.22 Magnum - 20 or 24"?

[Blackdog]

I'm about to buy a Henry .22 magnum with octagon barrel. They come in 20 and 24 inch models. I'll use it for Lever Action pistol (.22 mag is legal in Pistol Cartridge matches).
I know that the longer barrel is going to give me a longer sight radius, but I'm more interested in balance of the rifle.
Which has better balance - the 20" or the 24"?
M

[PT7]

My friend has a 24" Frontier model, which I've handled but not shot. Seemed front heavy to me.
Frontier 24" octagon barrel @ 7lbs (H001TMLB)

My Henry is a Carbine with the even shorter barrel length than either of the two rifles you are considering.
SGC 16.25" octagon barrel @ 5.5lbs (H001TLP)

You commented that the longer sight radius is not #1 consideration in your decision; rather, you said "I'm more interested in balance of the rifle." Not to sidetrack you in your rifle quest, but I would without hesitation point you to the Carbine model like I have, and highly recommend it for its well-designed balance. What I do know is that the sharp-looking octagon barrels Henry makes are solid and heavy. My SGC with its octagon barrel has the absolute perfect balance for any of the .22 Henry rimfires I've handled. It is also the most accurate .22 Henry I've owned --- a total pleasure to shoot.

But to your specific request for help. My best suggestion for you is to get your hands on both models, the 20" and 24" (throw in the 16.25" Carbine just for fun!). Handling the rifles will tell you exactly what you need to know. There is no other best way to buy a rifle in my book.

PT7

I'm about to buy a Henry .22 magnum with octagon barrel. They come in 20 and 24 inch models. I'll use it for Lever Action pistol (.22 mag is legal in Pistol Cartridge matches).
I know that the longer barrel is going to give me a longer sight radius, but I'm more interested in balance of the rifle.
Which has better balance - the 20" or the 24"?
M

[Ojaileveraction]

I have a 20 inch and I handled a 24 inch at the State Lever Action Tounament.
The 24 felt better to me. It hung there nice and steady.

[Frontiersman]

Is velocity a consideration?

Some of the 22 mag ammo does not reach full potential in shorter barrels.

[rwortman]

If you are going to use iron sights the sight radius increase should not be discounted. A 20% increase in sight radius, given the same error in sight picture, will make a sizable difference. Doing a little trigonometry. Given a .005" error in sight alignment with a 20" barrel gives an angular error of 14 MOA or about 7 inches at 50 yards (this one of the reasons why people use scopes) with a 24" barrel that same error gives 12 MOA. If you are target shooting or squirrel hunting that 1 to 2 inch difference between 50 and 100 yards is significant. If you are using optics then it doesn't matter much. You will eke out a little more velocity. I haven't tried a 20" but my 24" is a sweet handling rifle.

[BigAl52]

I have the SGC in 22 mag with the 16.5 inch barrel. Its a great shooter. Sure do like how the carbines handle. Al

[Redthies]

I also think the balance of the Small Game Carbine is perfect. It is the nicest rifle I’ve ever owned to shoot from a standing position, and with the Skinner peep sights, also easily the most accurate.

[Blackdog]

I bought a 20" today(9/2/18). Brownells has them on sale - too good to pass up.
Also bought 5 boxes of Hornady 45gr ammo from Graf & Sons - Also on sale.

I'll post a report once I get it to the range. Will be adding Williams Receiver sights and Lyman front sight and using the new-one for Lever Action Silhouette.
M

[BillyBoy]

For whatever it's worth, I finally chose the Golden Boy Youth, in 22 LR. 16 1/4" barrel length, and only 6 pounds! A shoulder injury make it hard to heft a heavy rifle, and for me at least, the light weight of the H004Y and 13" LOP is absolutely perfect. Chose 22 LR over magnum simply due to the lower ammo cost when killing tin cans.

It's light weight, transports in my scabbard without getting tired, swings onto target easily, and my God, she's accurate, even with the factory semi-buckhorn sight! I am adding a Skinner peep and .500 high front blade next week.

Below is the first three groups out of the box, using CCI Mini Mag. Understand I had never shot a rifle, and only shot my dad's pistols over 50 years ago!

Bill

[CT_Shooter]

Great shooting, BillyBoy! Congratulations, and thanks for sharing your targets.