Review: Henry Lever Action Octagon Frontier 22 Magnum

Henry’s All American Born in The USA .22 mag Lever Action

A .22 mag Bad-Boy Varmint Homiciding Zombie Tin-can Exterminator Lever Action Rifle
Henry Firearms is in my top three favorite firearm companies. Other than their products are exceptional, I like the fact all their products are American made. All their components of their exceptional firearms are American made including American Walnut stocks. I have tested several of their firearms which can be read about on this website. I own several of their firearms because I just love lever action rifles. A rich history of adventures who traveled with their Henry rifles crossing the open plains with danger at every turn. Henry has a Lever Action Octagon Frontier .22 Magnum which tweaked my interest. I have several .22 mag single action revolvers, so what better companion than a .22 mag lever action rifle.

Henry lever action octagon frontier 22 magnum

Last winter in early March of 2020, Gridley and I took the Henry to my go-to place to shoot the Oklahoma City Gun Club. My first visit was to one of four informal shooting pits. On this visit my self and Gridley fired over 200 rounds of Winchester and Browning (made by Winchester) .22 mag ammo. We took this time to get to know the Henry lever action octagon barrel .22 mag rifle. We shot at paper and static targets. In shooting we found out the rear site needed to be moved back to center. As I did not have a flat-bladed screwdriver small enough to accomplish this task, we adjourned and headed home.

The next opportunity to return to the gun range coincided with the COVID-19 breakout. Gridley having two daughters in college, who drove to and from the university campus several days a week gave us some concern. The opportunity of spreading the virus/germ/manmade-contagion could be high so we decided to wait this out. In May I went to the Gun Club to shoot on some paper with this .22 mag lever action rifle. My wife Kathy assisted me. This trip I had added a less expensive four power scope. My eyes are not what they use to be. I took with me the Winchester, Browning and Hornady .22 mag ammo. The Hornady ammo is their 45 grain Critical Defense ammo with ballistic tips.

In shooting the Winchester, Browning and Hornady at 50 yards I scored some decent grouping. The 4X scope I was using would be acceptable for general use. I had sighted in this Henry .22 mag lever action rifle at 25 yards. At the 50-yard line the rounds were slightly climbing with the Hornady hitting at about one inch high. The Winchester and Browning were about zeroed in at the 50-yard line. The “less expensive” scope at 4X was okay to use, but a decent 3X9 scope would have been preferred. At 50 yards the bulls’ eye looked like a period in this article. However, for homiciding varmints, assassinating tin-cans, shooting pesky farm pond turtles and if need be, self-defense in times of civil unrest, this Henry .22 mag lever action octagon barrel would be perfect. The .22 mag round, ounce for ounce, is one of the deadliest rounds in the World.

In handling, working the action, and shooting the Henry .22 mag lever action octagon barrel, I found it to be very well balanced pleasant to bring to my shoulder quickly. The .22 mag round has very little recoil in a rifle which holds true with this Henry. Some light weight handguns could have some recoil. I can see the Henry .22 mag lever action being perfect for a teenage youth to learn about firearms. The .22 mag is more expensive than the .22 LR round. However, with the added power and velocity of the .22 mag, it is a better all-around problem-fixer when used in the right firearm.

Field Test: Lever Action Octagon Frontier 22 Magnum

Recently, look out virus here I come, I went to Coalgate, Oklahoma. The trip was a two-part affair. I was working on some foundation business and taking the Henry .22 mag on a coyote hunt. The foundation is 401-Kids Inc. which is raising funds for a full-term home for rescued sex-trafficked girls. The hunt was at the Double JM Ranch. Coalgate is about two and half hours south and a little east of Oklahoma City.

I arrived at the Double JM Ranch at about 16:30 hours. Jared Truett was my hunting guide. Jared was very cordial and professional. After a tour of the bunk house and area, Jared fired a few rounds of the Henry .22 mag. As a professional guide, he was impressed. He sighted in the Henry to his liking. After Jared finished, we were off on the hunt. I was the video operator and Jered the shooter and guide.

On our way to four different hunting sights on this 8,000-acre ranch, we saw many deer, many wild hogs and one industrious armadillo. What we could not get to come to the electronic call was the Ninja Coyotes. We had them within 100 yards down in a draw barking and yipping, but no personal appearances. As all hunters know some days, they run you over and others they make fun of you.

Ninja Coyotes – 4, Hunters – 0

Conclusion

With a total of 350 rounds fired through the Henry Lever Action Octagon Frontier 22 Magnum rifle, I can tell you it never had one problem. This Henry worked flawlessly. The Winchester, Browning and Hornady ammo fired each and every time. The combination of the high-quality ammo and the Henry was of something close to a religious experience. With this rifle in my hands I felt comfort and peace in the knowledge if I had only one firearm for varmint and small game. This Henry in .22 mag would be my choice. If I had only one firearm which fired less expensive and more readily available ammo to purchase, this Henry would be my choice. If I needed a home defense firearm my whole family could handle, this Henry would be my choice. The traditional “shotgun” for home defense is intimidating to many women and older teenage children. This Henry would not be.

If you are truly expecting the dirt-bags to come over the wire, swim the moat, and kick in the front door of your castle, then buy an assault rifle and hire some Russian Mercenaries. If you are a home owner who has little concern of a frontal assault on your castle, this Henry .22 mag should be the one firearm you should have for defense.

As always practice gun safety, use and storage. Each owner has their own set of personal circumstances and should consider how they can safely make this Henry readily available if danger does visit their home. If you are a first-time gun owner, have a qualified firearms instructor train you to clean, operated and shoot this Henry safely.

I can say I really enjoyed shooting this .22 mag Henry lever action rifle. It was a joy to shoot. In my minds’ eye I can see this Henry standing by the back door at the farm, ready and able to take care of the Ninja Coyotes who stalk our furry feline rat killers. Look out dirt-plowing armadillos and fruit stealing raccoons.

Henry Lever Action Octagon Frontier .22 Magnum Specs:

• Barrel Length: 20.5 Inches
• Barrel Type: Octagon Blued Steel
• Overall Length: 39 Inches
• Weight: 6.25 Pounds
• Receiver Finish: Black
• Rear Sight: Fully Adj. Semi-Buckhorn w/ Diamond Insert
• Front Sight: Brass Bead
• Stock Material: American Walnut
• Buttplate-Pad: Plastic
• Length of Pull: 14 Inches
• Safety: 1/4 Cock
• Rate of Twist: 1:16
• Scope-ability: 3/8″ Grooved Receiver
• Best Uses: Zombie Cans, Hunting of Small Game, Defense or Survival

MSRP: $611.00

Henry Repeating Arms
https://www.henryusa.com

Lever Action Octagon Frontier
https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/lever-octagon-frontier-rifle/

Winchester Ammo
https://winchester.com

Winchester .22 Mag, Varmint HV
https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rimfire/Varmint-HV/S22M2

Browning Ammo
http://browningammo.com

Hornady
https://www.hornady.com

Hornady 22 WMR 45 gr FTX® Critical Defense®
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rimfire/22-wmr-45-gr-ftx-critical-defense#!/

401-Kids Inc.
https://www.401kids.org