The Rimfire Report: The Henry Magnum Express Review

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report. In this series, we cover a lot of rimfire guns that are trying to be the jack of all trades. The .22LR in particular as a cartridge lends itself well to this kind of job, as it's just lethal enough to be useful for small game hunting, while also being an affordable target practice, training, and plinking round for most people. The .22 Magnum, on the other hand, is much more purpose-built, ideally finding itself in the hands of a skilled varmint hunter or landowner looking to remove a few pests from their property. Likewise, the Henry Lever Action .22 Magnum Express is a purpose-built firearm - meant to be a precise, quick, and lightweight .22 Magnum platform with small game hunting as its goal. Today, well take a closer look at this great offering from Henry to see where the value in this $600 magnum rimfire lies. The Magnum Express rifle embodies several features that make it appealing to varmint hunters. Made in the USA, the construction quality of Henry rifles is noteworthy, and the Magnum Express is no exception. The American Walnut stock and forend provide a touch of class, and while it may not be the highest grade of Walnut seen on lever guns, it shines beautifully, especially in the morning sun. The rifle sports a blued steel finish which offers decent corrosion resistance but can be susceptible to surface rust if left exposed in damp conditions. This underlines the importance of proper maintenance, like utilizing a gun sock for protection. My initial outings with the Magnum Express proved to be promising, with excellent reliability across all 250 rounds fired. The lever throw was light but mechanically satisfying, which contributed to an enjoyable shooting experience. Following the first range session, the rifle's action became slightly more fluid, maintaining its integrity without resulting in looseness. Furthermore, being optics-ready enhances its effectiveness, particularly when equipped with an appropriate scope, like the Maven CRS.1 3-12x40 SFP paired during this review. However, its important to note the limitations of this model: it lacks a threaded barrel and features no iron sights. The option for a threaded barrel comes with the 24 Frontier Model, which also offers iron sights for those who need them. For shooters not inclined to use suppressors, Henry offers a more budget-friendly Classic Lever Action variant in .22 Magnum, providing great accuracy albeit at the cost of longer-range engagement capabilities. As an enthusiast, integrating a threaded barrel into the Magnum Express model could greatly enhance its versatility, especially for those prioritizing noise abatement. A built-in cheek riser and a rubberized buttpad are noteworthy comfort features that allow focus on shooting rather than discomfort. The rifle's capacity of 11 rounds is commendable for a rimfire lever action, providing ample firepower in the field without being cumbersome. The trigger feels excellent, breaking cleanly at around 4lbs, featuring a straightforward design with no noticeable takeup or creep. Testing accuracy has been another area of focus during this review. Feedback from previous accuracy tests highlighted variations based on the ammunition used. Although reliability was consistent across different brands, the performance varied significantly. The CCI Maxi-Mag 40 grain outperformed others, while the 46 grain SHP Maxi-Mags struggled, showing that not all ammo performs equally well in this rifle. The quest for precision with the Magnum Express aligns with a broader trend where shooters are increasingly discerning about their ammunition choices. Ultimately, it demonstrates that understanding ones firearm can be just as crucial as the shooters skill. In conclusion, the Henry Magnum Express .22LR successfully retains the charm of lever-action rifles while prioritizing functional hunting capabilities. This balance of tradition and performance is a refreshing find in a market often enamored with fleeting trends. With practical design features that appeal to serious hunters, this rifle undoubtedly delivers an enjoyable user experience. Though some may prioritize different features, the Magnum Express remains a dependable choice for small game hunting, providing adequate performance tailored for precision and comfort. As always, your thoughts, comments, and experiences are welcome and encouraged below. Thank you for reading The Rimfire Report, and we look forward to engaging with you again next week.