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Old 01-25-2014, 08:49 PM
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Default Henry Big Boy in .44 Magnum

Does anybody own a Henry Big Boy in .44 Magnum or have you guys ever shot one? What's your overall impression of the rifle. I think this will probably be my next purchase. I love the looks of it! I have a Henry .22 rifle (non-Golden Boy, regular circular barrel), and the action is very smooth on it. I am also highly accurate with the rifle. Below is a picture of what I was looking at.

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Old 01-25-2014, 08:57 PM
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Haven't shot one- but our taste runs along the same lines, I just ordered it in .357m.
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Old 01-25-2014, 09:09 PM
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I have fired one on several occasions and love it. Since I will so be 71, not on my bucket list.

However overall, my impression is that this rifle is just a super rifle.
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Old 01-25-2014, 09:18 PM
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Mr. Patriot ... I was recently reading on a lever gun forum that some folks were averse to the brass, claiming it was "soft", preferring a steel receiver. I know that Henry is a fine company that makes well designed products, so I would have no qualms about ordering a Big Boy in .44 Mag. This model is on my wish list.
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Old 01-25-2014, 09:40 PM
deanodog deanodog is offline
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I would love to have one in 45 colt but I am too old to buy one.
I've never heard anything bad against them.
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Old 01-25-2014, 09:45 PM
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I have an old Big Boy .44 Magnum. The rifle is well made and functions nicely. I don’t know about the quality of current production models.

Three things that I’m not crazy about: One; the weight of the rifle. It’s heavy but the upside is that the weight helps with recoil. Two; loading is done by dropping cartridges down the tube. I prefer a loading gate like Winchester or Marlin but that’s just my preference. Three; the slow barrel twist rate. In my opinion the 1:38 rate is too slow for heavy bullets exceeding 270 grains. A faster twist rate is needed to properly stabilize the heavier .44 Magnum bullets.

Do not drill the brass receiver for scope rings. The screws will quickly strip out the soft brass. If you decide to mount a scope, use a cantilever scope mount.
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Old 01-25-2014, 09:48 PM
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I had a Henry 44mag. It had a butted smooth level action shot straight. Has a firm felt recoil. I regret trading it, I am looking to replace it.
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Old 01-25-2014, 10:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jinglebob View Post
I have an old Big Boy .44 Magnum. The rifle is well made and functions nicely. I don’t know about the quality of current production models.

Three things that I’m not crazy about: One; the weight of the rifle. It’s heavy but the upside is that the weight helps with recoil. Two; loading is done by dropping cartridges down the tube. I prefer a loading gate like Winchester or Marlin but that’s just my preference. Three; the slow barrel twist rate. In my opinion the 1:38 rate is too slow for heavy bullets exceeding 270 grains. A faster twist rate is needed to properly stabilize the heavier .44 Magnum bullets.

Do not drill the brass receiver for scope rings. The screws will quickly strip out the soft brass. If you decide to mount a scope, use a cantilever scope mount.
I like loading from the tube. I like the Civil War era and right after the Civil War era repeaters the most, so I prefer loading from the tube. I do not plan on mounting any optics to it. The iron sights are perfect for me. I would get the new original 1860 Henry Rifle that Henry just released, but $2,000-ish is a little steep, and the ammo isn't exactly cheap either. A Henry Big Boy in .44 magnum gives me enough history and practicality.
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Old 01-25-2014, 10:34 PM
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As I mentioned too over on that lever action thread, I have the Uberti .45 Colt in the 1866 model with the 24 1/4 bbl...The biggest regret I have there is, if I had to do it over, I'd go with the 20" bbl.

I looked at the Henry too in the 1866 Model, but the Uberti almost fell into my lap...I was able to get it locally.

Too as mentioned, I was more partial to the side loading gate, instead of the tube...The only thing I've heard ...bad..about the Henry tube loading is they were more prone to get dirty....But who crawls around in the dirt with one!!!!!

My 1866 model is in brass, yes, looks just like the 73 in steel. Maybe I just like the bling, ya spose?????


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Old 01-26-2014, 12:21 AM
Ben_hutcherson Ben_hutcherson is offline
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A friend has one in 44 mag, and I've shot it a little bit. I found it very accurate and quite pleasant to shoot(with 44 specials). The lever is very smooth.

The biggest turn off for me is the tube loading...for $700+ I'd prefer a loading gate. I've been shopping for a 357 Magnum lever for myself, and am leaning toward a Marlin or Rossi for that very reason.
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Old 01-26-2014, 05:17 PM
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Henry won't say what the material is they use for the frames.
'Proprietary Alloy' they say. I doubt it's brass or at least brass as commonly thought of. There's some tough modern non-steel alloys out there.

I got to handle a rimfire Henry for the first time a short time ago. Very smooth as advertised. The bottle cap size groups the guy was shooting w/an older Bushnell scope atop it were all it needed to say about it's accuracy.
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Old 01-26-2014, 06:10 PM
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They seem to be mighty proud of those Henry lever action rifles. I just cannot bring myself to spring for that much for a Henry. If I am going to drop that kind of money I will get one of the older Marlin's.
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Old 01-26-2014, 10:27 PM
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I have mixed feelings about the loading gate on the Marlin. I like the idea of loading on the run, but I wish the gate were less stiff. I always load through the tube now. I wish there were a way to loosen it up.
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