Henry Rifle Forums

Hello!
I don’t want to post you guys to death on my first day here!
But I wanted your opinions.

I bought my BigBoy 44 mag 2 days ago.
I ran several boxes of Underwood 240 gr. JHP through it and had great dents in primers of rounds that actually fired.
Out of 30 rounds I had 8 rounds that had dents in primers that were much less and of course they didn’t go off.

I just got back from my local gun shop where I bought 2 boxes of Barnes Vortex 225 gr. Hollow points to try out tomorrow morning.
In the mean time I wanted your opinions on the subject. What have you seen?
I have had people say I need to send the rifle to Henry and people have said that Undrrwood ammo primers are garbage. I’ve never shot underwood so I don’t have a clue.

What say you?
Thanks!

The ones that didn't fire, did you try them a second time?
I load all my own for a number of calibers in rifles and handguns.
Every once in a while I'll have a round that doesn't go off, and usually give them a few seconds then if in one of the levers.
I'll just pull the hammer back and try a second time.
More than half the time they will go off on the second try.
As to Underwood ammo, I've never had an issue with it. Not that I've used it a lot, as I load 99% of mine own.

RP

agree with the above response .... no experience with Underwood .... I'd try a box from a standard manufacture ... I'd try a second time with any light strikes .... if you still have more than you'd be comfortable with, I'd call Henry

DeathValleyMike wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 11, 2022 6:21 pm

...
What say you?
Thanks!

Another possibility. Make sure you have the lever gripped tightly to the stock. Sometimes the spring compression behind the ammo in the magazine tube pushes the lever open slightly about an 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. You might not notice it. That results in the bolt being slightly pulled back from the round in the chamber. Hence a possible light strike.

If you own another firearm chamber in 44, you could always try those in it. Just a thought.
Underwood is a pretty reputable company.

RP

I would also make sure you were gripping it tight when firing. Like already said, if it still does it let Henry know. They will have it back to you in one or two weeks from you back to you.

Being your light primer strikes are only happening sometimes there may be factory junk preventing proper functioning. My BBS had problems feeding and functioning from the factory. Did a complete disassembly and found a whole bunch of stuff that shouldn't be there.

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate the advice!
I bought a couple of boxes of Barnes Vortex 225 and had the same issue.
I noticed that occasionally the lever would pop open when I fire if not squeezing tight.
I made sure that the last 8 rounds I tried that had light strikes , I tried again.
Some fired the second time, some didn’t.
I loaded a few of the light strikes in my S&W 629 and all fired.
I spoke with Henry this morning.
The rep at Henry told me to send it back, they will fix the issue and try to get it back within a week.
I told him since I can’t hunt with it this week and the season ends the next week I deserve a hat. He said “sounds fair”

DeathValleyMike wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 14, 2022 4:30 pm

...
The rep at Henry told me to send it back, they will fix the issue and try to get it back within a week.
I told him since I can’t hunt with it this week and the season ends the next week I deserve a hat. He said “sounds fair”

Nice!