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Old October 15, 2015, 01:00 PM   #1
Mrgunsngear
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Henry Big Boy 44 Mag Carbine Review







Finished up the review of my Henry 44 Mag Big Boy Carbine (16'' vs standard 20'' barrel). Some of the rifle's features:

-octagonal barrel
-very nice brass receiver/trimmings
-American walnut furniture
-smooth action
-shoots 44 Mag and 44 special (more on this in the video)
-Drilled/tapped for optics
-Around $700 street price +/- $50
-quick sights for close up work
-quick sights are not so good for engaging at distance
-tubular magazine

I do some shooting, go over the features, do a chrono test, and do some accuracy testing with a couple loads in the video below. Enjoy:

Review video link
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Old October 18, 2015, 05:26 AM   #2
mxsailor803
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These rifles are really hard to beat. They feel so solid in your hands. My GB .44mag isn't going anywhere.
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Old October 18, 2015, 10:03 AM   #3
SARuger
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These are nice rifles! I love that medium hoop lever handle, not too big but not so small that its hard to get big hands in.

You feel like John Wayne with one in your hands
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Old October 18, 2015, 12:12 PM   #4
drobs
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I like having a receiver mounted loading gates on my lever actions and always thought the Henry's looked goofy with the 22LR tube loading ports.

Watching the video - looks like a good rifle.

Just wanted to add, it's easier to top off the magazine tube on a lever action that is equipped with a loading gate.

Last edited by drobs; October 19, 2015 at 09:02 PM.
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Old October 20, 2015, 06:41 PM   #5
kcub
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Nice review! I just got the 20". I much prefer this to the loading gate which quickly makes my thumb sore.
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Old October 20, 2015, 06:59 PM   #6
Targa
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Very nice gun, my dad has the same in .357. I have a Winchester 30-30 and a Rossi .44 magnum, two of my favorite guns. As for the tube fed vs. the loading gate I couldn't care less. Not a single one of us is Wyatt Earp chasing down an outlaw on horseback, with the reigns in our teeth, as we top the rifle off through the loading gate...lol.
Very nice review by the way, thanks.

Last edited by Targa; October 20, 2015 at 07:07 PM.
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Old November 8, 2015, 08:12 AM   #7
kcub
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I made a trade for a brass big boy 44. I liked it so much I also traded for a steel big boy 357 which I'm waiting for things to dry out to try.

Does anyone know how resilient these Henrys are to heavy prolonged magnum shooting?

I've got some HSM Bear loads coming from PSA and would like to try them out if the guns will stand for it. Has anyone torture tested these magnum Henrys? They appear way more sturdier than the Winchester 1873 clones.
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Old November 8, 2015, 08:20 AM   #8
kcub
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A link to a table of the HSM Bear load ballistics.

A link to HSM Bear loads available from Palmetto State Armory.
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Old November 8, 2015, 08:33 AM   #9
DPris
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They are certainly stronger than any 73 clone.
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