Henry X Model in .360 Buckhammer Review

By Jared Sturtevant – Mud Lake Ranch

I’ve spent a lot of time behind lever guns over the years, and lately it feels like they’ve made a huge comeback with hunters and shooters who want something different from the typical bolt-action rifle and blur the lines between traditional and tactical. When I got my hands on the Henry X Model chambered in .360 Buckhammer, I was excited to see whether it could combine the classic feel of a lever action with the modern features hunters are looking for today.

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Right away, the Henry X stands out from traditional lever guns. This isn’t your grandpa’s walnut-stock deer rifle. The X Model comes with black synthetic furniture, fiber-optic sights, a threaded barrel, M-LOK attachment slots, and a large loop lever. It keeps the soul of a lever action while adding modern functionality that actually makes sense for hunters. Whether you want to mount an optic, run a suppressor, or simply have a more weather-resistant rifle for rough conditions, the X Model is clearly built with modern shooters in mind.

One of the biggest reasons this rifle has gotten so much attention is the cartridge itself. The .360 Buckhammer was developed through a partnership between Remington Ammunition and Henry Repeating Arms; specifically for hunters in straight-wall cartridge states, offering a flatter trajectory and longer range than.350 Legend with lower recoil than.450 Bushmaster. The cartridge is based off a modified .30-30 case and fires .35 caliber bullets that hit hard while still keeping recoil manageable. For hunters in places where straight-wall regulations apply, it’s easy to see why this cartridge is becoming popular.

Out on the range and in the field, the rifle handled extremely well. One thing I noticed immediately was how natural it felt to shoulder and cycle. The gun is a bit longer than expected and a heavier tote than other levers I own. Lever guns are known to be quick-handling rifles, and the Henry X is better suited for a bipod or steady stick than freehand due to it's length and weight. It can be done, but if I'm on foot i'm opting for a shorter lighter rifle. The oversized loop lever is comfortable to run, even with gloves on, which is something late-season hunters will definitely appreciate.

I ran into a little bit of an accuracy issue due to my scope being too high restulting in a poor cheek weld; add to that the scope bases loosened up towards the end of our range session. With that combination of issues my accuracy was doomed. Lever actions aren’t always known as precision rifles, but this gun is built to perform but my setup failed the rig. I had trouble producing solid groups at practical hunting distances, but did have confidence in the gun to hit the target every shot just not consistantly in the same spot due to the optic combination and lack of consistancy on my part. I am confident that it would be more than capable during deer season. The .360 Buckhammer delivers plenty of energy for whitetails while maintaining a flatter trajectory than many shooters expect from a straight-wall cartridge.

One area where the .360 Buckhammer really shines is recoil. Compared to larger straight-wall rounds like the .45-70 or .450 Bushmaster, this rifle is noticeably easier on the shoulder. That makes it a great option for younger hunters, newer shooters, or anyone who simply wants a more comfortable rifle to shoot without giving up effective hunting performance.

Another feature I really liked was the threaded barrel. More hunters are running suppressors today, and it’s great to see manufacturers building rifles ready for that right out of the box. A suppressor paired with the relatively mild recoil of the .360 Buckhammer makes this rifle extremely enjoyable to shoot.

Of course, like any newer cartridge, there are still some questions surrounding long-term ammunition availability and adoption. Some hunters may hesitate before jumping into a newer caliber, especially when tried-and-true cartridges like the .30-30 are still widely available. But after spending time with the rifle, I think the .360 Buckhammer fills a very useful role, especially for hunters dealing with straight-wall regulations who want strong performance without punishing recoil.

Overall, I came away impressed with the Henry X Model in .360 Buckhammer. It blends classic lever-action handling with modern features in a way that feels practical instead of gimmicky. For deer hunters looking for a reliable, fast-handling woods rifle with modern capability, this setup is a#86C6E5bsolutely worth a look.

Learn more at Henry Repeatign Arms: https://www.henryusa.com/firearm/h9-x-model/

Bipod used in this review is by CVLIFE: https://bit.ly/3McYvjc

Sling used in this review is by CVLIFE: https://bit.ly/4rxWOvQ

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