.22 Mag rifles Henry/Savage

[Zombiphobia]

I'm in the market for a .22 magum. I prefer the option of iron sights AND/OR scope. Trying to keep it below 400$

I've been looking at the Henry lever action as it has a rail for scope mounting, and the Savage bolt action 93g because it has a removeable magazine which I'm fond of in rifles, though it is only 5 rounds and I don't think it's scope-ready, though it DOES have an AccuTrigger and is about $100 bucks less.

The Henry is lever-action, has a 12 round capacity, is scope-ready WITH iron sites.

I want the rifle for squirrels and coyotes, and shots could range from 200 yards to within 20 where a scope isn't required. I have a .22 LR, but it's really old, needs a new stock, and I want a more powerful scopeable rifle for other game that is a little bigger, with longer range capability without going to a center fire.

Really just can't decide if I want a bolt-action or lever action and how bad I really want to be able to scope it.

Opinions?

 

[CaliCoastie]

hmmmm there are a few others that maybe a bit harder to find on the lever action side, marlin made a 57M back in the 60's and a 1894 chambered in 22mag in the 80's. I also have a marlin 983ss that shoots great, and could easly do 200yds. two of my 22mags have scopes but the 1894 will likely just get a peep sight and ill call it good. see what fits best, i happen to love levers so..... shop around at different gun shops/pawn shops and see what fits best.

 

[Michael R.]

i have a savage model 93g with the accutrigger and the trigger is amazing. i bought it for 260 dollars brand new. havent shot it yet but i think im gonna only use iron sights. its also ready to accept a scope.

 

[Zombiphobia]

savage model 93g its also ready to accept a scope.

I have been leaning towards the lever-action, but if the Savage is already set-up to accept a scope, I may go with it because after a 100$ scope, it's still as much money(or less) invested as the Henry before a scope is purchased for it.
I'm not sure how well a lever-action rimfire rifle feeds either.
Once you shoot it, pls let me know how accurate it is with whatever ammo you use.

 

[trex1310]

I have a Henry (H003TM) .22 mag pump. It is very accurate and
you would be surprised how fast it will fire. IIRC it holds 12 rounds.

 

[tkcomer]

I have the 22 mag Henry lever gun. Got a red dot on it for night time critter duty. Doesn't seem to like the bulk Winchester rounds but loves the Hornady V-Max. I wouldn't even think of trying to shoot 200 yards at a critter with it. To me, it's pretty much a 100 yard and under gun.

 

[Cluster Bomb]

tbh i would just get a .223 will kill anything small to med size leaving room to kill other things if needed. Ammo is still relatively cheap compared with a 243

 

[Furncliff]

CZ

Lots of choices between $300-400.
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/by-category/rifles/

good prices here..
http://www.whittakerguns.com/

 

[Zombiphobia]

let me clarify: I have a gun for every occasion.. almost. I don't need a larger gun for larger game, I need a smaller gun for smaller game. So .223 and the like is out. Don't need it. Besides, I'd like some of the small critters I shoot to remain edible, not blown to bits.

Also, I wanted to ask a question that I SHOULD Know, but don't. Here goes: I've read (on wikipedia of all places) that .22LR ammo can be used in .22 mag guns... Is that true?
Besides the convertible revolvers of course... I mean can .22LR be safely used in a .22 mag gun?

I know the case and bullet diameter is a little bit larger than .22LR and it would seem like a bad idea, but it's better to ask and be told than to try and lose my shooting eye.

 

[Michael R.]

I have been leaning towards the lever-action, but if the Savage is already set-up to accept a scope, I may go with it because after a 100$ scope, it's still as much money(or less) invested as the Henry before a scope is purchased for it.
I'm not sure how well a lever-action rimfire rifle feeds either.
Once you shoot it, pls let me know how accurate it is with whatever ammo you use.

i am going to shoot it this sunday, i will report how it does. i will be using cci maxi mag 22 wmr hp.

 

[Cluster Bomb]

all i know personaly is if the gun says it can take it than it can take it. My single shot 22 takes 22long and 22lr while my wifes fathers pistol can take both those plus short. and my dads can only take short.

 

[Jim Watson]

Besides the convertible revolvers of course... I mean can .22LR be safely used in a .22 mag gun?

Not recommended. The LR case can split in the WMR chamber and these little guns are not real good on gas handling, not like a centerfire Mauser or Remington.

The CZ 455 is caliber convertible, LR to WMR to HMR but it ain't cheap and extra barrels cost extra.

A club member here has a box magazine Marlin that is very accurate.

What are you going to shoot AT to be worth the cost of magnums?
Good sized animals?
Paper is just as dead with less expensive LRs.

 

[Cluster Bomb]

Besides, I'd like some of the small critters I shoot to remain edible, not blown to bits.

