Henry 30-30 Barrel Tube Length

[LeverBen10]

Hello everyone,

So I have a Henry Model X 30-30, and I am looking to shorten the barrel tube. I know it has an 18inch tube, currently, and is advertised as 5+1 (though it does fit 6+1, Henry emphasizes not to overload). I am trying to find out if I can order a different tube/spring, or have one made, that could be cut down to 16 inches and still offer 5+1. Many manufacturers including Marlin offer 16 inch barrels with 5+1 for 30-30, so I am trying to figure out my best route. I definitely want to shorten by barrel length, so maybe my best bet is 18 inches to maintain the 5+1.

I appreciate all the help!

[GunnyMack]

Best bet is to call Henry and ask them. Heck they might even do it for you or supply a tube for you to cut yourself.
Is it just the appearance of the mag tube you don't like? Personally I'd leave it alone, no unforseen problems in machining that could screw up the functionality of the mag tube.

[LeverBen10]

I'm speaking about the ammo tube in particular. Henry's tube is 5+1 at 18 inches, so cutting it down to 16 would make it 4+1. But companies like Marlin do 5+1 in 16 inch ammo tubes. So I'm just wondering what the options are.

[GunnyMack]

Yes I understand you are talking about the tubular magazine that hangs under the barrel.
Again the question is why do you want to reduce the length? Cosmetic to your eye?
And again, why bother?

[LeverBen10]

Because I plan on cutting the barrel to 16.5 (at gunsmith), and I will cut the tube too, but I want to be able to maintain 5+1 ammo capacity, which there are many 16inch lever guns that do that, but for some reason Henry has less capacity per inch of tube.

[GunnyMack]

Ah ok, you are going to shorten. Then it makes sense to cut the mag tube.
Guess you won't know what the capacity will be until you have the work done.
It could be that the spring Henry uses is thicker dia wire taking up the space in the tube.

[Griff]

I suspect is the cut in the bottom of the magazine tube for front loading that is the limiting factor on capacity. My 2 16" Winchester 94s both hold 5 + 1. For proper feeding, you only need about 4" of spring length beyond the end of the magazine to have use of it's available length and still have enough ommph to push the last cartridge onto the carrier.

[LeverBen10]

I suspect is the cut in the bottom of the magazine tube for front loading that is the limiting factor on capacity. My 2 16" Winchester 94s both hold 5 + 1. For proper feeding, you only need about 4" of spring length beyond the end of the magazine to have use of it's available length and still have enough ommph to push the last cartridge onto the carrier.

But the 16 inch Rossi and Marlin rifles all have side loading and 5+1. Has anyone here successfully cut down their Henry 30-30 and maintained 5+1?

https://rossiusa.com/rifles/lever-actio ... -win-16-in

[junkbug]

I do not have a Henry, but looking at the pictures on their site, the Henry has a hybrid magazine tube. It can be loaded from the front, like a .22, or the rear like a traditional lever gun. The front cap is removable, most lever guns are not. And the tube has a liner. All these additional complications take up magazine space.

To shorten the magazine, cutting from the rear looks like the best option. The rear of the tube may need to be machined or beveled to make this work.

To achieve what you want, the entire magazine would probably have to be rebuilt to a configuration like a Winchester or Marlin. Custom work gets expensive really fast.

[765x53]

My question is, what makes 1.75 inches worth the trouble?

[LeverBen10]

It would be closer to 5 inches of barrel length and 2 inches of tube length.

[765x53]

It would be closer to 5 inches of barrel length and 2 inches of tube length.

I misunderstood. I thought you had a 18" to cut to 16". Give the ATF 1/4".

[LeverBen10]

I'm deciding whether to cut to 18" and keep full capacity, try and see if 17" for barrel and tube will still afford me 5+1 (I can technically fit 6 rounds in the tube now), or cut to 16.5 and lose a round.