Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    Default A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    So, in the infinite wisdom of the Game Commission, one must use a straight-walled cartridge for rifle deer hunting in Montgomery County where I live.

    The main benefit of this is that it gave me an excuse to acquire one lever-action .44 Mag rifle. I got it on Friday and I've shot it almost every day since then, only 15-20 rounds at a time, and I absolutely love it. The manual is pretty lean on cleaning instructions, and I'm new to lever action, so I thought I'd ask here - for any of you who have had one of these for a long time, is there anything I should know with regards to keeping it clean, etc.

    Also - any specific recommendations for deer hunting ammo? I'll be shooting from a permanent tree stand on a farm property, expect to be shooting between 25 and 75 yards.

    68262196467__8B986A63-2D19-49C0-86A3-220F3B189BFF.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
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    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    This came to Allegheny County as well which I think is great as I can now use my Marlin .357 lever instead of a shotgun.
    Cleaning is easy. Just remove the bolt and clean like you would any rifle.
    I worked up my own loads using cast 158 grain powder coated bullets. They are going almost 1800fps out of my 18.5 inch barrel. Any soft point or solid lead bullet will work. I bought Buffalo Bore (hard cast) originally, but decided to make up my own.

    Nice looking rifle by the way, I'm sure it's fun to shoot.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    New Castle, Pennsylvania
    (Lawrence County)
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    Bore snake. As for ammo, hard cast lead is good, but a polymer tipped copper jacketed round is what I would use, like Hornady's LeveRevolution.


    -Chaz
    I like guns... And boobs...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    Cranberry Twp, Pennsylvania
    (Butler County)
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    Subscribing to this thread....

    I just bought (another) Henry .44mag - this one is the Model X to use for deer this year. I bought their Gold big boy model last year and just absolutely loved shooting it. As for ammo, I was going to go with 240gr hollow points, but looking to see if there's any other recommendations here.
    -Brandon


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Bethlehem, PA, Pennsylvania
    (Northampton County)
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    Periodically check the security of the screw that the lever pivots on. The one on my wife's 45 Colt Big Boy backs out sometimes. I might not be tightening it enough but am worried I will bugger up the screw head.

    Stuart

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2006
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    Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
    (Luzerne County)
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    93AF6D3B-60A6-4FE3-9986-130392A8A66F.jpg

    Got me a Henry Big Boy Side Gate in .44 Magnum. Loading with 240 XTP over H110

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve in PA View Post
    93AF6D3B-60A6-4FE3-9986-130392A8A66F.jpg

    Got me a Henry Big Boy Side Gate in .44 Magnum. Loading with 240 XTP over H110
    I have a Big Boy Steel....also using a 240 grain XTP over H110. I have killed a few deer with this combo from both the Henry and a Ruger SBH

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Piney twp, Pennsylvania
    (Clarion County)
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    Nice rifles. I see they're coming with the 1:20" twist rate now.
    Years ago I passed on one because then the rate was 1:38" like my old Marlin. Being a caster I was looking to load heavier like 300 grainers.
    Found some decent loads with a 245 gr. SWC in the Marlin.
    Others mention 240 gr jacketed with H110. I also found it to be the most accurate load in the 1894.
    However being cheap, I mean frugal, I stick to cast more.
    It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    Brookville, Pennsylvania
    (Jefferson County)
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    If you're going to go for the absolute best in accuracy, you're going to have to slug/measure your bore.

    Rifle spec .44mag/spl is .430"-/.432". Handgun spec is .427"-.429". And most factory ammo is .429"(handgun).

    This was a topic a number of months ago, maybe a couple years ago now.

    Some manufactures bore/ream their rifle barrels to rifle spec. Some to handgun spec. If you want the best performance, you'll need to know what bore you have so you can either buy/load what is best for your gun.
    RIP: SFN, 1861, twoeggsup, Lambo, jamesjo, JayBell, 32 Magnum, Pro2A, mrwildroot, dregan, Frenchy, Fragger, ungawa, Mtn Jack, Grapeshot, R.W.J., PennsyPlinker, Statkowski, Deanimator, roland, aubie515

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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Reading, Pennsylvania
    (Berks County)
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    Default Re: A New Friend - Henry Big Boy .44Mag and hunting ammo question

    Quote Originally Posted by Chazman321 View Post
    Bore snake. As for ammo, hard cast lead is good, but a polymer tipped copper jacketed round is what I would use, like Hornady's LeveRevolution.


    -Chaz
    ^^^^^ This , plus the info Knight posted is helpful as well.

    I have a Big Boy Steel Carbine in .44 mag . Mine is a tack driver with the LeverRevolution 225Gr . The beaver tail sight was less than adequate so I mounted a 25mm red dot on mine that has greatly help my accuracy.

    You can google disassembly on you tube some good vids there on full breakdown so you can clean the bolt and bore.
    Fortuna audaces iuvat
    "Who is John Galt?"
    Deus Vult

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