Henry Lever Action.22 Magnum

[tmwinds]

Went to the range today with my Henry 22 magnum lever action. Placed some clay pigeons at 110 yards. Shooting Hornady 30 gr. V-Max ammo. I fire several shots at a pigeon. Watching the impact on the berm I estimated the group was 2-3 feet. The rifle previously was shooting 2-3 inches at this distance. I suspected my scope was loose or crapped out. Checked the scope and it was tight.
I placed a paper target at 25 yards and fired a few shots. At 25 yards this rifle previously has shot 1/2 inch groups. My group was 3 inches. I’m really scratching my head at this point. I retrieved the target and noticed the bullets were impacting the paper sideways.

This is the same ammunition that was used when the rifle shot well. I pulled a bullet and it measures .223.

Has anyone seen this before or have a clue as to what is happening? I’m baffled.
Thanks

 

[ksfrank]

Take a look at the steelchickens.com web site, the lever action section. There are threads about your issue with Henry 22 mag lever guns. I have a Henry 22 mag, after much ammo testing, my rifle shoots best with Federal 50 grain jacketed hollow point (Federal product #757)

 

[OLeveraction]

My Henry 20in Frontier Never Shot well with the five or six brands and weight I tried and Key Holed several brands.
But Henry gives a 100% Satisfaction lifetime Guarantee. I know of a guy that sent his 357 back four times for Barrel Replacement.

 

[tmwinds]

My Henry 20in Frontier Never Shot well with the five or six brands and weight I tried and Key Holed several brands.
But Henry gives a 100% Satisfaction lifetime Guarantee. I know of a guy that sent his 357 back four times for Barrel Replacement.

I’ve sent an email to Henry and I’m waiting for a response. I hope they can get it shooting decent. I would really like to keep it. My conscience wouldn’t let me sell it as is

 

[Tommie]

Sounds like something’s loose.

 

[rayporter]

i had a henry 22 mag that shot about 6 inches at 50y and i tried 6 ot 7 brands of ammo.
it was a nice slick rifle but you could not hit a a thing with it.
i honestly would consider another if i knew it would shoot well.

 

[tmwinds]

Sounds like something’s loose.

What could be loose that would cause the bullet to keyhole? I did check the scope , mounts and barrel crown Everything is good. It's going back to Henry at their request for a barrel or rifle replacement.

 

[tmwinds]

i had a henry 22 mag that shot about 6 inches at 50y and i tried 6 ot 7 brands of ammo.
it was a nice slick rifle but you could not hit a a thing with it.
i honestly would consider another if i knew it would shoot well.

I've heard the same thing concerning Henry 22 Magnums. I'm going to ask Henry if they can rebarrel it in .22 long rifle. To me, everything looks the same except the barrel chamber.

 

[shoot4fun]

Went to the range today with my Henry 22 magnum lever action. Placed some clay pigeons at 110 yards. Shooting Hornady 30 gr. V-Max ammo. I fire several shots at a pigeon. Watching the impact on the berm I estimated the group was 2-3 feet. The rifle previously was shooting 2-3 inches at this distance. I suspected my scope was loose or crapped out. Checked the scope and it was tight.
I placed a paper target at 25 yards and fired a few shots. At 25 yards this rifle previously has shot 1/2 inch groups. My group was 3 inches. I’m really scratching my head at this point. I retrieved the target and noticed the bullets were impacting the paper sideways.

This is the same ammunition that was used when the rifle shot well. I pulled a bullet and it measures .223.

Has anyone seen this before or have a clue as to what is happening? I’m baffled.
Thanks

That will teach you!
Don't clean it! (I know you did)

 

[Tommie]

What could be loose that would cause the bullet to keyhole? I did check the scope , mounts and barrel crown Everything is good. It's going back to Henry at their request for a barrel or rifle replacement.

Missed the keyhole part.

 

[tmwinds]

That will teach you!
Don't clean it! (I know you did)

DJ said I had a carbon ring.

 

[OLeveraction]

I'm going to ask Henry if they can rebarrel it

That is what I did and they said it would screw up their Rifle accounting. 'A 22lr with a 22mag serial number.'

 

[tmwinds]

That is what I did and they said it would screw up their Rifle accounting. 'A 22lr with a 22mag serial number.'

Never thought about that but it makes sense.