Seeking Advice on A Used Henry

[ESquared]

My local range/shop has a 30-30 Big Boy Steel (I assume) that they've had for a while. I'm no good at deciphering their Serial Numbers and I've left a message in Rice Lake, but I'm on a parallel path here to see what you all think about this opportunity. The S/N, by the way, is TT 012376 N. And it's on the TOP of rifle, behind the receiver vs. underneath the lever.
It has a rear Peep installed and a fixed front blade that's attached to the barrel band, none of which seems "stock" to me, but I'm so unfamiliar with what Henry might have done in the past with models like this that I've no way of knowing for sure.
It shows some wear on the metal band near the front sling mount, and there are some scratches near the ejection port (weird looking, like someone tried to insert a round through the open ejection port with their eyes closed). There's no rust and the action is very smooth.
The furniture is fantastic, with gorgeous variations through the rear stock, swirls, blonde streaks, very unique.
And, for me, since I'm a good customer/member, they went from $599 to $525.

So, there are two basic questions:
1. Is $525 a "don't be a dummy, buy the gun" price, or is it "just fair" based on what I've described?
2. Maybe more importantly, what in the world would I do with a 30-30, now that I'm dialing in this .357 that is just shaping up to be a fantastic shooter with my Peep and Lyman set-up? Would the 30-30 give me that much more range, provided I put a scope on it, our would I be just as well off putting a scope on the BBS .357 and moving to ammo that would afford me more range? (I know that's a third question, but it's tangential to #2).

Any opinions/recommendations, given that I've seen it and held it and you all haven't?

[North Country Gal]

I can't help you on the Henry questions, but I can comment from experience on 357 versus 30-30 in rifles. It's not even close. While the 30-30 is considered a bit underwhelming in performance compared to all the over-hyped modern magnum rounds, it is still in a different class as far as energy, trajectory and effective range than the 357 in a rifle.

A better comparison to the 30-30 in a carbine at 100 yards would be the 44 magnum in a carbine - they're actually very close as far as energy at 100 yards. After 100 yards, though, the 30-30 does a much better job of retaining energy and runs a flatter trajectory than the 44 mag, with the 357 mag in a rifle a very distant third on all counts. With the lever-evolution loads, the 30-30 can actually be a decent 200 yard cartridge, now, whereas pushing a 357 mag in a rifle past 100 yards is stretching things.

[GFK]

I am considering to buy a rifle in .357 myself. My reasoning, cheaper to shoot. The differences between a 30-30 round and .357 that is of interest to me is range. Of course, a rifle cartridge with have an impact at a greater range than a pistol cartridge. How much greater? I say at least double. While I was researching the pros and cons, I came across this article.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_rifle_cartridges.htm

I have not real world experience yet with a .357 rifle. But, I am planning to find out.

[JEBar]

I pretty much agree with NCG .... we have a 357 and up to 100 yards, I'd deer hunt with it .... we have a 30-30 and up to 150 yards, with open sights, I'd deer hunt with it .... with a scope I'd go out 200 with our handloads .... there is nothing a 357 can do that a 30-30 can't do better .... recoil, muzzle blast and cost per shot are all less with the 357 .... on a new one, MSRP is $893, Cabela's new price $779 .... used pricing is all over the board

[ESquared]

The ballistics/performance feedback is very interesting, thank you, as I've read/researched on my own and haven't come up with the compelling comparative performance that you all cite. Clearly, this would put me in the position to do just about anything I need to do in Missouri with deer.

What I'm trying to assess, then, is the value equation. I can't find many Henry 30-30s on Gunbroker, for example, to compare to. I'm also unable to find out anything online about the S/N and how that ties to its build date, but I have a call into HRA C/S to see if they can tell me.

The basic issue is "what model is this"? It seems to pre-date Big Boy Steel, as witnessed by the "TT" prefix on the S/N. The Peep rear sight and bladed front also tells me that this is either a modified by the user Henry or some sort of factory special configuration, but I can't tell which. The shop clearly has no idea. When i asked about how old they thought it was, the answer I got was 'not very'. Hugely useful.

I need more information, don't I?

[ESquared]

Here's a picture of what I'm looking at, from an online article from January 2017 (?) on a website called gunivore.com

[Jdl447]

It is an older model. The 45-70 and 30-30 originally came with those sights from the factory.

