Picked up a 30-30 - Added Trigger Job Update

[ScottCard]

I picked up the 30-30 single shot a little over a week ago. I installed the Talley single piece rail with rings using a Swift 3-9x40 I took off another rifle that I decided to revert back to open sights. I also installed a Grovetec hammer extension I found in my safe. I will also install some sort of cheek riser as the scope sits a little too high.

This is going to be my deer rifle for use in the woods. It really seems to be a nice rifle for the price. My only complaint is the heavy trigger pull at 7-8 lbs on my gauge. It breaks pretty nice though with no slop. If the weather permits I may be able to sight it in tomorrow.

See 4/16/19 post for trigger job update.

[Mags]

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Welcome back!

Let us know how it goes tomorrow with your sight in, ok? Can't help you with the trigger pull but someone(s) else here is likely to chip in on that.

I picked up the 30-30 single shot a little over a week ago. I installed the Talley single piece rail with rings using a Swift 3-9x40 I took off another rifle that I decided to revert back to open sights. I also installed a Grovetec hammer extension I found in my safe. I will also install some sort of cheek riser as the scope sits a little too high.

This is going to be my deer rifle for use in the woods. It really seems to be a nice rifle for the price. My only complaint is the heavy trigger pull at 7-8 lbs on my gauge. It breaks pretty nice though with no slop. If the weather permits I may be able to sight it in tomorrow.

[Mistered]

If the weather permits I may be able to sight it in tomorrow.

Dang that weather! I would have to maybe 'push' if a bit for a new rifle sight in but of course we can't control it and being uncomfortable (and wet) is not conducive to a good shooting session.
Seems like the trigger pull on the SS's is the Achilles Heel but can be resolved fairly easily and I found a pretty good online tutorial about it yesterday. I suspect with the spring replacement and some basic polish work it can be improved dramatically. Pretty simple design that appears easy to work on.
I might have to try to find one locally to handle and look over as the more reviews I read the better I am liking it!
My only hope is if I do find one to look at it is NOT in .243 Winchester - my favorite caliber....

[BigAl52]

Tractortad and Brother_love along with myself have changed the springs in ours. It makes a difference. Maybe both of them will chime in here and give you there side of the story. I also went one step farther in a total experiment with mine because I have extra springs. I noticed in my gun the stock spring was shorter that the spring I put in the gun. So I took out the spring I put in and trimmed one coil off of that spring with a dremel cutoff wheel. Put the cut off end in the tube first using the factory end to mate up with the sleeve for the hammer. That even made more difference especially on the hammer pull back. I can reach up with my index finger and pull the hammer back now. Had to use the thumb before. After doing this I did take it to the range to make sure of positive ignition. Never had a failure to fire. Shot about 100 rounds. On a side note mine is a 357

[Yornoc3]

I'm still impatiently waiting on my 30-30 order, still "in process" . But I did receive the new steel hammer extenders Henry has replaced the Carlson's aluminum versions with, so I've got that going for me . Mistered, I know where there are two .243's in the racks in Wisconsin, if you want to swing by, one an "old model" that will likely have a better trigger that the current production (based in my limited sample of two). Kind long drive from Oregon, though .

edit: Congrats on the new Henry single shot in a fine choice of cartridge! (I forgot the most important part .)

[JEBar]

I picked up the 30-30 single shot a little over a week ago.

congrats on your latest Henry ....do you load your own ammo .... if so, you will be able to lode aerodynamic spitzer bullets which should elevate a 30-30's performance to a much higher level .... looking forward to your range and use reports as you have time to become much better acquainted with you latest Henry .... hope you are enjoying your 22 carbine .... please take a look at our How Many ? thread (link below) and add your Henry rifles to our community's total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 111#p82111

[ESquared]

Congrats on the new Henry! That's some great looking woodstock you ended up with, nicely done!

Look forward to hearing how it shoots for you once you get the optics dialed in!

Congrats again!

[ScottCard]

Thanks for the warm welcome back!

I did manage to do a little shooting today. It was a bit of a struggle since the scope was a bit too high and my bore sight tool had dead batteries. Oh well, that just meant more shooting!

I shot Winchester soft point 150 Gr soft points until I was reasonably sighted in at 25 yards, then went to LeveRevolution 140 Gr and 160 Gr. I ended up shooting about 20 rounds total. My last four shots are circled in white on the attached target, and were shot at 50 yards with the LeveRevolution 160 Gr cartridges. About a 1.5” group. The first two shots were the ones touching and the last two I pulled to the left a bit. Shots were fired off shooting bags.

The rifle is nice and the potential for nice groups is there. The trigger is heavier than I would like but with practice I expect I can improve my marksmanship with it. I think I can definitely get to 2 moa with it, probably better, and that will certainly work for my intended use of it as a woods rifle for deer hunting out to 75-80 yards.

For now, I’m gonna leave the trigger alone. I am no gunsmith but I have gained some experience working on DA revolver triggers by changing hammer and/or trigger return springs. And, I have learned with revolvers to be careful using too light a hammer spring because of increased lock time and reduced (even though reliable) ignition that can potentially rob velocity.

I also fired my first shots from my recently acquired Uberti 1873 Cattleman Birdshead 357 4.75”. It’s a pretty nice SA for the money. The finish isn’t A+ but the workmanship seems pretty doggone good.

All in all it was a nice day of shooting.

[ScottCard]

congrats on your latest Henry ....do you load your own ammo ....

No, I do not load my own ammo. I would like to but have not taken the plunge yet. I need to because I have a 7mm-08 rifle that begs for it. It would be nice to load for 357/38, 44 mag/spec and 30-30 as well. It’s the time commitment that holds me back at this point.

