Henry Repeating Arms offers a version of its popular lever-action rimfire with an octagon barrel and chambered for .22 Magnum.

We fired the Henry Lever Octagon .22 Magnum for accuracy at 100 yards using a 4X Bushnell Banner .22 scope. Some shooters have reported that the .22 Magnum is lacking in the accuracy department, but the accuracy we achieved with the Henry suggests those complainers may have been using the wrong gun to make that determination.

Five-shot groups of less than 1.50 inches were possible, and the average of five groups for all three types of ammunition used was a very respectable 2.29 inches. That's plenty accurate for the Eastern groundhogs and similar-size game upon which the Henry will see field use. Accuracy testing showed a clear preference for CCI's 40-grain TMJ load, even though it clocked an unusually high velocity extreme spread of 110 fps.

Functionally, there were no surprises. On the Henry microsite (see side note), you'll find a past article on the .17 HMR version of this rifle, in which short stroking the lever resulted in the empty cartridge case falling into the receiver and causing a double-feed malfunction upon closing.

There does not seem to be the potential for that same malfunction on the .22 Magnum version. The straight-walled case is fully supported through all but the last bit of cycling, so the mouth of the case is never free of the chamber long enough to get loose.

As we've experienced on other Henry rifles, the release of the grooved steel trigger was at a reasonable 5 pounds pull with no take-up and about 1/8 inch of creep. Operating the lever revealed a silky smoothness familiar to shooters who've worked a broken-in yet well-cared-for lever action. There was plenty of clearance between the scope and the hammer for lowering the latter to the halfcock position and for recocking, but those with thick fingers or who may use the Henry while wearing gloves would do well to invest in an aftermarket hammer extension.

Those shooters who have accused the .22 Magnum or lever-action rifles of inaccuracy have been shooting the wrong guns. At 100 yards, the Henry was able to deliver groups tighter than 1.50 inches.

Overall, the Henry Lever Octagon .22 Magnum exhibits in form and function why lever actions are favorites of American shooters. It's accurate, reliable, operates new out-of-the-box with the smoothness of an heirloom passed down through the generations, and it is made with attention to detail that ensures the Henry will be passed on to future generations.