22 hornet choices?

[Vern Humphrey]

Since someone revived this thread, I'll put in my 2 cents. I have a Savage Model 25 Lightweight Varminter. The stock is a nicely finished laminate; good looking. It took Savage 3 tries to get it right, but they replaced the rifle twice. I now have a very accurate rifle that I'm happy to own. As an avid prairie dog shooter, I had a need for a rifle that shoots well around 150 yds that is not too expensive to shoot. I used 17HMR for shots up to 125+ yds, the 22 Hornet for 150 + or - some and my .223 and .204 for longer shots. The hornet is relatively quiet and cheap to reload with barely noticeable recoil. I get about 3,000 fps with a Hornady 35gr V-Max bullet; a deadly explosive bullet. I bought a 4lb container of Li'L Gun powder a few years ago for $50 and expect it will last the rest of my life. Takes 13 gr of it for one cartridge; a pound goes a long way. The drawback is the brass. That long neck is easily split, either when shooting, resizing, or during bullet seating. I just reloaded 100 rounds and had to throw away about 30 split cases. Plus, factory ammo is expensive. Hornady V-Max is close to $50 for a box of 50 with tax at the Cabela's in KC....if they have it. I like my Hornet a lot and often take it to the range just for fun and certainly when I head to the dog towns.

I use the same powder and bullet, and use the Lee Collet Die. I put washers on the shell holder to cause the die to activate early, so only the front half of the neck is sized -- the rest of the neck acts like a pilot to center the bullet in the throat. I charge the cases by holding the case in a small pair of pliers and dipping it full. Tap the case a couple of times to settle the powder and put it in the loading block. When the block is full, inspect with a flashlight and reject any load with more or less powder than the others. Load the bullet right into the rifling. The result is super accuracy.

 

[FL-NC]

I have decided to forgo the 22 hornet. For what it would get used for, my 22 mag and 223 will suffice.

 

[Sniper66]

I have decided to forgo the 22 hornet. For what it would get used for, my 22 mag and 223 will suffice.

Guess we talked you out of it. eh? Can't blame you. But, after all the turmoil, I really like my Hornet. Noticed some Hornet brass at Cabela's last week. If it's there next week I'll buy it and hope newer brass won't split. Then it's off to the dog patch!

 

[Olympus]

I have a CZ 527 and that dang rifle shoots clover leaves all day long with the factory Hornady 45gr SP Match ammo. I even took a fat doe with the gun and ammo last fall with a shot behind the shoulder. She ran 30 yards and dropped. I'm a huge fan of the 22 Hornet. You get more range than the 22 Mag at a LOT less muzzle blast and noise than a 223. Plus it's a gorgeous rifle in a cool caliber. Nothing exciting about 22 Mag or 223. But 22 Hornet is something that not everybody and their brother has.

 

[Art Eatman]

FL-NC has made his decision.