38 Spl in 357 Henry Big Boy

Mikeinkaty · Dec 28, 2016

Shot some in the Henry today. I have a Lot of 38 Spl brass I've picked up at various ranges.

I loaded up 125 grain MBC HI-Tek coated lead behind 4 grains of Trail Boss and 7.5 grains of Titegroup. 50 rounds each. I was surprised at how tight the groups were at 50 yards. I'd say the average was 1.5 inches. Both loads would be good for small game out to 50 yards. I had no trouble at all chambering any of these loads.

Got a Leupold VX1 scope on the Henry now.

Mike

TAROMAN · Dec 28, 2016

What Henry is that?
The Big Boy Steel is tempting me..

Mikeinkaty · Dec 28, 2016

TAROMAN said:
What Henry is that?
The Big Boy Steel is tempting me..

Mine is the 20" brass. I have shot a lot of 38 Spl handloads in my 686 revolver. This was first time for the Henry. I couldn't find reload data for 38 Spl in a rifle but Hodgdon said 1586 fps in 357 mag case for this bullet & 7.5 grains of Titegroup. That would make it good for coyotes out to 150 yards. In a 38 Spl case the velocity would be a tad higher. I saw no signs of high pressure. Mike

slickracer · Dec 28, 2016

For giggles I mounted a Weaver V16 on my Henry .357 Big Boy to see how accurate it really is. Had some groups around 3/4" at 50 yards with 158 XTP's powered by 14.5 grains of 2400. Mine feeds much better and is more accurate with loadings in .357 cases. It also seems to favor warm loads. Another great load is a Dardas cast 180 with 12.5 grains of 2400.

radio11 · Dec 28, 2016

I enjoy the posts on the Henry and agree the .357 lever is versatile and fun. I'm about to load some 180 XTPs for a short range deer load in my Marlin. Been fighting the move to a scope. The semi-buckhorns were good to about 50 yds. A peep bumped my aging eyes accurately out to 80. The rifle/load combo is capable of more, but still like open sights on some guns.

BTW, that sounds like +p+ in a 38 case (ha ha).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

4barrel · Dec 28, 2016

Mikeinkaty said:
Mine is the 20" brass. I have shot a lot of 38 Spl handloads in my 686 revolver. This was first time for the Henry. I couldn't find reload data for 38 Spl in a rifle but Hodgdon said 1586 fps in 357 mag case for this bullet & 7.5 grains of Titegroup. That would make it good for coyotes out to 150 yards. In a 38 Spl case the velocity would be a tad higher. I saw no signs of high pressure. Mike

Are you saying you are using 7.5 of Tightgroup in a 38 special case & a 125 grain lead coated bullet? That should be a 150 yard load for sure. Did you mean 5.7?

Mikeinkaty · Dec 28, 2016

4barrel said:
Are you saying you are using 7.5 of Tightgroup in a 38 special case & a 125 grain lead coated bullet? That should be a 150 yard load for sure. Did you mean 5.7?

It was 7.5. Wish I had a chronograph.

4barrel · Dec 28, 2016

Mikeinkaty said:
It was 7.5. Wish I had a chronograph.

I would be interested in some 100 yard 5 shot groups with the rifle with the 38 brass if you could post photos. You may have hit the nail on the head. I havent the nerve to try it YET.

That has got to build a lot of pressure pushing a maxed out 357 load 1/8 inch deeper in a 38 case.

Clovishound · Dec 28, 2016

Mikeinkaty said:
Mine is the 20" brass. I have shot a lot of 38 Spl handloads in my 686 revolver. This was first time for the Henry. I couldn't find reload data for 38 Spl in a rifle but Hodgdon said 1586 fps in 357 mag case for this bullet & 7.5 grains of Titegroup. That would make it good for coyotes out to 150 yards. In a 38 Spl case the velocity would be a tad higher. I saw no signs of high pressure. Mike

You might want to recheck that data. The data you quote is listed for a Hornady XTP, a jacketed bullet. The max for a lead bullet is less, much less.

Mikeinkaty · Dec 28, 2016

Clovishound said:
You might want to recheck that data. The data you quote is listed for a Hornady XTP, a jacketed bullet. The max for a lead bullet is less, much less.

This was the MBC hi-Tek-2 extreme coated bullets. I did work up to this load. Starting with 5, then 6, 7, and lastely 7.5. Got no leading at all, and no signs of over pressure. With my spotting scope all I saw were round holes. (Can't go down range at this shooting range). I did test all of the first 3 of these loads in my 686 L-frame using 357 mag brass. I decided there that 5.5 grains of Titegroup was the most accurate for me.

One other load I worked up for the rifle was with the 180 grain coated MBC using 13.5 grains of H110. No leading there and probably about 1400 fps. I put 8 of 10 shots in a 3" group at 100 yards.

The hardest recoil I've felt from my Henry so far was when shooting some 158 grain full magnum SJHP factory loads (Federal). These were shown as pistol loads on the box.

Clovishound · Dec 28, 2016

Lack of pressure signs in pistol calibers is not a guarantee that the load is within recognized safe limits. I always stay within the manufacturers recommendations. For coated, that means cast lead data.

Be safe.

Win94ae · Dec 28, 2016

Mikeinkaty said:
Mine is the 20" brass. I have shot a lot of 38 Spl handloads in my 686 revolver. This was first time for the Henry. I couldn't find reload data for 38 Spl in a rifle but Hodgdon said 1586 fps in 357 mag case for this bullet & 7.5 grains of Titegroup. That would make it good for coyotes out to 150 yards. In a 38 Spl case the velocity would be a tad higher. I saw no signs of high pressure. Mike

They gave you that load in a 357 case because it would be way overpressure in a 38 special case.Do not try that load in a 38 special case!

scooter123 · Dec 29, 2016

I have a Rossi 92 and a re-barreled 1904 Winchester 1892 both in 357
Magnum and shoot standard 38 special in both quite often. IMO there isn't any need at all for a "special" 38 special load and plated bullet loads typically run at 1100-1400 fps out of a 20 inch barrel depending on bullet weight. It's actually a lot of fun and great for breaking in new shooters because the recoil is nearly 22LR mild with a very soft muzzle report. BTW, the antique was re-barreled by a previous owner not myself. One distinct difference is the Rossi is much much smoother feeding 38 specials. The Winchester will feed them but you have to develop a "hitch" in the lever stroke to permit the cartridge lifter to "catch up". Another difference is the Winchester made barrel for the 1904 vintage rifle has a faster twist and as a result is very very accurate with 158 and 180 grain hunting loads. The Rossi has a slow enough twist that I need to load with 140 and 125 grain bullets to keep them grouping well.

38 Spl in 357 Henry Big Boy

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