Brownells on the Henry SPD HUSH .44 Magnum

What does a lever action built for a suppressor actually do at the range? Stephen and Caleb from Brownells take the Henry SPD HUSH in .44 Magnum out with a suppressor, a red dot, some steel, and a gel block to find out.

What they cover: why the HUSH suits a suppressor, which they put down to a lighter build and a threaded, carbon fiber wrapped barrel from BSF. They thread a Dead Air Primal straight onto the muzzle and shoot supersonic 240 grain loads from Magtech and Hornady. They point out that it holds eight rounds in .44 Magnum, loads through the side gate or the tube, and wears a recoil pad because it is a light gun, and they mention it also comes in .357 Magnum, .30‑30, and .45‑70. With the red dot, they shoot a group at 100 yards that they call plenty good for a hunting gun, then ring steel at 100 and 200 yards. They describe the trigger as a typical lever gun hunting trigger, not a light one. The video ends at 50 yards with a ballistic gel comparison: the full metal jacket load cuts straight through, while the Hornady XTP hollow point expands far more and still penetrates the block. Specific claims and results in the video are theirs, not ours. They treat it as a hunting rifle first.

Here’s our take. Buy the SPD HUSH if you want a light .44 Magnum lever gun for hunting at the distances a lever action handles well, and you already own a suppressor or plan to add one. Skip it if a light, crisp trigger matters most to you, or if you want a traditional all steel lever gun, which is where the Big Boy Steel below fits better. The rifle does not come with a suppressor. A suppressor is a separate purchase with its own federal paperwork, so plan for that before you buy the gun for it. If you hunt with .44 Magnum, the gel test at the end is the part worth watching.

We stock the Henry SPD HUSH .44 Magnum they are shooting. On the shelf: the SPD HUSH .44 Magnum. Related: the SPD Predator 5.56 and the color case hardened Big Boy Steel .44 Magnum. Complete firearm. Indiana FFL transfer through Wulfy’s. Ask us for current fees.