Tubular magazine on the .45-70

[Frank V]

Hi everyone, I'd like to hear from those of you who use the Henry .45-70 how you like loading through the tubular magazine on your rifle.
I've used loading the tubular magazine in .22s all my life, but wondered how it'd be with a center fire. Do you who use one like it? Like it better than one loaded with the loading port aka Marlin, Winchester? Are they easy to top off?
Thanks.

[Sir Henry]

I'm wondering the same thing. I don't own a Henry centerfire because of the tube loading.

[clovishound]

This has been discussed here before. It seems to be very much a personal choice thing. I have never owned a lever rifle with a loading gate. I have two Henrys. One I have had about a year and put something over 2,000 rounds through it. I have shot a Marlin with a loading gate. I didn't care much for the experience. I find that loading at the range is much easier for me with a tube load. Loading in the field is probably easier with a loading gate. As has been stated before, though, if I need more than 10 rounds when hunting, then I am in trouble.

I find it telling that many with loading gates use some type of tool as an aid to load with.

Bottom line is the only way you will know your preference to spend some time with each. If you are spending a lot of time on horseback, I would go with a loading gate. If you are hunting on foot, it might be a toss up. If most rounds are at the range, I think the tube mag is superior.

[CT_Shooter]

As a new shooter, I've haven't owned or ever handled a lever rifle other than my two Henrys. However, I understand that the departure HRA took from a gate loader to a tube loading design has been a difficult difference to consider for those who have some experience with gate loading rifles and like them for their traditional "authenticity". But, for me, it's never been a concern. I know my H006M is not a replica; it's simply a Henry. And I like it. A lot.

[JEBar]

we own 4 lever action, center fire rifles .... one (a Browning BLR 308) with a detachable clip .... one (a Winchester Model 94 30-30) with a loading gate .... two (a Henry 44 Mag and a Henry 45-70) that are tube fed .... for me, the hardest to load and unload is the Winchester .... once shells are in the magazine, they must be run through with the lever to be removed .... the clip fed is the easiest to load and unload .... the tube fed is somewhere in between .... it would take a pretty bulky clip to accommodate 4/5 45-70 rounds .... I have absolutely no problems with tube loading our Henry's ... as noted, some like a Fords, some like a Chevy, both will usually get you to the grocery store and back .... so to specifically answer the question, for a 45-70 I can't visualize a clip working and I prefer the loading tube .... to each his own

[Hitman]

I own a Marlin 1895 GS with a loading gate and 3 tube fed Henrys. A Golden Boy, a brass 44, and a brass 45-70. I much prefer tube fed. It doesn't scratch your casings up. The loading gate is hard on brass and occasionally your thumb.

[White Squirrel]

I own a Marlin 1895 GS with a loading gate and 3 tube fed Henrys. A Golden Boy, a brass 44, and a brass 45-70. I much prefer tube fed. It doesn't scratch your casings up. The loading gate is hard on brass and occasionally your thumb.

I agree. I have a Rossi 92 in .357 with the loading gate and my son-in-law has a Henry Big Boy .44 mag with the tube feed.

I would go with the tube feed any day. That may offend "traditionalists" who say the loading gate is the "real" thing, but I prefer what is pracical and comfortable for me and that is the tube feed.

And as has been noted, that is purely my personal preference and opinion.

[Frank V]

Seems like a lot of people like the tubular feed. I was wondering if there was any real downside to them.
Thanks everyone for their replies.

[Hitman]

No down side here.

[Sir Henry]

I grew up watching The Rifleman reload every week. So its got to have a gate. But I've ordered The Long Ranger so I better get to changing my opinion. The original Henry was a tube loader and the cavalry hated them because they couldn't load on the gallop.

[Squatch]

I've never owned a lever gun with a loading gate. I have shot a few.

I think the only advantage is faster reloading when on a horse ect. My 44 mag holds 10 rounds. If that's not enough you have the wrong rifle. Same with my 45/70. It holds 5. I like the tube feed myself. Easy to load and unload during a cease fire at the range or at the end of the day when hunting. Just pull the tube and pour the shells out. Replace the tube and then cycle the lever 3 times to be sure.

