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Help Me Decide. Henry Lever Action 357 Barrel Length
- Thread starter AC Man
- Start date
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Velocities won't be much different between the two. If you plan on sticking with irons, the 20" may give better accuracy from the longer sight radius. I have a 16" Marlin with Ranger Precision cloverleaf fiber optic sights and it's just about perfect for my eyes. Very handy little rifle.
TURBOTWIN2
Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2012
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Ballistics by the Inch shows the 16" barrel with a higher muzzle velocity than the 20" length though not by much.
hdfinder47
Member
16, imho, looks better, handles a bit easier and develops all the velocity you're going to get. For normal shooting distances with this gun/caliber combination I not sure the extra sight radius will be a significant factor.
Erich
Member
Which really only matters vis-à-vis what loading they measured with whatever gun it is they measured: if velocity matters (whether for range or for oomph), my 35-ish years of reloading experience with the .357 Magnum round assure me that an experienced handloader can get more velocity in a given bullet weight with a 20" tube than a 16" one.
While I personally own a 20" .357 lever (also with an octagon barrel), AC Man has clearly expressed that he has lots of experience with levers. I suppose the answer to his query depends on what he intends to do with it.
whatever length the Rifleman's Winchester was.....never missed a shot......
I have a Henry Big Boy in 41 magnum with 16.5" barrel and am co.pletely satisfied with it. Not a big fan of the loop lever, but it works great.
.38SuperMan
Member
I have a Big Boy 16.5 in both the 357 and 45 LC. I guess it’s obvious which I favor. I like the balance of the 16.5 best with less weight up front. It just feels better to me. I don’t have my load data but with H110 and a 158 JHP and mid range loads I’m getting in excess of 1650fps.
I like the short barrel so much I have a 16 on a Winchester saddle ring carbine in 45LC.
I don’t know how you’re going to use your rifle but if I could only own one caliber the 357 would be my choice. I often shoot 38 specials in mine for plinking but have the option of 357 if needed.
The Henry is a very good choice too. Mine are very accurate and well built and a breeze to strip down for cleaning.
I like the short barrel so much I have a 16 on a Winchester saddle ring carbine in 45LC.
I don’t know how you’re going to use your rifle but if I could only own one caliber the 357 would be my choice. I often shoot 38 specials in mine for plinking but have the option of 357 if needed.
The Henry is a very good choice too. Mine are very accurate and well built and a breeze to strip down for cleaning.
Thanks for all the replies. I have to say some make more sense in longer barrel. Actually my henry 45/70 is 22" I believe it is all they offer. If there is a caliber that lends it's self to the carbine it would be the 357. Unfortunately in color case hardened they are all out of stock. Few and far between.
No Henrys in the safe but I do have a 16" Rossi .44 Magnum that I really like!
I like shorter barrels on all my guns. 
375hh1973
US Veteran
16" with a red dot
Buddy has a Marlin with a red dot it's a fun accurate gun
Buddy has a Marlin with a red dot it's a fun accurate gun
SWFan27
Member
I have the Big Boy Classic in 357 Mag with the brass receiver and everything. Mine has the 20 inch barrel. My Henry is one of my very favorite firearms. The 20 inch is my recommendation. Plus, you should get better velocity and sighting with the additional barrel length. This is one high quality firearm. I think a matching Henry 30-30 may be my next purchase.
Depends on what the use is. How many rounds do you want to have in the magazine. If you are going to use it in Cowboy Action shooting you need 10 rounds in the mag and a 16 in barrel won’t cut it.
As stated, 10 rounds for certain shooting games.
Velocity for flatter shooting, when hunting, is a plus.
Check the data if you reload.
IIRC, 16" in 357, is quick, don't know if 4 extra
inches gains much more.
Our Win '94/44Mag is 16".
Velocity for flatter shooting, when hunting, is a plus.
Check the data if you reload.
IIRC, 16" in 357, is quick, don't know if 4 extra
inches gains much more.
Our Win '94/44Mag is 16".
Last edited:
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Not just barrel length! Magazine capacity is also a factor. My 357 Lever gun is an early SS Rossi 92, Mag Cap for 38 Special of the 16+/-" version was 9. In Cowboy Action Shooting, the normal loadout is 10. I removed the magazine spring, it was over 5' long uncompressed. I removed about 1/3 and shortened the follower by /4". I assembled my gun and it then held TEN (10) 38's. but still only EIGHT (8) 357's. So if 357 round count matters, go with the 20" barrel.
BTW: Don't try 38 S&W or 38 Short Colt! The elevator will jam up on the short shell and require a major disassembly.
Ivan.
BTW: Don't try 38 S&W or 38 Short Colt! The elevator will jam up on the short shell and require a major disassembly.
Ivan.
Grayfox
US Veteran
I like the 16" barrel on lever guns. They just handle better for me. 
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