I'm considering buying this rifle and and wondering if someone out there has experience with it. I really wanted an Anschutz, but the cost has been prohibitive. The Ruger sells for around $700. The MSRP for a new one is over $900. BUt, a good Anschutz is well over $1,000. Sooooo, what do you think? I would like to hear about accuracy, trigger pull, success with reloading Hornet ammo, etc. Thanks for the help.
Ruger 77 .22 VHZ Hornet Varmint Target
- Thread starter Sniper66
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Here is my take on it. Why settle for something you may not like or really want? Is the Anschutz you want so much more that it would take a significant amount of time to save for it? I am sure the Ruger is a solid rifle but if you want the Anschutz why compromise just to get something in hand sooner?
I am saving for a 375H&H. I want a Winchester M70 Safari Express. I have been offered other rifles with scopes that are a good deal less than the M70 is new without a scope. I want a M70 so I am willing to save a few extra months to get what I want rather than settle for something that would work but that I'd never be truly happy with.
Now if the Ruger will work for you then go for it.
I am saving for a 375H&H. I want a Winchester M70 Safari Express. I have been offered other rifles with scopes that are a good deal less than the M70 is new without a scope. I want a M70 so I am willing to save a few extra months to get what I want rather than settle for something that would work but that I'd never be truly happy with.
Now if the Ruger will work for you then go for it.
The Ruger is a nice rifle, many folks have to shim the bolt to get them to shoot really well though. IMO, skip factory ammo altogether and handload. Hodgdon Lil'Gun is the powder for the Hornet and I have had the best results using CCI small pistol primers and Hornady 35 and 40gr V-max bullets. Have you looked at the CZ527 or Savage 25?
cpt-t
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22 hornet
Sniper66 My Son and I shoot CZ MODEL 527 22 HORNETS. He shoots a full stocked LUX model and I shoot the AMERICAN model. Both shoot under an inch at a 100 yds and are 2 of our favorite rifles and we hunt with them quite a bit. We have been using 35 gr V-MAX`s for several years both rifles shoots these bullets better than any thing else we have found, we use the same load for both rifles. Both rifles are light and easy to carry and have CZ`S great (( SET TRIGGER )). I can`t belive any body would not like that trigger they are just great. Our rifles will shoot factory or just any thing we have tried but both of them like the 35 gr V-MAX reloads. I really like to hunt with the 22 HORNET low noise level and very little recoil. We have several CZ`S both RF and CF and have never had a problem of any kind with any of them. Nor do we know of any of our friends that shoot CZ`S having a problem. GOOD LUCK TO YOU: ken
Sniper66 My Son and I shoot CZ MODEL 527 22 HORNETS. He shoots a full stocked LUX model and I shoot the AMERICAN model. Both shoot under an inch at a 100 yds and are 2 of our favorite rifles and we hunt with them quite a bit. We have been using 35 gr V-MAX`s for several years both rifles shoots these bullets better than any thing else we have found, we use the same load for both rifles. Both rifles are light and easy to carry and have CZ`S great (( SET TRIGGER )). I can`t belive any body would not like that trigger they are just great. Our rifles will shoot factory or just any thing we have tried but both of them like the 35 gr V-MAX reloads. I really like to hunt with the 22 HORNET low noise level and very little recoil. We have several CZ`S both RF and CF and have never had a problem of any kind with any of them. Nor do we know of any of our friends that shoot CZ`S having a problem. GOOD LUCK TO YOU: ken
Float Pilot
Member
I own a 22 Hornet Ruger VHZ m-77/22. I obtained it in a trade, after lots and lots of work, it now shoots very nice groups with certain hand-loads.
I love the 22 Hornet cartridge , but I do not love the Ruger 77-22 Hornet. I would never intentionally buy another one.
On mine:
1. Glass bedded the action and barrel, which is not easy because the action is BIZARRE.
2. Re-crowned the barrel and lapped the bore.
3. Trigger job to reduce the horrible factory trigger from 12 pounds to 4 pounds.
4. Shim the horrible two piece bolt to give a better lock-up.
5. Lapped the very rough bolt lugs.
This is a group from mine after all that.
I think a CZ or an Anschutz would shoot this good right from the box.
