Want to add a 22 Mag to my collection, can’t make up my mind!

[DeathValleyMike]

I have had my Big Boy 44Mag less than a month and am already In love with Henry rifles!

I want to add a 22 mag so I can get three more months of hog hunting on public land here in SC.
I got my Henry catalog and watched YouTube videos and I can’t make my mind up between a pump or lever rifle!

I would like to hear some opinions of folks who actually own both if that’s possible. Pros and cons. ( Though I can’t imagine many cons )

Thank you!
Mike

[Vaquero]

Sorry, I can't help on this one as my only 22 mag. is a bolt action.
I have pondered Henry's 24" octagon barreled model.
But I'm a lever action addict, and love the octagon barrels.

I do own an older Savage pump gun in 35 Rem. and it would be quick for follow up shots.
But....as of yet it has not been necessary.

Good luck on whichever you choose.

RP

[fortyshooter]

Well not 22 Mag but I do have a Henry pump and lever in 22 LR. The pump is a fun gun when it comes to plinking but if had to sell one I would keep the .22 lever rifle. I like the lever shooters and the Evil Roy version of the Henry is a fine shooter and have had no issues with it.
The action of my lever rifle is smoother than the pump.

[Ernie]

I have a Golden Boy 22 mag and it is a fine rifle. I also have a 22 lr pump and like it as well. It would be hard for me to choose one over the other. Guess you will have to decide which action you prefer.

[Mags]

... and I can’t make my mind up between a pump or lever rifle!
...

Like other responders, I don't have either eyether. A dilemma like this can be resolved by getting both.

[Vaquero]

And the enabler points go to...Mags.
Both.

RP

[GunnyGene]

Here's the difference:

With a pump gun you have to use your support arm to work the slide. That generally will throw off your accuracy and target acquisition.

With a good lever action, you only have to flip the lever with your fingers if you know what your doing, although some folks habitually move their arm to work the lever, which is not really necessary. Also with a smooth action you can crank off shots very quickly by keeping your trigger finger in the proper position to automatically pull the trigger the instant the lever is seated on return, while flipping the lever with your other 3 fingers. Your thumb stays on the wood, and you don't loose your target. This is easy to demonstrate, but hard to describe. Also takes some practice, but I'm sure you wouldn't mind that.

[Jdl447]

Hogs as in pigs or ground?

[daytime dave]

I have both the pump and a few Henry levers in .22 lr. I'd go with what the others say and keep the lever. Just my opinion. The pump is fun, but if I were hunting with one, it would be the lever.

[clovishound]

I was going to chime in with get it in .17 WMR. Unfortunately, Henry doesn't make anything in that caliber, unless I missed something. My buddy's son shot a 130 lb hog in the chest with a 17 WMR. It ran about 10 yds and went down like a sack of potatoes. I got a chance to shoot that rifle (Savage bolt action) at the range at 100 yds and had an impressively small group. From what I have heard the .17 HMR isn't much better against larger game than .22 WMR.

I wish DNR would change the regs to allow hog hunting on the WMAs with only safety rules in place. Any time of year, any weapon. If you get caught shooting a squirrel with a .308, then a hefty fine would be in order, otherwise, let us clear as many of these invasive animals from the woods as possible. A rimfire just isn't the right tool for this job IMO. OK, rant over.

[daytime dave]

Clovishound, a quick check of the Henry website showed 11 models, although some were corporate and personalized models. They do not appear to offer a pump model in .17.

Don't feel bad, I didn't realize they made a single shot slug shotgun until a recent email conversation with Dan @ Henry setting up the giveaway. There are so many models that I hadn't seen it when I last looked at them all.

[PBSnooker]

I have a large loop lever 22 mag. So that would be my vote.

[clovishound]

Clovishound, a quick check of the Henry website showed 11 models, although some were corporate and personalized models. They do not appear to offer a pump model in .17.

Don't feel bad, I didn't realize they made a single shot slug shotgun until a recent email conversation with Dan @ Henry setting up the giveaway. There are so many models that I hadn't seen it when I last looked at them all.

Well, I wasn't addressing the pump vs lever, just lamenting the caliber choices. All the Henrys I see in .17 are HMR, not WSM. He was stating he planned to use it to hunt feral hogs, and IMO the .17 WSM packs a much bigger punch than either .22 mag or .17 HMR. As much as I love Henrys, I would be tempted to get something else in .17 WSM, if it were to be used specifically for hogs within the constraints of using rimfire.

FWIW, a couple years ago, I ended up getting a .22 mag bolt action to carry during small game season to be able to take a feral hog, if the opportunity presents itself. I was tired of borrowing one from my buddy every time we hit the woods after Jan. I got what I did because this was going to be the only use for this rifle, and I could get one brand new for well under $200. If Henry made a lever rifle in .17 WSM, I would have spent the extra for one. The other issue is the availability of ,17 WSM ammo.

Yes, Henry has really expanded their lineup.

[Conax]

I bought a .22 mag levergun about 12 or 13 years ago and that Henry was accurate the first shot, right out of the box.
I shot the cap off a water bottle offhand at 25 yards, first shot. With the scope I put on (when my eyes began to fail) it shoots 3/4" groups at 50 yards with certain ammo. Smoothest action I ever saw. You can't beat the little levers from Henry.
I never handled their pumps, maybe I'm wrong.

[Oldbrass]

Never hunted hogs but a 22 mag henry would be fun and likely a good coyote rifle as well.