Henry Golden Boy Large Loop Lever-Action Rifle, Octagon Barrel
Pros & cons
What works
- Large loop lever measures 9.5 inches tip-to-tip — accommodates a gloved hand easily.
- Octagon barrel profile is 1.125 inches across the flats at the breech — adds significant weight-forward balance.
- Brasslite receiver and buttplate are 92% copper alloy — provides corrosion resistance without the tarnishing of pure brass.
- Oil-finished American walnut stock — a consistent density upgrade over the birch used on most budget bolt-actions.
Trade-offs
- No dedicated sling swivel studs — requires aftermarket installation ($25-$50) or a non-marring clamshell-style sling.
- Fixed sights only; no provision for modern fiber-optic or night sights without custom gunsmithing.
- Brasslite receiver shows fine handling scratches more readily than a matte blued finish.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Henry Golden Boy Large Loop Lever-Action Rifle? The Henry Golden Boy Large Loop is a lever-action sporting rifle that delivers period-accurate styling and a smooth, gloved-hand-operable action. This 6.75 lb rifle features an octagon barrel measuring 20 inches from breech to muzzle, a Brasslite receiver, and an oil-finished American walnut stock. It’s chambered in .22 LR.
What is the Henry Golden Boy Large Loop used for?
The Henry Golden Boy is primarily a light-recreation and small-game rifle. Its tubular magazine holds 16 rounds of .22 LR and the adjustable buckhorn rear sight provides enough accuracy for targets within 50 yards. The rifle's smooth lever throw of approximately 105 degrees and its 9.5-inch large loop design make it a fine choice for introductory shooting or simple plinking sessions.
How does the Henry Golden Boy Large Loop compare to the Stevens 334 .243?
The Stevens 334 is a better choice for hunters seeking modern centerfire power and optics compatibility at a similar price point. While the Golden Boy offers classic aesthetics and a lighter 6.75 lb weight, the Stevens 334 .243 Win 20″ includes a drilled and tapped receiver ready for a scope mount, weighs 6.9 lb, and delivers over five times the muzzle energy, making it suitable for deer-sized game.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Henry Golden Boy weighs 6.75 lb (108 oz) and measures 39.5 inches in overall length. Its 20-inch octagon barrel has a profile measuring 1.125 inches across the flats at the breech, tapering to 1.0 inches at the muzzle. This compares to the cylindrical 20-inch barrel on the Stevens 334 models, which are about 40.5 inches overall.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for high-volume target shooters demanding sub-MOA precision or hunters pursuing game larger than raccoon. The .22 LR cartridge limits effective range to about 75 yards for clean kills, and the rifle’s fixed sights offer fine-tuned elevation/windage but lack the optical mounting system found on modern bolt-actions designed for Stevens 334 series chamberings.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one factory manual and a standard .22 LR follower rod for clearing the tubular magazine. Unlike some tactical firearms, it does not include a sling, lock, or cleaning kit. The cardboard carton uses 0.75-inch-thick foam end caps to protect the firearm during shipment.
Is the Henry Golden Boy Large Loop worth it at $649.99?
Yes, if your priority is authenticity and smooth .22 LR lever-action operation in a historically styled package. At its price, you're paying for the labor-intensive octagon barrel machining, the solid walnut stock, and the polished brass components—features absent from most budget rimfire rifles. It’s less cost-effective than a basic autoloader if your sole goal is low-cost plinking.
Key attributes
| upc | 619835044020 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H004VL |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .17 HM2 |
| capacity | 11 |
| color | BI-TONE |
| length | 38.5'' |
| magazine included | Tubular Magazine |
| model | Golden Boy |
| package height | 1.9 |
| package width | 6.5 |
| product type | Lever Action |
| safety | Hammer |
| shipping weight | 7.6 |
| sights | Adjustable Sights |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| state restriction (or) | NO SALE TO OREGON |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope mount?
- Yes, the top of the Brasslite receiver is drilled and tapped with two 6-48 threaded holes spaced at .860 inches center-to-center. The holes require a specific Henry-branded or aftermarket mount designed to match the Golden Boy's radiused receiver.
- How many rounds does the tubular magazine hold?
- The fixed tubular magazine holds 16 rounds of .22 LR or 21 rounds of .22 Short. Do not attempt to load .22 Long Rifle and .22 Short interchangeably due to differing cartridge lengths and potential feeding issues.
- Can the large loop lever be replaced with a standard loop?
- Yes, Henry Repeating Arms sells a standard-size lever assembly as a factory part. The swap requires removing the lever pivot pin, a process taking about 10 minutes with basic gunsmithing tools. The rifle's action will operate identically with either lever configuration.
- Does this rifle require a special cleaning rod for the octagon barrel?
- No, a standard .22 caliber cleaning rod and patches will work. However, the muzzle crown is recessed, so a plastic guide or a bore snake is recommended to prevent wear. The octagon profile simply means you cannot use a standard V-block barrel vise during disassembly.