I love the 22 Hornet cartridge , but I do not love the Ruger 77-22 Hornet. I would never intentionally buy another one.
On mine:
1. Glass bedded the action and barrel, which is not easy because the action is BIZARRE.
2. Re-crowned the barrel and lapped the bore.
3. Trigger job to reduce the horrible factory trigger from 12 pounds to 4 pounds.
4. Shim the horrible two piece bolt to give a better lock-up.
5. Lapped the very rough bolt lugs.
This is a group from mine after all that.
I think a CZ or an Anschutz would shoot this good right from the box.
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Hey Everyone...Thanks for the suggestions. Ken and I have communicated in the past about Hornets and he almost has me sold on the CZs. And FP's bad luck with his Ruger gives me pause. I am not a gunsmith so it would cost me quite a bit to bring it up to speed. I have almost bought CZs in the past...a .17 HMR and a .22 mag; I'll tell you why I didn't. I was born with a tremor, which causes me some problems when shooting lighter rifles...too much shaking. I can manage it better with heavier rifles which is one feature of the Ruger I like. It's a pain carrying such heavy rifle sometimes, but beats missing varmints when I shake off target. I have a Ruger 77/.17 HMR; not a bad shooter after a trigger job, but it weighs about 7+ lbs with a scope. Then I bought an Anschutz 1517 MPR and, wow, what a difference!! Right out of the box..no adjustments. I just broke the barrel in, mounted a good scope and consistently shoot ragged one hole groups at 50 and dime-size groups at 100. I am not suggesting that the weight is the only difference; it is quite simply a better rifle. I'm concerned that the CZ might be a bit light for me, but it sure is tempting to try one..
And, Robert, your point about buying what you want is well taken. I have had more than one experience of buying something second rate and being sorry later. And I don't recall ever being sorry I bought a great gun. Decisions, Decisions...I'll keep thinking and reading your ideas. Thanks everyone!!
And, Robert, your point about buying what you want is well taken. I have had more than one experience of buying something second rate and being sorry later. And I don't recall ever being sorry I bought a great gun. Decisions, Decisions...I'll keep thinking and reading your ideas. Thanks everyone!!
Float Pilot
Member
Lyman was marketing a 60% sized Sharps Rifle in 22 Hornet. Heavy barrel and all.
Get one of those, put on a long old style scope and you have a classic old west looking varmint rifle that is nice and heavy.
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/muzzle-loaders/idealsharps.php
OR:::
A C.Sharps 1885 Low Wall - caliber .22 Hornet. heavy, 34" barrel with 1:12 twist for the .224 bullet diameter.
Or a used
Browning Low Wall .22 Hornet
http://www.gunsamerica.com/99240148.../BROWNING_1885_LOW_WALL_22_HORNET_Like_NE.htm
Or look for a used Savage Model 40 heavy barrel bolt action.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/94496596...eavy_Barrel_24_inch_Laminated_Stock_Excellent.
OR one of the new Savage model 25s with a thumbhole stock.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/finder/
Get one of those, put on a long old style scope and you have a classic old west looking varmint rifle that is nice and heavy.
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/muzzle-loaders/idealsharps.php
OR:::
A C.Sharps 1885 Low Wall - caliber .22 Hornet. heavy, 34" barrel with 1:12 twist for the .224 bullet diameter.
Or a used
Browning Low Wall .22 Hornet
http://www.gunsamerica.com/99240148.../BROWNING_1885_LOW_WALL_22_HORNET_Like_NE.htm
Or look for a used Savage Model 40 heavy barrel bolt action.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/94496596...eavy_Barrel_24_inch_Laminated_Stock_Excellent.
OR one of the new Savage model 25s with a thumbhole stock.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/finder/
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FP, Those are great suggestions. Too bad that Browning is sold. The new Savage Model 25 looks like it might be just right for me. A good friend of mine has been urging me to try a Savage; he has several. it is beginning to look like I need to buy 4 or 5 different rifles and try them all. Savage made a 40 Varminter single shot a few years ago ,but discontinued it. I found a used one but it was pretty beat up. In the last 1-2 years, I got side-tracked buying/trading pistols and shotguns, but since the Tulsa show last weekend I have renewed my search for a Hornet. Thanks for the guidance. Tom
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