[GFK]

From what I understand, the 30-30 first came out with Ghost Ring sight. Then, the sight was changed due to non zeroing by users. As far as the marks on the receiver, cases getting stuck during ejection came to mind. Cost: that is a tough one. What I paid for a new 2015 model, is not that much different for a new 2018 model. I would discount the price due to wear and marks (at least a couple of hundred). If your mind is set on a Henry, go for it. If not, see what else is available. I have learned, the buyer is always in the driver's seat. It is just a matter of how much one is willing and have to pay.

[PT7]

I need more information, don't I?

I don't know how much help this will be, ESquared, but I do have some info related to the H009-model .30-30 Henry. I had purchased one of these rifles with stock buckhorns back in 2014. It had a significant magazine loading problem then, and I didn't keep it.

Just this last March 2018 I contacted Henry again as I did some further research on the .30-30. Here is that email chat I had with Jeff Post at Henry, plus a web link from a 2015 "OUTDOORHUB" review I found. That's embedded in my email below to Jeff.

Finally, here is a link discussing some issues with the .30-30 sights. https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/henry- ... -70-redux/ It's a mixed reviewed of this model and the Henry .45-70.
A few pennies worth of info.
PT7


On Wednesday, March 7, 2018 10:12 AM, Jeff Post <jeff@henryusa.com> wrote:
Hi Bob,

Thank you for owning a Henry rifle. Glad to hear you are happy with your Henry H001TLP.

The H009-model .30-30 rifles are no longer built with ghost-ring sights. There has been a running production change on the sights of the H009-model .30-30. Starting in spring 2015 the new configuration of the rear sights on all new H009 rifles has been standard, adjustable semi-buckhorn sights, and standard front-blade with brass bead, as shown on our web site, https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/the-henry-3030/ .

Aftermarket ghost-ring sights can be fitted to the new models, so customers may if they wish, convert back to a ghost-ring. We recommend contacting Skinner Sights directly at: http://www.skinnersights.com/ for their advice and available products.

