Everyone that likes to shoot or hunt enjoys a rimfire lever rifle. Henry Repeating Arms is renowned for manufacturing some of the best modern day lever guns in all calibers. But may be perhaps most well known for their rimfire offerings.
Recently I was able to get my hands on two of Henry’s most popular lever gun offerings for a range and field tryout. These two have been around for some time but deserve a revisit on occasion.
Let’s take a look at the Henry Varmint Express in 17 HMR, and the Henry 22 LR Classic Lever Action.
The Henry Varmint Express
The .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire) round has been for over 20 years now, debuting in 2002. The caliber has never really been on my radar until now and I’m anxious to give the round the attention it deserves. Having grown up shooting bolt and pump action .22 rimfires I wanted to try something a bit different. The Henry Varmint Express with its lever action old west appeal seemed to be a perfect fit and is produced only in .17 HMR.
The Varmint Express is a traditional looking lever action with an American Walnut stock, deep checkering on the straight grip and fore end, and a round blued twenty-inch barrel. The tubular magazine holds eleven rounds of ammunition. The lever action mechanism is housed in the same alloy receiver that forms the basis of Henry’s famous Golden Boy series. The buyer has the option of large loop or the more traditional standard loop lever when purchasing. The rear stock of the rifle has a Monte Carlo style comb and a rubber butt pad.
Side stepping the traditional iron sights, the Varmint Express comes with the standard 3/8-inch receiver dovetail for optics and William brand Fire Sights–a fiber optic set of sights that consist of a green rear sight and a red front post.
William Brand Fire Sights on the Henry .17 HMR Express
In case you are wondering the .17 HMR cartridge was developed by Hornady and can produce muzzle velocities exceeding 2550 ft/s. with a 17 to 20 grain bullet being the most common. The .17 HMR provides a flatter trajectory and overall higher energy that can be ideal for varmint hunting.
First Impressions
Initially the Henry Varmint Express appeared to me like what I have come to expect from Henry. Nicely fitted with no gaps between wood and steel and zero flaws in the overall workmanship. The oiled walnut Monte Carlo stock is aesthetically pleasing along with the pistol grip being well placed with positive feel checkering. This rifle is light and handy at just under six pounds. This traditional look is offset by the robust Williams fiber optic sights. Essentially the Henry Varmint Express gave me a positive first impression.
On the range
The Varmint Express comes to the shoulder with ease and the high comb of the stock rested my cheek higher for comfortable and immediate use of the sights. Cycling the .17 HMR was a breeze with a quick flick of the wrist down cases were instantly ejected. The rifle chambered the 17 HMR bottlenecked cartridges reliably as well.
The Williams fiber optic sights really stood out in day time hours and glowed during even cloudy conditions on the range. I could easily put five shots into a 1-to-1.5-inch group at 25 yards from the bench with both Hornady 17gr V-Shok HP and CCI 20gr FMJ ammunition. I would say that this rifle would really shine with a quality rimfire scope considering the high comb. I have no doubt it would be a tack driver considering groups I fired with open sights.
The .17 HMR cartridge is fast and flat shooting with almost zero recoil. I look forward to a future test in the field perhaps on a squirrel hunt this fall.
Five Shot Group with the Varmint Express at 25 Yards with Open Sights
Bottom Line
The Henry Varmint Express is without doubt a winner in the accuracy department. It shoulders quick and instinctively. The higher combed stock is conducive to alignment with your eye via iron sights or I’m sure with a scope of your choice. Although the Varmint Express does not come stock with sling swivels, they could easily be added if so desired. Even when rapid shooting off hand and slow bench shooting from 25 out to 100 yards, the Henry ran flawlessly.
The .17 HMR round has a place in today’s wide and ever-changing rimfire world as a plinking or small game hunting cartridge. The Henry Varmint Express provides a solid platform all while delivering a classic lever action design.
The Henry 22LR Classic Lever Action
The Henry Classic 22LR loads through a tubular magazine under the barrel, just as does the Varmint Express, and will accept .22 LR, .22 Long, and .22 Short ammo with varying capacities. The rifle is a perfect size for young shooters considering the standard size lever loop and length of pull of 14 inches.
The Henry rifle has an 18.5-inch barrel and weighs 5.25 pounds. It’s thin and straightforward to handle with your thumb sitting perfectly in place to cock the hammer and ease it forward into a de-cocked position. The stock fits perfectly into the shoulder, making the Henry a joy to handle.
The wood is American walnut, and the rifle is made in the USA as are all Henry firearms. It’s an excellent example of American workmanship and craft. The finish is flawless and somewhat resistant scratches everyday wear.
First Impressions
As with all Henry firearms, the fit and finish is impressive. The walnut stock is nicely finished and when you work the action the ease of operation and smoothness is obvious. Since the little .22 is of compact design, the lever throw is very short and quick.
The brass tube isn’t exactly delicate, but certainly use caution not to bend. Twisting the locking knob and moving the tube to the point where cartridges are easily loaded into the magazine which will accept 15 .22 LR, or 21 .22 shorts.
The sights are fixed sights with the typical buckhorn rear sight and a shrouded front post. These sights are fine for use out to 50 yards or so on larger targets, and a quite adequate for small game shooting at 25 yards. The typical 3/8-inch groove atop the receiver is present for mounting a rimfire scope if you so choose.
Classic Lever Gun Sights on the Henry .22
The rifle is well balanced and is just over 36-inches long and as previously mentioned the barrel measuring 18.25-inches in length and weighs only 5.25 pound. Like the Varmint Express the Classic 22 does not come stock with sling swivels.
On the Range
I ran 50 to 100 rounds of ammo through this little .22 and found that its accuracy is wonderful. Placing five shots from a bench rest position into a 1” group at 25 yards with .22 CCI Mini-Mag 36gr LR HP ammunition proved to be no problem. I also ran Remington 40gr Brass Plated Round nose through the Henry and found it to be nearly as accurate as the CCI.
Author Shooting the Henry .22 Rimfire on the Range
I must admit, my aging eyes might just have something to do with overall accuracy! As mentioned with the Varmint Express, this rifle would really shine with a quality rimfire scope. However, its lightweight and compact design leads one to go without and optic in my book.
Whether on the bench or a foot in the field, cycling the Henry Classic 22 was quick and flawless with a flick of the wrist down cases were ejected instantly. I look forward to a tryout on cottontails once colder weather comes back around.
Nice 5 Shot Group at 25 Yards with Open Sights on the Henry .22 Rimfire
Bottom Line
The Henry H001 is an excellent all-around .22 lever action rifle. The rifle isn’t sensitive to ammunition velocity or bullet weight. Of course, the lever action design doesn’t depend on a bullet with high velocity to cycle, making this little gun very reliable. The rifle offers a good mix of accuracy, reliability, ease of carry, and is certainly affordable to anyone.
Final Thoughts on the Henry Duo
Henry Repeating Arms continues to provide quality products that are new and innovative all while being built right here in the USA. The Varmint Express and the Classic 22 LR are no exception. Both will provide decades of service that you can be proud to hand down for generations to come.
If you are looking for a rimfire lever action, take a look at these two fine lever action rifles or a wide variety of other offerings from Henry Repeating Arms.
To Locate a Dealer near you visit www.lipseys.com/dealerfinder
About the Author:
TERRY NELSON – is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement with police and sheriff agencies, including SWAT and sniper roles, and has served as a state game warden. Nelson also served seven years with New Mexico State Guard. A lifelong hunter, guide, tracker and firearms enthusiast, Terry is sought for training in multiple disciplines by both civilian and police-serving agencies and companies. Nelson also holds a Basic Tac Med instructor certification from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.