An octagon barrel has been a mark of a good-looking lever gun since the days of cattle drives. Henry gives the Big Boy Side Gate one, in blued steel, and chambers the rifle in .44 Remington Magnum, a round hunters have trusted for deer and hogs.

The side gate lets you load the magazine through the receiver, which is faster and easier than the old tube-loading method. When you are on a stand at dawn and need to top off, you can do it without running every round through the action.

Because the .44 Magnum shares a case with the .44 Special, you can shoot light loads for practice or cowboy matches and heavier ones for field use. The rifle form adds velocity and accuracy over a revolver. Hunters in timber find this combination of caliber and carbine handy.

Keep the blued finish in order by wiping it after wet days and applying a thin oil film. Inspect the sights and screws now and then. The rifle ships to your FFL dealer, and the background check is completed there before you take it home.