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Ruger American 22 magnum or Henry 22 magnum

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11K views 20 replies 14 participants last post by  Danwin22 
#1 ·
I'm looking for a 22 magnum and have narrowed my choices down. I'm looking for opinions on whether to get the Ruger American rimfire or the Henry 22 magnum. Any experiences with either one would be appreciated.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Have you looked at the Marlin 925M? Nothing wrong with the Henry or the Ruger but for the same money as those guns you should be able to get the Marlin WITH a scope. Depends on your priorities. The Marlin is not as "nice" but they tend to be way more accurate than one would expect for the money. I have a Marlin in 17HRM,purchased for $189 on a whim, that is WAY more accurate than I would expect a $190 gun to be. I would not be surprised if it would not hold its own against the Ruger, maybe better, accuracy wise.....and the Henry....it's a lever gun. IME a lever action is rarely as accurate as a bolt gun of simular quality with the exception of a Savage 99.
 
#6 ·
Those are 2 very different rifles. It really depends on what you're doing with them. I own an American in .22lr and a Henry Hoo1 in .22lr. I would wager the majority of bolt action American's either .22lr or mag are sporting scopes and being used for scope-friendly tasks, while I'm sure the majority of lever Henrys are being used in open sight friendly chores. Both are great choices for the uses they're intended for.
If you're going for looks, well then there is no comparison. The Henrys are good looking rifles.
 
#8 ·
I have the Henry golden boy .22 mag. I haven't had any experience with the Ruger. Mine is the older version henry, and can't be scoped. But i think the newer ones can be. Two problems I have; 1 can't find very much .22 mag. ammo, and 2 I really have trouble seeing the front sight. When I get around to it I'm going to put a truglo sight on the front. problem 2, though has more to do with the fact that I'm a old guy who just can't see that good anymore.:(
 
#9 ·
I don't have either of these particular guns but do have both lever and bolt .22's. Seems like you need to decide what the purpose is and what type action you prefer. From what I read and see both are great guns. Both will probably provide adequate accuracy. The Henry will cycle faster, bolts are slower but usually more accurate.
 
#10 ·
.22 mag because of it's length doesn't work well in semi auto hand guns, or rifles. But the lever guns, pumps, and bolt guns, work really well with the longer .22 mag. The new Henry's can be scoped with out a problem. The Henry will hold a couple a more rounds than the Ruger, but choosing between the two is strictly a personal preference. The Henry will cost more.
 
#12 ·
I haven't seen any in way over a year, closer to two years since I've seen any. I sure would like to find some, at a reasonable price.
 
#13 ·
I got lucky when I was gander mt last year and found some, a box of 200 rds, but I also haven't seen any since. I hope, one shot hunter, you have a good supply or source to get .22mag. ammo, or your new gun will set in storage. like mine has been doing.
 
#15 ·
I had the Marlin 25 M and when Ruger brought out the American 22 Mag, I sold the Marlin and got the Ruger

The Marlin was ok, but the Ruger, to me has been much more accurate and the trigger is superior.
Mine loves the Hornady Vmax

I put the Nikon Rimfire scope on it and its a great varmint gun
 
#16 ·
My varmint gun! Magnum Research .22 Magnum.

Firearm Gun Rifle Trigger Air gun
 
#18 ·
My all time favorite .22 mag was a Marlin model 57M. It is a very short throw lever action rifle that was as fast to shoot as a semi-auto. It was also very accurate. I shot many rabbits and squirrels with that gun. It was stolen from me in 1981 along with two other rifles, three shotguns, and two pistols, and I never recovered any of them.
 
#19 ·
bought the Ruger .22 mag about a yr ago,, love it , cant say anything bad about it ,, only had to put a scope on it as my eyes have problems with iron sites ( can see the front ok but the back gets fuzzy , aint gittin old fun :p ) shoots way better then me, have let several other shoot it and they loved it,, also like the marlin but for some reason settled on the Ruger,, have fun
 
#21 ·
If you want a long range 22 magnum with scope I'd go with the Ruger American Rimfire.

I have a .22 Henry Golden Boy and love it to death but I don't think of it as a precision long range shooter. It's a great plinker.

Henry has a scope mount available for the Golden Boy but it looks kind of flimsy to my eye while the Ruger setup is very solid and uses Weaver scope rings.

There is a big price difference too. You can probably buy two Rugers for the price of one Henry Golden Boy which gives you enough money to buy a good Nikon or similar scope.

I'll never sell my Henry but I do plan to add a Ruger American Rimfire in .22 to my collection soon.
 
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