Henry Big Boy Carbine vs Henry rifle. So which would you buy?

ProgSpear · Sep 4, 2018

I own the H012MAW, Big Boy All Weather in .357/.38. It's an awesome plinker, with enough wallop (in .357) that it ranks as my backup HD rifle. Found it used at my LGS, and never looked back.

For looks, I almost like the Color Case Hardened rifles better than the Brass Recievers, Almost. Maybe.

shootemup · Sep 4, 2018

I have the steel version in carbine. Absolutely love it, but I did put the Skinner receiver mounted rear peep sight on it and also the .750 tall blade sight. I have 2 of their Henry .22's and have fitted those w/ the Skinner peeps too.

rear (blued)http://www.skinnersights.com/images/SteelBigBoyExpress.jpg?766 front http://www.skinnersights.com/images/Blue_Fronts_1.jpg?676 I'm banging a 3'' gong at 75 yds unsupported. My gorilla hands work well in the big loop.

Deplorable Me · Sep 4, 2018

I tried one out from a friend.

They're good shooters, my only exception is they're tube fed, not side port and difficult to reload on the fly.

Marlin put the 1894C in their catalog but no one has been able to get one in stock.

shootemup · Sep 4, 2018

Tinman said:
I have a Rossi 92 stainless with a 24" barrel. Very nice rifle. Fit and finish is excellent. I like the Marlin too. I am not crazy about the top tube feed but it is a Henry.

I love mine, runs sooooooooo smooth. But, to be 100% truthful.........I wish you could get them w/ the side loading gate. I was looking at their Long Ranger ( box mag fed) in .223. Wish they had 10 rd mags (or ar mag compatible)

dsdmmat · Sep 4, 2018

Tinman said:
I am looking to purchase a Henry Big Boy Carbine H006MR in .357 with a 16.5" barrel and brass receiver. Have been looking around and they run between $698 at Grabagun all the way up to $819 at Cabela's.
Does anyone own one of these? Any advice or recommendations on the rifle? Thanks in advance.

I have the 20 inch Henry 357 rifle, it is very well made and a lot of fun to shoot.

shootemup · Sep 4, 2018

my Henry .357 also brought me into the reloading world ! I'm used to blasing away w/ the Henry .22's and I don't use ear pro for that........made the mistake of shootin the big bro and BBWOOOOOOOOMMMMM! Where's those damn earplugs !!! LOL

MoMan · Sep 4, 2018

As a follow-up question for the Folks that have the Henry in .357. How does it do with chambering the .38? I am curious because I am looking for a .357 lever rifle as well. I sold off my .357 handguns, but kept a couple of "older" .38s just because. As such, I no longer reload .357s, I gave all of my .357 brass to my son, and he gave me all his .38s.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just thought this would be a good tag-on question!! ty

MoMan · Sep 4, 2018

Tinman said:
My Rossi shoots real nice with the 357 or 38

Thanks @Tinman for the quick response. I just need to get by the tube fed system, not that I can't!!

shootemup · Sep 5, 2018

MoMan said:
As a follow-up question for the Folks that have the Henry in .357. How does it do with chambering the .38? I am curious because I am looking for a .357 lever rifle as well. I sold off my .357 handguns, but kept a couple of "older" .38s just because. As such, I no longer reload .357s, I gave all of my .357 brass to my son, and he gave me all his .38s.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just thought this would be a good tag-on question!! ty

Fed mine a box of these, no problem. IMHO, .38 seems to be dirtier than .357 not that is a gamechanger. Not to sound like a knowitall or rile anyone up, but wanted to pass this along. I was cautioned when buying ammo, NOT to run anything other than flatnosed ammo in a tube feeder. COULD run into chain detonation of ammo in tube due to recoil.....I'm not sure about this, but I know if I DON'T run pointed or round nosed it won't happen. I did buy a box of fmj before I heard this, so I run it 1 rnd at a time thru the chamber.

RUN your lever w/ authority, going slow and /or tilting it on it's side ( I used to do this to see it working) can cause it to not want to feed/semijam on you. I have no experience w/ other brands of l/a rifles, but I have read they are all prone to this.

MoMan · Sep 5, 2018

Yea, I run flat nose lead bullets in my .45lc lever action. I also run flats in my .30-.30. There are other options for hunting like LEVERevolutions by Hornady, which has a polymer tip.
I agree with running 'em with authority.

shootemup · Sep 5, 2018

MoMan said:
Yea, I run flat nose lead bullets in my .45lc lever action. I also run flats in my .30-.30. There are other options for hunting like LEVERevolutions by Hornady, which has a polymer tip.
I agree with running 'em with authority.

