Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Henry Single Shot Rifle Reviews?

I handled these and find them too heavy for single shots in any handgun calibers or 30/30. Other than a single shot for the sake of a single shot, there is no advantage in light or handy to offset the loss of fire power. They would guess it might make a fine 45/70, if that is an option, (or 405 or 444 maybe or big magnums). I see no reason to switch from a Marlin or M92/94 lever for a Henry. The Henry with a scope, might as well just get a light bolt action carbine. They look ok, FWIW.

If, as I expect, I pass my current heavy .308 on to my son, I probably will replace it with one of the Henrys to make use of the mountain of brass and bullets I have on hand. Mostly it'll be a toy, maybe a cast bullet shooter, and a testbed for some of my notions. Hard not to like a pretty attractive break-action at under four bills. If I like it, I might add a .357.

Kind of an old thread but I just ordered a 357 Mag Henry Single Shot rifle. It is to be played with as is and then rechambered to 357 x 44 Bain & Davis. After that I'll get another one and rechember it to 357 Maxi.

Steve..........

I did end up buying a 357. With a 6x scope and a randomly selected handload it shot golf ball sized groups at 75 yards while sighting in.

Couldn't ask for more.

I'm enjoying my 45/70 especially so after the trigger fix. Installed a Leupold 56515 Scope base and a Redfield Revolution 2-7x33.

Shot my new 357 the other day at the range. One thing- when unlocked my Henry will swing open with zero friction to slow the swinging barrel. Need to be careful if opening action around a concrete bench such as at the range I joined (It missed!). It’s completely tight with no movement when action is closed, but be aware there is NO ‘tension’ when the action is opened. Just an FYI, yours may be tighter(?).
I do not have a scope on mine yet.
Also, I have a 357 B&D form die if you go that route. I like both of your ideas, MAXimum and B&D. I’ve also thought maybe a 358 Win!
I plan on shooting it as is in 357 Mag with a scope before any project ideas are done.

From what I read a spring/trigger job is definitely required if anything like a decent trigger is desired.
Thanks for the info.
I have been shooting the 357x44 B&D for about 30 years now and enjoy it tremendously, I have a Ruger 357/77 chambered to B&D and sold a Marlin 94 chambered in B&D last year (had it for several years) also sold my Encore rifle barrel in B&D, just making room for more B&D stuff. Thanks for the offer of the form die but it is not needed to go from 44 mag to B&D. Wish it would make a big come, I'm helping. Heck of a Deer round out to 100 yds. or a little more. The most accurate bullet I have ever found for the B&D in all my guns and barrels was the 170 gr. Speer Gold Dot Flat Point which has been discontinued and I am on my last hundred.

Steve............

A YouTuber also pointed out that it's pretty easy to catch your hand in the forend/receiver gap when closing it. Ouch!

I recently replaced the 2.5x scope on mine with a 2.5-7. Will do some load workup when the weather breaks. I'm totally satisified so far with mine. Might buy a shotgun later.

The RCBS 357 B&D form die retails for over a Benjamin, but apparently it’s not really needed. This one was in a ‘box of stuff’ at a LGS. The owner just gave it to me.
I like the idea of still being able to shoot 38Spl if a MAXimum chamber is cut, but the 357 B&D has always been a tempting project.

I like my 30-30 just fine. The trigger is heavy, but so what? It is a <200-yard rifle. I tested a lot of loads in it and went back to a standard load of 3031 under a Midway factory seconds 150-grainer. It shoots sub-moa and I shot two big mulie does with it this fall, the farthest being 168 yards.

A YouTuber also pointed out that it's pretty easy to catch your hand in the forend/receiver gap when closing it. Ouch!................ Wish that I had seen that video before I discovered that on my own........... Ouch..... #@^&*%#!!!!!!!

I just put some money down on one. It's a .243 and the wood is awesome. If the trigger pull is too heavy we shall fix that. Gonna stick my 3-9 on it. I probably won't get it paid for until a couple months from now but no one else is getting it.

Did you check for the dimple in the triggerguard that would indicate it was a late model specimen with the new trigger already in place? If so, you’re good to go as-is.

If not, I strongly suggest you send it in for the upgrade instead if just swapping out the spring. The upgrade also improves the hammer cocking effort, more than a new spring, IME.

I bought one in 350 Legend, has killer wood on it! Trigger pull is about 3lbs I'm guessing, or less. Waiting on a talley mount and hammer extension from Henry . This one has the dimple on the trigger guard, tag said it was made nov.23 2020

My 45-70 is very accurate and with the recall trigger upgrade even better. I like the 22 inch barrel and the overall size and handiness of the rifle. However, I find the stock and especially the grip are too beefy for my taste. Mine's on consignment at the LGS - I'll stick with my No. 1SC for that cartridge.

Not perfect, but for $400, and with nice wood, I can accept less than perfection.

I’d like a few contours on the receiver and the shotguns drilled and tapped as well. Was looking at one of their lever-actions the other day and it would look much better it the forend wasn’t so square on the end, but extra touches like that add to the cost, and cost is probably a big deal in their market niche.