Are .44 / .45 lever guns easier to load than .357's?

[Ron3]

It's been awhile since I've played with a lever gun. The most recent was a .357.

The loading gate was tight and not a fun part of the process. Is a larger gate, like that of a .44 or .45 more user friendly?

Seems like it would be less likely to pinch. I think my wife would enjoy a light lever rifle but not if she dreads loading it. Or maybe gloves are the answer?

I'm not worried about ammo cost I can reload whatever caliber.

[HKGuns]

30-30's are tight, so I'd say it will make little to no difference.

[Ron3]

Easy reloading at the reciever is something we'd really like.

Ability to mount optics & a suppressor, too.

16 in barrel, wood furniture.

So simple, probably lots of people would like such a configuration, so obviously, nobody makes such as thing.

[B Cart]

I'm assuming her experience is with a side-gate loading lever gun? She might enjoy a tube fed lever action much better, and they are easy to load. Sucks to have to take the tube out, but loading/unloading is much nicer. I have a tube loading Henry Big Boy in 44 Mag and love it.

[Ron3]

I'm assuming her experience is with a side-gate loading lever gun? She might enjoy a tube fed lever action much better, and they are easy to load. Sucks to have to take the tube out, but loading/unloading is much nicer. I have a tube loading Henry Big Boy in 44 Mag and love it.

That's not a bad idea, getting a Henry with both the gate and removable mag tube.

I'd really like an optic on it. Suppressor threads very desirable.

[BuzzinSATX]

That's not a bad idea, getting a Henry with both the gate and removable mag tube.

I'd really like an optic on it. Suppressor threads very desirable.

Big Boy X fits that description. Threaded barrel, gate or tube feed, easy to put an optic on.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-x-model/


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[B Cart]

That's not a bad idea, getting a Henry with both the gate and removable mag tube.

I'd really like an optic on it. Suppressor threads very desirable.

I have a pistol red dot mounted to mine Big Boy 44 Mag. I just added a pic rail section on the receiver and put a Vortex Viper red dot on there. Makes shooting it even more fun

[Ron3]

Big Boy X fits that description. Threaded barrel, gate or tube feed, easy to put an optic on.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-x-model/


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That looks good...wood would be nice.

[Rob96]

The Big Biy X is great. I have one in 45Colt. Not bad to load through the gate as I use that for loads with 300gr bullets as they don't quite fit through the tube opening.

[mark5pt56]

Ron3, Don't know how you are loading it. One method is to not push the cartridge all of the way in and use the next one to push it and repeating. It helps to not pinch on every round. You can dehorn the offending area/parts, I heard the new Marlins have this area dehorned as part of the manufacture/assembly. Gloves will get caught in the gate.