Think I want a Henry Single for X-Mas, What Caliber?

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Wife says Ive been a good boy, and Ive been kicking around the idea of a Henry Single- I like Henry's corporate philosophy, but none of their repeaters really appeal to me. The single is a mighty handsome rifle, though.
I also don't want to add any new cartridge types to the ammo dump, so that narrows the choices to .357 (.38), .223, .243, or .308.
Mainly this would fill the traditional "truck gun" role, medium ranges, probably not going to scope it, though I may swap the rear sight for a peep setup.
Leaning towards .223 or .357 to keep recoil mild. Thoughts?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Go with .243. You'll still get mild recoil, but will be able to hunt anything from Mulies to ground squirrels.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Go with .243. You'll still get mild recoil, but will be able to hunt anything from Mulies to ground squirrels.

True, and I've got a fair pile of 100gr. rounds- though they are pretty stout from my M99 Savage. The 55gr. pills would probably be a lot easier on the shoulder, but finding any has been pretty tough for the last two years...$$$ too.
The deer here are mostly dog-sized anyway, lol. Hogs are our biggest and toughest game.

 

[Barbaroja]

True, and I've got a fair pile of 100gr. rounds- though they are pretty stout from my M99 Savage. The .55gr pills would probably be a lot easier on the shoulder, but finding any has been pretty tough for the last two years...$$$ too.
The biggest deer here are dog-sized anyway, lol. Hogs are our biggest and toughest game.

I was going to say .243 but you may be served well by a .223 if your talking small deer.
I just got a handi rifle in 308 and would advise against it in a light rifle unless you need the power. I’m thinking of loading mine with 170gn FN Bullets designed for the 30-30 and only load them to 2200-2300fps.
Should expand well and not bust my shoulder up too much

 

[PapaG]

I picked up a used 357, ostensibly for our state’s entry in the single shot straight wall cartridge deer season in 2023. Now I find out I can “plug” my 45-70, 444, or 44 mag levers to single shot status and be legal.
Being hard headed, I’ve gone ahead and scoped Henry, added a lace on high comb(they have a lot of drop) and am working up laser loads. So far, nothing groups at 100 yards(a long poke on my farm) better than the old Skeeter Lyman 358156 gc and the top load of 2400 in 357 cases. Thinking of reaming to 357 MAX.

 

[plainsdrifter]

Well IMO these rifles like Ruger No. 1's were originally designed for big boy calibers that put the hurt on not pistol rounds.
And you know .357 is gonna cost as much as a .243 seems like.
I'm not much excited about their lever guns either.
Tough decision. Let us know!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Well IMO these rifles like Ruger No. 1's were originally designed for big boy calibers that put the hurt on not pistol rounds.
And you know .357 is gonna cost as much as a .243 seems like.
I'm not much excited about their lever guns either.
Tough decision. Let us know!

I do have a very healthy stockpile of .38s to draw on, but not so many Magnums. Of course, a single doesn't go through 'em very fast either, lol.

 

[d2wing]

.223 or 243 for me. Plenty for deer. I like either one, especially in a light rifle. Lots more useful that a pistol cartridge in a rifle.

 

[PapaG]

I’ve been loading 38/357 since the 357 had large pistol primers. Python, Three Fifty Seven, Pre27, and on and on. I’ve killed only four deer with it but had to trail none more than fifty yards.
My Contender 357, 10”, will put three of my favorites in three inches at 100. It, in my nearly 80 year old hands, is a handful. In Henry, a pussycat.

 

[Pat Riot]

Iron sights - .357/.38
Scope - .223, .243, .308

That’s how I see it. Personally, I like the idea of the .357 single shot.

 

[mgmorden]

Extraction of rimless cartridges in a break action always involves a more complex mechanism. Most makers have figured out out to do it fine but to me break actions always seem more well matched to a rimmed cartridge. If I were buying for myself I'd probably go for .45-70, but out of your list it leaves .357/.38 .

 

[Random 8]

If it helps, I have a. 357 Henry that I shoot mostly cheap 158 .38 cast from. Push smallish targets out past 100 yards, it's like shooting a big rifle at extreme range without the noise and recoil. Endless fun knocking over 4" firewood pins at deer camp, complete with significant Kentucky windage and elevation. Plenty of horsepower for deer with full power. 357 too.

 

[adcoch1]

357 and run a reamer to at least the 360 Dan Wesson, if not the max.

 

[Rex in OTZ]

Most truck guns aka utility guns were for pest control.
Roaming Dogs out to cause harm to your livestock, coyotes, skunks, racoon to name a few common pest's a rural fellow might encounter.
The .243 would be heavy but good range, .223 Remington is a great utility varmit round.
What was not mentiond and possibly not a Henry chambering is the .22-250 Remington.

 

[Mr. Hill]

.308 Winchester would be pretty tough for that rifle.

 

[kidneyboy]

If you don't anticipate shots further than 100yards I'd go 357/38. Longer than that it would be 223. If you were going to use a scope and had enough ammo/components I'd skip the first 2 and go right to 243.

 

[Charlie98]

Looking at their website, I'm disappointed they don't offer one in .45 Colt. I joke that my H&R in .45 Colt is the most fun you can have with your clothes on... like a baby .45-70. Given your choices, however, I would get the .308 and just handload cast bullets for it, like I do for my .308 and .30-30 Savage 99's.

 

[PapaG]

I think I would have grabbed a 350 Legend if it had been available. But it wasn’t.

 

[Bartojc]

With your requirements I'd think 357 would fit nicely. Less powder = cheaper fun. The ability to shoot even more with 38 special. If you don't need to run a bottleneck cartridge this is what I'd be looking at.

If you had mentioned 44 magnum I would have recommended that

-Jeff

 

[Jack B.]

I have a Henry Big Boy. Brass receiver and octagon barrel in 44magnum or special and I consider it my best rifle. Most accurate and a load of fun to shoot. Plus, I have other 44 pistols in my collection. Ammo or all.

 

[Twocanary]

Have a ruger 77 357 bolt and 357 levers. Have had a 223/556 bolt and have 556 semi's. 223/556 factory rounds would most likely group tighter at 100 yards than 357. I've had to work harder to find what my 357's likes. The Henry looks really, really nice; it wouldn't see any rain or dirt if I got one. I vote for the 223/556. But reloading and casting for a 357 is way more fun.

 

[Nature Boy]

For what you’re thinking I like the .223. A cheap plinker and if you happen to find yourself on a country road and see a yote in your field you’re equipped to deal with it.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Aaaaargh, so torn, lol.
Strangely, I'm finding the .357 up to $100 cheaper.....
but I'm tilting towards spending the extra $$ anyway thanks to the greater versatility of the .223.
If I did go .223, I'm thinking I might actually go with a Malcolm Unertl replica long-tube scope to give it an old-timey buffalo rifle look. How cool would that be?

 

[Mr. Mosin]

.357 Magnum

 

[Pat Riot]

Aaaaargh, so torn, lol.
Strangely, I'm finding the .357 up to $100 cheaper.....
but I'm tilting towards spending the extra $$ anyway thanks to the greater versatility of the .223.
If I did go .223, I'm thinking I might actually go with a Malcolm Unertl replica long-tube scope to give it an old-timey buffalo rifle look. How cool would that be?

A new Corvette drivetrain in a ‘61 Chevy Impala. Classic appearance with some zip under the hood.