The Henry Big Boy Steel is a lever-action rifle chambered in .357 Magnum / .38 Special with a 20-inch barrel, 10-round tubular magazine, and American walnut stock. The receiver and barrel are blued steel, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts. It weighs 7 lbs and measures 37.5 inches overall. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Manufacturer: Henry Repeating Arms 
• Model: Big Boy Steel 
• Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special 
• Action Type: Lever Action 
• Barrel Length: 20 inches 
• Capacity: 10 rounds (tubular magazine) 
• Weight: 7 lbs (112 oz) 
• Overall Length: 37.5 inches 
• Stock Material: American Walnut 
• Butt Plate Material: Rubber 
• Finish: Blued Receiver & Barrel 
• Sights: Brass Bead front; Adjustable Semi Buckhorn with Diamond Insert rear 
   

Detailed Features 

 
The Big Boy Steel accepts both .357 Magnum and .38 Special, which gives you a practical range of loads — .38 Special for lighter practice sessions or lower recoil, full .357 Magnum when the situation calls for it. The 10-round tubular magazine is one of the highest capacities available in this caliber class from a lever-action platform. A transfer bar safety prevents discharge unless the trigger is pulled. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts. The rubber butt plate manages recoil across extended sessions with magnum loads. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

• Hunting medium game: .357 Magnum from a 20-inch barrel delivers more velocity than a handgun and is effective on deer at close to moderate distances. 
• Cowboy action shooting: .38 Special loads keep recoil light and the 10-round capacity handles competition stages without reload pressure. 
• Pairing with a .357 Magnum revolver for a common-caliber field kit.

The Henry Big Boy Steel .357 Magnum gets strong reviews across multiple user groups.

Build quality and action smoothness are the most consistent positives. Henry's reputation for smooth lever actions holds here — owners frequently comment on how well it cycles. The blued steel and walnut combination looks good, and the craftsmanship holds up under scrutiny. The dual-caliber capability (.357 Mag and .38 Special) is practically valued: owners use lighter .38 loads for range practice and reserve the magnum loads for hunting or defensive purposes. The 10-round capacity is a genuine advantage in competition and general use. Recoil with .357 Magnum is manageable from the rifle platform, and most users find .38 Special essentially soft.

Price is the one friction point that comes up with some regularity — Henry rifles sit above budget lever-action options. Most buyers consider the quality justified; a few point to alternatives at lower cost. The community around Henry rifles is active and supportive, which owners mention as an ancillary benefit.