1860 henry

[Ryan85]

Just got a Uberti 1860 in 45 colt and I'm gonna start reloading for it. I reload for all my long range guns and my pistols but this is the first time I've done anything with cast bullet. What bullet usually works best with this gun? I was thinking about trying a 255gr Keith style. What are a few loads you guys use with this gun? I appreciate all the help. Thanks Ryan

[retiredPO]

Looking for that same gun.... may I ask how much you had to part with....for it.

[avogunner]

Mine has never had anything but cast down the barrel. I use the Lee 452-255-RF primarily but sometimes Lyman's 454190. Either over 6gr of Red Dot for an effective CASS load. This is one of my favorites in the safe......just plain fun to shoot!

[tomclink]

Hello Ryan85. I expect you could have feeding issues with a Keith style SW, especially if you try to run the rifle fast. Also, a SW that heavy would likely give you a COAL that is too long, depending, of course, on placement of the crimping groove. A RNFP (round nose, flat point) style will work much better. For example, Lee 452-200-RF. With that Lee bullet, seating to crimp in the groove should give you a workable COAL. Stick with "Cowboy" level loads - lots of those in published manuals. Enjoy the 1860. They, as well as the other toggle links, are lots of fun.

[Ryan85]

RetiredPO, I got it as a Christmas gift from my boss. I work in a gun store. We would sell a new one for $1209.00. I've never cast bullets. Where is a good place to buy bullets?

[sparky45]

Missouri Bullet co.

[MtGun44]

Be careful if the action is anything near the original, it was not strong at all.

Bill

[helice]

Ryan,
Hey Welcome aboard and congratulations on the Henry. They are such beautiful pieces.
I'll add a +1 for the Lee 255 Round Flat. That has been a stellar performer in my family. The round nose/flat point boolits are the easiest to get to work in the lever guns. Keep the loads fairly light and you'll have a lot of enjoyment.

[enfield]

how come you got a rifle from your boss and I got a turkey (I don't even work in a turkey store !!! )

[pull the trigger]

Where is your gun shop at. Sounds like a great place if that is your bonus!

[mac266]

My Marlin feeds SWCs just fine, but other guns have problems doing it. Try running a few through your Henry to see if it works, then decide on a bullet type. In any event, as with any lever action, make sure you use some type of flat point. You don't want the pointed end poking into the primer in front of it while in the magazine, especially if you have stout loads that will recoil a lot.

A lot of Cowboy Action Shooters load lead for these guns, so it's not like it's a forgotten science. I'm guessing it's a Uberti copy, so my advice is to stay at the lower end to middle of the load charts in your manual. You shouldn't have a need to push it to the max -- sometimes those Italian guns wear out if you feed them a steady diet of full power loads.

You might even consider loading some black powder cartridges for that ol' Henry. You'll certainly draw a crowd! If you want to try that, shoot me a PM. There are a few considerations to take into account but it's not at all difficult, just more time consuming than loading your smokeless loads.

[JesterGrin_1]

I wish I could get an 1860 Steel Henry but if I did it would rust from the drool lol.

[hightime]

I like mine. It's a 44-40 and shoots real good. I shoot loads worked up by KirkD., and it shoots cloverleaf hole at fifty yards.

[pworley1]

My Rossi 92 likes the Lyman 454190 over 9g of Unique.

[John Taylor]

Be careful if the action is anything near the original, it was not strong at all.

Bill

I'll 2nd this. I got a brass framed Henry ( new model) in several years back in 45 Colt, it had about .050" head space from someone shooting it with to hot a load.

[square butte]

John - I always wondered if this condition was able to be rectified in a 66 or Henry with a stretched frame. Are you able to remedy this problem?