DonnyBrook13
Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2013
- Messages
- 30
I wanted a tube-fed .22 rifle, because I was tired of loading magazines, and the tube .22s can shoot .22 LR, shorts and even CB caps. Also they're lever action, and I'm a leftie, with few left bolt options.
So I got a Henry pump .22. I couldn't believe how stiff the action was, but told myself it would loosen up over time. Then I noticed the rails -- with lumpy, uneven edges, like something forged in a tent in Turkmenistan. Another disadvantage for lefty shooters is that everything ejects out the right side. Once I felt something strike my cheek when cycling the Henry. And then I felt a hot piece of lead, about the size of a gnat, bury itself into my lip. It was spitting lead everywhere. I'm not going to keep a gun that stands a better chance of wounding the shooter than the target.
So I took it back to my very reasonable local dealer, who gave me full credit against a Browning BL-22. Grade II, with the engraved receiver and polished stock, short throw lever. Beautiful gun... and I couldn't believe how poorly it shot. 4-5" groups from a rest at 25 yes., no matter what ammo I used. Usually, I do a lot of research before purchasing, but here I thought "a Browning! Made my Miroku in Japan, how could I go wrong?" Turns out other reviewers had same experience, with one gun mag stating "middling accuracy." More like miserable accuracy.
So I sold that and ended up with a Savage 93GL -- left-hand bolt .22 mag for $200. With a 4x scope with adjustable parallax and a bipod, I can nail a 4" metal spinner target at 100 yds. 9 out of 10 shots. I didn't measure groups sighting it in, but that's minute-of-rabbit and good enough for me.
The cheapest (and ugliest) gun of the lot turned out to be the best shooter.
So I got a Henry pump .22. I couldn't believe how stiff the action was, but told myself it would loosen up over time. Then I noticed the rails -- with lumpy, uneven edges, like something forged in a tent in Turkmenistan. Another disadvantage for lefty shooters is that everything ejects out the right side. Once I felt something strike my cheek when cycling the Henry. And then I felt a hot piece of lead, about the size of a gnat, bury itself into my lip. It was spitting lead everywhere. I'm not going to keep a gun that stands a better chance of wounding the shooter than the target.
So I took it back to my very reasonable local dealer, who gave me full credit against a Browning BL-22. Grade II, with the engraved receiver and polished stock, short throw lever. Beautiful gun... and I couldn't believe how poorly it shot. 4-5" groups from a rest at 25 yes., no matter what ammo I used. Usually, I do a lot of research before purchasing, but here I thought "a Browning! Made my Miroku in Japan, how could I go wrong?" Turns out other reviewers had same experience, with one gun mag stating "middling accuracy." More like miserable accuracy.
So I sold that and ended up with a Savage 93GL -- left-hand bolt .22 mag for $200. With a 4x scope with adjustable parallax and a bipod, I can nail a 4" metal spinner target at 100 yds. 9 out of 10 shots. I didn't measure groups sighting it in, but that's minute-of-rabbit and good enough for me.
The cheapest (and ugliest) gun of the lot turned out to be the best shooter.
