Loading the Henry .45-70

[Frank V]

Does removing the magazine tube to load the rifle bother anyone in the real world of shooting this rifle?
Thanks.

[JEBar]

I've never seen any advantage to completely removing the tube but don't see anything wrong with doing so

[Frank V]

Thanks, I should have said raising it. Didn't mean completely removing it. Is it a troublesome way to load or just different?

[JEBar]

if you are comparing loading through a side gate or tube, we have both .... both work .... I prefer the tube, its easier on my arthritic fingers (specially when cold or with gloves) and much quicker/easier to unload

[Ozarkridgerunner]

I am getting used to mine fine. Bit more cumbersome than loading say a .22 with a tube but I'm getting used to it. I have shot probably 80 rounds through my H010CC and found that with the standard flat point loads with four in the tube, the rod slides down and locks fairly smoothly. However the more pointed Hornady ammo was quite difficult to slide the brass rod down. In fact it seemed in a bind and wanted to force the lever open. As a result I put only three of the Hornady rounds in at a time and it worked fine.

[Mags]

... Is it a troublesome way to load or just different?

To me it's an annoying way to load. I don't like it on my Rossi .22 nor with my Henry .30-30. Don't like the inner mag tube sticking out there in space while loading. Feels really odd to be loading a rifle that way. Also afraid at some point I'm going to drop the rifle while loading and end up bending the inner tube while it's sticking out. A bit troublesome when the inner mag tube gets stuck on the rim of a cartridge while trying to push it in. Often difficult to get it past the rim of the cartridge its stuck on. Both aesthetically and mechanically would prefer a box magazine or side gate or bottom gate.

A Henry is so wonderful in every other aspect that I try to overlook and live with the short comings of the mag tube loading.

[Mulby]

I don’t have a 45-70, but I’m glad I don’t have to deal with a loading gate on my 357 Henry. Never really liked gates.

[PT7]

Ditto on Mulby.

Really like using the Henry magazine tube system on my BBS .357, and the SGC .22LR. No prob at all to handle for me. Tried loading a lever action once using a loading gate, and definitely not friendly to my fingers. So I'm glad that my quality Henry rifles have what they have.

PT7

[Abnermal]

Sweeping my hand makes me uncomfortable. I have witnessed two injury firearms accidents and I know I don't want it to happen to me! I really like box magazines!

[Mags]

As a kid many years I ago, I used on occasion a rifle, owned by someone else, that had a side gate. I had no issues that I can remember loading it. Smaller fingers then? Maybe. Or maybe loading larger caliber than .22 isn't a problem. Whereas it is more so with .22 or smaller.

Part of the reason the Long Ranger is on my wish list is the box magazine.