Henry .45-70 lever question(s)

[725]

A friend just got a Henry .45-70 lever action and I'm sure he will be asking me questions. I reviewed the archive for info on this beauty, but found none in particular. Here's my questions:
In the spectrum of things, where does this model fall? Trap door capable, mid-level, or top end / Ruger ?
Any elk / bison loads you guys have been successful with? I think both are on his bucket list.
I shoot an H&R, so my experiences have been in the mild world realm with this cartridge.
Thanks for any thoughts,
725

[Outer Rondacker]

Higher end mid level. It can kill at both ends I have been told. I have not loaded hot for this round as I did not feel I needed to. I do not own a Henry. The heavier the bullet the harder the kick.

[GMW]

I have the color case hardened model and Henry stated that Marlin loads will be fine.

[Smoke4320]

Marlin loads if " you" can handle them

[725]

Thanks, Smoke4320.

[redhawk0]

I have one. Any Trapdoor and Lever Action listed pressures will be fine. I keep my loads just between the two listings actually. I don't need 2000fps (Lever action velocities) to kill whitetails. Also keep in mind that all the load data was produced in a 24" barrel. This rifle has an 18" (and some change)...so you will loose ~25fps per inch shorter than the 24" test barrel...so...you'll be about ~150fps slower than listed data.

I load for data in the 1400-1500fps range so my actual velocities are in the 1250-1350 range. This is more than enough for white tails out to about 150 yards....if you're going for Elk/Bison I'd take it up another notch to 1600-1800fps of listed data.

Any specific questions...just ask. I'll try to help. I love my Henry...its become one of my favorite rifles.

redhawk

[725]

redhawk0 -- Thanks for the info. I've always admired them. I got the kids a Henry .22 and it has been flawless. Most accurate .22 I've ever shot. Wouldn't mind selling off part of the stable to get one in .45-70.

[knifemaker]

I do not have the Henry, I have the Marlin 1895. What I have found that if you want a load that will take anything in the American continent, use a 350 gr. cast and shoot for 1800-1900 fps. My load is a Ranch dog 350 gr. gas check boolit with 43 gr. of IMR-4198 powder. It will print 1-1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. I size the boolit to .460 and have taken 4 buffalo, bison, with that load and all 4 were one shot kills. That load is just under 29,000 PSI and I use it also in my Pedersoli 1874 sharps single shot. Going up to a 405 gr. boolit increases the recoil by a good margin over the 350 gr. cast boolit.
If he is going to use it on deer size animals, I would even drop down to a 300 gr. bullet and keep the velocity in the 1800-1900 fps for longer shots out to 150-200 yards.

[44Blam]

I do not have the Henry, I have the Marlin 1895. What I have found that if you want a load that will take anything in the American continent, use a 350 gr. cast and shoot for 1800-1900 fps. My load is a Ranch dog 350 gr. gas check boolit with 43 gr. of IMR-4198 powder. It will print 1-1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. I size the boolit to .460 and have taken 4 buffalo, bison, with that load and all 4 were one shot kills. That load is just under 29,000 PSI and I use it also in my Pedersoli 1874 sharps single shot. Going up to a 405 gr. boolit increases the recoil by a good margin over the 350 gr. cast boolit.
If he is going to use it on deer size animals, I would even drop down to a 300 gr. bullet and keep the velocity in the 1800-1900 fps for longer shots out to 150-200 yards.

I've got that mold and I like the cup point. I load them with 56 grain of Varget and it is a big push, but not painful. I have had some painful loads - closer to 60 grain with the 350s will make your fillings rattle out.

[redhawk0]

redhawk0 -- Thanks for the info. I've always admired them. I got the kids a Henry .22 and it has been flawless. Most accurate .22 I've ever shot. Wouldn't mind selling off part of the stable to get one in .45-70.

I just purchased a Henry 22lr this year as well. And you're correct...its a very solid rifle. I love the way it locks up when you close the lever.

I guess I should have specified my bullet choices. For deer I shoot 340gr Lee FN....but I did just purchase a Lyman 330gr HP mold from the S&S forum...I'm working on loads with it now for deer in the fall. I gravitate to the IMR-3031 powder and have had good consistency with shot placement with the 340gr. I also have the Lee 405gr FN but haven't developed any loads yet.

I left my Henry open-sights (although I changed out to Hi-Viz from the factory sights) because this is my walking/scouting gun. I have a Ruger M77-MKII in 30-06 as my regular deer gun when I am in a stand but when walking the woods of NH I decided to go with the Henry 45-70 because it's light and very quick to acquire target with open sights. I took a 168lb 8point last fall with it at 100 yards. From the time I saw the deer to the time it was dead was about 5 seconds. It doesn't get much quicker than that.

I hope your friend has as good of luck with is Henry as I have. I know shooting it can be a lot of fun. Even if it does "kill on both ends". There is just something satisfying about mastering heavy recoil. (which I'm still working on)

redhawk

[725]

Thanks, all. Love hearing about your load data and successful hunts. Just what I was looking for. Now I REALLY have a hankering for a Henry, too.

[Soundguy]

I'd love to see a henry 45-70. I have a marlin 45-70 and a henry 44 mag. I love both guns.

[gpidaho]

I have the case hardened, octagon barreled Henry in 45-70. Love it. It will handle any load that I feel inclined to shoot. (Upper end Marlin loads) I keep my rounds to around 28,000 or under but some of the custom ammo commercial loaders recommend magnum loads to 32,000psi for the Henry.