Henry Big Boy Accuracy Test

For this shooting session I take out my Henry Big Boy Steel in 357 magnum / 38 special to test how it does with various ammunitions. I’ve mounted a Leupold 2x7 scope and try grouping both Winchester and Federal American Eagle 357mag / 38spl ammo at 50 yards.

[@Valorius]

I do love a pistol caliber lever gun! Good test man, thanks for posting.

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks for watching my friend!

[@Valorius]

@@texmexshoots🤙👍

[@cervus-venator]

I'm going to try and start reloading some .357 for my Rossi and Blackhawk. I like keeping that little gun handy for the wild pork chops roaming around. I don't have an optic on the Rossi, but I can order a rail from Skinner so that I can put something on it. I may go with a red dot if I do that. Right now I'm just running the peep sight. No on my Marlin 45-70 I have it scoped and I've already shot a couple of hogs with it. I need to start reloading for it too. Thanks for sharing I like that Henry rifle.

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks Cervus. The 357 walks that fine line between having enough power for practical hunting and yet with relatively low recoil. Just enough kick to make it fun and allow for quick follow up shots. I know many prefer the 44 mag or 45lc, but I've been using 357 all my life and have more revolvers in that caliber than any other.

[@paulmartin6895]

I load for the both of my and they shoot the same ammo . Just to let you know and I also cast my own.

[@frankhinkle5772]

Very interesting, thanks. Right off the bat I was wondering how AE .357 Magnum 158 JSP would do, and there you go testing it. They made that rifle to put a scope on it with the side ejection and the extra spur on the hammer. Go for it, and look good while you are doing it.

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks Frank! It's a fun rifle to shoot. I'm hoping to get some other 158 grain ammo to see which projectile it prefers. Sadly 357 is still a little harder to find than other calibers and when I do find it, it's pricey! I'll definitely have a good time shooting it, but I'm not so sure about looking good while doing it 😆

[@TimmyJimmy-nz4xl]

I've used the pmc bronze seemed to do very well for me from the Henry

[@Tex_I_Can]

That's a good test. I think reloading, maybe with 158 grain and up will shrink your groups. Well, that is, if you can find the components. There are lots of casting molds available and with powder coated bullets you can push them hard with no leading issues. Keep all your 357 brass. It's so hard to find right now. Small pistol primers could be an issue as well. Thenks for taking us along for the test runs. I think you'll find the right ammo and the hogs will quake in their sleep.

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks again! I think some extra trigger time and use could tighten my groups a bit. This rifle hasn't seen much more than a couple of hundred rounds, so I'm hoping with use the sear might smooth out and give me a slightly better trigger. And yes, 357 is as hard to find right now as 22 was a few years ago. Lets hope supplies start to catch up!

[@frankbrowning328]

Maybe it will shoot better with other ammo. However, the groups we see with the available ammo is a little disapointing. Henry rifles are not cheap and as such I expect them to shoot accordingly. My old Marlin 1894 44 Mag would shoot anything I put into it into less than 2'' at 50 yards and most ammo into 2 1/2'' at 100 yards. With some loads it would clover leaf bullets at yards. I shot everything from 44Special lead loads to 44 Mag 180 gr HP, 200 gr HP and 240 gr Soft Points

[@texmexshoots]

That's fair Frank. The ammo wasn't top notch but not crap either. I think you could probably find one it like better than the four options I took out there. And maybe I need more time behind the trigger of that particular rifle to tighten my groups. The trigger pull isn't great but something that will hopefully smoothen out over time.

[@denisdegamon8224]

The soft lead at rifle velocities probably leaded the barrel. All rifles like certain types of ammo and bullet weights. Those 158 grain .357's did quite well. The ones out of the group were probably you that caused the fliers.

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks for the info Denis! I plan on doing another video trying to see if I can tighten the groups a little bit. I plan on avoiding any lead bullets at this point. I'll run a bore snake through the rifle first to make sure I clean out any lead left from the last time out.

[@glenstribling6123]

I have the same rifle and it likes Hornady Leverevalution 147 gr. Great video. Well done.

