.22 LR Question?????

[chuckeglenn]

My best friend got married this weekend, and he wants to get me a .22 for my best man gift. I've got to choose between a Henry Lever Action (base model, not the golden boy) or Ruger American Rimfire (bolt action not 10/22). It's going to be used for small game, squirrels mainly, and target practice. I really like bolt guns, but I do already have a ruger 10/22 that is about 20 years old (my first gun). On the other hand I really like the classic look of the lever action. I don't have a lever action, so that would add some variety to my gun collection. I've never even held either of these guns. Any input or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Henry rifles are really neat. I would go that route, especially since you already have a ruger.

Nice gift.

 

[MTHunter20]

I'd definitely go with the Henry. Just because a lever action 22 sounds like a ton of fun. That's a really cool best mans gift btw.

 

[JWP58]

If you're going to hunt with it, ruger american.

 

[robtattoo]

First gun I ever bought & the last gun I'll ever sell is my Henry .22.
There's not much that's more fun than a lever action .22 & it's MORE than accurate enough for small game hunting.
It'll eat everything I feed it, it's had one misfire in 8 years (last round count was well north of 100k.....I really miss cheap bulk) & their customer service is the best in the industry. Call 'em up & ask & they'll send you a steel front sight & barrel band to replace the plastic, free of charge.

 

[Phil4]

The Henry H001 is a blast. Couple things to keep in mind, the receiver is painted, not blued. Also, there is a little wiggle in the forend on mine. If you are cool with those two minor details, I'd go with the Henry, ton of fun, plenty accurate.


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[mtswampfox]

Would like to have a Henry, but in 17 hmr

 

[Axlrod]

My dad bought my oldest boy a Henry when he was 2. It was about 4 more years before he could hold it up (I got him a cricket in the mean time)
It has been a great rifle.

 

[BruinPoint]

If you're going to hunt with it, ruger american.

That was my first thought too - looks like a minority opinion.

 

[elkguide]

Ruger fan here. All the abuse of so many years of coon hunting along with 4 kids and way to many hours "tied" on the fender of a tractor...... directs me to Ruger.

 

[JWP58]

That was my first thought too - looks like a minority opinion.

Small game especially squirrel means optics, even if it's jus a 4x. Plus you can get one already threaded.

 

[Phil4]

The Henry receiver comes dovetailed...easy to mount a scope on as well. I'd say you can't go wrong with either. Lever is way more fun though.


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[JFK]

If you have a 22 already in the 10/22, why not get the American in 17hmr. It's a really fun round to shoot that makes 22 seem like a BB gun. Just don't use the frangible varmint rounds on anything you plan on eating as they do a number on whatever they hit.

 

[5MilesBack]

If you have a 22 already in the 10/22, why not get the American in 17hmr. It's a really fun round to shoot that makes 22 seem like a BB gun.

This is what I was going to say. I have the Henry, the Ruger American Rimfire .22LR, and the Ruger American Rimfire .17HMR. The .17 is a blast and it feels like a BB gun......no kick at all, but it is extremely accurate. I get quarter sized groups from 100 with a scope and 20 rounds.

But I also love the Henry, that was the first .22 rifle I ever bought. Lever actions are a lot of fun. Hard to pick a bad one here.....but I would definitely go with the Ruger .17HMR over the Ruger .22LR........should be the same price.

 

[Stwrt9]

I love my Henry Golden Boy it's a blast to shoot! you won;t be disappointing if you go that route. Also don't rule out a henry 17hmr if your looking for a 17 just my .02

 

[16Bore]

If it were me, I'd tell him that I was flattered by the gesture and let him decide.

 

[Logan T]

The Henry lever guns are fun to shoot. I have 3 of them myself, two of the base models and one golden boy, all in .22. I also have a bolt action from savage in .22. I would buy another lever action again over a bolt action or semi-auto. I've put a bunch of rounds through all of my .22s (I'd guess probably at least 20,000 per Henry and probably half that through the bolt gun--- lots of years shooting gophers on the ranch back home) shooting everything from gophers, badgers, porcupines, skunks, beavers etc. etc. and the Henry's are just as accurate as anything else in my opinion. I know you said it wouldn't be the Golden Boy, but those are super accurate.

So my opinion.... Henry Lever Action all the way!!!!

 

[chuckeglenn]

Thanks for all of the input guys. Good points on the 17hmr. It would definitely add some versatility to my collection. I finally got my hands on both guns today. I think I'm leaning towards the Henry though. I was really surprised at how smooth the action is.

 

[chuckeglenn]

The Henry lever guns are fun to shoot. I have 3 of them myself, two of the base models and one golden boy, all in .22. I also have a bolt action from savage in .22. I would buy another lever action again over a bolt action or semi-auto. I've put a bunch of rounds through all of my .22s (I'd guess probably at least 20,000 per Henry and probably half that through the bolt gun--- lots of years shooting gophers on the ranch back home) shooting everything from gophers, badgers, porcupines, skunks, beavers etc. etc. and the Henry's are just as accurate as anything else in my opinion. I know you said it wouldn't be the Golden Boy, but those are super accurate.

So my opinion.... Henry Lever Action all the way!!!!

Do you have a scope on any of your Henrys? I looked at the Leupold 2-7x32 and the Vortex 2-7x35 today. Leaning toward the Leupold. It was much smaller and had a better eye relief.

 

[Logan T]

No I don't. I've seen them on them before but I just shoot open sights with my .22


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