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Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 3:01 pm
by sghart3578
Hello neighbors,
I have a Henry X in 357 magnum and I am very happy with it. I am now considering a 30-30. When I search the internet for accuracy of the Henry 30-30 the results are not encouraging.
I am looking at the H009G or maybe an X model in 30-30. What are you guys getting in the real world for accuracy?
BTW, I do handload and shooting nothing buy my own cast bullets. Right now I shoot a Lyman 311041 over IMR 3031 in my Savage 219 single shot.
Thanks for your replies and any suggestions.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 3:14 pm
by Vaquero
I have 30-30 rifles, but none are made by Henry, so no help.
I picked up one of the new Rossi R95's in 444 back at the first of the year.
It's a Trapper model with the 16 1/2" barrel, and I like it a lot and have had thoughts of another in 30-30, just because.
I'm sure that someone here has one, but off the top of my head I don't recall.
RP
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 4:21 pm
by DsGrouse
I just bought a x version of a henry 30-30 for suppressed use. I've shot a bit of supers through it and the accuracy was good. All five in the space of a 50cent piece. Subs, did a bit better, but that might be the less felt recoil.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 5:49 pm
by BigAl52
Get a 38-55 they are way cooler than Thurdy Thurdy
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 6:13 pm
by DsGrouse
BigAl52 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 02, 2025 5:49 pm
Get a 38-55 they are way cooler than Thurdy Thurdy
Ha, I just shot my 375-rebore. I used the swaged .375 bullets in 38-55 cases.
That being said. 30-30 is a lot of fun also.
Really, you can't go wrong with either.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 6:48 pm
by Vaquero
I have both, also.
RP
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 7:55 pm
by GFK
Howdy!
I have a H009. The accuracy is okay for me. I have a peep sight on mine. I would probably do better with a scope. Yet, I like the look of the peep. I guess that it is a matter of what you would to use it for. I got mine as a backup for hunting. So far, it has been used as fun! At any rate, happy shooting!
Henry+Optic+Blank-Rev-1.jpg
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 8:51 pm
by Mags
sghart3578 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 02, 2025 3:01 pm
Hello neighbors,
...
I am looking at the H009G or maybe an X model in 30-30. What are you guys getting in the real world for accuracy?
BTW, I do handload and shooting nothing buy my own cast bullets. Right now I shoot a Lyman 311041 over IMR 3031 in my Savage 219 single shot.
Thanks for your replies and any suggestions.
Welcome from the Tualatin Valley!
I have both and H009B and H024 (gated) in 30-30. I have no complaints with accuracy within 100yds. I haven't tried beyond that.
My favorite factory ammo is Federal Fusion. My reloads are with Leverevolution powder with Hornady #3035 and Sierra #2000, both 150gr bullets.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 9:06 pm
by BigAl52
There minute of Nutria right Mags
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 9:20 pm
by Mags
BigAl52 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 02, 2025 9:06 pm
There minute of Nutria right Mags
That's right! Nutria body shots out to 100yds or less. I haven't missed one yet.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 10:04 pm
by Vaquero
Mags wrote: ↑Sat Aug 02, 2025 8:51 pm
sghart3578 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 02, 2025 3:01 pm
Hello neighbors,
...
I am looking at the H009G or maybe an X model in 30-30. What are you guys getting in the real world for accuracy?
BTW, I do handload and shooting nothing buy my own cast bullets. Right now I shoot a Lyman 311041 over IMR 3031 in my Savage 219 single shot.
Thanks for your replies and any suggestions.
Welcome from the Tualatin Valley!
I have both and H009B and H024 (gated) in 30-30. I have no complaints with accuracy within 100yds. I haven't tried beyond that.
My favorite factory ammo is Federal Fusion. My reloads are with Leverevolution powder with Hornady #3035 and Sierra #2000, both 150gr bullets.
Have you ever tried any 170gr ammo in either?
Of the 30-30s I have, the 2 Marlins that I shoot the most they both shoot the 150gr pretty good, but shoot smaller groups with a 170 gr bullets.
Just curious.
RP
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:15 pm
by Mags
Vaquero wrote: ↑Sat Aug 02, 2025 10:04 pm
...
Have you ever tried any 170gr ammo in either?
Of the 30-30s I have, the 2 Marlins that I shoot the most they both shoot the 150gr pretty good, but shoot smaller groups with a 170 gr bullets.
Just curious.
