Going Hunting With Your Henry Rifle

By Major Van Harl

Henry Repeating Arms classic 30/30 lever action rifle and a Tyler Gun Works Tomahawk
Henry Repeating Arms classic 30/30 lever action rifle and a Tyler Gun Works Tomahawk

“Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds of powder and ball and be ready to march at a minute’s warning,” order number (rule) two of Standing Orders, Roger’s Rangers.

I have decided I need to learn something new every day.

So, I leave how-to books, military manuals, and modern preparedness literature next to my bed. This way, before I pick up my latest apocalyptic, doomsday novel to enjoy some light reading that helps me fall fast asleep, I make myself open one of the above type books and learn something useful.

I keep my old Ranger Handbook very close to me nowadays. The Army issued it to me when I attended Infantry school almost thirty-five years ago.

Rule nineteen of Roger’s Rangers is, “Let the enemy come till he’s almost close enough to touch–then let him have it and jump out and finish him up with your hatchet.”

Major Robert Rogers, of the famous French and Indian Wars and Roger’s Rangers, believed in being prepared for action at all times, and he believed very strongly in having a tomahawk and knife always at the ready. Granted, this was in the days of a single shot, muzzle-loading rifles that, once fired in close combat, may never get reloaded until after the fight is over. When your gun is empty and evil is still advancing on you, then pull out the sharp and pointed implements you brought to the fight, and stop the aggressor’s advance.

When war was over, the soldier took their rifle and hawk, went home and then went hunting. Major Roger’s Rangers did this, and the veterans of every war the US has fought in since the 1700s, to the latest war down-range in the sand, come home and do the same thing. The type of rife may change but the “hawk” stays the same.

Henry Repeating Arms has a classic 30/30 lever action rifle on the market. What is different about this Henry rifle is its color-case finish, accomplished by one of the best in the firearms finishing business, Tyler Gun Works of Friona, Texas. Bobby Tyler, the owner, does marvelous color case finishing for Henry and has turned this 30/30 lever rifle into a classic. The rifle looks like something your great grandfather may have ordered from the Sears catalog a hundred years ago, sight unseen and been extremely happy with when the firearm arrived.

Bobby Tyler does the color-case finishing on all the Henry rifles, including the lever action 45/70, the 30/30, and the 1860 Original Henry in 44/40. He admitted to me that he adds a little extra gunsmith “love” to the Original Henrys he finishes. I believe when he was finishing my 30/30 lever action rifle, he gave it the same treatment as its expensive elder brother, the Original Color- Case Henry got. My color-case Henry 30/30 is gorgeous, and I know that is not a real rugged-guy term, but the rifle truly is sharp.

Tyler Gun Works Tomahawk
Tyler Gun Works Tomahawk

Mr. Tyler also makes tomahawks that he color-case finishes, and I got my hands on one of them. The finish on the “hawk” is just as pronounced as on the Henry 30/30 rifle and this makes for an excellent pair of tools to hunt with and delay evil with.

The fighting “hawk” is still used today by American soldiers deployed in harm’s way. The “hawks” that Mr Tyler makes meets, and with modern steel exceeds, anything Major Roger’s Rangers could have used back in the day.

I must admit I was not very fond of the 30/30 rifle cartridge for many years. The problem was with me, not with the cartridge. I did not understand what it could really accomplish as a hunting round and as a caliber of ammunition that could save your life against those who meant to do harm and destruction to your family. I mistakenly thought it was even kind of marginal for white tail deer, let along anything bigger and more dangerous.

Times have changed for the venerable old 30/30 cartridge and Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore Ammunition plays a big part in this new equation. Mr. Sundles’ 28B, 30/30 Win lead-free ammo uses a 150 grain Barnes TSX bullet that will allow you to take on almost anything in the lower 48 States. You can sight in your Henry rifle for your white tail hunt and without switching ammo and re-sighting in the firearm, head out to take a Mule deer or even an Elk.

The combination of a stand-out, color-case finish, the quality of the Henry manufacturing, and the great wood Anthony Imperato puts on his rifles, as I stated before, has made this Henry 30/30 lever action rifle a classic firearm to own.

