Source for Henry rifle blanks

[Milliron]

I am considering getting one of these, and would like to avoid using 5 in 1's if possible. Does anyone know a vendor who produces crimped brass blanks in 44-40 for this rifle?

Thanks for any help.

[BrandonEnglish]

For WWII 30-06 I use Joe Swanson. He is the blank guy to buy from. His blanks are hot and always work without fail. He does all sorts of calibers he may have henry blanks, I believe he does but they aren't cheap. My old man has a henry and the blanks seem to go up in price every 6 months. At least for 30-06 blanks he is at about $.52 a shot which is 35 bucks per 100 plus $17 for shipping. Hope that helps.

http://www.joeswansonsmotionpictureblanks.com/

[TheRegularsDrummerCo.H]

Bob,

I am not sure when they carry them but one of my friends says he buys his blanks from Dixie Gun Works.
He says they have them from time to time.

[BrandonEnglish]

Bob,

I am not sure when they carry them but one of my friends says he buys his blanks from Dixie Gun Works.
He says they have them from time to time.

Adam,

Dixie Gun Works sells the 5 in 1's. The thing with Henry's is that you cannot use just a regular blank, it has to be the full length and almost shape of the bullet otherwise it will not cycle the next round when you pull down the lever. I have used the 5 in 1's and they do jam when you try to fire to quickly.

[TheRegularsDrummerCo.H]

Brandon,

Oh. I didnt know which one's they sold. I agree 100% about the 5 in 1's though. Sorry for the Confusion.

[KevinBarnes]

Give Joe Swanson a call. I got 2oo .44-40 blanks from him for my Henry. They are full length, cycle like a champ, and are plenty loud. Much louder than the 5-in-1 blanks. Be sure to tell him you want black powder though or you might get the smokeless flavor. They weren't cheap though. Can't remember exactly but $35 or so for 100 I think.

[Tim Prince]

I used to have a Henry chambered in 45 Colt that I used for CAS in SASS matches. I reloaded like crazy back then, so I did a lot of business with Starline brass. I know that they used to offer 45 Colt blank brass so you could make your own. If I remember right, they were set up for really large primers (shotgun sized) so you had the option of doing a primer only blank, or a power filled one. I think the brass was aimed at the CMS (Cowboy Mounted Shooting) guys who shoot blanks at balloons while riding rodeo style. At any rate, check out the Starline site and see what they offer. The advantage to using 45 Colt is the straight walled case that allows you to use carbide sizing dies and avoid having to lube cases when re-sizing.

You are right that the Henry action is very sensitive to overall case length. So it is essential that round be the right length. Short rounds will jam a Henry up in a heartbeat because a second round will try to feed onto the lifter.

If you don't want to mess with making the blanks, try S&S Firearms. They used to offer a 5 in 1 that was brass colored (still plastic though....) that had a reputation for good feeding and being relatively inexpensive (around .25 per round).

Also, ask around on the NSSA or a SASS message board, those guys should have some good suggestions.

I hope I was of some assistance.

[Fahlem]

Since we are on the topic of the Henry Rifle, does anyone know if they can be defarbed...I am almost certain they cannot as this would violate several AFT laws...if they can't...to those who own one, how offensive are the modern markings?

Michael Fahle

[BrandonEnglish]

Since we are on the topic of the Henry Rifle, does anyone know if they can be defarbed...I am almost certain they cannot as this would violate several AFT laws...if they can't...to those who own one, how offensive are the modern markings?

They are just like any other Italian import pretty much. They don't say black powder only but do have the maker name on them and the butt has that nice shiny coating on it. It isn't really horrible.

[KevinBarnes]

Since we are on the topic of the Henry Rifle, does anyone know if they can be defarbed...I am almost certain they cannot as this would violate several AFT laws...if they can't...to those who own one, how offensive are the modern markings?

Michael Fahle


Not much you can do with the barrel markings, but the butt stock will need to be refinished. I bought mine in 1997 and it had polyurethane on the stock. Fortunately, there's not as much wood to mess with as there is with a musket.

