Henry Big Boy Model X - 357 or 44??

[FNGGlock]

Trying to get a few rifles again, and after being super disappointed with the fact that the pistol grip seems to be blocked on AR-15s in CA, I started looking at lever actions. Apples and oranges, but I always wanted a lever action after my brother got a Rossi many moons ago. Would like to get a semi and a lever at some point, but likely will just get the lever in the future.

I saw the Henry Big Boy Model X, and really like the loading gate and that you can mount an optic on it, etc. Seems to look like a very good option for a lever action. The challenge I have is to decide between then 357 or the 44?? Really like the idea of the extra power of the 44 in a rifle, not that I may actually need it. I probably won't run tons of ammo through it, so ammo cost is not overly concerning.

Mostly going to use it for plinking and maybe blowing some things up for fun at times, but would like to have a backup for handguns when I comes to SD/HD if there is ever a need. Probably won't use it for hunting or anything beyond 100yds.

Any thoughts on the Model X?
Also thoughts on 357 vs 44 for a lever action?

[pennstater]

Hmm. If you can get one, excellent. Then, you have to find ammo. Good luck there, unless you handload. .357 will do what you want; it's simply the availability of what you're looking for. Kind of tough out there right now.
Wish you well.

[FNGGlock]

Hmm. If you can get one, excellent. Then, you have to find ammo. Good luck there, unless you handload. .357 will do what you want; it's simply the availability of what you're looking for. Kind of tough out there right now.
Wish you well.

[d33pt]

I really want a big boy X. I had both the brass and steel big boys and love them both. I just want a loading gate and Henry finally came out with one. I might wait until they release it with the 16" barrel carbine with wood stock instead of the X model. For me a 357 was no brainer because I already have a revolver in 357.

[BB1776]

For your purposes I don’t think it would matter too much either way. But, do you plan on using the same caliber for a home defense handgun, or even just for plinking? If so, have you thought about what which handgun you would get and if it would be a .357 or a .44?

A lot of folks, myself included, like pairing their wheelguns and their levers. It’s good if they can share the same ammo. I could see a Smith&Wesson Performance Center M&P R8 as a nice match for the X, in which case I would get a .357.

You came here thinking about getting one gun but now you need two— this is the way.

[Harry Ono]

Cheaper 38 cal works in 357 Henry. Makes it easy to match with 357/38 revolver Ruger GP100.

[Cowboy T]

Both of those chamberings (.357M and .44M) are good ones for a handy, 100-yard lever gun. You really can't go wrong with either one.

Unless you handload, I would recommend the .357M version. I often shoot .38 Spl through our Rossi 357 and it's a cost-effective, low-recoil way to do some good marksmanship practice. The wife definitely likes shooting .38 Spl through ours. Should you need something with more oomph, understand that the .357M gives you close to double the kinetic energy when it hits the target compared to a 4" or 6" handgun. This makes the .357M a pretty good deer or hog round within, say, 100 yards.

On the other hand, since ammo cost isn't that much of a factor for you (that's a good situation to be in), I do rather like the extra power of the .44M versions. The kick really isn't terrible. As with the .38/357, the .44M rifle will happily shoot .44 Special rounds all day and not complain. This is lower-recoil marksmanship practice, and the .44 Special is known to be an accurate handgun cartridge. When you want more power...the .44M out of a rifle gives it to you. Like with the .357M, the rifle- or carbine-length barrel gives you about double the power compared to the 4" or 6" handgun.

You may find that you want to shoot this thing more than you currently think that you will. That's often the case, because leverguns are fun! So, don't totally discount the ammo cost factor. In either case, reloading is a really good idea.

Note that I do handload for both families of cartridges (.38/357 and .44 Spl/Mag), so we always have ammo.

Again, either way, you really can't go wrong.

[FNGGlock]

Thx guys, was thinking about matching it with a revolver later. That will mostly be for fun as I use a 45 ACP and 9mm Glocks for HD & SD mostly. That may make getting a 357 much more practical as a 44 can be a beast in a handgun (especially with shorter barrels).

Hard to compare ammo prices these days, as everything is crazy at the moment. Got a little 22 takedown for a fun plinker, which will help keep costs down.

Thanks Cowboy, the 38spl is a nice option if my wife wants to shoot it, I saw a few videos where they use the model X with a suppressor and lower power 38 spl loads where it hardly seems to make any noise. May have to start with a 357 and see if there is a need for the 44, a 158gr soft point 357 should pack a pretty good punch in a long gun.

Lots of decisions, but maybe the good thing is that I can save a lot of money in the mean time as nothing is available, especially at a reasonable price.

[kayaker]

I have a Marlin 1894c, .357 mag. I really like this little rifle. It will of course shoot both .38 and .357 magnum. .38 has very mild report and hardly noticeable recoil. The down side is that, at least with my rifle, at 25 yards the .38s hit about 4" higher than .357 mag. To me that limits the interchangeability.

[MyOdessa]

OP, for your needs .357 will be a lot more fun then .44, as a range toy. And in reality, .357 will accomplish the same thing as .44 within 100 yards.

[golfish]

Ya mon, you want to stay with a .357. The 44 will always cost a lot more until you start to reload.

[pennstater]

Mark, I went and bought another 1873 clone. A Taylor.
Sorry for slight hi-jack.

[golfish]

Mark, I went and bought another 1873 clone. A Taylor.
Sorry for slight hi-jack.

Awwwww snap!! Which model, Tom?

[sealocan]

The one that matches your previously owned handgun caliber?

.357 Magnum coming out of the longer rifle barrel is no slouch.
I would go .357 Magnum because in a pinch or a low budget you can shoot 38 specials, which are going to be the cheapest compared to the other choices like 44 special, 44 magnum and 357 Magnum. Not to mention teaching young or any novice shooters how a lever action works would be softer on recoil and noise with the 38 Specials.

My answer might change if you lived in bear country and that was the rifle you plan to use for self-defense against them.

Just my two cents.

[pennstater]

Mark, sending PM.