I just realized that I gave you bad info on my 1st post....I'm shooting a 6'' !!! gong at 75 yds not a 3'' @ 75 yds (wish I had that kind of eyesight/steadiness) I don't know why I typed 3'' and not notice it until now.

shootemup · Sep 5, 2018

I use ShootingTargets7 steel gongs, got a couple 1/4'' for the .22s. Bought a 3/8'' for the .357. First time using the heavier gong, put some .22 into it just for the hell of it, just little ''pit pit pit'' sounds, just about zilch for movement. The 158 gr. flat nose slammed that thing back so violently . it looked like a little kid on a swing trying to do a full circle!! I use some cheap carabiners to attach the chain to the eye bolts on the stand. These were cheap but seemed too strong to break in your hands. Anyhow on the 3rd shot the gong flew up and then crashed to the ground........took me a moment to realize both carabiners broke from the gong's impacts !! It probably doesn't prove a lot, but I thought it was pretty cool!

BlackDragon · Sep 5, 2018

I always hunt around for deals on a Henry all weather .357. One of these days I'll hit the right deal...

shootemup · Sep 5, 2018

BlackDragon said:
I always hunt around for deals on a Henry all weather .357. One of these days I'll hit the right deal...

It'll be worth it. These REALLY are nice guns. I still want a JM marked .357 Marlin and a Model39a just cuz, tho!

MoMan · Sep 5, 2018

I do have an option right now for a JM marked .357. The problem is he wants $750 for it, not that that in and of it's self is a deal breaker, BUT he had his initials engraved in the stock in HUGE block letters. I'm talking about FULL SIZE of the stock. That is what is turning me off. The rifle is in great shape otherwise, I just am not real excited about buying the gun, then changing the stock off.

shootemup · Sep 5, 2018

MoMan said:
I do have an option right now for a JM marked .357. The problem is he wants $750 for it, not that that in and of it's self is a deal breaker, BUT he had his initials engraved in the stock in HUGE block letters. I'm talking about FULL SIZE of the stock. That is what is turning me off. The rifle is in great shape otherwise, I just am not real excited about buying the gun, then changing the stock off.

JM's initials? or current owner? I can see why you are hesitant either way.

MoMan · Sep 5, 2018

Current owner.

shootemup · Sep 6, 2018

MoMan said:
Current owner.

LOL wtf would he do that ?

dsdmmat · Sep 6, 2018

MoMan said:
I do have an option right now for a JM marked .357. The problem is he wants $750 for it, not that that in and of it's self is a deal breaker, BUT he had his initials engraved in the stock in HUGE block letters. I'm talking about FULL SIZE of the stock. That is what is turning me off. The rifle is in great shape otherwise, I just am not real excited about buying the gun, then changing the stock off.

Check out numrich gun parts and see if they have any stocks for it that you can swap out after you buy it.

S&W Fan · Sep 12, 2018

I’m kind of partial to the Henry Big Boy Silver in .357/.38 myself.
I’ll be keeping an eye out for a decent deal on one this weekend at the Syracuse Gun Show.

S&W Fan · Sep 12, 2018

shootemup said:
Fed mine a box of these, no problem. IMHO, .38 seems to be dirtier than .357 not that is a gamechanger. Not to sound like a knowitall or rile anyone up, but wanted to pass this along. I was cautioned when buying ammo, NOT to run anything other than flatnosed ammo in a tube feeder. COULD run into chain detonation of ammo in tube due to recoil.....I'm not sure about this, but I know if I DON'T run pointed or round nosed it won't happen. I did buy a box of fmj before I heard this, so I run it 1 rnd at a time thru the chamber.

RUN your lever w/ authority, going slow and /or tilting it on it's side ( I used to do this to see it working) can cause it to not want to feed/semijam on you. I have no experience w/ other brands of l/a rifles, but I have read they are all prone to this.

Correct, using pointed nose bullets in Any lever gun is a no no. Even in the older gate load guns. ( they still load into a tube). I’ve used flat or round nose bullets in all of my lever guns for years without issue.

GOYABEAN · Sep 14, 2018

Tinman said:
So if you had to buy a Henry, which would you buy. The 16.5” carbine or the 20” rifle?

What's the difference in Ballistics out of the extra 3 1/2 "

shootemup · Sep 14, 2018

I bought the carbine, I liked how compact it is/feels and IMHO, is VERY quick on target. The carbine holds 7 rounds , so you learn to make 'em ALL count !!

Henry Big Boy Carbine vs Henry rifle. So which would you buy?

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