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks Glen, I appreciate the info! Now I need to go find some.

[@barry7920]

Nice test - thanks for sharing. It looks like even the best are about 4in at 50 yards. For what it's worth. these are all inexpensive rounds, and I do wonder what say the Federal Fusion 158gr or the Federal Hammerdown 170gr might do - those are more of a mid-range price round, with a bonded bullet, marketed for hunting deer or hog - they might have tighter production limits on those?

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks for watching Barry! I'm going to try again with the same ammo and see if I can tighten up the groups a little more. If not I will purchase some higher grade 357 (when I can find it) and see if that helps.

[@barry7920]

@@texmexshoots Check out this range testing with a Henry X Model and a Marlin 1895 Dark; when it comes to the accuracy test, she focuses on the Hammerdown ammunition and both guns do very well with it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYqbdYGvZt97ras

[@ecamhudson]

I wonder if the 38 lrn wqs leading up the barrel seeing the group size grow as you shot then the group size shrank as you were shooting the 110 .357 loads. Just my .02. Btw, my Rossi loves Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr flex tip. Not sure how they perform on game but I'd imagine pretty well. Great content! Keep up the good work!

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks Cam! I sincerely appreciate it. I plan to do another test soon. I want to see if I can shrink those groups a little bit. Maybe I'll avoid the LRN rounds next time.

[@spaceranger3728]

Try taking the sling off the rifle when shooting off a rest like that. The sling adds extra points of tension on the rifle and uncertainty.

[@texmexshoots]

Thanks Space Ranger. I tried to make sure the sling wasn’t pulling on the front stud while firing, but taking it off would guarantee no potential flex on the stock

[@bigserg357]

What mount did you use ? looking to scope my bigboy .357 as well.

[@texmexshoots]

Hey there, thanks for watching! It's the Talley one piece mount/rings setup. I bought it directly from Henry's website. Check the accessories page under HernyUSA parts.

[@joeesposito5101]

PMC bronze 158gr. JSP shoots best from my Henry big boy. Leverevolution is 2nd.

[@texmexshoots]

I'll try to find some online. Can't find any 357 around me right now. Plenty of 38spl

[@thowe7988]

Would be interested in seeing 357mag 158gr JSp in PMC Bronze & American Eagle compares out of your rifle.

[@texmexshoots]

Hey there thowe7988! I plan to do just that. This weekend I was comparing those same loads out of a GP100. I'll have that video up soon. On my next trip out to the range I will try the same comparison with the Henry. Hoping to be able and get out of the city around the 4th of July.

[@thowe7988]

That's great. I will be looking forward to the video.

[@gabrielmansor5171]

Un desastre , como todos los lever action que usan balas magnum de arma corta

[@texmexshoots]

Gracias por ver mi video. Yo mismo siempre he sido un fanático de los rifles de palanca en calibres de pistola. Sin embargo, la precisión en este caso es un poco decepcionante.

[@michaelhayes7471]

That scope is set way back be careful you don't get punched in the head

[@texmexshoots]

Wouldn't be the first time 😆 In all seriousness it is not an issue for me. Happened once in my early teens when I didn't properly shoulder a rifle and was shooting in an awkward position. Bridge of my nose took a good hit. But more damage to my pride than my nose. Among other things, when mounting a scope I adjust for the correct distance for optimal eye relief. What I do is: 1) mount the scope but don't tighten rings. 2) shoulder rifle with my eyes closed so I have a comfortable hold on the stock. 3) then I open my eye and adjust the scope's position forward/back for the best eye relief.

[@carycary5824]

Sighting in rifles in the wind is a waste of time.

[@texmexshoots]

For a detailed sight in, if I can I try to wait for a calm day or an indoor range.

[@carycary5824]

@@texmexshoots I didn’t mean to come across rude. I’ve tried it myself and had to resight my own rifles. I was up all night due to illness. Sorry. I like your videos brother!!

[@texmexshoots]

@@carycary5824 Not at all my friend! I appreciate you watching. And it is true, especially with some calibers, that sighting in with too much wind will cause issues with your point of aim vs impact.