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First outing with Big Boy .357
- Old School Guns
- Tenderfoot
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- Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2019 2:15 pm

First outing with Big Boy .357
Got by my local range with a new side-gate .357, 20" barrel and large loop.
It shot beautifully off-hand at 25 yards. That would be the usual range for deer on my property, in thick brush.
Put 60 of several types of rounds downrange, all 158 gr bullets. Did some test shots first with a Blackhawk before switching the rifle.
The photos are from the Henry: One shows 4 shots of .357 fp, the other 10 shots (2 flyers) of .38 +p load in .357 brass with that same Acme 158 gr fp.
The gun chambered all rounds well unless I short-stroked the lever. Henry made a winner.
It shot beautifully off-hand at 25 yards. That would be the usual range for deer on my property, in thick brush.
Put 60 of several types of rounds downrange, all 158 gr bullets. Did some test shots first with a Blackhawk before switching the rifle.
The photos are from the Henry: One shows 4 shots of .357 fp, the other 10 shots (2 flyers) of .38 +p load in .357 brass with that same Acme 158 gr fp.
The gun chambered all rounds well unless I short-stroked the lever. Henry made a winner.
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“I think the evil is in the food, in the noise, in the crowding, in the stress, in the water, in the air.”
― Edward Abbey
― Edward Abbey
Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
That's a fine looking rifle and they do shoot well. I have a BBS 357 mag 20" but it a pre-side gate. I love that rifle. The more you shoot it the smoother the action gets. I feed both 357 mag and 38 spl ammo thru mine. With lite loads, it's a great plinker or load it up and go get you a deer. Enjoy!
Paul
Paul
- Old School Guns
- Tenderfoot
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
These were stiff .38 loads and they were so light that I checked for squibs. The gun's balance is simply better than any other rifle I've shot.Headhog wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:21 pmThat's a fine looking rifle and they do shoot well. I have a BBS 357 mag 20" but it a pre-side gate. I love that rifle. The more you shoot it the smoother the action gets. I feed both 357 mag and 38 spl ammo thru mine. With lite loads, it's a great plinker or load it up and go get you a deer. Enjoy!
Paul
FWIW, at 75 feet my POA for all shots were between the two targets. I was pleased, though the .38s did not group as well as they might have done. Operator error!
“I think the evil is in the food, in the noise, in the crowding, in the stress, in the water, in the air.”
― Edward Abbey
― Edward Abbey
- RanchRoper
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Good job.
Kibler Colonial Flintlock .50
Ohkínohkomit - Shoot skillfully
- fortyshooter
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Great shooting with that new .357 Henry!
- Vaquero
- Ranch Boss
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Good shootin, and yes the ole 357 out of a rifle is just pure joy.
RP
RP
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
A 357 rifle or carbine will make grown men and women giggle.
A 357 rifle or carbine will make grown men and women giggle.
Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Just wait till you load up some 357 mag rounds. I think you will be so much more than pleased. The Henry BBS is a fine shooter and just plain fun to play with.Old School Guns wrote: ↑Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:23 pmThese were stiff .38 loads and they were so light that I checked for squibs. The gun's balance is simply better than any other rifle I've shot.Headhog wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:21 pmThat's a fine looking rifle and they do shoot well. I have a BBS 357 mag 20" but it a pre-side gate. I love that rifle. The more you shoot it the smoother the action gets. I feed both 357 mag and 38 spl ammo thru mine. With lite loads, it's a great plinker or load it up and go get you a deer. Enjoy!
Paul
FWIW, at 75 feet my POA for all shots were between the two targets. I was pleased, though the .38s did not group as well as they might have done. Operator error!
Paul
Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Randy & Hatch you know the fun of blasting away with a 357 mag carbine load.
Paul
Paul
Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Those Big Boy steel 357 magnums are good looking and shoot well right out of the box. In the hands of someone who's a better shot than I the accuracy only goes up.
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rdblackmon99
- Tenderfoot
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- Location: Florida

Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
I love mine too. Enjoy!!!!
"Those that give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Ben Franklin
Ben Franklin
- Old School Guns
- Tenderfoot
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Braced on a tree branch in the woods, it should deliver venison nicely. I will test my all-copper .357s through it first.
“I think the evil is in the food, in the noise, in the crowding, in the stress, in the water, in the air.”
― Edward Abbey
― Edward Abbey
- Bobberfishin
- Tenderfoot
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
I was waiting for the Big Boy w/ side gate in 357mag to become available & finally last Sept I got one.
Then had to get Golden Boy just to plink & then a "Silver" Golden Boy came available for $400 & I couldn't pass it up
Then had to get Golden Boy just to plink & then a "Silver" Golden Boy came available for $400 & I couldn't pass it up
- Rifletom
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Nice purchases there; do enjoy. Really like your screen name. Old school fishing at it's most fun.Bobberfishin wrote: ↑Tue Jan 25, 2022 4:28 pmI was waiting for the Big Boy w/ side gate in 357mag to become available & finally last Sept I got one.
Then had to get Golden Boy just to plink & then a "Silver" Golden Boy came available for $400 & I couldn't pass it up
- Rifletom
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
Oh, you're going to like that .357 more and more. All copper rounds; interesting. Is that required, or they work well in your rifle?Old School Guns wrote: ↑Sun Jan 23, 2022 9:58 amBraced on a tree branch in the woods, it should deliver venison nicely. I will test my all-copper .357s through it first.
- Old School Guns
- Tenderfoot
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Re: First outing with Big Boy .357
[/quote]
Oh, you're going to like that .357 more and more. All copper rounds; interesting. Is that required, or they work well in your rifle?
[/quote]
My wife is involved in wildlife conservation and supports hunting; she schooled me on copper rounds for hunting to avoid lead left in places like vernal pools. I use all-copper slugs in my shotgun and Winchester 70 as well. We built a berm for our outdoor range and one day I'll get around to digging the lead out and smelting it (retirement project).
Oh, you're going to like that .357 more and more. All copper rounds; interesting. Is that required, or they work well in your rifle?
[/quote]
My wife is involved in wildlife conservation and supports hunting; she schooled me on copper rounds for hunting to avoid lead left in places like vernal pools. I use all-copper slugs in my shotgun and Winchester 70 as well. We built a berm for our outdoor range and one day I'll get around to digging the lead out and smelting it (retirement project).
“I think the evil is in the food, in the noise, in the crowding, in the stress, in the water, in the air.”
― Edward Abbey
― Edward Abbey