HENRY'S BIG BOY SIDE GATE LEVER GUN

THIS .357/.38 IS FUN AND ACCURATE TO SHOOT.

- Jonathan Kilburn

There are very few calibers that have a legacy like the .357 Magnum. The cartridge is nearing its 90th anniversary and doesn’t show any signs of going away.

Being able to reach some efficient velocities and retain excellent ballistics in a small package makes this caliber a great option for many shooters. Hunters find it useful for taking small to medium game, while woodsmen carry this caliber for defense against all sorts of wild animals. It also has a following among those who use it as a multi-role piece for hunting and self-defense. It’s effective for its overall versatility without kicking as hard or being as loud as a .44 Magnum.

To date, there’s only one other pistol caliber that has surpassed the .357 Magnum. While it does have some benefits, it still can’t match the cult-like following of the .357.

Henry Big Boy Side Gate

One of the showstopping rifles from Henry’s .357 lineup is the Color Case Hardened Big Boy carbine with a large loop and octagon barrel. Out of the box, this rifle makes hearts skip a beat. The color case hardening is matte, with muted, but definitive, colors that flow into one another.

A 16.5-inch octagon barrel is the “beef” of this rifle. It’s the majority of the weight—and quite a statement. On this model, a large loop lever finishes off the action with a pleasing triangle curve; this is a departure from traditional large loop levers and adds some flair. To tidy up and complete the whole firearm, a walnut stock and forend pull everything together. The wood features impressive checkering. The stock, itself, is very well finished and has a small, rubberized recoil pad.