First Henry .30-30 or .45-70

[Bugs]

Well the dealer that was supposed to have great pricing turned out to be a bust. His price was $750 for the Steel Round Barrel .30-30 and the Big Boy Steel .38/.357. Could not even get the color case hardened models (out of stock). So looks like I'll be checking some of the local shops to see what I can get. One of my local shops had the .38/.357 with brass receiver and octagon barrel for a little over 7 bills. Rifle fit me pretty nice but was heavy with the brass and octagon barrel. He also has a .41 magnum in steel that i did not check out. I may go have a look at that one tomorrow. Obviously not my original choice of model and caliber but it won't be the first time. I believe he mentioned it was a Davidson Exclusive???

[clovishound]

Well, if you are going to be using it predominantly for the range, then .357 is a good choice IMO. The straight walled cases are easy to reload. Brass is readily available. Factory ammo is not too expensive, if you need to go that route for some of your ammo. Recoil is minimal. I looked at both the standard BB and the BB steel. I like the weight and balance of the steel much better. Good .357 loads are pretty close to the punch of 30-30, although the 30-30 can reach out further.

[Bugs]

The .41 magnum might be interesting too.

[BigAl52]

41 mag is my favorite but right now only avaliable in the steel. Coming soon in the carbine and brass. But the only drawback to the 41 is the ammo price and if you dont reload you will pay a bunch for ammo. The 357 is a better choice if reloading is not an option. Al

[Bugs]

Well today I feel like I either have adult ADD or have come full circle. I have been looking at the Henry's for a while now. My initial thought was to get the Big Boy Steel .357/38 special or .30-30. Then friends started to push me towards the .45-70. Then I started perplexing over getting a .30-30 vs a .45-70. Then I got my hands on a steel .41 magnum and brass receiver .357/38, hmmm... Today I went to a LGS and handled a Big Boy Steel .357/38 special. Felt really good in hand and balanced and shouldered well. But the local cathouse er I mean local gun shop had a price tag of $850. Adios Amigo. Well I do a few transactions via Kentucky Gun Co. who just happened to have a Holiday Special on the Big Boy Steel .357/38 special. So I picked one up for $620 bucks which includes free shipping. The price was just too good to pass up. Can't wait to get my hands on it. Ships in 5-7 days. Relieved to have finally come to a decision that is until the next one.

[PMC]

Congrats, there is always a next one!

[North Country Gal]

You can never go wrong with a 357 in either a handgun or a lever gun. There is always a use for one.

[BigAl52]

Good choice and you will love it. Dont know if you reload but shooting 38 special in it will be like shooting a 22lr on steroids. I dont shoot mine enuf but everytime I do it puts a big ole texas grin on my face. Al

[Catherine]

Congrats!

Cate

[Bugs]

Good choice and you will love it. Dont know if you reload but shooting 38 special in it will be like shooting a 22lr on steroids. I dont shoot mine enuf but everytime I do it puts a big ole texas grin on my face. Al

I reload for everything I shoot. Get all my brass for free. I have pet loads for each gun. Now I have a new toy to fine tune.

[1911ly]

Enjoy the new rifle. I love the feel of a new gun! I am fighting an urge to get another 44mag but in a steel or a 45-70 in a brass to go with the steel one I already have. Or just go for broke and get both. I doubt that will happen.

[BighornKid]

I have a color case 45-70. I love it. Also have Win. 30-30 and Marlin .35. I'd have to choose the .45-70 if I had to pick one. Glad to hear they are coming out with a .38-55. On my list.

[Frank V]

Congratulations Bugs, the .357 will always be useful & ammo will be as cheap or cheaper than other calibers. If you handload you can beat that by quite a bit. Let us know how it does.
Thanks.

[Jdl447]

I have a color case 45-70. I love it. Also have Win. 30-30 and Marlin .35. I'd have to choose the .45-70 if I had to pick one. Glad to hear they are coming out with a .38-55. On my list.

38-55 haven't heard anything about that. Info?

[BighornKid]

Next year per BigAl52.

[Frank V]

They have a .41 mag in our local gun shop. It's a nice looking rifle.

[BigAl52]

38-55 info came from Anthony via an email to him when I asked him about it. According to him 3rd quater of next year. He didnt say which style it would be but I bet it will be a brass and a CCH model of that caliber. Al

[Frank V]

A .38-55 would be a lot of fun & a friend had one he put a scope on, worked up a black powder load that would shoot into an inch at 100 yds. Then he tppk the scope on & used the iron sights. This was with a Marlin though. I'm betting the Henry would do as well! I know it'd be a pretty rifle & would about bet be accurate as well!

[biglever]

Welcome to the forum, I think you should get one of each. They are both great cal.
Have a lot of military surplus rifles. But not the one
You mentioned. I think the recoil of the 45-70 is more like a push on your shoulder , than a punch,
Like a magnum from a high vel. Cartridge.
Of course you could have the barrel ported after
You get it., just my two cents.
Enjoy what ever you pickup.

[JEBar]

Welcome to the forum, I think you should get one of each. They are both great cal.
Have a lot of military surplus rifles. But not the one
You mentioned. I think the recoil of the 45-70 is more like a push on your shoulder , than a punch,
Like a magnum from a high vel. Cartridge.
Of course you could have the barrel ported after
You get it., just my two cents.
Enjoy what ever you pickup.

over time I've owned and used some rifles and shotguns with very harsh recoil .... my hardest kicking shotgun was a 6 lb 12 ga Ithaca Deerslayer .... most accurate slug gun I've ever seen but I was happy to see it go .... my hardest kicking rifle is Remington 700 chambered in 300 WBY Mag ... I still have it and plan at some point in the future to pass it on down the line .... fire a full power, dangerous game load in our 45-70 and it will kick you .... not a push, an out and out punch ... with Cowboy Action Loads its fun to shoot .... we tamed the recoil in of our 300 with a combination of a top quality recoil pad, Mercury Recoil Suppressor and having it Mag-Na-Ported ... it is literally fun to fire with the highest powered ammo .... we plan to follow the same process with our 45-70 .... I completely agree that both are really good calibers