Henry: My brain is obsessed...

[JonB]

...with buying another levergun.
A year ago, someone on the other forum posted a email quote from Henry about them now making all their 44 Mag rifles with 1:20 twist barrels. With all the demand there has been, I'm thinking today, any New Henry 44 mag Big Boy steel carbine will have the 1:20.

While I sold almost all my 44 stuff, I did hold back some brass (maybe only 1K, but since I had several 5 gallon buckets of the stuff, 1K is a small amount to keep), and I have this neat 4 cav brass mold (MP 432-640) that I just couldn't part with it, when I sold all the others...if you have known me for enough years, you know that I use to be big into 44, it's why I started reloading 20ish years ago, and why I started casting 10+ years ago.

Many here have stated 45 colt is the way to go for a big bore pistol caliber Levergun. The question that has been rolling around in my head is should I order a 44 or the 45? I think I know the answers most will give, but just want to hear those answers one more time, LOL.

Big Boy Steel Rifle & Carbine | Henry Repeating Arms

While we are fond of the brass tradition begun by B.T. Henry’s 1860 rifle, we do understand that today’s hunter may prefer something a shade lighter on the mountain, and the Big Boy Steel Side Gate carries on the same brush gun appeal of the brass-framed Big Boys in its overall configuration...

www.henryusa.com

image from link.

...
Below \ /
This 44 Mag Octagon barrelled carbine with case colored receiver (H012GRCC) that is on Gunbroker (starting bid $1141) is sweet.

 

[Glaciers]

I started with 44's in the late 60's, at that time the 45 only had the Ruger Blackhawk for a strong gun, so I went 44. A lot more optional guns for hot rod loads. Never looked back. I have not had problems with the slow twist but, 100 yards is it for me. For me handgun ranges are about 25 yards max. Large caliber handguns are handy for when a bear wonders in the open garage door while your busy with a project. The exception for me is a 38 or 22 that can fit in your back pocket. Other then that, a handy levergun.
So for me it's the 44. In a levergun the 44 or 45 with options of mild to wild really makes for a fine cartridge in a rifle.

The only problem with the 44 is the twist rate which has never been an issue for me. Those Henry's look nice, but for me I'll stay with the more traditional looking 92 levers.

 

[RicinYakima]

Having used a Browning '92 in 44 magnum and a Winchester '94 in 45 Colt, I didn't find a lick of difference between the two cartridges in a rifle. Both went down the road, as they kicked too hard for what I used them for. Only two lever guns left are the Browning 53 in 32/20 and the Savage 30/30.

 

[CZ93X62]

The "differences" between a 44 Magnum and a 45 Colt in a levergun are mostly in the mind of the user. That 1-38" twist actually works for bullets up to 250 grains, which it shouldn't do--but it does. The twist in my Winchester/Miroku 1892 in 44 Mag is about 1-24", and it runs the 310 grain castmonsters accurately; at 1500 FPS they are exhilarating.

 

[Rick H]

For my two cents, I would stay with a 1:20 twist 44 mag. rifle/carbine. I have one in a single shot, and a 45 Colt Blackhawk too. I like the idea of a solid rim for extraction purposes on the 44, and I believe it will do anything the 45 can in a rifle. (pistol too) The idea of "Ruger Only" loads in a 45 Colt worries me some. I wouldn't want someone with a 2nd generation Peacemaker getting ahold of them. With that in mind the 44 mag. is more flexible.
In the end, it matters only what you like the best.

 

[Brad]

My 45 Colt Marlin is a pussy cat with the right loads. It can bite a little if loads are heated up but a 300 gr bullet at 1150 FPS is pretty mild.

 

[smokeywolf]

Every time I look at the modern day Henry I see a Marlin; not the predessor to the model '66 and '73.

Sorry, old Winchester addict; can't help it.

 

[S Mac]

Can't speak to the 44 but I am thrilled with my 45 Colt Big Boy. And my Long Ranger 308 Win, and my single shot 308 Win. Yes, I'm a Henry fan

 

[popper]

Long Ranger 308 Win still looking for one of those.

 

[S Mac]

Mine was my retirement gift from my employer, last summer before the current situation.

 

[CZ93X62]

The Henry leverguns are VERY Marlin-esque, for certain. I love my Big Boy/steel frame in 357 Magnum.

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

I have a older << not drilled for a scope mount BB brass & no one told it not to shoot the heavies I have a 300 grr that shoots very good--but kicks like a mule on the bench I tell ya----also will shoot the lee 310 gr fine too==== but I like the 215 Ideal I have the best with 8 1/2 gr. unique
Jeff

 

[358156 hp]

Wait a bit and see how Ruger is progressing with the Marlins. My caliber choice would be 44 mag because it has a little more case rim than the 45 Colt, and that can be important in a lever action.

 

[Brad]

Henry added a loading gate but kept that stupid loading slot in the mag tube.

No thank you

 

[Ian]

I'd get the .44 if I had a choice. Reason being the chamber will be much tighter than the .45 Colt's which STILL is hogged out for .454" bullets. I have a heck of a time getting any of my .45 Colt long guns to shoot like I think they should and the sloppy chamber seems to be the root of it.

That said, with Starline brass, the .45 Colt rim is NOT a problem for my brass BB or NEF. The BB has dual extractors if memory serves and I can assure you it's a devil of a time to get the rim free of them to eject a cartridge which is too long for the port. Speaking of that, the BB is made for SAAMI max length ammunition and won't handle anything ANY longer, so check the nose length of your bullets very carefully. You can often fudge a little on length even in an SAA but not so with tje Henrys.

Oh yes, they do have recoil. The steel ones have a rubber pad and I wish my brass one did. Load light if you want to enjoy a long range session.

 

[Ian]

p. s. The .45 Colt has more surface area than a 44 and will deliver the same freight on the same schedule with a lot less pressure and less perceived recoil. But that damned chamber issue....

 

[smokeywolf]

Reason being the chamber will be much tighter than the .45 Colt's which STILL is hogged out for .454" bullets.

That's funny, my Colt takes a .454 dia. bullet.

You must be referring to those newfangled 45s that came out after WW II.

 

[fiver]

I have both. [actually a few of both]
I swap the powder dumps from one 4 set to the other 4 set with impunity.
so [shrug] I got nuthin as far as which one to get.
IMO it really don't make much difference unless you want -52 instead of -30 size holes in stuff.

 

[CZ93X62]

I have a Marlin Model 27-S with a similar tubular magazine arrangement to the Henry, as well as several tube-fed 22 LRs past and present. I balked a bit at the concept at first, but once I started actually using the system I have come to like it. Is it "traditional"? I dunno, the 27-S was made from 1913-1939.

I ignore cross-bolt safeties on leverguns and can put up with Glocks' aesthetics. The Henry magazine system I can adapt to.

 

[Winelover]

Another 44 Magnum fan. Have a 45 BH but never did follow it up with a carbine. All my other pistol calibers have corresponding carbines..................9mm, 357 and 44 Magnum. If I decided to remedy that situation, it would most likely be a Henry.

My preference would be the Big Boy Steel with the large loop. The large loop would come in handy for cold weather hunting with gloves. Henry's are known for their heavier weight, so I would pass on the octagon barrel.