Henry Rifle Forums

Happy Memorial Day, everybody!

I've had my Big Boy for only a few weeks and I've only put .357 ammo through it so far. Today I'd like to try some .38 Specials and I was wondering if 130-grain bullets would be okay. I have a bunch of those (Winchester) that I shoot through my two S&W revolvers and I'm thinking I'll just take all of those guns, plus a .22, to the range with me today.

ditchparrot wrote:
Today I'd like to try some .38 Specials and I was wondering if 130-grain bullets would be okay. I have a bunch of those (Winchester) that I shoot through my two S&W revolvers and I'm thinking I'll just take all of those guns, plus a .22, to the range with me today.

They've fed and fired without incident, as expected, in my Brass Big Boy. Let us know how you like them!

CT_Shooter wrote:They've fed and fired without incident, as expected, in my Brass Big Boy. Let us know how you like them!

Much obliged for the quick reply, CT. I'll report back this evening.

My BB steel was a little picky at first. Factory .357 worked well. I had a few issues with my reloads in .38. It was only the occasional round, and a quick run back with the lever and take another crack at it would normally be successful. Everything runs smooth through it now. Full disclosure, I only load 158 grain bullets in .38. That is a choice based on accuracy performance, not because of feeding problems.

Just be sure and keep the rifle upright, and operate the lever with authority. I was watching a video of Clovispup shooting the BB shortly after we got it. She, and presumably I as well, uses much better technique in feeding now. At first, she was conscious of where the empties would land. Now she lets the chips fall where they may, and just flips the lever like she means it. A feed issue is a rare occurrence now. You don't have to manhandle the lever, but don't baby it either.

FWIW, I have always cleaned the bolt face and exposed parts of the feed mechanism with a swab with a little solvent on it, followed by a dry swab, and finally a swab with a drop or two of Rem oil. Often, after a range session, I would just run a swab with a little Rem oil through things. I didn't do a disassemble and full clean until I had over 2,000 rounds through it. Even after all those rounds, it was not that dirty, and the factory lube was still present and adequate IMO.

clovishound wrote:You don't have to manhandle the lever, but don't baby it either.

Will keep that in mind today – gracias!

Worked great. No issues whatsoever.

Just had to shoot a little bit high at 100 yards.

Thanks much, guys.

The .38s are kinda like shooting a .22 aren't they?

One of the reasons I normally shoot .357s in mine. Particularly the target loads I normally shoot.

clovishound wrote:The .38s are kinda like shooting a .22 aren't they?

Yes, very much so.

I shoot 130 and 140 round nose in all my cowboy action guns with the same load , I can't tell the different and the POA seem to be the same . So don't worry about it .