To be honest I would rather have an Italian copy of a 66, 73 or 92. Henry to me has let there QC slide with there increasing models. But hey I own lots of Marlin’s I can be picky.

 

What problems have you heard or experienced with Henry's?

 

Fit and finish, accuracy mostly.

 

Thanks bud. Any other details you can add would be appreciated.

 

You can do a search on here on Henry there are a few posts of issues with them and dealing with CS.

 

I always felt the Henry rifles looked nicer in pictures than in person. I have tried to like them and have handled many at gun stores but in the end I always walk away saying not for me. Feel heavy, bulky and off balance. Others love them. Maybe look at the newer Rossi lever guns as an option if you are looking for a rifle in pistol calibers. As far as accuracy like most rifles especially pistol calibers you need to find the right load that the rifle likes. My Miroku WInchester 92 44 loves most factory 240's. Marlin 94's you have to pay attention to OAL of the ammo but most do well with factory 240's as well.

 

I like the look of the Henrys as well. But what makes me hesitant is the weight and length of of pull. Also I have not handled one that was as smooth cycling as my Glendfield 30-30.

Some of the new Rossi do impress me especially the 16inch stainless models. They come in at a decent price point. I have worked on other 92s and I know that they can be made to shoot as good if not better than other options. Only hesitation I have with the R92s is there is so many variations M92-R92 and every gun seems to have different twist and bore diameters even in the same caliber.

 

Being you don't reload I would probably go with the 44 mag as I believe ammo would be easier to get and a little cheaper. I am one of the people that posted about the problems I had with Henry quality. I will not go into it here to keep the post short but I had to return a BBS 4 times with barrel problems. I will say Henry finally did their best to live up to there warranty. You can check out my whole story in the Henry section.

 

I have 2 big boy steel 44mags they replaced all my Marlin 44mags. They’re both fine rifles and will shoot circles around my jm marlins they replaced. The actions are buttery smooth.

I would ditch the side loading gate idea, loading/unloading from the tube is much easier!


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I use Hornady 225 grain LeverEvolution in both Marlin .44 mags and find it to be deadly accurate at 50 yards. Killed a couple deer with it with a Simmons 4X scope. Shot one between the fork in a tree. Broad Mountain, Carbon County, Pennsylvania.

 

phwebster you said it right, they look better in pictures than in person. I have to say I 100% agree.
I saw a Long Ranger a month or so ago, it's like Henry is trying too hard to reinvent the wheel or something. They are OK but not great, and not cheap for what you are getting.

 

Based on these post I can incur that Henry's overall are good looking, accurate rifle with QC issues. That seems to be the general concern with the older Rossi's as well....decent shooting with minor-major QC issues.

Is the 1:30 ROT and 429-430 bore diameter acceptable in a 44 mag rifle with 180-240grain ammo . Is the 44 magnum more accurate at hunting distances than the 357 magnum or 45lc. I know my 357 magnum ( factory ammo ) is easily capable of 2 or less at 100yards off the bench with most ammo.

 

Based on these post I can incur that Henry's overall are good looking, accurate rifle with QC issues. That seems to be the general concern with the older Rossi's as well....decent shooting with minor-major QC issues.

Is the 1:30 ROT and 429-430 bore diameter acceptable in a 44 mag rifle with 180-240grain ammo . Is the 44 magnum more accurate at hunting distances than the 357 magnum or 45lc. I know my 357 magnum ( factory ammo ) is easily capable of 2 or less at 100yards off the bench with most ammo.

although I own 6 44 mag rifles and I own .357 and 45 Colt my favorite is the 41 mag followed by the 44.

 

I have a Henry Big Boy Steel in .44 magnum and the fit and finish is as good or better than my two JM Marlins. The rifle cycles and shoots .44 specials just fine. To get some better info go to the Henry rifle forum.

 

I agree Travlin. I have 3 Henrys and all are far nicer guns than my JMs were. I still love my Marlins, but Henry is a nicer gun, and I’ve never had a single failure or complaint on any of mine. Getting back to the OPs question on caliber, I love shooting my .357, but if you want to shoot 100 yards, I’d be going with .44 Mag.

 

Henry Big Boy Steel in 44rem mag in 16.5 barrel i own over 45LC for power all day, but Big Boy 45LC is a great rifle and round that can be made pretty warm. Henry is amazing with the best customer service period. Both are great. The 44 shoots best 240-245 grain. I own a Marlin 1895 GBL 45-70, but my 44 is my all around fun rifle.

 

One of my hunting buddies from MO just made a 180 yard shot with his Henry 45 LC. A 250 XTP at 1800, the deer stumbled 30 yards down hill. He is in love with his Henry Hammer!

 

My choice would be a Henry in .45 Colt because I have lots of bullets made of lead (I cast). While I consider a .357 Henry too heavy (barrel larger than needed), the .44 or .45 is properly proportioned - for me! Otherwise, the alternative .357 Mag "offering" in the '92 by Rossi is the "cats meow". I do think Henry is one of the best U.S. firearm companies out there that is customer oriented! my .02

 

The Henry 44 Mag is 1:20 and the 45 Colt is 1:16.

 

What are your thoughts on the Henry X and Big Boy Steel Side Gate Carbine models in 44 or 45?

1. What is the rate of twist and bore diameter for the 44 mag and is it compatible with factory rounds in the 240 grain range?

2. Are the Henry 44 mag rifles know to cycle 44 special well?

3. Are the 1:30 ROT and 429-430 bore diameter acceptable in a 44 mag rifle with 180-240grain ammo ( found these specs on a Citadel Levtec 92 in 44 mag )

4. In your experience with factory ammo what caliber is the most accurate out to 100yards 357, 44 or 45lc?

Keep in mind I do not currently reload and I know most rifles can be made to shoot more accurately by handloading and tailoring the rounds to the rifles.

The major issue I have read about the Henry X 44 is the LOP 14 something inches . I am used to a 12.5 LOP.


Thank You
I have read so much material on the 44 mag. I am at this point confused and honestly a little weary of the 44 magnum; due to accuracy issues with factory ammo almost in every rifle I have researched including Marlins, Rossi's and Henrys.

If I were going to get one it would be in 44 magnum, only because, I already have a 44-mag revolver, and ammo is easier to find IMO, and I reload 44 mag ammo. And it wouldn't be an X model. You mentioned reloads. There is a misconception that reloads are more accurate than factory ammo. However, that is not always the case. It all depends on the load. Powder brand, bullet type and weight as well as, caliber and firearm. There are many variables that dictate the accuracy of a reload IMO. Oh yeah and one other, that is the person behind the gun. I have fired some factory ammo that rivaled my reloads or even bettered it. At the end of the day, it's really about what caliber you prefer and like. Good luck.