Earlier this year I was sent a Lever Action Magnum Express to review from Henry. This particular rifle is chambered in 22. WMR, also known as 22. Mag. Below I will go into the performance and overall feel of the Henry.
Styling and Feel
The rifle is sleek and clean-looking, which is a hallmark of a Henry rifle. The beautiful American walnut stock complements the blued steel barrel and receiver. The rear stock of the rifle swells into a Monte Carlo comb. This high comb is meant to raise the cheek of the shooter higher up so that sighting the rifle through a scope is easier. This feature also provides the shooter with more stability and comfort while shooting the rifle. Likewise, Henry finishes the stock with a soft rubber recoil pad to ensure a non-slip fit while shouldering the rifle.
You’ll find checkering on both the fore and rear stocks of the gun. The rifle has the traditional Henry loading tube mechanism. However, that’s where the traditional look ends. As you can see from the pictures and video in this article the rifle has no front or rear sights. This rifle was produced with scopes in mind. As a result, the Henry comes with a Picatinny Rail already mounted on the gun.
At 5.5 lbs. the rifle feels light in your hands but is just heavy enough to not be shaky when trying farther shots with the rifle. Overall the rifle is a beauty to look at. The short video below gives you a good close-up of the rifle.
Specifications
Below I will list some of the specifications of the rifle.
- Barrel Length: 19.25″
- Overall Length: 37.5″
- Length of Pull: 14″
- Weight: 5.5 lbs. as stated above
- Safety: 1/4 Cock
- Model Number: H001ME
- Ammo Capacity: 11 Rounds
- M.S.R. Price: $622
Performance
If you are like me, you grew up out west and had a fascination with all things cowboys. Especially their weapons and tools of the trade. There is just something about picking up a lever-action rifle that hits different. The H001ME still gives you that feeling when you pick it up. However, you almost feel like a new-age cowboy as you look down the rifle. No iron sights sit in the way of the scope and it gives you a feeling of confidence with the little powerhouse.
Henry has advertised the gun as being a perfect small game hunting solution out to 125 yards. After testing I am in agreement with them. The rifle performs smoothly and efficiently. Follow-up shots are a breeze due to the nature of lever-action rifles. While all ammo has been difficult to get the last year and a half, I was still able to find around 350 rounds after searching my local area. The 22. WMR definitely packs more punch than its little brother the 22. LR. For comparison, I will list the difference in ballasictics between the 22. WMR and the 22. LR below.
- 22. WMR CCI Maxi Mag 40 gr. JHP: 50-yard velocity: 1577 fps. 50-yard energy: 221 ft. lbs.
- 22. LR CCI Mini Mag 40 gr. CPHP: 50-yard velocity: 1116 fps. 50-yard energy: 111 ft. lbs.
As you can see the 22. WMR definitely packs a lot more punch into a small package.
However, I would be remised if I didn’t discuss the limitations of the cartridge. The 22. WMR packs a punch for most small game and can effectively kill larger game if the shot placement and distance are right. Where you start to see the limitations of the round is when targets begin to reach that 125-yard range and beyond. If the conditions are right (low wind, clear skies) I have accurately been able to hit targets out beyond 125 yards.
However, if the day happens to be windy the rounds accuracy starts to suffer. However, for a small game hunter looking for extra punch out to 75 yards even on windy days the 22. WMR gets the job done. The picture below is a two-shot group at 75 yards, with CCI 40 gr. factory ammo. Likewise, there are not many guns prettier to shoot a 22. WMR out of than the Henry H001ME.
Reliability
Over the last few months, I have used the H001ME in typical hunting and target shooting excursions. Every shot, the trigger has been crisp and clean and the action has worked flawlessly. In certain brands of lever actions, you will find that they have a tendency to jam. This is NOT the case with the Henry H001ME. Despite the different elements and positions I put it in, it always cycled cleanly. After several outings no screws are loose and everything is still tight and smooth as it should be. The rifle has great balance and bringing the gun to your shoulder is flawless nearly every time even with bulky coats on in cold weather.
Hunt with a Henry
Recently, “Hunt with a Henry” has become one of the companies slogans and I can see why. Carrying the H001ME while out hunting is a breeze, as stated above the sleek styling and feel makes it so the rifle fits easily into your hands or the crook of your arm. Like most of Henry’s rimfire rifles, the H001ME doesn’t have any sling studs. Honestly, I feel like sling studs would take away from the overall look of the rifle and at 5.5 lbs it is not a hard rifle to carry through the woods. I have taken the H001ME on several walkabouts over the last few months.
Unfortunately, at no fault of the rifle, I have only been able to take two rabbits with the rifle. Both of these critters fell stone dead at the report of the 22. WMR. The rabbit population in western Utah is experiencing a bit of a dip but I have 0 doubt that the H001ME will have many more animals fall to it once the snow flies.
Overall Rating of the Henry
Below I will go into a little more detail about the rifle but simply put if you are a small game hunter looking for more punch than a 22. LR the Henry H001ME is what you are looking for. I feel the rifle is especially suited for hunters looking to drop larger small game in their tracks. Hunters that are taking large raccoons or beavers would love this rifle. Likewise, grey foxes, red foxes, and coyotes would fall quickly to the 22.WMR. However, the nature of the 22. WMR means most of those shots would need to be within 125 yards to accurately place your shots.
Pros
- The H001ME is a beautiful rifle that functions flawlessly.
- The design is unique and new.
- 22. WMR cartridges pack a heck of a punch for most small game.
- The trigger and rifle design lend themselves to a very accurate platform.
- In normal times ammo is easily found.
Cons
- The nature of the 22. WMR doesn’t lend itself to shots much beyond 125 and hinders the rifle from being a true long-range small game gun. (This really has nothing to do with the rifle design or function.)
Overall I immensely enjoyed shooting and testing the Henry H001ME, it is a great little rifle that I look forward to hunting with more in the future. I plan on putting a dent in the local rabbit population this winter with it. If you are in the market for a 22. with some real punch and beautiful styling I would strongly recommend the H001ME.
If you’d like to read more about the H001ME be sure to check out Henry’s website by clicking here. Likewise, you can read more Ehuntr reviews by clicking here.