I use a 22lr or a 20g 7 1/2 target load for red squirrels @ about 30yrds and they arnt blown to bits.

this "lil" girl
Dead squirrel Image
was dispatched with my 20g pump and less than 3yrds one pellet wnt to its brain and other in its chest....others in the tree behind it. it was perched on a tree branch. I dont worry about damaging them as i use them for bait. the other side is undamaged like side shown but with entrance wounds.

 

[Zombiphobia]

Not recommended. The LR case can split in the WMR chamber and these little guns are not real good on gas handling, not like a centerfire Mauser or Remington.

The CZ 455 is caliber convertible, LR to WMR to HMR but it ain't cheap and extra barrels cost extra.

A club member here has a box magazine Marlin that is very accurate.

What are you going to shoot AT to be worth the cost of magnums?
Good sized animals?
Paper is just as dead with less expensive LRs.

Squirrels, coyotes and everything in between. I have an old bolt action Remington Sportmaster .22LR than can take short, long and LR, but it's old, needs a new stock, and I want a little more killing power for coyotes without going to a more expensive centerfire rifle. I haven't gotten into reloading yet, and I like .22's. But I like the .22 magnum even more.

The old Sportmaster I have was handed down by my grandfather and for using .22 short for small squirrels in the back yard it's great, but the cracked stock makes it unsuitable for going out into the woods anymore. Just needing an upgrade is all. It's an heirloom, which for me means
1: It's not being modifed
2: I'm taking very gentle care of it, so no more rough use
3: I don't like the idea of using a .22LR for coyotes. I know it'll work but see above (need an upgrade)
I am interested in furs AND small game meat so I want to be sure they're down, but no destroyed hides or meat and I find a .22 magnum works pretty well for that.

So my current interest is in the previously mentioned rifles, but I am open to suggestions for other models by other manufacturer's if the quality and price range are both go. With the Henry, specifically, I am more interested in the H001TM octoganal barrel model. It reminds me of my old Red Ryder BB gun ad is the same style as the winchester '94 30-30 I used to have which was perfectly ballanced and aside from ruined sites, was a phenomenal shooter, so it's a design I am particularly drawn to. And if .22lr CAN be used in it, and they're as accurate as most .22's or better, with scope options it instantly becomes the most useful and favored gun in my arsenal.

I'm still eye-balling that Savage, too though. I really love a removeable magazine on a bolt-action. I have an 'economy' line Savage in .308 and it shoots pretty well especially for being so cheap, and I've heard good things about their Accutrigger, which my rifle doesn't have.

BUT... the Henry lever-action, to me, seems more utilitarian than the Savage bolt action and this IS going to be a utility gun, not a target rifle... but accuracy is still muey important if I want useable hides, right?

I like having money in my pocket, too and the Savage IS less expensive, has an Accutrigger, and I've just been told it is ready to accept a scope. I like the lever actions more though they're more expensive and carry more ammo, should the need arise to HAVE more. I'm being told they're both acceptably accurate here and elsewhere I've looked.

So the remaining question is... which one suits me better?

I'm leaning towards the Henry lever gun even though it costs more, but I want to see Micheal R's range report with his Savage93g, and it's going be a couple of months b4 I make the purchase so I have time to consider it more and handle them in stores.

 

[Probie9]

I have a marlin 883 with a tubular magazine and it is very accurate with a 2.5x Simmons scope. But it will not shoot anything but magnum ammunition.

 

[Michael R.]

today i shot the savage model 93g with the accutrigger and it is a great rifle. the first few rounds were a little hard to get in but after a while the gun slicked up. also, the iron sights shot high at first(at 10 yards). we adjusted them down and after that i shot 20 rounds of cci maxi mag into one large hole(from 10 yards because i just wanted to get a feel for the gun). the accutrigger is amazing and the bolt runs slick. the only thing i would change is the front post. i would like it to be a bright color because it would pick up easier. overall, it is an extremely great rifle and i would reccomend it to anyone.

 

[Zombiphobia]

How is at 100yrds?

gun shop guy told me today he can get the henry octogonal barrel for 420+tax and background check. Seems a little high, what do you guys think?

 

[Zombiphobia]

ok, I've just learned that during small game season in the area I want to hunt that I cannot use a .22 magnum. .22LR only.

Game over.

 

[Michael R.]

i haven't shot the rifle at 100 yards yet. also, i would get a savage mark 2 with the accutrigger in 22lr since you can only use a 22. i know that i may sound like a savage advertiser, but they are some of the most accurate rifles out of box i've ever seen in my life.

 

[gbran]

Savage 93FVSS with Weaver V16. This is really sweet for a 22wmr. I also have a Rossi gallery gun (Model 62) in 22wmr which is super fun, but not as accurate as the Savage.

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