Henry dressed the Big Boy in a silver finish for those who want a bright, eye-catching lever gun, and chambered it in .45 Long Colt. That cartridge matches the classic revolvers, so a single box of ammunition feeds both rifle and sidearm.

The pairing is a real pleasure at cowboy action matches. It also suits the rancher who likes to keep one caliber handy. In the rifle, .45 Colt loads gain velocity over a revolver, which makes the gun suitable for deer and hogs at the ranges where a straight-wall cartridge makes sense.

Silver or nickel-look finishes are easy to wipe clean and resist rust, but they show handling marks. Keep a rag in your kit, and take care when slipping it into a scabbard. The lever is smooth and the balance is comfortable, qualities that Big Boy rifles are known for.

Check state rules on straight-wall hunting cartridges before you plan a season. This rifle ships to your FFL dealer, where the background check is completed when you pick it up.