Guide

    Henry H1 Frontier .17 HMR Lever Action Rifle (H001T-17H): Specs, Features, and Field Performance

    Henry H1 Frontier .17 HMR Lever Action Rifle (H001T-17H): Classic Octagon-Barrel Precision in a Fast Rimfire

    Introduction

    The Henry H1 Frontier Lever Action Rifle .17 HMR 20in Octagon Barrel Walnut Stock 13+1 is built for shooters who want traditional lever-gun handling with the flat trajectory and “laser-like” precision that made .17 HMR a favorite for small game and varmint work. With Henry’s signature American walnut furniture, a blued octagon barrel, and practical semi-buckhorn sights, this rifle is purpose-made for rimfire days that alternate between serious pest control and pure range enjoyment.

    A quick note on pricing: Henry publishes MSRP sheets, but real-world “street price” varies significantly by region, inventory, and season. If you want, tell me your ZIP code and whether you’re looking for in-store pickup or shipped-to-FFL, and I can summarize current market availability without sending you to marketplace listings.

    Key Features and Specifications

    Below are the core, buyer-relevant specs and what they mean in practice for the Henry H1 Frontier Lever Action Rifle .17 HMR 20in Octagon Barrel Walnut Stock 13+1.

    Chambering: .17 HMR (17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire)

    • Cartridge role: A high-velocity rimfire optimized for small varmints and precision plinking.
    • Why it matters: Compared with many traditional rimfire options, .17 HMR is commonly chosen for its flatter trajectory and reduced wind drift at typical rimfire distances.
    • Standards reference: SAAMI publishes voluntary performance standards for rimfire cartridges including .17 HMR (useful when discussing safe, standardized ammunition specs and pressure methods).

    Barrel: 20" Octagon, blued steel

    • Configuration: 20-inch octagon barrel with a blued finish.
    • Real-world benefit: The octagon profile adds a classic feel and tends to provide a steadier “hang” offhand—helpful when you’re tracking small targets like ground squirrels or cottontails.

    Capacity: 13+1

    • Factory-rated capacity: 13 rounds in the tubular magazine.
    • Practical advantage: For rimfire shooting sessions—where the fun is in volume—this helps you stay in position longer and reload less.

    Stock: Straight-grip American walnut

    • Material and style: Straight-grip walnut gives the rifle its traditional Frontier look.
    • Handling benefit: Straight grips generally encourage a natural wrist angle for classic lever cycling and quick follow-up shots on small targets.

    Sights: Semi-buckhorn rear + brass bead front

    • Rear: Adjustable semi-buckhorn with a diamond insert.
    • Front: Brass bead front sight.
    • Why these sights work: This setup is fast to acquire in daylight conditions and suits the rifle’s intended role as a field-ready rimfire.

    Manufacturer/identifier details

    • Manufacturer: Henry Repeating Arms
    • MPN: H001T-17H
    • UPC: 619835011558

    Verified manufacturer spec snapshot

    Henry maintains a published firearm specification reference that lists the H1 Frontier Rifle in .17 HMR with the model number H001T-17H, a 20" octagon blued steel barrel, and 13-round capacity.

    Practical Applications

    The Henry H1 Frontier Lever Action Rifle .17 HMR 20in Octagon Barrel Walnut Stock 13+1 shines when you want a rimfire that feels traditional but performs “modern.” Here are the most common and realistic use cases.

    1) Small-game hunting (where legal)

    • Best fit: Precise shot placement on small targets at rimfire-appropriate distances.
    • Why this rifle works: The crisp sight picture (semi-buckhorn + bead) and the controllable lever-action cadence are excellent for deliberate field shooting.

    2) Varmint and pest control (where legal and appropriate)

    • Strengths: .17 HMR is widely selected for small varmints due to its speed and accuracy potential.
    • Operational benefit: The 13-round tube magazine supports extended shooting strings—useful when multiple targets pop up in a short window.

    3) Precision plinking and skill-building

    • What you get: A rifle that rewards good fundamentals—breath control, trigger management, and steady positions.
    • Why it’s fun: The lever action keeps the experience engaging, and the octagon barrel/wood combination delivers that classic “range day” satisfaction.

    4) “One-rifle” rimfire enjoyment with classic styling

    If you want a rimfire rifle that looks at home in a gun rack but still delivers modern performance, the Frontier pattern is a strong middle ground between purely nostalgic and purely utilitarian.

    Expert Analysis

    From a gear-selection standpoint, this rifle is best evaluated on three axes: shootability, practical accuracy, and setup flexibility.

    Shootability and handling

    Henry’s Frontier layout—20" barrel, straight grip walnut, and traditional sights—creates a rifle that points naturally and cycles quickly. In the field, this translates to easy target transitions and fast re-engagement without the “front-heavy” feel some longer octagon barrels can have.

    Practical accuracy expectations

    While every rimfire has ammunition preferences, .17 HMR is generally chosen specifically because it can deliver impressive precision for its class. The Frontier’s sight system is absolutely workable for hunting and casual precision, and it also serves as a solid baseline before adding an optic.

    Optics and accessory compatibility (what to plan for)

    Many buyers of Henry rimfire lever actions eventually add a small scope for tiny targets.

    • Typical approach: A compact rimfire optic (often in the 2–7x class) keeps the rifle trim.
    • Mounting considerations: Henry rimfire receivers commonly support rimfire-style mounting solutions (often via a grooved interface or adapter solutions depending on model configuration). Before ordering rings/rails, confirm your exact receiver interface on your specific rifle.

    If you tell me whether your priority is (1) keeping the rifle “classic” with irons, (2) adding a low-power optic, or (3) running a rail + modern rings, I can outline an accessory path that stays true to the rifle’s intent and avoids unnecessary bulk.

    MSRP vs. real-world price

    Henry’s published MSRP sheets are useful for understanding where a model sits in the lineup, but in practice, availability and dealer cost drive real purchase price. As of Henry’s published MSRP documentation, the Frontier Octagon Lever Action in .17 HMR is listed in the Frontier family pricing table (MSRP reference). Use that as a baseline, then compare to local availability.

    Conclusion

    The Henry H1 Frontier Lever Action Rifle .17 HMR 20in Octagon Barrel Walnut Stock 13+1 is an excellent option for shooters who want:

    • A classic lever-action experience with premium walnut-and-steel aesthetics,
    • A 20" octagon barrel for steady, traditional handling,
    • A high-capacity (13-round) rimfire tube magazine for extended range time,
    • And the modern rimfire performance of .17 HMR for small targets and precision plinking.

    If your primary use is small game, varmints/pests (where appropriate), and “walk-around” precision shooting, the H001T-17H is a very well-matched tool. For best results, plan to test a few quality .17 HMR loads, confirm your preferred zero distance, and decide early whether you want to keep the rifle iron-sight traditional or add a compact rimfire optic.

    Sources

    Henry Repeating Arms. "Lever Action Rifles – Firearm Specifications (H1 Frontier Rifle .17 HMR, H001T-17H)." Henry Repeating Arms. 2026. https://www.henryusa.com/media-kit/firearm-specifications/lever-action-rifles

    Henry Repeating Arms. "Henry Repeating Arms MSRP 1-2025 (PDF)." Henry Repeating Arms. 2024-12. https://www.henryusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Henry-Repeating-Arms-MSRP-1-2025.pdf

    SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute). "ANSI/SAAMI Z299.1 – 2015: Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Rimfire Sporting Ammunition for the Use of Commercial Manufacturers." SAAMI. 2015 (PDF hosted 2018). https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Z299-1_ANSI-SAAMI_Rimfire.pdf