The new Henry 38-55?

[Newlee SASS#5469 1]

Thinking about getting the new Henry 38-55, but I’ve read that it kicks like a mule. Anyone have one that can compare it to say, the 45-70? I reload my own so I’ve got the Marlin load down about as low as I can go and still keep accuracy. I would do the same with the  Henry.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Newlee

[Too Tall Bob 1,233]

You would be asking about the lever gun?

[Three Foot Johnson 1,870]

A 38-55 that kicks like a mule? Hmmm...

 

[Newlee SASS#5469 1]

Yeah, looking at the side load lever gun.

[Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 103]

I have a Marlin lever and a H&R  single shot and have a hard time  entertaining such an idea.  

[Michigan Slim 3,731]

3 hours ago, Three Foot Johnson said:

A 38-55 that kicks like a mule? Hmmm...

 

This. Is it possible?

[Sedalia Dave 8,372]

Maybe if some dumb AXX is shooting 375 Winchesters out of it. My 38-55 has very mild recoil.

[LostVaquero 484]

I seriously doubt it.  A Marlin 1895 in 45-70 weighs in just a bit shy of the new HRAC side gate 38-55.

A trapdoor safe load with 300g 45-70 might have around 1600 to 1700 ftlbs muzzle energy.

A 38-55 with the closest load I could find of 255g is pushing maybe 1400 or less ftlbs energy.

 

Some physics would say a lighter bullet at lower muzzle energy in a heavier rifle would put you below what the 45-70 kicks lightly loaded.

 

 

[Newlee SASS#5469 1]

Thanks a lot for the info. Think I’ll sell the 45-70 and get the 38-55 for long range. Would it be good to 500 yards?

[Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 103]

Did go the same path.   Recoil from the 45/70 hurt for a week or so after shooting a match.

 

[Michigan Slim 3,731]

I just went to a Trailboss load for my .45-70. Nice not beating myself up like I was. 

 

The .38-55 will hit at 500 but you had better have a TALLLL sight.

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783 1,776]

Capt’ Baylor reviews on in the latest Chronicle. 

[El diablo gringo 66]

The issue you’ll have at 500 will be the light bullet and wind.  The 45/70 will allow you more tolerance at ranges over 300.  

Ymmv

Gringo

[Silver Creek Jack 189]

Thanks to the advice of our very own OLG I now use a "Shooters friend" slip on recoil pad on both of my Sharps rifles and 1886 Winchester lever rifle all in 45-70 and the recoil is waaaaaaay less , spent the day shooting all three(around 100 rounds) with no problems, no sense beating yourself up!!!  I shoot 70 grains of FF behind a 500 grain bullet in the Sharps and 24 gr. of 5744 behind a 405 gr. hollow base bullet in the 86, both loads generate a pretty healthy boot esp. the Sharps and without the pad after 20 rounds it gets pretty uncomfortable, if you like to shoot a lot ya gotta get a shooters friend!  Thanks OLG!   SCJ

[Charlie Plasters, SASS#60943 308]

2 hours ago, Silver Creek Jack said:

Thanks to the advice of our very own OLG I now use a "Shooters friend" slip on recoil pad on both of my Sharps rifles and 1886 Winchester lever rifle all in 45-70 and the recoil is waaaaaaay less , spent the day shooting all three(around 100 rounds) with no problems, no sense beating yourself up!!!  I shoot 70 grains of FF behind a 500 grain bullet in the Sharps and 24 gr. of 5744 behind a 405 gr. hollow base bullet in the 86, both loads generate a pretty healthy boot esp. the Sharps and without the pad after 20 rounds it gets pretty uncomfortable, if you like to shoot a lot ya gotta get a shooters friend!  Thanks OLG!   SCJ

This shooters friend that you speak of - is it something commercial that I could buy?

[LostVaquero 484]

14 hours ago, Michigan Slim said:

I just went to a Trailboss load for my .45-70. Nice not beating myself up like I was. 

 

The .38-55 will hit at 500 but you had better have a TALLLL sight.

TB is what I use as well, very easy on the shoulder.

[Silver Creek Jack 189]

41 minutes ago, Charlie Plasters, SASS#60943 said:

This shooters friend that you speak of - is it something commercial that I could buy?

Sure is! SageOutfitters.com is where I got mine around $25.00 before shipping, you could buy it from other places im sure , just do a google search. I just like to pass on something that WORKS as advertised.   SCJ

[Rooster Ron Wayne 1,444]

I have the Henry 45/70 .

I load a 405gr Lee bullet with 65gr of Black Powder .

I think the Kick is pretty manageable. 

PS.

Yes the Henry is Much lighter then my Pedersoli Rolling block .

 But that's also why I bought it in the first place. 

Rooster 

[Newlee SASS#5469 1]

 Thanks for all the great info. Will have a shooters friend shortly and keep both the Henry 38-55 and the Marlin  45-70.