RP
I've shot some 170gr factory ammo in the H009 a long time ago. I don't recall there being any difference in performance compared to 150gr. At the time 150gr was more available and so I just stayed with it. And that carried over into what I reload for.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 9:27 pm
by GFK
I can agree. My Henry is not as picky as my Marlin. My Henry pretty much iked all grains (150, 170 and 160) that I tried. Yet, my Marlin seems to like 150gr.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 9:33 pm
by DsGrouse
The only reason i mentioned the 170's is that for subs i want the extra 20grains of mass. At 1050 fps it's 50 more foot pounds of energy .
367 vs 416
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:03 pm
by Vaquero
These both shoot the 150's fine, its just the 170's seem to always get tighter groups. This is my first rifle and I killed a bunch of deer using the 150gr factory ammo. After I started reloading I noticed that the 170's were grouping a tic better.
Not that it really matters at the usual yardage that I hunt with them. And my 308mx really likes a 170gr pill so I just keep more of those on hand.
Here's a small comparison I did a couple years ago.
20221211_181142.jpg
RP
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 4:53 am
by GFK
Nice looking Marlin! And, nice shooting!
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 1:25 pm
by leverjc
I do not know if Henry has improved their barrel quality in the last couple of years but I would not accept delivery of one without checking the bore with a scope. I have never owned a Henry in 30-30 but the two Henrys I have bought have been back to the factory seven times over barrel issues. If I were to buy a new one I would go with Ruger as their barrel are hammer forged and are less likely to have a dull cutter pushed too fast to make a clean bore,
I do have four 30-30's, two Marlins, an Uberti and a 1940 Winchester. All but the pre cross bolt Marlin have excellent accuracy. The marlin has a sloppy chamber and heads space issues. There are a lot of things that affect the repeatable accuracy of lever action besides the bore, like barrel band tightness and stock fit to the action. if you have a good bore and chamber the rest can be worked on.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 2:47 pm
by sghart3578
leverjc wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 1:25 pm
I do not know if Henry has improved their barrel quality in the last couple of years but I would not accept delivery of one without checking the bore with a scope. I have never owned a Henry in 30-30 but the two Henrys I have bought have been back to the factory seven times over barrel issues. If I were to buy a new one I would go with Ruger as their barrel are hammer forged and are less likely to have a dull cutter pushed too fast to make a clean bore"
It's funny that you mention the barrel quality of Henry. The Henry X in 357 magnum is a prime example. In my original post I mentioned that I am very happy with it but it took a little while to get there.
I bought the rifle used. The price was hard to pass up. I am a Marlin fan and have 1894's in several calibers. The Henry would shoot groups of 6-8" at 75 yards. Not 100 yards but 75 yards. I shoot nothing but cast lead so I proceeded to slug the bore. The slug went about 1" into the muzzle then fell all the wy through to the chamber. I did it twice because I couldn't believe it the first time.
To make a long story short Henry replaced the barrel and paid shipping both ways, even after I made it clear that I was not the original owner. It now shoots as well or maybe slightly better than my Marlin
After reading your post and other entries in other forums I can only assume that Henry is pushing product out the door at a break neck pace. Then do quality control via customer complaints.
I am now having second thoughts and will probably stick to my 336 from 1965 and my Savage 219 from the 30's.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 3:28 pm
by 220
Cant comment on the henry in 30/30 but my 1978 manufacture marlin shoots very well.
When I purchased it the previous owner guaranteed it to put 5 federal 150gr into under 2" at 100y, I have never checked, it will put 3 hornady leverevolution into 4" at 300y and my 160gr FTX reloads into moa at every distance I have tried.
When the kids were little I was after a lower recoil load so tested some of the sierra 125gr, the first to loads tested both put 5 shots into 1" at 100y.
Re: Henry 30-30 accuracy?
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 2:03 am
by Mr. Neutron
While not the most “impressive” group I’ve ever shot (or seen/shot with, say, my scoped .30-06…….), I felt these 2 groups were good and “huntable” for my brass framed .30-30. I wish I could say that they were offhand shooting, but they were off a bench. Was double checking my impacts before hunting season. I probably won’t bother movin’ my zero point to the left; probably won’t affect the outcome of a hunt.
One group was at 50 yds.; one from a hundred. Shot with a Skinner peep rear sight, and a brass post front one. Hornady 150s with 37 grains of LEVERevolution. Good for 2425 fps through my chrono. I’ve no doubt a scope would tighten this up a good bit, but feel like a scope on a lever rifle should be illegal…….
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