Lusting After the New Henry Big Boy Steel

W

Waspinator

New member
Wanted a .357 Magnum lever gun for a while. I looked into Henry because the action on Henry rifles is slick out of the box. But, I wasn't sure about the octagon barrel and brass reciever. A lot of weight added for looks. Now Henry comes out with a new Bigboy with a round barrel and blued reciever that weighs a little less and costs less to boot !!!?????

Grrrrr.... must resist... must resist!

..... I'm starting to save up now... My birthday is in July, perhaps this will be my present to myself :D

http://www.henryrifles.com/rifles/henry-big-boy-steel/

Bigboy-Steel-Featured1.png
 
I have several Henrys (.22 pump and .22 lever) and really like the guns. I like this one also, except I'm unsure of the looks of the "checkering", which appears to be some sort of laser engraved rendition. The wood looks great, though.
 
In my basement shop, I have a set of Dem-Bart checkering tools inherited from dear old Dad. He never learned to use them, and I experimented on a Stevens Favorite when I was about 15 or 16 (46 or 47 years ago!), and I would have been better off not monkeying with them also, particularly because of the "cuffing" I got!

I'm not a fan of laser cutting/engraving, and to me, the looks are not much better than the "impressed" checking we saw on some Remingtons and Savages in the 70's and early 80's. That Henry would look better (IMO) with that nicey figured stock and no "enhancements".
 
I agree with Tony about the looks of the checkering, it's a big turn off for me.

Other then that I think the rifle looks good, I like the way the tube magazine loads.
 
It would be a very dull world if we all liked the identical things and there is a lot to like about the Henry's!
 
Its a Henry.....why are you resisting?!?! :p

As Tony said, there is much to like about Henrys. Ive been an avid collector for awhile. I have this one in a 44mag. Personally, I like the checkered pattering on the forearm. I have this on a few of my long rifles, always feels like I'm running my fingers over snake skin, IMO. I think the checkering complements this particular rifle well. Steel is not really considered a "Beautiful" metal and I think that's what Henry had in mind when they decided to make this, give it that rugged look. Compared to the signature beautiful brass with the smooth wood stock where the slightest scratch makes you wanna cry, this one you can carry through the brush, throw it in the truck, let it get a little scratch here and there and it will build character. Just find a nice sling to throw on it.

Why 357? Why not 44?
 
For me iyts 38/357 because I already reload for both, 44 would mean another set of dies and another caliber to reload for.
 
Its a Henry.....why are you resisting?!?!
Click to expand...

Heh, I've been looking at them for a while. I sent in for a catalog last year, received it, and have been trying to decide which one to get since, lol.

Why 357? Why not 44?
Click to expand...

Well, I have several revolvers in that caliber already, so I figured I would stick with something I already stock up on.

That all said, I still haven't ruled out going with one of their 22lr instead. I also own a couple of 22lr revolvers as well. They also came out with a "Small Game Hunter" model this year in 22lr that comes with large loop, octagon barrel and peep sights. I'm looking at that one hard too. I was pretty much going to buy a 22LR version, but then I got a look at that one in the email from Henry, and I might rethink now. (yeah, bad move joining their email list, lol).

I don't have any lever guns, so this is just to scratch an itch, ya know? So, I'll figure it out eventually. ;)
 
What are you going to use the gun more for? Hunting or plinking?

My eyes are always bigger than my belly when I shop for centerfires, as I "think" I have more time than I do to apply to developing loads, heading to the range, etc. With a rimfire, it's more grab and go.

You do know though, if you pick up a .22, it will only be a matter of time till that Henry procreates and you had better be sure you have two Henry's there so you don't end up with a half breed (that is why I have a lever and a pump).
 
I'm a sucker for lever guns. Add a octagon barrel and large loop, im usually grabbing for the wallet :). That small game is a good gun. I ended up going with the frontier model. I prefer the buck horn sites over the peep and it wasn't offered in a 17HMR. Added the large loop after receiving it.

Well sounds like it just comes down to looks and what your wanting to do with it. If you just want to sit out and plink cans and squirrels, id say go with the small game, although I must insist you look into a 17 HMR, does lots of damage. If you're looking for a brush gun, I'd definitely say go with Steel Big Boy.

Good luck.
 
Yeah, when you guys put it that way, for me it would be more practical to buy a 22LR. I'm not really looking to hunt with it or anything, just plinking and putting holes in paper.

But, I like big booms too ;)
 
When in doubt, always go with the gun you'll shoot more! That way, it will make you want to shoot more and then you'll buy another! That's how they reproduce (facts of life as told to me by dear old dad, now departed these 11 years).
 
Last December I was looking at a henry. I liked the big boy rifles, but the brass turned me off. Ended up buying the .30-30 steel model, and I love it. I think I might get this new model eventually.

John
 
I also passed on the original .357 Big Boy for similar reasons. I love the look of this new Big Boy Steel, especially that it doesn't have a slippery brass butt plate. This might be a more general question but why 20"? I didn't think the .357 gained anything after 16". Is it just a couple extra rounds and a greater sight radius?
 
I thnk you (cosmododragon) are right about the sights and capacity. Maybe henry figured the extra 4 inches is worth it to give the customer more rounds and a longer sight radius.

John
 
I have several Lever guns but all of them are Marlin and Henry's mostly Marlins.
I Like the Big Boy that I have very well in 357 but it is a lot heavier than my Marlin. Shoots nice and looks great. This steel model will be a very good seller for Henry.
 
Seems like a lot of Henry people here. Question. I saw a private ad for used rifles in the paper, and one of the rifles listed was a Henry .22 for $500 dollars. Sounded high to me, is it? I don't know what a new one goes for.
 
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