the market wants 45c or 44-40 for the growing 3 gun matches

^^^^
This times a hundred. Especially 327, but I'd run out and buy a 41 mag as well.

 

[Bazoo]

OP, you might have a source of data and an idea of strength of hand loader magazine featured your gun at some point. Pearce would have said what loads he things is safe in the gun. If you can find a back issue.