How do henry big boy rifles handle the higher pressures of the 45 Long Colt?

[DougGuy]

Might get some leading with the swaged boolits. As far as alloy, the velocity you want to shoot is very conducive to the same as what works in a Ruger, I would suggest a mix of 50/50+2% which would be 50% coww, 50% pure lead, and 2% tin. With soft lube like Felix, randyrat's Tac1, or even SPG you would have my favorite alloy of all for 45 Colt, and I never need to clean the bore.

[Dthunter]

I will be going with 18 lbs of wheel weight alloy + 8 feer of lead free solder. Air cooled.

i wont be venturing past 1000 fps with these swedged bullets for sure.

[CPL Lou]

Buffalo Bore says Ruger level loads are safe:

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...t_detail&p=335

If you scroll down on the page, you will see a list of acceptable firearms.
The Henry Big Boy is on that list.
Hope this helps.

CPL Lou

[MyFlatline]

I recently got the 45 in Big Boy Steel, using the Accurate 255 mold and 7.6 gns. Unique. Things are looking pretty good so far in week 1 of testing.

[Dthunter]

Thank you very much gentelman!

[Kosh75287]

Alliant Powder lists 15.4/2400/250LSWC as max in .45 Colt. From a 5.5" barrel, the load clocks 972 f/s. I suspect that, given the much longer barrel and the slower burning nature of Alliant 2400, you could see a very usable increase in velocities without having to push the higher limits of the Henry's tolerance for pressure. Of course, I have no idea about the availability of Alliant 2400, where you are.

[Flinchrock]

After reading Winelover's post, I went and ran a rod down the barrel of my Henry BBS in 45LC. It is 1:16"

When I brought my Henry .45 Colt home the first things I did after cleaning was to slug the bore and check ROT, came out .4515 and 1:16. I thought I had a fortunate mistake.

It shoots an Accurate 280gr fpgc with 23gr H110 very well.

[Dthunter]

I was out shooting this morning, trying the ruger/tc loads in my Henry big boy.

Starting at the lowest charge for H110, and lil Gun, I got some very interesting results!

The 250 grain Hornady XTP hollow point was chronygraphed at 1580fps at starting grains for H110, and 1599 with lilgun!

By the time max charges were shot (no extraction issues present or over pressure signs on the brass), the velocities were up to 1675 and 1695 fps average! Yikes!

1-1/4" groups at 75 yards with lilgun and 2" with H110! Very happy with that! I didnt expect that much of an improvement with the 20" barrel! But am impressed with the 45Lc Henry big boy!

[35 shooter]

Those are some impressive numbers for your new rifle. Very nice.

[woodbutcher]

In the ads and articles that I have read regarding the brass BB Henrys.They are "Hardened Brass".Hope this helps.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[ebner glocken]

I'm not sure what henry's "brass" material is but I do know a magnet will stick right to it. It sure does look like brass though. If I remember right they call it "brass light". If anyone knows exactly what the alloy is I think most here would like to know.

Ebner

[jmort]

It is a brass alloy with the strength of many steel alloys. I do not know the exact composition

[CPL Lou]

Using Buffalo Bore 260 HP +P load out of my Marlin 1894 CB 24" barrel I'm getting 1940fps, average for 10 shots.
I get 1515fps out of my 7.5" Bisley Blackhawk with the same load.
I suspect the 260HP is actually Hornady's 250 XTP.

CPL Lou

[Flinchrock]

It is a brass alloy with the strength of many steel alloys. I do not know the exact composition

These Henry's are a lot stronger than folks think and are quite capable and accurate rifles.
I don't recommend running any firearm to its absolute limits as an everyday practice, but for the amount of rounds
used for hunting, there shouldn't be any problems.