When it comes to target shooting and hunting, Dan Galusha explains why the Henry Frontier is one of his personal favorites.

A few years ago, the first Shoot ‘N’ Plink column appeared in MidWest Outdoors, and soon afterwards, became a video series as well. Although the gun that spawned the idea of the column was a Henry Frontier, I have never written or filmed a review of this lever action rifle before now.

As with all Henry firearms, the Octagon Frontier, model H001T, TM and TV, has a beautiful walnut stock. There are three models available—22 S/L/LR, 22 Magnum and 17 HMR. But, for this review, I will concentrate on the H001T-22 S/L/LR, which has a capacity of 16 LR and 21 S.

The blued octagon barrel’s length is 20 inches, and the overall length of the rifle is 38.5 inches. It weighs 6.50 pounds.

For mounting a rimfire scope or red dot, the receiver has a 3/8-inch groove. The hammer has a quarter cock as a safety. If a scope is mounted, it would be advisable to get a hammer extension. It is easy to mount, and sticks out to the side to make it easy to use the hammer with your thumb.

My favorite feature is the fully adjustable sights that have a brass bead for the front sight, and a buckhorn with a white diamond insert for the rear. To me, this is the next best thing to a Skinner Peep Sight. The white diamond can be turned around for those who would prefer the old black buckhorn.

I’ve run several different brands of ammo and velocities through this gun, and it has all performed very well. Even the Aguila Colobri with a 500 fps, for ultra quiet shooting, has worked well. My favorites have been Federal Hunter Match, Remington Thunderbolt, CCI Mini-Mag and Standard, Aguila Standard and Winchester M22.

Most of my test shooting of the gun was done free standing. Using the open iron sights, I’ve fired at distances of 10, 15, 25 and 50 yards. I did both target shooting and plinking on paper targets, Do-All Outdoors resealing swinging Bowling Pin and Knock Discs, as well as a Blast Back resetting steel target system.

I also mounted a Tasco 3-7×20 rimfire scope to use for some 25- and 50-yard shooting, but I recommend a Barska 3-9×40 scope. It worked extremely well, and is very well built, especially for the cheaper price.

Speaking of price, the Frontier retails for $473, but I’ve seen them as low as $250 during a sale. If you find it for $300 or a little below, you are getting a good deal on a great gun.

There is now a Shoot ‘N’ Plink video review about the Frontier. It is available for viewing at youtube.com/dansfishntales.

If you are looking for a great shooting, basic lever action, western style octagon barrel rifle, with the added white diamond/brass bead sights as found on a Golden Boy, then take a good look at the Henry Octagon Frontier. I’m certainly glad that I did, as it was truly the gun that started Shoot ‘N’ Plink.

If you want to learn more about the tools and gear that can help improve your hunting this fall, read the November issue of MidWest Outdoors, available the first full week of November at the newsstand or by subscribing on our website.