Henry Rifle Forums

Made it to the range today with my H009. Planned to shoot off-handed at 50 yards. But, the range was in use and did not want to disrupt the shooters' routine. So, I used the 25 yards range. After my wife got done with the handgun, I shoot a few rounds down range, had 13 total (4 Federals and 9 Winchesters, 150 grain). I seem to shoot better with the Federals. All were in the red. Winchesters, not as much. Nonetheless, it was a good day. Yet, I still don't like cleaning it. Even with 13 rounds, there is copper build up. I spend more time cleaning than shooting, not as much fun.

Nice shooting! I don't own a 30-30 but I haven't seen a lot of copper in my 5.56 Mini 14 or M1 Carbine when I clean the bore.

Thanks 40! I have had a copper fouling issue, sent I purchased it in 2017. I sent it back to Henry, thinking there was a problem. Henry cleaned it and sent it back, the same way. My Marlin 30-30 (336W) does not have near the same amount of copper fouling. Yet, it has that Micro-Grove type rifling. Does that a difference? I don't know. I just know that I spent twice to three times as long cleaning my Henry, than I do cleaning my Marlin. So, I seem to shoot my Marlins more. However, I do like the Henry. Therefore, I keep it around. It seems well made. But, I still think that the rifling may be rough.

GFK good offhand shooting. I have only had a copper build up problem in one of my 30-30's, it was with a remlin. I fire lapped the bore and the problem went away. I have not had a problem with my other JM Marlin 336, a Winchester 94 or my Uberti 94. You could send it back to Henry again but my experience with Henry barrels it would be a crap shoot to get a better one.

Probably a dumb question but are you using a copper cleaner when cleaning?

Hey Big Al,

Not a dumb question. I use Tetra Gun. Below is a link to when I first posted about the copper fouling. After letting it set for awhile last night (15-30 minutes at a time), it was decent after a couple of hours. After reading my old post, I guess that I should have let it set for about an hour. But, it was late, around 10:00 PM or so. And, I had work in the morning. Yet, it was a late night anyway.

I ended up cleaning a S&W 360 earlier as well. The Blazer rounds that I used were dirty. They are off my list now. But, they were the only ones available, during the lockdown. Anyway, I spent a couple of hours on that also. It has a PVD finish; Ammonia is not its friend. So, I try and be careful while cleaning it.


LeverJC,

My Remlin seems fine. I don't know what a fire lap is. I think that I have read about it. But, it may be more than I am currently willing or able to do. Yet, I may check it out again. Thanks!

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 6&start=10

Similar experience. My H009 copper fouls as well. I haven't attributed it to any particular ammo brand. I also use a TetraGun soak cleaning procedure.
Best shooting ammo I've found is Federal Fusion. Lousy in my experience, Winchester and Remington.

Thanks Mags. My experience has been similar. My Henry likes Federal. Winchester will do. But, my Marlin likes Winchester. Remington, not so much. So, I thought that I would meet in the middle by using Winchester, did not want to buy two different brands of ammo. Yet, I have rethought that. Now, I buy two different brands of ammo, if possible: one for Henry and one for Marlin. However, the Marlin seems to be more picky than the Henry. Therefore, I probably lean heavy on Winchester.

LeverJC,

This is what I found about fire lapping. Not a re-loader, so probably why I avoided that method. Of the methods listed, I probably will just keep shooting and cleaning. Thanks though!

https://www.ktgunsmith.com/firelapping.htm

Good shooting.