Range Report Henry Lever action 22 mag

[jh45gun]

Just got back from the range and to say the least I am impressed with the Henry Lever action in 22 mag. I only shot at 25 yards, I would have shot at 50 but I shot up my 40 grain ammo sighting in the scope and the Federal 50 grain the gun did not like at all and shot bad at 25 yards so 50 yards was out of the question. The 50 grain stuff shot all over the place. The best group I got out the good ammo I had before I ran out was a 3 shot group that measured 5/16 center to center using PMC Predator 40 grain hollow point ammo and a 2 shot group using Remington V Max tht measured a 1/4 inch I only had 3 shells of the V max and pulled the first shot, the following 2 measured the 1/4 inch. So I feel the gun has good potental. The trigger has some creep but letoff is crisp and it probably needs to be shot some more to break it in better. Jim

[ButlerFord45]

Just like any other rifle; they know what they like!  Those little Henerys are good lookin' little rifles, too!  With all of the 22 choices, your gonna have to shoot  that thing a lot to find the one it likes the very best!!!   You best get back to the range!!! :grin:


Butler Ford

[massenrg]

I've long been considering buying one of those Henry .22 mags.  I've seen pictures but have never held or fired one.  How do they look?  How's the woodwork?  I've heard that the lever is really smooth.  Is this true?  How's the accuracy?  

I'd love to splurge on a Winchester lever .22 mag but my pockets are kinda thin.  The Winchesters go for about $400 and the Henrys are between $200 and $300 (I think.)   I'll probably have to go with the Henry and I want to know if I'm getting a good rifle.

Thanks,
Texas Squirrel Hunter :gulp:

[jh45gun]

I like my gun, the wood and metal fit is excellent, The wood is walnut not some cheap hardwood  and it shoots well. I have only shot it once since I bought it but I am happy with the results and some fine tuning and finding out what it likes to shoot the best will help. This pic was at 25 yards using PMC Predator  40 grain HP"S. It was a 3 shot group that measured 5/16. The only detractors I have seen on the web own the other lever guns and the guys that own the Henrys for the most part seem to like them. Kind of a chevy /ford type thing I suppose. It must bug the Winchester and Marlin guys that the Henrys work so well for less money. Their biggest problem is the alloy receiver making that sound inferior,  yet the 10/22 has a alloy receiver and has been around for years. So having a alloy receiver is not a big problem to me. I for one reccomend the Henry. The Lever is smoother than the others I tried a Winchester and a Browning and the Henry was smoother. The Marlin does not make a lever mag at this time so I did not try a 39.

[massenrg]

This all sounds good but I forgot one important question.  How much can I expect to pay for a new one?  The gun stores in this city never have any used Henry's; maybe that speaks well for the rifle.  

Also, does it seem noticably louder than longer barreled .22 mags like the bolt actions?

You've been helpful jh45gun.  Thanks.

Texas Squirrel Hunter   :gulp:

[jh45gun]

Masserng, According to the Henry catalog it retails for $299.95 I paid $279.00 at Gander Mountain who is a larger chain outdoors outlet. My gun shop said they could order me one for $ 269.00. I went the Gander Mountain route just because they had one in stock and I did not have to wait it may have cost 10 bucks more but I had it in my hands that day I went shopping. I did not want to wait for a gun on order plus Gander Mountain had a extended warranty for a year plus a complete cleaning for $19.95 so I went that route I figured after almost 2 years of shooting I could take it in and have a complete stripped down cleaning and it would not cost me any more one nice GM feature. I know if any of the chains like wal -mart have them they might be cheaper yet because of volume buying. I know they sell the regular ones and I suppose they could order the magnum ones if they do not have them in stock. As far as loudness goes I had ear plugs in as I was at a public range with a lot of shooting going on so I do not know how loud it was exactly but I can tell you with the longer barrel it was a lot quieter than the 22 mag bolt pistol I had so I do not think it would be overly loud. Jim

[house4151]

when my grandpa died 2 years ago i got his collection of guns. 2 shotgun and 2 .22's the is one that i like the mossberg 151 mb.when we retrived it from his estate is was working and loaded (for varmint) but when we unloaded it and took it to our home it did not want to work. the bolt will not come back all the way, it only reaches the safety. can someone help

[p15camborne]

house4151:  You need to start a new thread.  This will be lost from view here.  Also try rimfirecentral.

[od green]

jh45, if it shoots like mine you'll love it. I've had mine for almost three years and no hick ups or any other issues. I use mine for ground hogs and foxes and you couldn't ask for a better round to use. It's very accurate at 125 to 150 yards and as far as noise it has more of a crack less like a small bore center fire but still more than a 22lr. And the critters are DRT before they know what hit em. As far as the alloy receiver goes all the guy's i shoot with either at the range or on the farm soon forget about it as soon as they cycle the action which is sooooo smooth !!! . I think i paid around $250.00 for mine and the hardest thing i ever had to do was ( GULP ) drill the beautiful wood to mount a sling and also add a scope. Mine wears a Bushnell 3x9 dusk to dawn scope and loves both either the Win 40gr jhp and CCI 40 gr Maxi Mag 40 gr jhp. This one was my second of three Henry's i own as i had to buy my youngest son the standard 22 lever to keep his mitts off of mine. Hope you enjoy your new rifle.

[dpe.ahoy]

I've got the 22 and the 22 mag.  Both shoot better than I can and both are smoother than any other lever gun I own or have shot.  Got Marlins and Winchesters and the Henrys are great values for the money spent.  DP