HENRY H009B
Posted Jun 12, 2023
Big Boy
Since its initial release in 2016, the Henry H009B Big Boy lever-action rifle from Henry Repeating Arms has been the toast of sport shooters and big-game hunters alike. The rifle's classic styling, modern features, and impressive accuracy have won it a loyal following and greatly enhanced the reputation of the company. After spending a few months with this impressive workhorse, I’ve come to believe it’s no wonder why.
The first thing that strikes you about the Henry H009B Big Boy is its good looks. The walnut stock and brass receiver are eye-catching, and the ample checkering is substantial and well-executed. Its blued barrel retains a nice sheen, and the overall look is one of quality craftsmanship. Not content to leave well enough alone, Henry also offers the Big Boy in a variety of styles and custom variants. Whether you’re looking for a more traditional look or a unique and custom design, Henry has something to offer.
Getting behind the Big Boy is a breeze, thanks to its generous 18.43 inch length of pull, which should fit most shooters. The buttplate is comfortable, and the safety is well-positioned on the Tang. The rifle’s weight of 8.68 pounds is enough to dampen felt recoil, even from full-house loads. The big loop lever is delightful to operate, and the smooth, quick action is a pleasure to work.
The real meat and potatoes of the Big Boy is its accuracy and reliability. In my tests, the rifle proved to be surprisingly accurate. With a few rounds of open-sight practice, I was able to easily keep 1-inch groups with several different factory loads. With a scope, those groups shrank to a half-inch or better. As impressive as the accuracy and flat shooting of the Big Boy is, it’s also important to stress the reliability of the lever action. I never experienced any misfeeds or any other sort of hiccup with this rifle, which is saying something for a lever gun of this price point.
Another thing I love about the Big Boy is its loading system. The traditional tube magazine holds nine rounds, allowing plenty of shots between reloads. The rifle also features a loading gate on the side of the receiver, allowing you to load one round at a time, like a bolt-action rifle. This is a great feature when you are shooting in heavy brush areas, and want to avoid the risk of a magazine-fed jam.
As far as extras go, the Henry H009B Big Boy has plenty to offer. It comes with Marble sights, a sling, and swivels which I found to be a nice touch. The rifle also comes with gold-plated dovetail mount, perfect for the mounting of an optic. Unfortunately, the mount is not compatible with the Redfield Revolution scope mounts, but that’s not a huge deal.
Overall, I think the Henry H009B Big Boy is an excellent rifle. Its blend of modern features and classic styling make it a great choice for both hunting and plinking. The rifle’s accuracy and reliability are impressive, and its generous tube magazine and loading gate make for quick follow-up shots. Sure, there are some small issues, such as the incompatible scope mount, but overall, I think the Big Boy is a fantastic choice for hunters and shooters alike.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
• Durable stainless steel construction
• An extremely versatile rifle
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Available in various calibers
• Accurate and efficient up to 350 yards
• Ergonomic design for maximum comfort
• High quality optics included
• Comes with a sling and carrying case
Cons:
• Expensive (starting at around $800)
• Heavyweight at 9lbs
• No iron sights included
• Requires special scope mounts to fit properly
• Recoil can be significant depending on caliber
Who Should Buy
The Henry H009B is a lever-action rifle, so this is not a firearm that would be suitable for all types of shooters. This type of rifle is most commonly used for hunting, so potential buyers should have some experience and knowledge with firearms before purchase. This rifle is not suitable for shooters who are in need of a home defense weapon or for those who do not have an appropriate place to store a firearm safely.
Comparisons
| Feature | HENRY H009B | HENRY H012GCCC BIG BOY | ROSSI R92 | MARLIN 1895 SBL |
| ------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------ | ----------- | ----------------- |
| Caliber | .45/70 | .45/70 | .357 Mag | .45/70 |
| Barrel Length | 23.3" | 24.3" | 18.5" | 16.5" |
| Capacity | 6 Rounds | 10 Rounds | 10 Rounds | 8 Rounds |
| Overall Length | 43.5" | 43.5" | 38" | 36.62" |
| Weight | 9.25lbs | 9.6lbs | 5.0lbs | 7lbs |
Features / Specs
• Barreled Action: Brass
• Caliber: .45-70
• Capacity: 5 rounds
• Rate of Twist: 1 in 20"
• Barrel Length: 24.5"
• Overall Length: 42.5"
• Weight: 9.3 l
Popular Accessories
Shotgun
The most popular accessories for the HENRY H009B Shotgun include stocks, slings, scopes, rail adapters, muzzle brakes, flashlight mounts, shell carriers, magazine followers, and choke tubes.
Accuracy
The Henry H009B is an accurate rifle, especially for short-long range shooting. It's equipped with a traditional style tapered octagon barrel and adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sights for precise accuracy in a range of different shooting scenarios. It also comes with a transferable magazine capacity of 5 rounds. This combination of accuracy and capacity make it an excellent choice for a variety of different activities including hunting and target shooting. Additionally, the H009B has a durable and rustproof receiver machined from solid steel and is covered in a beautiful blued finish for added aesthetic value. Overall, the Henry H009B is an accurate and dependable rifle that you can count on for accuracy in a variety of different settings.
