Henry Rifle Forums

I waited until senior citizen status before becoming a lever fan. There was a 9422M that I probably should have kept and there was a Marlin .44 Mag with the crossbolt safety that really needed some action and trigger tuning but it was a sweet little H001 that ignited the flame. Then came a .357 Carbine big loop and a couple of weeks ago the 20" .45 Colt with standard lever. All three are good looking and good functioning guns and have decent trigger pulls....a big deal for me.
I've owned a couple .45/70's purchased back when I was a rough and tumble lad in my late 50's...a BFR 10" and a Ruger #1. Both went down the road along with a few .458" bullet molds and .45/70 brass and dies. I loaded both a little warmer than necessary and really don't miss the recoil. So today wifey and I took a ride to Green Bay and stopped at Fleet Farm. They had a Henry .45/70 All Weather in the rack. I'd never seen one of these in the flesh before but have seen what the gougers on GB were pricing them at. Looked at the sticker and it was only $999 and besides that they've got a 10% off sale going on. There was a few minutes of temptation but reality set in. By the time I rounded up brass, dies, bullet molds and optics it wouldn't have been such a bargain after all. Besides that, there was that look my better half was giving me...

I always wanted a Henry 45/70 to go with MY Golden Boy and 357 Carbine, but I too lack the set up for reloading, brass, or bullets. As much as I wanted one in the safe, and on my 50 yard line... I drew the same conclusion.

Nope.

"..that look my better half was giving me". Seen THE LOOK myself a time or two. A couple times with some sort of colorful Asian words in there I think!

I just looked for .45/70 brass on a few sites and everybody shows "Out of stock". It's just as well though, my worn out old shoulder was protesting .45/70 recoil a couple years ago and it certainly hasn't improved any. The .45 Colt could safely be steamed up with "Ruger Only" loads of 255 gr. bullets in the 1500 fps range or the 300 gr. Lee GC at 1300 to 1400 fps. Plenty of horsepower for woods deer hunting and still relatively mild recoil. I haven't tried them at the range yet but dummy rounds of the 300's cycled very well in the Big Boy.

5shot wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 14, 2022 10:52 pm

I just looked for .45/70 brass on a few sites and everybody shows "Out of stock". It's just as well though, my worn out old shoulder was protesting .45/70 recoil a couple years ago and it certainly hasn't improved any. The .45 Colt could safely be steamed up with "Ruger Only" loads of 255 gr. bullets in the 1500 fps range or the 300 gr. Lee GC at 1300 to 1400 fps. Plenty of horsepower for woods deer hunting and still relatively mild recoil. I haven't tried them at the range yet but dummy rounds of the 300's cycled very well in the Big Boy.

With age comes wisdom. I applaud this choice. Like you I had a 45/70 years ago and I’m happy to no longer own it.

Yep images of flame shooting out the 5.5 inch barrel of my old .45-70 BFR while hanging on to the grip but was fun shooting much milder Unique loads.
Just had a time making it shoot consistently. Still have my Marlin 1895 and a single shot High Wall though.

I guess I haven't gained the old man wisdom yet. I am 71 now. I have had my Henry 45-70 Big Boy Steel with the recoil pad for several years. I have wised up enough not to load upper end Marlin loads but still load them hotter than trap-door loads. From my chronograph, my 405 grain lead bullet loads travel 1500 - 1600 fps and my 300 gr. & 350 gr jacketed bullet loads travel 1600 - 1700 fps.

In truth, my Henry .44 magnum Big Boy is plenty sufficient for me but I have no plans parting with the 45-70. Those big 405 grainers sure make the steel ring.

My other half has not been with me, when I selected a firearm. But, I can understand the look. I get something sort of, when I bring a firearm home. Yet, we have an agreement: we discuss purchases over $1,000. Other than that, we pretty much get what catches our eye. However, I did pickup something on another forum about firearms and wives: 'When you bring a firearm home, just let her know it is for her. If she don't shoot it, more fun for you. If she shoots it, it may open the door for more.' There are two firearms that I have told my wife that I was thinking of her; Smith and Wesson M360 and Marlin 1894C. The M360 is hard to get out of her hand, once she shooting. The Marlin has not gotten any love, from her yet (more fun for me). But, she is thinking about giving it try. So maybe, one day.

That's an interesting strategy GFK but my wife knows just enough about guns to not bite on the offer of a .45/70 for her.

I can understand 5Shot. I did not think about mentioning that the 12GA was for her, when I got it. On some things, I just got to go at it along.

I have a Marlin 45/70 from years ago. Have lots of brass and a bunch of Rem 405 gr SP bullets. Rarely shoot it anymore, but have been planning to work up a more pleasant load for it.
I'm 69 now and have learned to navigate around my better half when buying any sporting stuff (I say sporting stuff instead of gun stuff because I fish too).
Anyway, just buy it then grovel, beg forgiveness. She'll be pissed, but you'll still have your "whatever". The snack bar may be closed for a bit, but......

I bought a 45-70 Henry, and had a muzzle brake put on it. Makes all the difference in the world. Tamed it by about 60%.

I miss that brothers store of Farm and Fleet. Loved that store when I lived in Wisconsin. Wish they had that store down south. Love my 45/70 but it is not fun to shoot more than 10 rounds out of. But it is a wonderful rifle and it's staying around. Mine is the new Ruger /Marlin Trapper.

TraderVic wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 01, 2023 1:20 pm

I'm 69 now and have learned to navigate around my better half when buying any sporting stuff (I say sporting stuff instead of gun stuff because I fish too).
Anyway, just buy it then grovel, beg forgiveness. She'll be pissed, but you'll still have your "whatever". The snack bar may be closed for a bit, but......

jstanfield103. The Fleet Farm stores have been a pretty good source of primers too and at $76 a brick they aren't scalping either. I walked into a little hardware store about 55 miles north of Green Bay and they had one of the new Marlin/Ruger .45/70's in the rack for $999. I know the gougers are getting almost twice that on GunBroker.

tcpip95

That is a clean looking muzzle brake! Well contoured.

Steve51 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 15, 2022 7:09 pm

In truth, my Henry .44 magnum Big Boy is plenty sufficient for me but I have no plans parting with the 45-70. Those big 405 grainers sure make the steel ring.

I have a 444 Marlin that I have absolutely no valid use for.
But I'll never part with it.

I’ll stick with my H001 and SV. In my younger days I shot a lot of 30.06 in M1’s and 03’s and of course 303 British.

wjv16 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 16, 2023 12:54 am

Steve51 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 15, 2022 7:09 pm

In truth, my Henry .44 magnum Big Boy is plenty sufficient for me but I have no plans parting with the 45-70. Those big 405 grainers sure make the steel ring.

I have a 444 Marlin that I have absolutely no valid use for.
But I'll never part with it.

I have 2, a short 18.5 " ported barreled one, and a 22" model. Like you actually no need fer one around here, but they are fun and accurate. Will slap a deer right off it's feet.
Mine aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
A friend has been after the longer one, but I haven't given in.

RP

I just purchased a Henry HO1OG 45-70 a month or so ago and I love it. I'm casting 340g and 405g bullets for it and I'm having a blast. I've owned a Henry Steel (hence my handle).45 colt for a few yrs. now and it has been my favorite rifle. Now it has competition. I've had a hankerin for a 45-70 for a long time. I've loved shooting guns with heavy recoil since I was a kid which was awhile ago, I'll be 67 soon. You just have to make sure it's seated into your shoulder right which has become habit for me.