Max CUP rating for Henry Big Boy 45LC

[David I.]

I'm curious as to the max CUP rating for the Henry Big Boy 45LC. I reload for 45LC and I need to know what the Henry can take. I don't load really that heavy for 45LC anyway because the "old time" thin case can't take extra large pressures., but I would still like to know. I'm sure I could get this info from Henry, but I just thought I'd ask here first. Some of my questions are:
1) What is the receiver made of? Solid brass?
2) Is the 45LC receiver very similar to the 44Mag receiver? If so, the 44Mag has pretty high pressures and my handloads for 45LC are not quite reaching the level of the 44Mag.
3) I know the chamber/barrel design and material is also a factor....how does this compare to other manufacturers?
4) What is the max CUP for the Henry Big Boy 45LC?
I've heard some very good things about Henry rifles and the company in general. I would love to add an American made Henry rifle to my collection of firearms. I know they are slightly heavy and have a "tube load" instead of a receiver side gate. These two "slight negatives" are greatly overpowered by all the other positives that I will sum up as USA made quality.
Any help or comments would be appreciated, although I am hoping for first hand knowledge.

[Graybeard]

Call them and ask, they'll give it to you straight.

I'd be pretty confident that any load in a reputable loading manual is safe in it. If you can't get it done with that you need more gun not more ammo.

[David I.]

Thanks Graybeard for the reply. I may have to give Henry a call.
I would like to say, some of my heavier handloads are listed for use in Ruger handguns only and are NOT to be used in other handguns such as Colt, etc. Therefore, I do wish to be careful since I do not know what the Henry Big Boy 45LC is rated at for max CUP yet. If someone can tell me max CUP rating that already knows....great, if not I will call Henry. I do know there are some Buffalo manufactured loads out there that cannot be used safely in certain firearms and I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that some of the loads listed for Ruger Only cannot be used safely in some lever action rifles. It remains to be seen if Henry Big Boy rifles are safe with those loads or not.....which brings me back to my original question. As I said, I WILL call Henry if need be but it is starting to look like I will need to call them and then I will post the info.
Thanks again, David.

[keith44]

The two big factors with pressures in lever guns are the bolt lock up, and the receiver.  You already mentioned the receiver as a possible concern so I'll only add about the lock up.  The most basic design is a simple toggle that moves the bolt fore and aft with a simple toggle cam arrangement that has no support other than the rails and lever pressure.  A stronger design has a piece of steel that slides up behind the bolt as the lever is moved up, and allows higher pressure rounds to be fired.  The strongest design has a rotary bolt head that engages recesses cut into the barrel (Browning's centerfire lever action rifles chambering .308 is the best example I have seen) 


Knowing that, +1 on getting factory info.  Otherwise stick to lower pressure data.  I would expect to see a velocity increase to over 1,000 fps out of the longer rifle barrel with 230 to 250 grain bullets.  My manual shows 2400 with 230 grain bullets at about 900 fps out of a 6" barrel.  Blue Dot does similar with 250 grain bullets.  You may not need to crank up the pressures.

[Graybeard]

It is chambered in .44 Magnum which has a higher SAAMI pressure rating than the Ruger/TC only .45 Colt loads.

[David I.]

Thanks kieth44 for the reply. I have a particular load that I will call moderate that I have used for years in my Ruger Blackhawk. I realize every gun has it's own liking or disliking to certain loads, but I am hoping that whatever lever gun I end up getting will also like my load. My load has proven very accurate with only moderate recoil in my Ruger.
I use 10grains of Unique with a 200 grain SW bullet. I'm currently switching to Berrys copper plated bullets in 200 grain. From other loading data I have looked at the velocity should be around 1100fps, (I do not own a chrono). I get very minimal leading of barrel with the SW bullet being just slightly above 1000fps. I would think the pressure with this load is only "moderate" since I could go up to 11.8 grains of Unique if I wanted to in my Ruger. My listing states a max of 9.5 grains of Unique with a 200grain bullet for use in a Colt handgun or other similar strength guns. I currently do NOT have the pressure data on these loads and I will be looking for that data soon. Since my load is only @10grains of Unique w/200gr bullet I'm only slightly above the max for Colts, etc....it's probably OK to use in most guns but I want to be sure. I'm NOT happy with "probably" OK and that's why I want pressure data for this load and a max pressure for the Henry Big Boy 45LC.
I am NOT recommending any of the above loads to anyone. I am only stating that the 10gr load of Unique w/200gr bullet works for me in my Ruger Blackhawk that is in great condition.
Just to mention: I suppose I could just reduce my load to 9.5gr of Unique but I do remember that my Ruger did not like that load as well. As I said, I am hoping to use the same load in my Ruger as in my new lever gun that I have not purchased yet!!!

[David I.]

It is chambered in .44 Magnum which has a higher SAAMI pressure rating than the Ruger/TC only .45 Colt loads.

Thanks for the info Graybeard...I didn't mean to snub you. Your post appeared while I was replying to kieth44...sorry.

[dpe.ahoy]

David I, please rest assured that modern brass for the 45 Colt is not weak.  Dick Casull used 45 colt brass when developing his 454.  I have loaded 45 brass above Ruger/TC levels for use in my firearms chambered for 454 Casull and have normal case life only losing one or 2 cases with neck splits caused by my over expanding case mouths too many times.  My fault, not weak brass, primer pockets stayed tight.  If the chamber is not oversized, and the firearm is capable of handling the pressure, the brass will stand up.  DP

[David I.]

Thanks dpe.ahoy for the info. I am aware of all that and I whole heartadly agree. Todays 45LC brass is much better, (I use Starline), but as I said I don't load terribly heavy anyway...just what I will call "moderate". The Henry Company helped me out with the cup rating of the Henry Big Boy in 45LC. They were not able to give me a max cup rating, but they were able to say it can definitely handle plus +P loads such as for Ruger. They said the receiver is basically the same as used for the 44mag Big Boy, which of course has much higher pressure, etc.
This is all interesting and very imformative for any of us that may have been wondering the same thing. I must inform you though that since I started this thread I have decided to purchase a Chiappa made 1892 instead of the Henry Big Boy mostly because I decided I wanted a true replica of a lever gun. I chose the 1892 and not the 1873 due to strength of the lock up design for my +P loads. It's unfortunate that an American company does not make 1866,1873,1892,1886 replicas to compete with the Italian makers. Marlin makes 1894,1895 guns and Rossi/Braztech make 92's and Winchester stopped all together and Browning/Moroku I think still makes a great 1892, but they are not what I wanted for various reasons and I will NOT get into a discussion about that right now...."to each his own" and I respect that fact.
I really like the Henry Big Boy and I feel it is a quality USA made accurate smooth functioning gun from a company that has excellent customer service second to none, (Anthony Imperato is one heck of a great guy), but this time for me I needed a replica. Next year I WILL be purchasing a Henry 22 lever action for my wife.
Thanks to all again for your imput on this subject, I appreciate it. I have started another thread regarding my Chiappa.
 

[keith44]

David I.


Glad you found a rifle of your liking, I respect a man who knows what he wants, why he wants it, and can articulate those desires.  Enjoy your new acquisition.