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Thread: Henry Big boy 44 mag as a close range deer rifle.

  1. #1
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    Henry Big boy 44 mag as a close range deer rifle.

    Does anybody have any experience in this rifle calibre as a close range (out to maybe 70m) Deer rifle? had a play at the gun store, I like the look and feel but thats not enough to buy one just yet, contemplating the 45/70 option as well..

  2. #2
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    What about something like a Ruger American or Howa mini bolt action in 450 Bushmaster? Especially if you are contemplating a 45/70. The 450 BM would have more legs on it than the 44 if you do spot something a little further away. For some inexplicable reason I've got a hankering for a 450 BM!
    Howa270 likes this.

  3. #3
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    after my last experience with a henry i would say if you want a 44mag go buy a rossi
    viper and csmiffy like this.

  4. #4
    Member Sasquatch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gonetropo View Post
    after my last experience with a henry i would say if you want a 44mag go buy a rossi
    Was that your Henry 44 mag I shot that night at handloaders @gonetropo?

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sasquatch View Post
    Was that your Henry 44 mag I shot that night at handloaders @gonetropo?
    nope, trialled mine on private land, damn thing lasted about 6 shots before it failed. rossi keeps going on strong even with those 300 grain hornady rounds.
    i also had a look at a henry 22 l/a. damn thing was made of "pot metal" so i bought a browning instead

  6. #6
    Member Danny's Avatar
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    I’ve always owned a 44 mag and it has taken a fair few deer, two of note were stags over 100m and were sacked on the spot. The others were mainly <50m.
    Just ugly short old Rossi and we own a Ruger bolt action also.
    tetawa and Moa Hunter like this.
    Dan M

  7. #7
    Member Sasquatch's Avatar
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    All good. Was shooting a fella's one at the range last year and a vital piece of the bolt broke of during firing...

  8. #8
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    gundoc is pretty critical of the pot metal framed henrys.
    see if you can find an older rossi or maybe a marlin.
    The marlins being side eject take a scope/red dot better if that tickles your fancy
    A 240-300 grain 44 bullet within 100 yards should be the bizzo.
    Cheaper to reload than a 45/70 but the 45/70 gummint has a lot more punch. Rifle wont be as light and handy either

  9. #9
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    even the henry "yellow boy" is nothing more than cosmetic brass over pot metal, wears off fast too and then it looks really awful.
    csmiffy likes this.

  10. #10
    Gone................. mikee's Avatar
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    I have a Marlin M1894 in .357. Looked at the Henry's but the way they load the tube mags "rimfire style" I did not like.
    I much prefer loading the tube with the muzzle in a safe direction, not pointed at me.

  11. #11
    Member viper's Avatar
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    Had a Henry 22 lever gun, biggest piece of shit I've shot EVER.
    Beyond comprehension how in this day a age it's even possible to cobble such an inaccurate lump of dog shit together and expect people to buy it.

  12. #12
    Cole
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    I’ve got a blued 16” Rossi puma that I’d sell, replaced with a 45/70. PM if interested.
    csmiffy likes this.

  13. #13
    Member hunter Al.7mm08's Avatar
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    I had a stainless rossi .44 mag a few years back.lived on the gun rack of my atv,took it work everyday.Great little gun.....but definitely a close range round.I only had open sights,a scope may help but 50m was about as far as I would push it but thats just me.
    Eventually swapped it for a stainless .22 mag ,didn't blow out my (or the dogs)ear drums the same
    Danny likes this.

  14. #14
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    Hi

    I run a 16 inch barreled Marlin 1894 in 44 mag, it's a great bush gun (up to 100 metres)!
    Really cheap to reload using sod all powder, lead 250 gn projectiles, brass lasts forever.

    I also find the Hornady 240 gn XTP dropped aninals in thier tracks.
    outlander likes this.

  15. #15
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    Thanks for the info guys.

 

 

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