[PT7]

Congrats on your .30-30! Lots of years of history in harvesting white-tail deer with that caliber. You've joined a great hunting tradition, Scott. As a woods rifle with planned use of 75-80 yards, it's an excellent choice.

On your revolver. I had the exact same Uberti SA model you have, only in .45LC. Totally agree with your eval of workmanship: ..."the workmanship seems pretty doggone good." And the Birdshead is very comfortable to shoot also.

Good to hear your shooting day turned out nice. That's the best part of it.
PT7

Thanks for the warm welcome back!

...I did manage to do a little shooting today.

...The rifle is nice and the potential for nice groups is there. The trigger is heavier than I would like but with practice I expect I can improve my marksmanship with it. I think I can definitely get to 2 moa with it, probably better, and that will certainly work for my intended use of it as a woods rifle for deer hunting out to 75-80 yards.

...I also fired my first shots from my recently acquired Uberti 1873 Cattleman Birdshead 357 4.75”. It’s a pretty nice SA for the money. The finish isn’t A+ but the workmanship seems pretty doggone good.

...All in all it was a nice day of shooting.

[Brother_Love]

Great looking rifle in a classic caliber. You will love it. I have a 357 that’s in the process of becoming a 357 Max. Al was kind enough to sell me one of his springs and the change is fantastic. It took longer to remove the recoil pad than it did to install the spring. I do not have a trigger gauge but I would guess it is 3-4 lbs. comparing it to my other rifles (Thanks Al).
I’m looking to develop loads for mine using a 200 gr cast RNFP bullet. No real hot loads but stout enough to fill the freezer.
Good luck with the 30/30, it looks to have great potential. Take the plunge into handloading, you will love it.

Malcolm

[ScottCard]

I had a goody arrive today. It is a leather stock cover with cheek riser from Rick Lowe Custom Leather. Now I can get a good cheek weld!

[ScottCard]

One more pic...

[ESquared]

I had a goody arrive today. It is a leather stock cover with cheek riser from Rick Lowe Custom Leather. Now I can get a good cheek weld!

That's a beauty of a riser! I had to put one on my BBS 357 once I scoped it, but it isn't nearly that snazzy. Will have to check out Rick Lowe Custom Leather! Thanks for the pic!

Look forward to hearing more about the new 30-30!

[Mags]

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A lot of Rick's products are sold through Brass Stacker. So check them out too.
https://brassstacker.com/ "RLO" logo.

I had a goody arrive today. It is a leather stock cover with cheek riser from Rick Lowe Custom Leather. Now I can get a good cheek weld!

That's a beauty of a riser! I had to put one on my BBS 357 once I scoped it, but it isn't nearly that snazzy. Will have to check out Rick Lowe Custom Leather! Thanks for the pic!

Look forward to hearing more about the new 30-30!

[ScottCard]

Quick update...

The trigger on my 30-30 kept getting worse the more I shot it. Weird, huh? The trigger started feeling like it was being dragged across gravel and actually got heavier with use. I gave it to my gunsmith to do a trigger job and I got it back today. His instructions were to provide a reliable, clean beak and to not worry about getting it as light as possible. It now has no creep and breaks clean at just under 5lbs. I’m very pleased!

I asked how the trigger seemed to get worse. His answer was interesting. The sear had a machine mark that was catching the hammer as the trigger was pulled. He said that there was a burr(s) that covered the machine mark when it was new but through use had worn down enough that the machine mark was catching the hammer. He cleaned everything up and it is super smooth now and cocking the hammer is much smoother as well. No spring change was going to correct this one.

I’m a little disappointed I had to invest extra cash but still think overall this rifle will turn out to be a bargain and great shooter. And now, I will enjoy range practice much more!

[ESquared]

Thanks for the update. BigAl has been kind enough to send me one of his spare springs, but USPS is taking its time getting it to me. Will undertake the change-pout on my SS 223 once it gets here.
I also got one of the Rick Lowe cheek risers, but the leather lace that holds it all together snapped on me as I was cinching it up. So, he's sending me a replacement for that.
I've never gone this long without shooting a new gun and it's driving me crazy (crazier?), but will hopefully have all the pieces and parts together by this weekend!
Nice shooting!

[ScottCard]

I also got one of the Rick Lowe cheek risers, but the leather lace that holds it all together snapped on me as I was cinching it up. So, he's sending me a replacement for that.

I noticed my leather lace was fraying in a couple of spots when reinstalling it today. I ordered some heavy duty leather boot laces off Amazon for $12. It’s a 9 foot lace and you cut them to size. I figured it would be nice to have some backup on hand.

Hope you get your SS to the range soon! I have been getting a lot of revolver range time lately but will find some time for the 30-30 in the next few weeks.

[ESquared]

Will check out the Amazon leather laces. Good tip, thanks!

[ScottCard]

I was able to get some more shooting in yesterday. This rifle really likes Hornady Leverevolution 160 grain ammo. I was able to get my Swift 3-9x zeroed at 50 yards which should keep within 1.75” out to 125 yards according to the ballistic calculator I used. That will more than suffice as my deer hunting property only provides shots out to about 90 yards.

Here is my final 3 shot group at 50 yards shooting with the forearm supported on a shooting bag. I knew I pulled the third shot down a tad. I didn’t measure but that looks like a .75” group so 1.5 MOA and capable of better. I’m not a great marksman so I’ll take that! I took one shot at my 6” rifle gong from 105 yards...pulled it a little left but again I’ll take that.

The trigger is really nice now. Wall, break. Just how I want it. Pics because it did happen!