Colored Case Hardened .30-30 Henry Rifle
Colored Case Hardened .30-30 Henry Rifle

It is October, and whitetail season is upon us here in Wisconsin. The fact that my color-case finished Henry 30/30 Rifle was made in Wisconsin is not lost on me or many of my fellow “cheeseheads.” Returning Wisconsin Veterans from the Civil War were hunting in the deep woods of the Badger State with their Henry rifles as early as 1865. There is a long tradition of hunting with a Henry rifles in Wisconsin, and we are more than happy to extend that tradition to our fellow hunters in the other 49 states.

Given the calibers available in the Henry line of rifles there is nothing in the world you cannot hunt with a Henry.

Special Agent Gibbs of the TV series NCIS has a rule number 9, “never go anywhere without a knife.” Take his rule #9 and Major Roger’s rule #19, which add up to a rifle, a tomahawk, and a knife and you have a great start at surviving in a cruel and unforgiving world.

Now if you never run into evil in your lifetime and never have to invoke a Henry Delay to save your family, more’s the better.

However, if you have the Henry rifle, the knife and the Tyler “hawk” don’t let them go to waste, go hunt with your Henry.

Major Van Harl USAF Ret./ [email protected]


About Major Van Harl USAF Ret.:

Major Van E. Harl USAF Ret., a career Police Officer in the U.S. Air Force was born in Burlington, Iowa, USA, in 1955. He was the Deputy Chief of police at two Air Force Bases and the Commander of Law Enforcement Operations at another. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry School.  A retired Colorado Ranger and currently is an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Cudahy PD in Milwaukee County, WI.  His efforts now are directed at church campus safely and security training.  He believes “evil hates organization.”  [email protected]

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Alan in NH

The picture shows this 30-30 engraved ’45-70′. Nice looking rifle though.

Boz

They also had the incorrect photo of a pistol in an article last Friday. Said 10mm in the article, but showed a 9×19 on the barrel. Need better writers or proof readers.

TGP389

Good catch. I thought that ejection port looked too large, but I’m my phone and didn’t enlarge the picture to see the barrel stamp until I read your comment.

Last edited 9 days ago by TGP389
Mickt

I purchased a big boy steel in .44mag. Smooth as silk cycling and dead balls accurate. However, did no one catch the fact that the picture here is captioned as 30-30 yet the barrel is stamped .45-70 gov’t? Just sayin’!

Finnky

Has anyone tried the new Turkish lever gun – GForce-Huckleberry? I may be cheap, but don’t want to buy junk. I am a crappy shot, but certainly don’t need gun to contribute to my accuracy issues.

TGP389

I have more than a few Turkish pistols, and if it’s anything like them, it’s a good rifle.

Matt in Oklahoma

I’m loving my Henry 357. Put a Skinner Sight front rail with light and 2 shell holder with CCI #4s, the buttstock leather holds 180gr Underwood Hardcast and the tube is loaded with Underwood 158gr HPs. It’ll take bird to bear

Timothy Knepp

To the folks at Henry : I never could figure out why the .327 Federal didn’t catch on. I always thought that someone would eventually produce a fine lever gun chambered for this round as a companion to rugers .327 wheelgun. Maybe a little market research is in order . I’m sure there are lots of differing opinions concerning this round and its initial acceptance has been less than encouraging , but I believe there is a place for it as well as an eager market if someone would just go ”all in” and start producing USEFULL firearms for it.… Read more »

Van Harl

Henry will be making a Big Boy in 327 Fed mag starting in the new year.
It will be the first factory rifle in 327 Fed mag and Buffalo Bore makes some great 327 Fed mag ammo to go with the Henry rifle.

Don Frederick

I am looking forward to getting a Henry 327. I emailed Mr. Anthony and replied to me to get in touch with him around the middle of March and he would make sure I would get one

John G. Mead

I own several Winchesters, but now that they are made in Japan, will not buy any more. Regardless of what 2nd Amender wrote and truthfully a side loader is better than sliding rounds down a tube, the Henry is better made than its contemporaries.

c.j.

