Henry Rifles

[Mullins81]

I really like the henry rifles. I have a .22 LR golden boy and its wicked!! I am thinking about getting a "big boy" for hunting whitetail but i dont know anything about the available calibers (357 mag, 44 mag, 45 colt) Does anybody have any insight on these calibers and the distances they work well at etc. I am just getting into reloading and by hunting season will be reloading all my own ammo. Thanks in advance!

 

[jmortimer]

I would go with the .45 Colt. Bigger bullet same "power" as .44 mag. If you reload the .45 Colt is even more better as you can load from "Cowboy" levels to Buffalo Borel Levels. At the higher end it will shoot through any critter in North America. You can get the exact load you want and for Whitetail it will only take a mid level bullet around 1,000 to 1,300 fps. You will have to get a single action Revolver to go with it like a Ruger Blackhawk. Look for an LBT style bullet if you want to shoot hard cast bullets for hunting as you need maximum meplat or the Nosler Partition if you like expanding bullets. Henry Rifles are so nice - lever action is smooth.

 

[Mullins81]

So the .45 colt is "bigger and better" than the 44 mag? I am very unfirmiliar with these calibers....what about the "45 long colt"....is that "better" than the regular 45 colt?

 

[ricebasher302]

.45 Long Colt and .45 Colt = Same cartridge. It is a true .45 caliber bullet. A .44 Mag. bullet is actually .429" diameter. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here. I'm not an expert.

By "better" he means that there are a better range of options, and when loaded to its full capabilites, a .45 Colt can generate as much or more energy than a .44 mag., especially out of a rifle barrel.

 

[Mullins81]

yeah that IS what i was asking...thanks

 

[Mullins81]

I am used to hunting with a winchester 30-30...does anybody know how a 45 colt compares to a 30-30?

 

[USAFRetired]

I wish Henry's would make a 45/70. That would be nice.

 

[Mullins81]

Yes I would LOVE to have a henry 45/70....that would be great they make lovely rifles for sure...I like the 45/70 caliber also i was actually thinking on buying a pedersoli repro of the 1874 sharps, but i think i like the henry .45 idea better...

 

[fireman 9731]

Yeah, I am waiting for Henry to make a 45-70 too. Its on my dream list.

They also came out with a 30-30 this year, so you could give it a try if you like that caliber. Pretty much the same as the big boys as far as I can tell. Maybe a tad slimmer...

 

[ricebasher302]

Here is some potent Colt ammo that would likely perform significantly better out of a rifle. http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=40

Still, it's going to be a short range caliber with significant bullet drop; considerably more than a .30-30. As far as killing power goes, within 75 yards, probably no real difference. Beyond that, the .30-30 is going to retain much more velocity and energy.

 

[Mullins81]

How does the 30-30 compare to the 44 mag??

 

[jmr40]

At ranges inside of 75 yards or so the 44 is just as effective on game as the 30-30, maybe slightly better. In my experiences at least the 30-30 is more accurate at all ranges and after 75-100 yards the 30-30 is clearly the better choice in my opinion.

I can like the Henry 22's as a decent rifle, but cannot like their centerfires. To me the whole point of a levergun is a light, trim, quick pointing rifle. Their 22's meet that criteria, but the centerfires are heavy, thick,and bulky. Every thing a lever gun is not supposed to be. But if you like them that is why they offer many different guns.