Henry Rifle Forums

I'm thinking about getting myself a Henry in 38/357

What do you think would be the best choice??
I have an Rossi 92 now, but don't really care for
The slow twist. 1 in 30... Tough to find an accurate cast
Bullet for it. I love the rifle.
It's nice and light.. open to ideas. Merry Christmas
Johnny in PA..0

I have a Big Boy Steel, with the loading gate. Mine has the 20" barrel.
I can say that in my opinion, it is not a lightweight rifle. It lists at 7.0 pounds, rifle only, and it carries easily, but it's not "lightweight".
They spec the barrel at 1-16" twist, and mine shoots heavier jacketed bullets, from 140 to 158 grains, to <2 MOA at 50 yards, and about 3 MOA at 100. Haven't spent a lot of time with lighter bullets, since the 110s I tried were not grouping well across a wide range of loads for me.
The 1-16 twist should shoot heavy cast bullets well, but you'd need to decide that for yourself.
Sounds like you want to hunt with it. There's a 16" barrel carbine, which would be a bit lighter and faster handling, but your hunting environments would factor into that decision.
I like mine, and I'm glad I bought it.

Thanks. I appreciate your reply. I might go looking again tomorrow. I haven't really tried to many bullets in my Rossi to date.
I was at a shop a few months ago talking to a guy,and he claimed that the Rossi 92 was a better all around rifle. ??
Makes my decision tougher now.

I have two Rossi 92's and this past summer they saw more range time than any other firearm hands down.
One's a 357 with the 24" octagon barrel, kinda heavy but it's a dream to shoot, and shoots the Missouri bullet companies 180gr Pugnose quite well over a dose of 2400..
There are a few 357 Henry's on this forum that seem to like that bullet also.
I have a couple of centerfire Henry's also, but not in 357.
The Henry like the Marlin 1894's are a better choice if you ever want to scope it.
One of my Henry's the 41 mag BBS is scoped and my 44 mag BBB is an early model and is not drilled and tapped for a scope which is fine.

RP

John, I have the steel carbine. I have never shot cast lead. But, scoped or skinner peep, it is very functional for hunting. A 5 shot group of 4" at 100 yards with the peep made it a anytime hunter for me. I've taken 3 white tails and been happy with the results. I typically shoot 158 grain soft points.

The carbine is light and very easy carry and maneuver. Good luck in your search.

I have the Henry Big Boy Steel in .357. I have only shot 158 gr. Hornady XTP JHP bullets through it but they seem very accurate for me.
I also have two Henry .44's. One is the Brass Rifle and the other is the Big Boy Steel Carbine. I really like the carbine for an all-purpose rifle.
If I was looking for another .357, I would want the carbine.

I think all the Henry rifles are heavy compared to the Rossi 92

Johnnyjr wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 26, 2024 2:00 pm

I think all the Henry rifles are heavy compared to the Rossi 92

For the most part I agree with you.
Using a cheap bathroom scale, my 24" octagon barreled 357 Rossi and the 44 mag. BBB seem to weigh about the same.

RP

One of my favorite things about Henry lever action rifles, No Ugly safety button.


RP

Simple things like that don't bother me in the
Least. It's the weight that gets me. I'm 75 and don't need the heavy weight..

Henry Big Boy in 357 is heavy but the steel isnt to bad. I have a steel in 41 mag with a 20 inch barrel and its a great shooter. I recently saw a 357 steel carbine with an asking price of 650.00. I should of snagged it but didnt. It wasnt around long.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 27, 2024 9:22 am

Henry Big Boy in 357 is heavy but the steel isnt to bad. I have a steel in 41 mag with a 20 inch barrel and its a great shooter. I recently saw a 357 steel carbine with an asking price of 650.00. I should of snagged it but didnt. It wasnt around long.

I remember you messaging me about that, or was it a 41?
Did it have the side gate?

RP

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 27, 2024 7:35 pm

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 27, 2024 9:22 am

Henry Big Boy in 357 is heavy but the steel isnt to bad. I have a steel in 41 mag with a 20 inch barrel and its a great shooter. I recently saw a 357 steel carbine with an asking price of 650.00. I should of snagged it but didnt. It wasnt around long.

I remember you messaging me about that, or was it a 41?
Did it have the side gate?

RP

No it was a 357 and no sidegate. But that dont make no difference to me. Sidegates are overrated.

Gotta agree with PJM. I dont have a Henry 357 lever because everytime I shoot my SS Henry 357 its just good enough for me. Lightweight easy to clean very accurate with about any bullet I shoot and doesnt cost 1K. I have a green dot reflex sight on mine. Shooting those 180gr pugnose bullets really slaps the steel around to.

Johnnyjr wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 27, 2024 8:57 am

Simple things like that don't bother me in the
Least. It's the weight that gets me. I'm 75 and don't need the heavy weight..

If weight is a big consideration, you might want to look at the Gforce Saddlehorn in 357 mag. They are fairly new to the US market but the reviews I've seen are favorable. They use a forged aluminum receiver so with a 20" barrel weighs in at about 5.5 lbs. That's 1.5 lb less than the equivalent Henry and about 8 oz. less than a Rossi. They also state they use a 1 in 16 twist rate barrel, which should help stabilize heavier bullets.

Paul