Some folks claim you have to put your hand in front of the muzzle to use the tube feed. Bull. That's just bad technique on the shooters part. When loading I make an effort to not tilt the barrel any more than is need to slide the shells down it. I don't want them banging into each other.

I have 3 tube fed Henry's and love them all.

On the 45/70 and the 44 mag Big Boy if you need a quick round and have an empty tube just open the action and slide a shell into the breach and close the action. I shoot mine as a single shot like this quite a bit. Especially when testing new hand loads at the range.

If you are shooting factory or hotter 45/70 ammo. How many are you going to be shooting in rapid succession anyway?

Most of us aren't going into battle on horseback with a lever action these days.

[PMC]

Squatch summed up my thoughts exactly. I have three tube feed Henrys and I prefer them. I've owned a couple loading gate levers and for my purposes the tune fed works better.

Five rounds of 45-70 is a lot of fire power.

[Steve51]

I grew up watching The Rifleman reload every week. So its got to have a gate. But I've ordered The Long Ranger so I better get to changing my opinion. The original Henry was a tube loader and the cavalry hated them because they couldn't load on the gallop.

I have a Rossi .357 with the loading gate, the rest of my lever guns are Henry's. I seriously doubt I could load the Rossi on a galloping horse. I usually use one round to push rounds into the Rossi to avoid pinching - especially if shooting 50 rds. or more.
I spent my Army days in the infantry, not the cavalry - so I much prefer the Henry loading tubes.

[Travlin]

The Browning and the new Henry Long Ranger have a box magazine that can be kept loaded an quickly slid into the rifle. I have a Savage 99-358 that has a built in rotary magazine also a Big Boy Steel 44 with the tube and two Marlin centerfires with the loading gate. I prefer a magazine that you can empty without chambering every cartridge first. A clip is what an M1 Garand uses.

[Sir Henry]

I grew up watching The Rifleman reload every week. So its got to have a gate. But I've ordered The Long Ranger so I better get to changing my opinion. The original Henry was a tube loader and the cavalry hated them because they couldn't load on the gallop.

I have a Rossi .357 with the loading gate, the rest of my lever guns are Henry's. I seriously doubt I could load the Rossi on a galloping horse. I usually use one round to push rounds into the Rossi to avoid pinching - especially if shooting 50 rds. or more.
I spent my Army days in the infantry, not the cavalry - so I much prefer the Henry loading tubes.

If you cut about a third of the tube spring off the gate loading is much easier. The rifle doesn't need so much spring tension to feed the ammo. I road a steel horse in the Army.

[Frank V]

Squatch
Thanks for the thoughts. I agree covering your hand with the muzzle is just carelesness loading or unloading the tube. Even if you did though unless the rifle is cocked on a chambered round no injury should result.
I've been looking at the Henry .45-70, & you guys are not helping my resistance. I like lever guns & the .45-70 maybe someday.
Thanks everyone.

[Rugerfanboy]

I've been looking at the Henry .45-70, & you guys are not helping my resistance. I like lever guns & the .45-70 maybe someday.
Thanks everyone.

Frank.....you only live once, so go ahead and buy you a Henry 45-70 rifle. You won't regret it one bit. It's only a drive from your house to your local gun store. If they don't have one, call Henry, they will ship what ever you want to your local gun store.

[Frank V]

I've been looking at the Henry .45-70, & you guys are not helping my resistance. I like lever guns & the .45-70 maybe someday.
Thanks everyone.

Frank.....you only live once, so go ahead and buy you a Henry 45-70 rifle. You won't regret it one bit. It's only a drive from your house to your local gun store. If they don't have one, call Henry, they will ship what ever you want to your local gun store.

I know it's living in the dog house part I don't like.

[biglever]

Frank you can't have any more fun with your clothes on , with out getting arested , than shooting a 45-70

[Frank V]

Ok ok I've been wondering what I could sell to get one.
I really like their .22lr it's spooky accurate.