Marlin 1894 vs Steel Henry Big Boy action Strength

[chinookpilot77]

Of the two above choices, which action is stronger? I've read the 1894 doesn't lock up as well on the right side of the firearm due to the way the cut out is made. I also read somewhere yesterday the steel big boy is closer to marlin 336 in action strength. I ask this because one of these two rifles will be a starting point for a wildcat chambering I'm looking to do.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Chinook

[44shooter]

I thought the Henry was basically a Marlin copy but idk

[Pisgah]

Pure speculation, but just looking at the two designs it seems pretty certain that the Big Boy action is the stronger of the two. The question then becomes -- so what? Both are more than strong enough for the cartridges for which they are chambered.

[AJMD429]

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There are some people on the forum who have wildcatted the short action leverguns, so they might chime in shortly.

The design would be one factor but the alloy could be a huge other factor.

Also - a sometimes missed factor is the diameter of the two necessary holes in the receiver front, especially if the cartridge diameter starts causing a thin barrel shank. I'd never want to have to enlarge the magazine hole, for sure.

Good luck with your project and hopefully you can keep pressures low enough strength won't be an issue; still nice to have the biggest margin of safety possible.

[Bronco]

Please keep us posted with progress on your project ! Of course pictures would also be greatly appreciated .

[buckeyeshooter]

Not an engineer, but the Henry is noticeably heavier than the Marlin. So my assumption would be more metal in the Henry. I can't say if it is in spots to make it stronger. Logic says it might be a bit stronger. For pistol rounds, I would guess a 92 to be the strongest.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Of the two above choices, which action is stronger? I've read the 1894 doesn't lock up as well on the right side of the firearm due to the way the cut out is made. I also read somewhere yesterday the steel big boy is closer to marlin 336 in action strength. I ask this because one of these two rifles will be a starting point for a wildcat chambering I'm looking to do.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Chinook

The square bolt marlins are not as strong as the round bolt marlins or the Henrys. The round breech bolt is totally enclosed over the locking bolt. The square bolt like you said is not supported on the right side.

[jeepnik]

Heavier metal doesn't necessarily have greater tensile strength. Depends entirely on the alloy and things l machining and heat treating.

[chinookpilot77]

Pure speculation, but just looking at the two designs it seems pretty certain that the Big Boy action is the stronger of the two. The question then becomes -- so what? Both are more than strong enough for the cartridges for which they are chambered.

The question becomes an issue when wildcatting a round for said rifle, and trying to get better performance within acceptable safety margins and longevity of the rifle.

[CowboyTutt]

Um, I would go with what Nate Kiowa Jones said. He's amazing guy! -Tutt

[buckeyeshooter]

Um, I would go with what Nate Kiowa Jones said. He's amazing guy! -Tutt

me too!

[3leggedturtle]

What cartridge, bullet, velocity and distance you striving for? I'm on my 4th wildcat but have only kept 2. I still like to have a 25/35 Tomcat but the 250 Savage does everything I want to do with a .25 caliber cartridge... todd3leg