In Hyberabad, India, Vikram Manney was a competitive international trap and air-rifle shooter. Come 2022, though, when his job as a human-resources professional brought the Manney family to Issaquah, Washington, he was determined to have his daughters Yuthika age 15 and her 10-year-old sister Jeevika carry on his shooting legacy in America by acquainting them with the trap, skeet and deer hunting that are so widely available here.
“I think for me, being a competitive shooter, the opportunity came up with the local youth club to get my daughters into shotgunning and gun safety,” Vikram said. “And since there’s not much hunting in Inda, I was eager to get them into hunting. My wife and I want to support them in these endeavors.”
The Henry Lever Action .22 Youth rifle is an excellent choice for introducing young shooters to the world of firearms. This compact and lightweight rifle offers a perfect blend of classic design and modern functionality, making it an ideal option for both new and experienced shooters alike.
Design and Build Quality
The Henry Youth .22 features a beautifully crafted American walnut stock with a smooth, high-quality finish. At just 4½ pounds and 33 inches in overall length, it’s specifically designed for smaller-framed shooters7. The 16.125-inch barrel and 13-inch length of pull make it easy for young hands to handle and maneuver7.
One of the standout features is the incredibly smooth lever action. The short throw allows for quick and effortless cycling, which is especially beneficial for younger shooters still developing their skills. The action cycles ammo flawlessly, contributing to the rifle’s excellent reliability1.
Performance and Accuracy
Despite its compact size, the Henry Youth .22 doesn’t compromise on performance. It’s capable of impressive accuracy, with many users reporting consistent 1-inch groups at 25 yards5. The rifle handles a variety of .22 LR ammunition types, including .22 Long and .22 Short, offering versatility in both plinking and small game hunting scenarios2.
The tubular magazine holds up to 15 rounds of .22 LR, providing ample capacity for extended shooting sessions4. The buckhorn rear sight and hooded front post sight are adequate for most shooting situations, though some users may find them a bit basic25.
Ease of Use and Safety
One of the key advantages of this rifle for young shooters is its simplicity. With just a trigger, lever, and hammer, it puts the responsibility for safety squarely on the user – an important lesson for new shooters2. The 1/4 cock safety setting on the hammer provides an additional layer of security against accidental discharge4.
Loading the tubular magazine might be slightly challenging for very young shooters with small hands, but this improves with practice1. The light recoil of the .22 LR cartridge, combined with the rifle’s smooth action, helps build confidence in new shooters12.
The Henry Lever Action .22 Youth rifle is an outstanding choice for introducing young shooters to firearms. Its combination of quality construction, smooth operation, and impressive accuracy make it a joy to shoot. While it may lack some of the advanced features of more expensive rifles, its simplicity and reliability make it an excellent tool for teaching firearm safety and marksmanship. Whether for plinking, small game hunting, or just enjoying a day at the range, this rifle is sure to provide years of enjoyment for young shooters and their families. Visit https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/lever-action-22-youth-rifle/
You might call Kenzie Kring an accidental air-rifle star. It wasn’t as though she’s been wanting to compete in air-rifle tournaments all her life. In a way, you can say that air rifles actually found her.
Kenzie’s air-rifle journey started with a pragmatic introduction into the sport. Nearly four years ago, when she was researching college applications, she felt that a scholarship was somehow achievable, but wasn’t quite sure how until she noticed something particular on the applications.
“At the bottom of every page of the applications was someone shooting an air rifle,” she recalled. “So I went to the local shooting club and picked up an air rifle. It felt like a natural for me.”
A person will never forget their first deer or their first buck. Those are moments that are monumental, both as a hunter and as a Texan. And this season I was fortunate enough to share those special moments with my oldest son, Waylon, during his first deer season as hunter instead of an observer.
Back in November 2023, he was able to harvest his first deer ever, a doe, on our family farm at age five. He made seven sits in a blind during the week of Thanksgiving before getting a shot opportunity at a doe. During one particular evening hunt, he made an excellent shot at a raccoon, right at dark at about 80 yards. There I was disappointed that he hadn’t gotten a shot at a doe, yet the youngster couldn’t have been more elated and pumped up about his raccoon. So you can imagine how excited he was, and how excited I was, when he made a great shot on his doe later that week.
I often joke about having to release my son Mason one day into the wild as a mountain man. He has taken on a deep interest in the “old ways” and hunting in general. This started with a generational connection to the hunting tradition that our family cherishes. His great-great-great-grandpa, Leonard, was a trapper, and his great-grandpa Larry was an avid muzzleloader hunter. Though there are many generations in between, those were the outdoorsmen Mason resonated with. He grew interested specifically in trapping and traditional forms of hunting. My mom has held on to old family relics like traps, deep-sea fishing lures, and lots of pictures. Mason has taken the connection to the past and fueled his passion for his future. As he says, “It was very interesting, and I feel like the old ways of doing things hold more value.”
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