Henry Rifle Forums

Hey all,
Managed to get two range days in this weekend shooting my new H009g 30-30. Great gun; fun to shoot, minimal recoil, and accurate.

I have not had the thumb meat grinder thing happening with the side gate, the tension on it really seems just right.

However, I have noticed that after only 2 boxes of ammo I have what could end up being a problem. Toward the stock side of the side gate I noticed some superficial scratching after box #1 went through the gun. This came off (was kind of buffed out) with a silicone impregnated cloth. Day 2 at the range and I noticed the same thing, so now am am wondering if I am jamming the cartridge too close to the receiver when I am loading it, or if the primer end of the cartridge just has a natural tendency to catch the receiver before full insertion into the loading gate.

Does anyone have experience with this on either this (or other) SG loading models and what do you do? try to angle the cartridge away from the receiver when loading? The SG is great, but not if it is going to be marring my gun from day one! Any help appreciated.

I am attaching a pic, this is after the rag trick so it is ever so slight but you can see it if you look.

My Marlin 336 which the henry resembles needs some finagling now and then if the angle is a bit off . The rifle will tell you how it likes to be loaded you just need to get better aquatinted. Glad to hear your positive range report

agree .... eventually metal on metal rubbing has to have an impact .... hopefully your rifle will quickly teach you what it likes the best ..

I have similar marks on my Marlins. I chalk it up to wear and tear. I just try and be more careful, oil it down, and keep moving. So far, it has not gotten any worse and, I have had one of them going on 5 years.

Well folks when you are looking over a well used Winchester from the grand ol' days and admiring the patina of years of use while trying to ignore the collector price of it...think about the first owner who got the ball rolling.
A new rifle is going to get a bit of wear from use and it's just the nature of the beast. Enjoy it all you can!