Henry Big Boy Color Case Hardened .357 Mag 20in Octagon
Pros & cons
What works
- Color case hardened receiver adds $200-300 value over standard bluing
- 20-inch octagon barrel provides exceptional balance with 37.5-inch overall length
- American walnut stock with 13.75-inch length of pull offers premium fit
- Side loading gate allows reloading without removing tubular magazine
- Drilled and tapped receiver accepts BB-RSM scope bases for optics mounting
Trade-offs
- 7.8-pound weight is 3.2 pounds heavier than synthetic-stocked alternatives
- Tubular magazine requires 45-60 seconds for full 10-round reload
- No threaded barrel option for suppressor attachment without modification
- Semi-buckhorn sights require practice for rapid target acquisition
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Henry Big Boy Color Case Hardened .357 Mag 20in Octagon is a full-size lever-action rifle chambered for .357 Magnum/.38 Special with traditional aesthetics and modern functionality. This rifle combines classic Western styling with practical features that appeal to both collectors and shooters. It represents Henry Repeating Arms' commitment to quality American manufacturing with attention to historical detail.
What is the Henry Big Boy Color Case Hardened .357 Mag 20in Octagon used for?
This rifle excels at medium-range hunting and recreational shooting within 150 yards. The .357 Magnum/.38 Special chambering makes it ideal for deer and varmint hunting while remaining affordable to shoot with .38 Special practice rounds. The 20-inch octagon barrel provides excellent balance and traditional aesthetics perfect for cowboy action shooting competitions.
How does the Henry Big Boy compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle | .308 Win, 20in Matte Black Synthetic?
The Henry Big Boy offers superior traditional aesthetics and smoother lever-action operation compared to the bolt-action Stevens 334. While the Stevens 334 in .308 Win delivers more stopping power at longer ranges, the Henry's .357 Magnum chambering provides 40% lower recoil and 50% cheaper ammunition costs. The Henry's color case hardened receiver and walnut stock make it 3.2 pounds heavier but significantly more visually appealing than the synthetic-stocked Stevens.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 7.8 pounds (124.8 ounces) with an overall length of 37.5 inches. The 20-inch octagon barrel has a 1:16 twist rate, and the American walnut stock measures 13.75 inches in length of pull. The rifle stands 7.25 inches tall at the receiver with swivel studs positioned 4 inches apart for sling attachment.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle isn't suitable for long-range precision shooting beyond 200 yards or tactical applications requiring rapid magazine changes. The tubular magazine holds only 10 rounds of .357 Magnum and requires 45-60 seconds to reload completely. Shooters needing optics-ready platforms should consider our Stevens 334 which comes pre-drilled for scope mounting.
What's in the box?
The package includes the rifle with installed semi-buckhorn sights, two BB-RSM scope base adapter plates, and swivel stud hardware. Henry includes a comprehensive owner's manual covering maintenance procedures and a warranty registration card valid for 5 years. The box does not include cleaning kits or additional accessories beyond the basic mounting hardware.
Is the Henry Big Boy worth it at $1097.99?
At $1097.99, this rifle justifies its price through exceptional craftsmanship and historical authenticity. The color case hardening process alone adds $200-300 in value over standard blued finishes, while the American walnut stock represents another $150 premium over synthetic alternatives. For shooters wanting traditional aesthetics with modern reliability, this represents better value than custom-built replicas costing $2000+.
Key attributes
| upc | 619835200389 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H012GMCC |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20'' |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 10+1 |
| color | CASE HARDENED/BLUED |
| length | 37.5'' |
| model | Big Boy Color Case Hardened Side Gate |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 7.0 |
| product type | Lever Action |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 8.6 |
| sights | Brass Bead Front/Adj Semi-Buckhorn Rear |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .38 Special ammunition?
- Yes, the rifle chambers and fires both .357 Magnum and .38 Special rounds interchangeably. The 1:16 twist rate stabilizes both cartridges effectively, though point of impact may shift 1.5 inches at 100 yards between loadings. Always confirm zero when switching between ammunition types.
- Does it fit standard rifle scopes?
- The receiver is drilled and tapped for BB-RSM scope bases, accommodating most standard 1-inch tube optics. The semi-buckhorn sights provide a sight radius of 23.5 inches for iron sight use. We recommend low-profile scopes to maintain the rifle's traditional handling characteristics.
- How long does shipping take?
- Firearms ship within 3-5 business days to your selected FFL dealer after compliance verification. All shipments require adult signature confirmation and follow ATF-regulated transportation protocols. Delivery typically completes within 7-10 business days depending on your FFL's processing time.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for un-fired firearms in original packaging, subject to 15% restocking fee. Fired firearms cannot be returned due to ATF regulations regarding serialized weapons. All returns must undergo compliance verification before refund processing, which typically takes 10-14 business days.
- Does this work with suppressor attachments?
- No, the 20-inch octagon barrel isn't threaded for suppressor attachment without gunsmith modification. Adding threads would require removing 0.5 inches of barrel length and potentially affecting the front sight placement. For suppressed shooting, consider our <a href="/products/stevens-334-243win-20-3rd-black/">Stevens 334</a> with threaded barrel options.