Henry Golden Boy American Eagle .22 S/L/LR 20in Octagon

About this product

The Henry Golden Boy American Eagle .22 S/L/LR 20in Octagon is a full-size lever-action rimfire rifle built for target use, small-game hunting, and display collecting with engraving and ivory-colored finishes. This rifle is a commemorative-grade iteration of Henry's proven Golden Boy platform, chambered for .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle with a traditional octagon barrel. Federal commerce laws classify this as a Title I firearm, meaning most interstate transfers only require a standard Form 4473 and NICS check.

What is the Henry Golden Boy American Eagle .22 S/L/LR used for?

This rifle is designed for casual target shooting, small-game hunting, and display in a curated collection; it is not a high-volume training solution. The 20-inch octagon barrel and 1:16 twist rate provide stable in-flight ballistics for .22 Long Rifle, delivering sub-2 MOA accuracy from a benchrest at 50 yards with match-grade ammunition. The lever action's short 90-degree throw cycles all three cartridge lengths reliably, but the 6.75-pound unloaded weight makes it heavy for extended offhand shooting compared to a synthetic-stock bolt-action.

How does the Henry Golden Boy American Eagle compare to the Stevens 334 .243 Win?

The Henry is a lighter-recoiling, traditional lever-action rimfire for informal use, while the Stevens 334 in .243 Win is a significantly more powerful, modern bolt-action for medium-game hunting at longer ranges. The Stevens 334 fires centerfire ammunition with at least 1,900 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, requires an optic for precision beyond 50 yards, and weighs 0.5 pounds less despite its comparable 20-inch barrel. For dispatching varmints or deer, the Stevens is objectively superior; the Henry excels as a low-cost, nostalgic plinker.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

This rifle weighs 6.75 lbs (108 ounces) unloaded and measures 38.5 inches in overall length with a 20-inch octagon barrel. The magazine tube holds 16 rounds of .22 Long Rifle or 21 rounds of .22 Short, giving you approximately 45 seconds of continuous fire between reloads at a moderate 20-rounds-per-minute pace. With its 13.5-inch length of pull and 5.25-inch drop at the comb, the stock fits most adult shooters but will feel short for those over 6'2".

Who is this NOT for?

Buyers seeking a lightweight, high-capacity .22 for tactical drills or budget-conscious small-game hunters on foot should look elsewhere. The polished nickel and engraving add nearly $400 to the MSRP over a standard blued Golden Boy, offering no ballistic advantage whatsoever. For sustained offhand shooting in dense woods, a synthetic-stock bolt-action like a Ruger American Rimfire (4.9 lbs) will be more practical. This is a range toy and display piece first.

What's in the box?

The rifle ships with a single standard 16-round .22 LR tubular magazine (loaded via the muzzle-end port), a simple trigger lock, and basic owner's manual. Henry does not include any factory optics mounting solutions, nor does it ship with test targets or bore snakes. Expect to spend another $25-$40 on a cartridge-specific cleaning rod—the .22 bore diameter at 0.217 inches is easy to damage with improper tools.

Is the Henry Golden Boy American Eagle worth it at $906.99?

At this price point, you are paying a 35% premium for aesthetics over a standard Golden Boy, which is only justified if you specifically value the engraved American Eagle motif and ivory-colored finishes. Mechanically, it is identical to the $599 base model, offering the same action, sights, and barrel; the investment is purely in presentation. For a shooter who wants a reliable, classically-styled .22 lever gun to last a lifetime, it's a solid buy. For someone seeking pure utility, direct those funds toward ammunition and a quality Stevens 555 Sporting .410 for small-game versatility.