Regards,
Jeffrey Post
Technical Customer Service
Henry Repeating Arms, Co.
59 East 1st Street
Bayonne, NJ 07002

~~~~~~~

From: Bob
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2018 11:52 AM
To: Jeff Post <jeff@henryusa.com>
Subject: Question: Is a Henry H009 available with ghost ring rear sight?

Hi, Jeff,
It' been a while since we've emailed. Always appreciate your help with my inquiries.

As recent as a month ago, I watched a video on the Henry web site, where a Henry H009 .30-30 caliber was demo'd using a rear ghost ring sight. Today, I could not find that video on your site.

After some web searches, I found that Henry rifle in a 2015 "OUTDOORHUB" review. It has the sight configuration I'm interested in, as well as a round barrel: https://www.outdoorhub.com/reviews/2015 ... 009-rifle/

Back in mid-2014, I purchased a .30-30 Henry, which was one of the rifles that had the magazine loading problem with the lever constantly popping open. You took it back and refunded the price to me.

I'm writing today to inquire if this model H009 is still available? It comes with the XS Ghost Ring aperture sight, and a front blade sight.

[ESquared]

Thanks, this is just another confirmation that this isn't the deal for me. Why take a $525 gun and potentially put another $300 in it, when $800 (+/-) will get one into a NEW Color Case Hardened 30-30? That's one beautiful gun, in my opinion, and no scratches on the receiver, just tie-dye!

[Mags]

At the $525 price you referred to and the condition you say it is in, with the original ghost sights, I'd jump at the opportunity to buy it.

Yes what Jdl447 said.

It is an older model. The 45-70 and 30-30 originally came with those sights from the factory.

Please note some of the earlier generations of the 45-70 and 30-30 (pre-March 2017) had a problem with the mag tube expanding. Folks that were sending their rifle to Henry for service were getting it back with a more robust mag tube and the ghost sight swapped out for buckhorn sights. There is an older topic somewhere here on HRF and elsewhere on the web about this issue. If you buy it and ever need to send it to Henry for service, take the ghost sight off before sending it in.

As I said, I'd jump at the opportunity to buy it.

[Mags]

Thanks, this is just another confirmation that this isn't the deal for me. Why take a $525 gun and potentially put another $300 in it, when $800 (+/-) will get one into a NEW Color Case Hardened 30-30? That's one beautiful gun, in my opinion, and no scratches on the receiver, just tie-dye!

I missed the part about putting another $300 into it. Where did that come from?

[ESquared]

It's just that if the regular sights don't work for me, then the only option is to start dovetailing the barrel for other sights, replacing the barrel band somehow, who knows? I'd rather keep my powder dry than jump on this one. It's not a "one of a kind"/can't miss rifle. The CCH is on my wish list and this one wasn't even on my radar until about 3 hours ago.

Needed to talk myself off the ledge, in other words.

[North Country Gal]

It's the ones not on your radar that get you. Be careful

[Mags]

...wasn't even on my radar until about 3 hours ago. Needed to talk myself off the ledge, in other words.

That my friend is the impulsive and addictive part of owning a Henry. The need for another one and soon. It can be hard to ease back and step away. Other members have referred to this as the "Henry Virus" and "Henryitus".

[ESquared]

...wasn't even on my radar until about 3 hours ago. Needed to talk myself off the ledge, in other words.

That my friend is the impulsive and addictive part of owning a Henry. The need for another one and soon. It can be hard to ease back and step away. Other members have referred to this as the "Henry Virus" and "Henryitus".

It's the ones not on your radar that get you. Be careful

Oh, I'm aware, believe me. I think I've shared here before that I'm a member of another forum where the malady is known as "The Signess."

And another forum that is aptly named "1911Addicts.com."

The good thing about this place (so far, anyway) is that it does not seem to be populated by enablers. The places referenced above, just one gun junkie after another. Too much fun!

I need to cool my jets and get through this deer hunting season before going off the ranch, so to speak.

[Mistered]

Is $525 a "don't be a dummy, buy the gun" price, or is it "just fair" based on what I've described?

That price will put you into a nice used Winchester 94 or a Marlin 336. I am not saying the Henry is a poor choice or the price is not right but personally if I were in the market for a 30-30 (and I am not - I own three Winchesters) I would stick with certain 'traditions' when it comes to the 30-30, for a variety of reasons.

Maybe more importantly, what in the world would I do with a 30-30

Well that depends on you - IF you are planning on hunting MOST deer are shot at ranges that a .357 would be entirely adequate for. Depending on where you live you may be dramatically limited on range due to the environment and a .357 might be just fine.
While the 30- 30 may have a marked advantage in range over the .357 It's not so dramatic as to be of a GREAT advantage over a .357. My point being if you feel shots might be taken at say 150 - 200 yards or more then a rifle with a more powerful caliber should be chosen to start with. You don't want to be in a hunting environment where a 200 + yard shot (or more) might be a possibility and only have a .357 - or a 30-30.
Where I live long distance shots 300-400+ yards are a possibility and I typically hunt with a .243 Winchester but because I did not draw any tags this year I may buy a general Western Oregon deer tag and travel a short distance just inside the Western Oregon region where the woods are much thicker and shots can be as close as a few yards to really probably no more than 75 maybe and my .357 BBB or one of my 30-30s will be just fine. Heck I may hunt with my 1899 Winchester Klondike Sporting Rifle - at 118 years old it is still a tackdriver!
To summarize I love the 30-30, reload and shoot mine often with most of it being offhand field shooting at varmints or random targets. The Henry is a great rifle and I love my .357 BBB but for a 30-30 I Believe one is better served with a Winchester or Marlin and I often see both in good, used condition in the $500 (or less) price range.

[GFK]

To summarize I love the 30-30, reload and shoot mine often with most of it being offhand field shooting at varmints or random targets. The Henry is a great rifle and I love my .357 BBB but for a 30-30 I Believe one is better served with a Winchester or Marlin and I often see both in good, used condition in the $500 (or less) price range.

Or, a new Marlin can be had for less than $500 as well. There has been a lot of quality control concerns about new ones (2010+). But, I have not had many issues with my 2016. I did have a screw break on my loading gate though. And, Marlin did send a new one plus the gate. Yet, I have only shot about 250 rounds through it. However, time will tell.

[Frontiersman]

I think I would pass. You shouldn't have to pay more than 75% for a like new gun that is still in current production. For some the 50 bucks is more important. For me, I'd rather pay a little more for a new one.

You should be able to find something in better condition for 525.00 ... or at least more unique.

[ESquared]

Thanks to all for the input and advice. The fever has subsided and I'm going to just cool my jets and get through the upcoming deer season and see what's what. While I haven't yet set foot on the property we'll be hunting on, it's been described in some detail, and it sounds like typical SE Missouri undeveloped acreage: some fields, lots of timber, varied terrain, the occasional creekbed and more timber. My family had similar land while I was growing up in NE KS.

Point being, I'd be surprised if a shot presented itself that was more than 75 yards, which, to the points made above (and elsewhere), makes the BBS .357 just about ideal.

Henryitis.