Functioning .38 Spec bullet/COAL for Henry Big Boy?

[wbunning]

[Cokebottle]

The owner's manual states 158gr .357, or .38spl is acceptable if using 158gr projectiles and loaded to .357 length.

IOTW, you're going to have to play with your powder load to get .38spl velocity out of a .357 case.

[wbunning]

IOTW, you're going to have to play with your powder load to get .38spl velocity out of a .357 case.

[Cokebottle]

Ya, it's like 1911's and hollowpoints.
I've read plenty of accounts of no issues using standard ~130gr .38spl.
Mine won't feed .38 dummy rounds, but I've heard that they are very picky on dummy rounds and don't always feed even 357 reliably.
I haven't shot it enough to say that it's broken in though.

[at_liberty]

First, your lead bullets should be truncated cone. Any leading band in SWC or RNFP can get hung up when feeding. Secondly you are better off with 357 brass so that the bullets can get a proper crimp where it belongs to secure against setback. .357 brass can be loaded as soft as you like. My cowboy load is 3.2 Trailboss with 158 TCBB from Penn Bullets. It is not running in a Henry but same idea.

[wbunning]

First, your lead bullets should be truncated cone. Any leading band in SWC or RNFP can get hung up when feeding. Secondly you are better off with 357 brass so that the bullets can get a proper crimp where it belongs to secure against setback. .357 brass can be loaded as soft as you like. My cowboy load is 3.2 Trailboss with 158 TCBB from Penn Bullets. It is not running in a Henry but same idea.

[checkenbach]

I have a Marlin(not a Henry, I know) and use the same length cartridge as I use in my revolvers. And I use round nose flat point, no feeding issues...

[Ktm45]

[wbunning]

Thanks for all the helpful comments, boys. After vigorously running a couple f hundred rounds of mags through the rifle, she’s decided to cooperate. She now seems to be willing to eat most of the Specials that I commonly load. I guess she just needed some breaking in.

[sargenv]

Not sure why the suggestion for a truncated cone only.. a Round nose .358 bullet will likely work just as good and there are no corners to hang anywhere.. I load .38's with 158 Bear Creek moly coated RN's and never have any issues while loading under stress... though I do use a Marlin 1894c