Henry Big Boy, .357, .44, .45 Which one?!?!

[1911ly]

I would be interested to hear if you have actually handled one of the 1894 Remilns made in the last 2 years. Everything I have seen says they fixed the problems. From what I read Remington bought Marlin in January of 2008. The 1894 and other Marlins continued to be made by the same guys in the same factory for the next 2 years. Problems began later in 2009 when those guys found out they would have to move to New York and make much less money, or lose there jobs. After Remington started making the rifles in New York in 2010 without the Marlin experts on old wore out machines, junk started coming out daily. When Remington figured out this wasn't working, they completely retooled. The new rifles all have Ballard rifling, not microgroove, and yes they are "Remlins". In fact Remington saved the 1894 from never being produced again. Now if they can work out there own bankruptcy... I have 3 Remington firearms and am very fond of all of them. Remington has been making firearms longer than anyone else, so I think they do know a little bit about firearms. My 1894 cowboy was made in 2008 and is JM stamped. Maybe it is not the quality of a Henry, I don't know. But after taking 14 or 15 deer and a coyote, I have no complaints, and would love another. Like I said, the Henry is a great rifle, I just hate the way you load them. I would never buy a .22 when I was a kid that was tube fed for the same reason. But that is just me.

I haven't handled the newer ones yet. I really want a Cowboy 45-50. Hopefully I will run across one. I know 6-7 years ago they were terrible. I looked at 5 before I bought my Henry. Actions were tight and gritty. 2 had canted front sights. The receiver to stock fit looked like it was done with a pocket knife.

I have heard that they have upped there game in the last few years.

 

[jgressley2003]

For me I’d chose .357 because I have the stuff to reload for it.

 

[Restroyer]

I like .357 because I still use .38 Special for target shooting (.38 special is less expensive than the others) and when deer hunting I can use the .357

 

[KillStick]

my vote is the 45-70 my personal favorite

 

[fastwally]

Love my Big Boy, 44mag all the way.

 

[Ziggidy]

I love my Henry 357 lever - Golden Boy. Beautiful and great fun to shoot.

It also supports my love for my fav caliber.

 

[Redlinetoys]

I’ve enjoyed reading the responses. Looks like there are a lot of reasons to go different directions, and yet no way to go wrong, lol. I’m intrigued by the info and posts on the .357 version but still leaning .44 Mag.

 

[roscott]

A .44 levergun is a beautiful and versatile tool. I vote .44 all the way.

 

[femurphy77]

I'm personally holding out for the Big Boy in .44 mag for (im)practical reasons; I accidentally ordered 500 rounds of lead nose .44 mag for my Desert Eagle a couple of years ago so I decided to buy something I can shoot it from and a shiny brass lever gun was my idea of an easy choice!

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Ive been considering a lever gun I'm 44 mag for bringing down deer. For style points I was looking to get the brass option. But now ya'll got me thinking maybe i don't need brass for the woods

 

[Hop]

I don't see much mention for the 45 Long Colt. Maybe not exactly historically accurate but a fun round. I love love love color case hardened look and have a matched Uberti rifle & pistol.

 

[femurphy77]

Ive been considering a lever gun I'm 44 mag for bringing down deer. For style points I was looking to get the brass option. But now ya'll got me thinking maybe i don't need brass for the woods

I'd definitely would stay away from brass if I were tromping thru the woods! A buddy of mine had a henry .22 lever gun he used for squirrel hunting, one day he slipped while moving down an embankment and scratched the receiver all to hell. He was sick about it for a week.

I don't see much mention for the 45 Long Colt. Maybe not exactly historically accurate but a fun round. I love love love color case hardened look and have a matched Uberti rifle & pistol.

Sweet!

 

[fullmetaljesus]

That's a good point, I have been know to slip and fall while in the woods.....

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

I don't see much mention for the 45 Long Colt. Maybe not exactly historically accurate but a fun round. I love love love color case hardened look and have a matched Uberti rifle & pistol.

I'm leaning toward .45 LC. I'm not sure why. It just seems right. Stupid way to look at it, I guess.

 

[Expat]

When I just had to have a pistol caliber lever action, I got the .45 colt to go with my .45 colt Blackhawk.

 

[ru44mag]

I'm leaning toward .45 LC. I'm not sure why. It just seems right. Stupid way to look at it, I guess.

Not stupid at all. The .45 LC is an awesome round. It was a difficult decision for me to make in 1987. I am glad I chose the .44 mag though. I have 2 lever guns in .44 mag. 2 revolvers in .44 mag. And I recently purchased a beautiful Uberti 1873 Colt replica in .44 Special. I reload for both. The .44 Special is crazy easy to reload, and a great plinker for all 5 firearms. The .45 LC would work well too if you reloaded. Everybody sells .44 mag if you don't reload.

 

[ru44mag]

I don't see much mention for the 45 Long Colt. Maybe not exactly historically accurate but a fun round. I love love love color case hardened look and have a matched Uberti rifle & pistol.

What barrel length is the rifle? That thing is awesome!! I was thinking about getting one in .44 Special, but don't think I can get that short of a barrel.

 

[Leadeye]

For a good Indiana deer rifle it's 44 mag if you don't reload, 45 Colt if you do. I've hunted with both an old Marlin 1894 in 44 mag and a Henry Big Boy in 45 Colt, both bring down deer. You can push the 45 Colt pretty hard in the Henry, mine put a 325 grain cast lead slug through a deer lengthwise at 50 yards. I wouldn't feel under powered against many animals with that kind of penetration.

 

[Leadeye]

I don't see much mention for the 45 Long Colt. Maybe not exactly historically accurate but a fun round. I love love love color case hardened look and have a matched Uberti rifle & pistol.

THat's a great looking combo and the 1873 action is smooth as glass.

 

[ru44mag]

For a good Indiana deer rifle it's 44 mag if you don't reload, 45 Colt if you do.

I have to disagree just a little bit. 44 mag if you don't reload, either works great if you do.