[Fahlem]

Thank you Gents...I figured that the wood, just like any other import would need some work...but I just hate the idea of modern markings on the steel. However since they are a cartridge gun and thus subject to AFT Laws, I fear there is no way to remove them with out violatiing law. Plus...there is really no place to hide them if they are smiply moved....Thanks again...

Michael Fahle

[Rebelkid01]

I believe that it has already been suggested but I would try Dixie Gun Works.

[rick35ovi]

I want to refer you to this article, http://www.9thnycavalry.webeditor.com/henry_article.html
Our unit has converted all of our Henrys in this method, It works flawlessly and is a much cheaper alternative.
this man knows his stuff when it comes to to Henry's and he will be glad to help you, his contact information is in the article also. GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY YOUR HENRY!!

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"Since we are on the topic of the Henry Rifle, does anyone know if they can be defarbed...I am almost certain they cannot as this would violate several AFT laws...if they can't...to those who own one, how offensive are the modern markings?'

Short answer... no they cannot.

It is hard to convert the .44 WCF (.44-40) or the .45 Long Colt centerfire actions to the original's .44 Henry Rimfire.
And no one makes copper cartridges or copper rimfire cartridges anymore.

;) :)

(And, without restarting THAT discussion here... there is also the pesky varying federal, state, and local laws that pertain, or do not pertain, to these arms- they being "modern firearms.")

Others' mileage, and humor, will vary...

Curt
Most all Spectators don't know plastic cartridges or modern .410 shotgun shell brass aren't "Civl War" Mess

[Wyatt Burleson]

I want to refer you to this article, http://www.9thnycavalry.webeditor.com/henry_article.html
Our unit has converted all of our Henrys in this method, It works flawlessly and is a much cheaper alternative.
this man knows his stuff when it comes to to Henry's and he will be glad to help you, his contact information is in the article also. GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY YOUR HENRY!!
I just want to second this guy and his site. A pard and I have ordered two Henry's from here and they have performed perfectly. The rounds are not hard to make, and we figured it is around .30-.35 cents a shot, give or take. We both have the altered and unaltered elevator blocks so we can shoot live as well, and it is not hard to change out. He was a very helpful guy to boot.

[Lt5thGaCav]

Off subject a little, When I have used henry's I have found that the steel frame sims to work alot better. Is there a reason for this?
The brass frame after firing 75 rounds or so starts hanging up and the action gets tighter, where as the steel frame I can fire 200 and never have a problem.

How common if at all were the steel frames over thew brass?

Thanks
Greg Geisel Jr.
7th Ga / 12th Ind

[weed]

Try these two places.

http://www.joeswansonsmotionpictureblanks.com/

http://gunblanks.com

Both make great black powder blanks for Henrys (44.40 cal and 45 cal.) and Spencers (56.50 cal.)

John Wedeward:)

[44 Henry]

Henry Blanks:

Starline .45 Colt blank brass cost $156.56 per 1000 and are not long enough to feed through the Henry rifle unless the carrier has been modified. These cases have the enlarged flash hole for loading blanks. These take large pistol primers, not 210 shotshell primers. Again these cases will not work in your Henry, they are too short, unless the carrier has been modified. The cost per blank would be 16 cents for the case, 3 cents for the primer, around 5 cents for the powder for a total of 24 cents per blank or $24 per 100. This is if you load your own and have the equipment to do so and you also must have the carrier modified and probably the bolt depending on what modification you are using. I should mention that these will only work if you have a .45 Colt Henry.

Starline Brass for making 5 in 1 full length blanks for the Henry cost $321 per 1000. These can be loaded with black powder and crimped however the crimp should not be closed all the way bringing it to a point for obvious reasons. If you are using these to load your own blanks the total cost for a blank round will be 32 cents for the case, 3 cents for the primer and 5 cents for the powder depending on the cost of the powder per pound. That is 40 cents a round or $40 per 100 blanks. You will need the loading press and the crimp die to load these. these will work in both a .44-40 or a .45 Colt Henry.

To buy 5 in 1 brass blanks from Swanson’s with paying postage would be an estimated $60 per 100 or very likely more. Even plastic 5 in 1 blanks are going to be around $40 per 100 plus postage. As I have mentioned in previous postings the plastic blanks have several problems and some of these involved safety related issues. I would not use plastic blanks. Some places are chargine $1.00 per brass full length blank or $100 per 100 blanks.