Jorge said (Loosely translated) I CAN MAKE SURE TO THEM THAT WHENEVER I READ AN ARTICLE LIKE THAT, I AM GOING TO MY ARMORER TO ADMIRE ME
BEAUTIFUL WINCHESTER SHAPED 1894 CALIBRATE 30.30, AND NOT ME CANDO OF ADMIRARLO.ES A REAL WORK OF ART IN HIS TYPE, AND THE LIVES THAT IT HAS SAVED

John Dunlap

The only issue I have with the Henry (I have a .45 Colt) is slow reloading compared to the loading gate on Marlins and Winchesters. On the plus side, the Henry is safer when unloading the rifle. I do wonder why anyone would think the .30-30 under powered. Before smokeless powder, millions of deer and thousands of miscreants were dispatched with the .38-40, .44-40 and similar. I don’t think modern day deer have taken to wearing ballistic armor.

Don McDougall

Henry is a BIG supporter of Friends of NRA. That alone is a reason to buy their guns. Gun makers that stand behind their firearms are the only ones to buy from.

Major Van Harl

For 2nd Amender I have a couple of Henry rifles to include some brass ones. But I have to admit my Big Boy Steel in 41 mag is at the top of my list. Now that is subject to change if something new comes along. I had a long conversation with Mr. Imperato the man who owns Henry Rifles about his customer service. I am including a column I wrote on that subject. If you are having issues with your Henry do not delay, contact them today. They will get your rifle shipped back to Wisconsin where it was made… Read more »

2nd Amender

Roger that, sir!

Spent casings and next together nd ate not cycling as I expect they should. My Henry .22 works ‘like butter’, but the Big Boy .41 leaves me sad about the expenditue.

2nd Amender

Should say, “spent casings and next rounds”. Danged self aware machines will kill us all

TGP389

I’m wondering if he really rubs salve on you, or if he solves problems…

StreetSweeper

I have a color-case finished tomahawk from Tyler gun works, absolutely beautiful; mine has a heart shaped cutout so every chop comes with love. How he’s figured out color casing stainless steel is incredible, I highly recommend them if you want something unique.

PMinFl

There have been more re-runs than original articles lately.

Rob

Is there some logical reason the majority of comments in this article are seven (7) years old? Just askin’…….

GAMtns

I have a Henry .357. Just plain sweet. It’ll take down anything I need it to with the Buffalo Bore Hard Cast. .

R. Johnson

I won the Ducks Unlimited 22cal. Henry 2 yrs ago and didn’t want to shoot it. Finally got the itch and took it to the range and ran about 200 rounds through it. The lever is as smooth as silk and the rifle took about 10 rounds to get used to it. From then on it was on the money at 50 yds. Glad I got passed not wanting to shoot it.

Bigfootbob

I have an octagon barreled with gold inlays .22LR Henry. Just like Mr. Imperato says…accurate right out of the box. I also own scary black rifles too, from my Suppressed Tippman Arms M4-22 Micro Elite, Suppressed .300 Blackout and a couple of NATO .556’s. For fun I also have a matched pair of Ruger M77’s in .270 and .300 SW Magnum to name a few. Out of all the fun guns in my safe, the Henry .22LR with standard sights is THE gun everyone in the family wants to shoot! There’s something magical/special about that gun. That one is going… Read more »

2nd Amender

I can’t read what Jorge says, but your money would be better spent on a Winchester or Marlin, if a big bore lever action is what you’re in the market for!
My new Henry .41 magnum ain’t so slick.

Jay

Not sure what Jorge said either but my gorgeous new color cased 45-70 Henry got dialed in at the range. My last two shots for the day ended inside the bulls eye at 50 yards. My friends beautiful Winchester was all over the target.

JorgeNorberto Pedace

LES PUEDO ASEGURAR QUE CADA VEZ QUE LEO UN ARTÍCULO ASÍ,VOY A MI ARMERO A ADMIRAR A MI
HERMOSO WINCHESTER MODELO 1894 CALIBRE 30.30,Y NO ME CANDO DE ADMIRARLO.ES UNA VERDADERA OBRA DE ARTE EN SU TIPO,Y LAS VIDAS QUE HA SALVADO