Thinking about a new toy - Henry Big Boy

[CJ]

I've been looking at lever guns a lot recently and one of my favorites caught my eye, and I'm considering making this my next purchase. I've always loved Henry rifles, and in the perfect caliber no less.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/08/chris-dumm/gun-review-henry-big-boy-44-magnum/

Any of you guys own one? Have anything to report? I like that it's 100% Made in the USA.

[BradM]

You heard him boosted! He needs your advise. I would buy a 30-30.

[Cooter]

good lookin' thunderstick

[jakesford]

go big... 45-70

[CJ]

go big... 45-70

I considered it, but the .44 delivers nearly the same energy in hotter loads (around 2,000ft/lbs), and I already have several .44's, so it makes more sense. If going big was my goal, I'd get a .500 S&W lever gun.

[Nash B.]

I considered it, but the .44 delivers nearly the same energy in hotter loads (around 2,000ft/lbs), and I already have several .44's, so it makes more sense. If going big was my goal, I'd get a .500 S&W lever gun.

Say what? Modern .45-70 loads blow the fuck out of .44 Magnum rifle loads, like double the energy.

[David]

I have an 1873 in 44-40. It's a sweet little shooter.

[CJ]

Say what? Modern .45-70 loads blow the fuck out of .44 Magnum rifle loads, like double the energy.

They're nearly the same at the lower weights the .44 shoots. .45-70 is no comparison at heavier weights, 400-500gr its astronomical. The .45-70 delivers the same energy as .500 s&w with half the pressure. I've always liked that caliber.

[Nash B.]

I was comparing the highest energy load of both from Hodgdon's website (both rifle loads) - 180 grain .44 load vs a 300 grain .45-70 load. They don't list anything lower for the .45-70.

[ThreeFingerPete]

Say what? Modern .45-70 loads blow the fuck out of .44 Magnum rifle loads, like double the energy.

Big Boy =/= Marlin or Ruger #1.

Those Henry rifles are fucking nice.

[jakesford]

Yeah you can get 45-70 well into the 3000ft/lbs range without a much effort. That said .44mag would be blast in that rifle, I've shot a henry in .357 and loved it. Pigs would run in fear

[CJ]

I was comparing the highest energy load of both from Hodgdon's website (both rifle loads) - 180 grain .44 load vs a 300 grain .45-70 load. They don't list anything lower for the .45-70.

200gr loads is what I'm focusing on. The .45-70 suffers at low weights because of its low pressure. Clearly higher weights are a completely different story, which is the whole point of .45-70. But for what I hunt, I do not need 4,000 fts lbs of energy, I'd just use my .350 if I wanted to blow some creature to pieces.

[Nash B.]

Big Boy =/= Marlin or Ruger #1.

Well fuck. What's the point in having a modern rifle if it isn't built to handle modern ammunition?

[CJ]

Big Boy =/= Marlin or Ruger #1.

Those Henry rifles are fucking nice.

Yeah, I have a marlin 1894 and a henry big boy is a whole different level of quality.

[ThreeFingerPete]

Well fuck. What's the point in having a modern rifle if it isn't built to handle modern ammunition?

Not everyone wants to kill elephants.