Henry lever 44mag Vs Ruger bolt 44mag

[bamasnake]

Hello all, I am currently eyeing a new Henry Big Boy 44 magnum versus a used Ruger bolt action 44 magnum that appears to be in very good condition at my LGS. I'm interested in a close range brush gun for whitetail primarily. Just wondering if the community had any advice. The Henry does have some appeal from a fun perspective but I'm wondering if the ruger is the better buy.

Thanks all.

 

[DM~]

Just buy the one that fits you best, or that you like best...

DM

 

[horsemen61]

For me it’s a no brainer I’d get the ruger!

 

[Buzznrose]

Both are solid guns. I’m more a fan of lever guns for pistol calibers personally.

But I do like Ruger bolt guns

 

[gotboostvr]

Depends if you like levers or bolts more.

They're both great guns.

The bolt gun is likely lighter by a not insignificant amount if I remember correctly.

Edit: Just looked it up on the manufactures pages,

#7.0 for the Henry
#5.2 for the Ruger

The Ruger will also look less blasphemous if you're planning on scoping it too!

 

[rbernie]

The Ruger is a much less common item, and it may be worth picking up and trying simply because you’re not likely to find another one laying around anytime soon.

I’ve never had one, but I admire them.

 

[Riomouse911]

The 77/.44 for me. They’re not too common and are cool shooters.

Stay safe.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have a Henry .44M BB and a Ruger 77/357 (probably close enough for comparison). They both have their merits. As others have pointed out their is a weight difference. The Henry is very heavy for a .44 levergun; this helps with recoil though. Mine is very accurate and has been 100% reliable. My Ruger is obviously lighter and much easier to carry over long distance. Accuracy wise, out of the box, the Henry would be more accurate. I did add some bolt shims to the Ruger 77/357 which tightened things up noticable. With the tuned gun, the Ruger is more accurate. I like having magazines for hunting. It makes loading/unloading when getting into a vehicle or a stand much easier than dumping a tube full of ammo. Either would work great but I would go with the 77/44 for a true hunting rifle. Hope this helps...

 

[westernrover]

Easy. Just answer what scope you'll put on it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Biased because I’m lefty but also because I don’t like rimmed cartridges in bolt actions.

So the Henry.

 

[9422wincam]

Hello all, I am currently eyeing a new Henry Big Boy 44 magnum versus a used Ruger bolt action 44 magnum that appears to be in very good condition at my LGS. I'm interested in a close range brush gun for whitetail primarily. Just wondering if the community had any advice. The Henry does have some appeal from a fun perspective but I'm wondering if the ruger is the better buy.

Thanks all.

Definitely the Ruger
I own one
It’s probably the best stalking setup I’ve ever used
I put a 1-4x24 Bresser #4 reticle on mine
It fit the rifle perfectly

 

[Hasaf]

I went with the Ruger. Why? I just like bolt action better.

 

[JDeere]

I don't have the Ruger but I do have a Big Boy in 44mag. I 'm a fan of lever actions for pistol cartridges She's a fine weapon, shoots and points well. You don't need a scope on a brush gun. I did ditch the buckhorns and put a Skinner on her. In the end get what you like...

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Well, I've still got a 77/44 that I bought in the 1990s, back when the all-weather version was first introduced. I've bought and traded away a lot of guns since, so I must like it. It's been tailored to my preferences with an extended mag release and NECG peep sight, and I made a more positive bolt stop for it from sheet steel.



I had both a scope and a red dot mounted on it at different times, but I've found that I enjoy using it best with irons. BTW, this guy came up with a really good idea for a red dot sight mount on his heavily modded-out 77/44:



Mine's always been a good shooter, though it's light enough that recoil can be surprisingly stout with heavy bullet loads.

I don't know enough about the Henry to offer an opinion. The closest thing I've owned to a lever-action .44 is my converted Martini-Henry (different Henry) single shot. That gun gets to the range more than the Ruger 'cause it's all kinds of fun.

 

[Crosshair]

The 77/44 for sure. They don't show up used often. I love mine.

While not cheap, there are extended magazines for the 77/44 now as well.

BTW, this guy came up with a really good idea for a red dot sight mount on his heavily modded-out 77/44

Is it bad that I was correcting them when I originally watched the video?

 

[Crosshair]

That gun gets to the range more than the Ruger 'cause it's all kinds of fun.

Cuz you can shoot the spent case at the person next to you who is pelting you with brass.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Cuz you can shoot the spent case at the person next to you who is pelting you with brass.

If I forget to wear my cap, this top-ejecting Martini is more likely to drop hot brass down my own shirt front. Ask me how I know ...

I think the gun with the most annoying ejection pattern is the SKS -- that sucker will bounce spent brass off the metal roof 10 feet above the firing line, sometimes with enough force to dent both.

 

[ACES&8S]

I own one of that Henry also in 44 magnum but it is just fun for us to shoot not hunting, I would prefer a
bolt action for hunting.
Just feels right for some reason, the Ruger is my choice.
The 44 magnum I hunt with is a model 29 smith, scoped.

 

[Legionnaire]

Another vote for the 77/44. I've tried to warm to level actions--really tried. Had several including a couple of Marlin 1894s. Just not my thing. The 77/44, in addition to being a bolt action, is svelte by comparison.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Ruger 77/44 because it would round out my 96/44 and 99/44!

As mentioned, IQ Munitions makes a 10 round box mag for the 77/44. I have one that works wonderfully in my 96/44. The 99/44 needs a bit of love to get it to fit. Its a super high quality magazine that you can run over with a truck and not hurt it.