The cheapest way to go is to buy once-fired .44 Magnum brass, modify your Henry and load your own. Once-fired .44 Magnum brass will cost 10 cents each, 3 cents for the primer, and about 5 cents for the powder for a total cost of 18 cents per round or $18 per 100. That is a big difference in buying brass 5 in 1 blanks at over $60 per 100 but probably more. A savings of over $40 per 100 is a very real thing. A Henry had a large appetite during the Civil War. One example was at Allatoona Pass, GA where the 7th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry went through 31,000 rounds of ammunition in about 2 hours of fighting and that was for around 190 Henry rifles.

So there is a break down on how to feed your Henry rifle. Just remember the old saving, well maybe not so old, “When a man on a horse meets a man with a Henry rifle, the man on the horse looses”. It is an interesting saying but I have witnessed this several times even when there were 50 men on horses and only 6 with Henry Rifles, LBL Tactical 1991.:D:D:D:D

Andrew . Bresnan
National Henry Rifle Company
7th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry
66th Illinois Infantry WSS
ICSS

[Dan Wambaugh]

This may potentially be a stupid question, but why are Henry blanks so much more expensive than say, .30-06 blanks. I seem to remember at WW2 events the standard for .30-06 being around 25 per 100, or unit purchases could push that as low as $18/per 100 for really decent blanks.

Is the demand much lower, the black powder more expensive compared to smokeless, or the brass harder to come by? It has been staggering comparing the prices of WW2 era blank rounds to the CW era blank rounds, and definitely a bit of a buzz kill. Anyone who could shed some light on this would be much appreciated!


Best,

[44 Henry]

Dan first the price you quoted for the .30-06 blanks is not correct. .30-06 blanks will cost around $29 per 100 plus postage for the cheapest blanks or over $40 for Swanson’s blanks. The .30-06 brass in the past had been a cheap brass because of the military selling off ammunition and companies taking them apart and selling off the brass and bullets. We are talking millions upon millions of rounds of brass out there at cheap prices. Therefore cheap surplus brass verses expensive .44 Magnum brass(non-surplus). New .30-06 brass will run over $70 per 100 depending on the brand. The war in Iraq has changed the price of all reloading components. I used to pay $15 per 1000 for primers a few years ago, now they are over $30 per 1000.

So in short, surplus v non-surplus added in the war in Iraq and you have high prices. If you want to feed the Henry Rifle and do it without breaking the bank you will need to load your own. On a side note, I could load Henry blanks for less than 10cents a round in the 1990’s but that is past history. It is like everything, the price keeps going up. Wool is not a $1.00 a yard anymore these days.:D:D:D:D:D

Andrew L. Bresnan
National Henry Rifle Company
7th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry
66th Illinois WSS

[Dan Wambaugh]

Andrew,

Thanks for the clarification, I had not considered the surplus factor, but it certainly would make all the difference.

And yes, the price I quoted is correct. Through a bulk buy with a local Michigan supplier our unit was for a time able to get .30-06 blank ammo for around $18 per 100. This was 4-5 years ago, mind you, but it was definitely good stuff.


Best,

[44 Henry]

Dan,
My apology as I was thinking you were talking in current time. 5 years makes all of the difference. I have no doubt that you could buy for $18 per 100 five years ago much the same as you could buy wool a lot cheaper 5 years ago but will not sell it today at 5 year old prices. The prices I quoted are current prices for .30-06. I load my own .30-06 and .30 Carbine blanks for WWII reenacting. 2009 prices for .30-06 are $29 per 100 plus postage and .30 Carbine are $40 plus postage. Sorry for the confusion.
Andrew L. Bresnan

[shooter13]

Wow, prices are up for components. I used to get match grade .357 mags for 30 dollars per 100. i can only imagine what they would cost now. You may be able to check with B.E.L.L. brass company they used to make long cases for different calibers and then use a crimper to "roll your own". I believe they are still in business, but you can check with one of the suppliers of reloading supplies to make sure.