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Does anyone have a Henry Big Boy Steel in .327 Federal Magnum. If you do, how’s it shoot?

I haven't put it to paper, but I stepped out about 35 paces and hit a tin can the first shot out of the barrel. I then rolled it around with several more shots before switching to 2" steel plates, which I hit more often than not.

That's as good as I shoot these days, and I felt real good about the purchase.

Which model do you have?

I was referring to the 20" BBS -- H012M327

That’s the one I wanted but the distributor sent the one with the brass receiver. My dealer gave me a great deal on it. I have not shot it yet.

I don't think you will find yourself slighted.

Those brass ones are sure pretty.

I can't figure out what their good for?

Henrys, brass Henrys, or a 327 Federal Magnum?

Sounds like a good reason for you not to buy one.

Good thing others don't need your approval before they have fun, huh?

Tom

327 in a rifle.

There’s no doubt in my mind, at reasonable distances, that a 327 can take deer and hogs as well as smaller game including varmints.

What I like about it in a pistol is that it can be loaded from about a 22 lr up to just under a 357 mag. I loaded a single buckshot pellet over trail boss in a s&w long case and it was surprisingly accurate at 7-10 steps in my single seven. Since the last shortage on 22lr, I have been thinking about center fire alternatives (and also stocking up on 22lr). I don't see how it could be any less versatile in a rifle. If I had the extra $, I'd own one.

Probably true. But we know a .357 can do those things and with a whole bunch more ammo options.

You’re exactly right, but using your logic, a 44 magnum can do what a 357 can do and then some. That does not make the 357 a bad cartridge by any stretch. I like my 357, my 41, my 44, my 45 Colt, and my 480. On another note, handloading all these cartridges for different applications changes up everything.

Fair point

The 327 is a wicked little round out of a pistol. I imagine it’s more better with a longer barrel.

No hard feelings Mike. I might change my mind once I attempt a kill on a deer or hog with the 327. When I hunt open sights, I get as absolutely close as I can. I’d say inside 40 to 50 yards. The closer the better. I’ve even hunted out of my bow stand with an open sight rifle or pistol. My closest kill with open sights was with my 45-70 at 26 yards. I sent Henry an email about 2-3 years ago asking them to build a rifle in 327 and they said the same thing that you said. I guess the people spoke.

Whenever we discuss “fringe” cartridges and their firearms we see the same questions. Someone opines: A cartridge I am familiar with “will do the same thing….”
West Texas has a lot of “critters.” The small game cartridge is popular here. The.357 and .44 Magnum cartridges will do as small game cartridges but they do not really meet the definition – as it is defined – here.
The .22 Hornet and K-Hornet are more varmint cartridges than small game cartridges.
The small game cartridge is housed in an easy carry, fast shooting rifle. Read this as pump, lever and auto loader. Of the three actions the lever action rifle offers the most varied cartridge options.
The .218 Bee, .25-20, .32-20, and the newer .327 Federal offer the option of quick handling, easy to carry usefulness the larger cartridges do not have.
The .357 Magnum has a large following with the jack rabbit shooters. The .357 offering the portability, the reload options and the trajectory which does not guarantee first shot hits on running critters. There needs to be some uncertainty and excitement in this.
Part of the excitement in off hand shooting is iron sights and the availability of the rapid second shot.
There is some advantage to the flat top open sight when shooting cartridges with low velocity and high trajectory. When you learn how much sight to hold up you can make hits quite easily over a varied range. Still, most shooters prefer the receiver sight.
The tang sight is good but interferes with the thumb, even when held along side the wrist of the stock. Sad to say Marlin quit drilling their lever action rifles for the side mounted receiver sight and Henry never did drill their rifles. The XS, Skinner and other sights of this type are not readily adjusted for elevation and this makes a difference in the field.
The Williams sight using the holes on the of of the receiver is a joke and really does not deserve discussion.
These are not the best pictures but they illustrate three interesting .32 caliber small game rifle. The 327 Federal Henry, .32-20 Marlin 1894CL and the 1894 Marlin in .32 H&R Magnum. Sights are the key factor limiting enjoyment when hunting with these rifles. I wish Henry would listen and drill and tap their rifles for the coin slot adjustable Lyman receiver sight.
Rifles

Sights

I'd stick with the .357. I've found mine quite useful for everything from squirrels and rabbits to woodchucks and deer. My old Marlin 1894C was accurate enough that I could kill woodchucks regularly out to 150 yards and 200 wasn't uncommon. It worked very well on several deer inside 100 yards and I killed one at just over 200 with it. All were one shot kills and even the 200 yarder was a passthrough with 158 gr. soft point. I'd like to know why anybody would say the Williams receiver sights are a joke as I've killed more game with mine than you could fit in a boxcar over the past 40 odd years and have yet to have a problem with them.

You do not understand or have not encountered the “New and Improved” Williams receiver sight.
It is not really Williams fault. Marlin quit drilling their rifles for the sight and Williams changed the mount to use the scope mount screw holes.
Ken K posted this picture of his sight and it is better than mine.
The sight base now uses the scope mount screw holes.

The new Williams sight base causes the sight to hang off rear of the receiver.

This causes the sight to interfier with the thumb cocking the hammer.