Henry Rifles

[Yugmoto1]

I don't have any really specific questions, but I was wondering if anybody has any strong opinions about the Henry rifles one way or the other. There are a couple I've been eyeballing, including 45colt and 45-70. I have some 45colt revolvers, so that's why I started thinking about the leverguns. But the 45-70 has always been an itch . I had an older Marlin 35 remington that was a quality piece. I've heard good and bad about Marlin lately. The Henry seems like the best bet right now. Thanks.

 

[Martimus]

My only criticism of Henry Rifles is the cost. They are nice rifles but rather pricey.

 

[needsmostuff]

I have been kind of changing out Marlins for Henrys . Just sounds wrong , huh..
Most of my Marlins were older and micro-grooved and sucked with cast bullets. Newer Marlins in pistol caliber seem to be Ballard rifled and quality seems to be returning to good so really not a problem any more . Still deciding if the Henry does cast any better. So far I have .357 and .327 Henrys plus a 22 mag.
In comparison the steel Big Boys feel larger and heavier than the equivalent Winchester or Marlin.
Loading tube ? Meh, Just get used to it , it works fine.
All in all I'm fine with Henrys but,,,,, they are pricey for the centerfires. In rimfire they are cheaper ,go figure.

 

[Flash]

The secret for shooting cast in microgroove is bullet diameter, hardness and lube.

If that's all done properly, they work fine. There are articles on this on the net that are just a search away.

That said, I've got a 1973 Marlin .45-70 that does great with cast, and Mrs. Flash has a Henry Golden Boy. The Henrys have an action that's smooth as glass.

 

[brandyspaw]

I'm into revolver and pistol caliber carbines. They really aren't that great for much but they are really fun toys to use as companions for revolvers. Of those, I really like the JM era Marlin 1894's and have both a 44 mag and 357 mag.

So I've been thinking about getting a Henry in 45 Colt. I've been considering a Henry primarily because the older JM Marlins are getting so pricey so the Henry's are cheaper. The only thing I really dislike about the Henry's are the lack of a loading gate but they do seem to have more consistent quality than Marlins.

 

[AGE Mechanic]

I've always wanted a .22

 

[needsmostuff]

The secret for shooting cast in microgroove is bullet diameter, hardness and lube. If that's all done properly, they work fine. There are articles on this on the net that are just a search away.

Yup ,,,,Read a bunch ,,, Tried a bunch ,,,, But. I don't cast and I do not have access sizing presses to make a dedicated cast bullet for each hard to please rifle. I'm not on a quest to find the ONLY bullet it will shoot accurately , life's too short. If it cannot shoot off the shelf cast bullets reliably it's meaningless to me. With off the shelf cast bullets (and I tried a bunch ) an 8 to 10 inch pattern was average at 50 yards!
Unacceptable..

 

[shooter444]

The secret for shooting cast in microgroove is bullet diameter, hardness and lube. If that's all done properly, they work fine.

Plus 1. I have owned three pre saftey Marlin micro's. Developed loads for all three (357mag,44mag444) with great results. Bu I was more impressed with the 444 and sold the others. The 444 just does everything I want.

When Marlin first advertised the "micro groove rifling" they claimed great improvements such as, less bullet deformation, increase in pressures , ease of cleaning, longevity etc.. All of which I can confirm.

As to the hassle of finding that one boollit weight, powder/charge and lube mixture, well, that's what long distance shooting/hunting reloading is all about for me. And, it makes no difference what caliber or rifle, my quest is MOA or less.

If I wasn't so happy with my Marlin444, I would jump on a Henry 45 Colt.

 

[Bigmalcolm]

I had several over the years, and they all worked and performed as they should.

 

[AGE Mechanic]

How’s the fit and finish on the newer Henry’s ?

 

[Sobrbiker]

Henry’s are awesome, but I hated the loading.

I’d go Marlin for 45-70 in new, and Rossi 92 if I were going to go 45LC (they take the high pressure “Ruger only loads, as the 45LC is same barrel/receiver Rossi uses for their 454).

My lever is a Win 94 in 44mag, and it actually has a Marlin contract microgroove barrel.
It shoots very well with MBC 240SWC’s, and Montana 260WFNGC hard cast, but both of those vendors will size to order. Missouri Bullet Co is priced well, ships fast and shoots well.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Regardless of brand, slugging your bore is a must to shoot hard casts accurately and w/o leading.

 

[Yugmoto1]

Thanks, for all the info guys, I think I am leaning hard towards the Henry in 45-70. I'll have to see what is available. AZ Sixguns pointed me towards Bud's Gun Shop, and the gentlemen at Estrella Ordnance had inquired about one for me. Who knows, if I can make it happen, maybe I'll get a 45 Colt as well. I have been thinking about doing some casting at some point, so I may have more questions for you guys in the future.

 

[shooter444]

Regardless of brand, slugging your bore is a must to shoot hard casts accurately and w/o leading.

I am glad you brought this up again. I forgot to mention SLUGGING the THROAT in my last reply. Not that most throats will not be within the spec of only a thousandth over bore, but once in awhile in some well used barrels, the throat is well over the one standard spec.

I had an older rifle that I cast from one thousandth over to four thousandths over, and never got good groups. Then I learned about slugging the throat. I finally determined the barrel unusable and moved on.

 

[h8pvmnt]

I have a ton of Lever guns but only one Henry, a .22 big loop. Its a good gun. The Henry .22 is a die cast zinc alloy receiver with a sheet metal steel outer shell. I believe they purchased the design from Iver Johnson, but it was also marketed under other brands like Ithaca possibly dept stores as well back in the day. That's why the rimfires are low cost. The centerfire rifles have always been interesting to me, just never enough to buy one. I have quite a few Marlins, Winchester's, Brownings and Rossi's in 30/30, 45-70 and pistol calibers. I shoot the rossi's the most just because there less expensive and the 92's are pretty cool with a few mods. I even have a Rossi in 45-70, its basically a Marlin copy. Its a little rough, but shoots well. My favorite is a Steve young reworked Rossi .357 16". Id like to shoot and handle a Henry centerfire at some point. They claim to be 100% US made which i like a lot.

 

[knockonit]

I have quite a few henrys, both lever and pump, along with the requisite marlins and winchesters, they are an addiction, much like garands, and m1 carbines, well any platform really, seems i go thru stages where i glam on to everything of one platform, and then the new shiney shows up and i'm off on a new adventure, some of the finishes on the new stuff is awesome, i still lean towards the old stuff, something about the patina, the possible story one can imagine from a 75 year old or older shooter, if only it could talk

Rj

 

[Winston_Wolf]

How’s the fit and finish on the newer Henry’s ?

... They're gorgeous. I've the Big Boy chambered in .357/.38, Golden Boy and a 45/70 all brass

 

[Mauser8mm]

One of the first rifles I learned on was a henry .22. If I had the money I would order the new 1860 in 44-40.

 

[Tenring]

Picked up a Henry .22 years ago for the kids to learn on, still my daughters favorite firearm to shoot and she is almost 20 now.

 

[Racewin]

The Henrys have very smooth actions and are well built. I'd imagine they hold their value well.