Accuracy Issues with My Henry Frontier

In 2008 I purchased a Henry Frontier (not the magnum) when I worked at a gun shop in VT. Eight years later after I relocated to Tennessee I finally took it to the range for a shoot. To my surprise it would not chamber a round. I had never loaded it before that time. Henry said return it, so I did. Then the Chinese virus hit and the rifle sat in their facility for around 2 months. After numerous inquiries as to when I would get my rifle back it was returned. When I received the rifle it was dirty and there was surface rust on the barrel, but it did now chamber a round. The rust cleaned up with steel wool and oil but if your look very closely you can see the marks in the bluing.

I took it to the range with my assortment of .22 LR ammo and shot at least 8 different manufacturers ammo through it. I found that Remington Vipers and Winchester M-22 shot the best groups, but there was still room for tightening up the groups as I was still using the iron sights. I removed the existing sights to install a scope and found that the barrel (beneath) the rear sight had been drilled and tapped for some reason. The holes were full of red material that I can only assume was polishing rouge from the manufacturing process. I contacted Henry and they said they would send me plug screws. It’s been 2 weeks and I have yet to receive the screws.

I have now mounted a Bushnell Banner 4x32 scope on it and with the Vipers (after 5, ten round groups) I was only able to get 6 out of 10 rounds into a 1.5” circle at 50 yards. The total size of the 10 round group was ~4 inches. This was from a bench rest with front and rear bags. This level of accuracy is hardly small game acceptable. Am I expecting too much from this rifle? I mean, if you were only interested in shooting cans at the dump I suppose it would do, but given the current direction of our economy small game will soon be on the menu. Again….am I expecting too much??

Steve