raging hornet

[jr meredith]

any body shot/own one? how do you like it
it looks like a cool gun to varmit hunt with one

[wienranch]

New to the group, & just read this post
I've had a Raging Hornet a couple of years - not the most practical gun especially considering the price.  It is cool looking, and shoots fine.  I put a Nikon 2x scope on it, and it will group 1.5" at 50 yds - pretty good for a handgun I think.  Trouble is it's just too big for a handgun - weighs as much as a rifle and you can't shoot it without some kind of support.  Had some trouble with case-setback casuing the cylinder to bind (bottleneck cartridges aren't too practicle for revolvers).  Found that if I didn't leave any oil in the chambers after cleaning it wouldn't do this.  Would like to sell mine, but haven't found anyone willing to comeup with the money.  Don't think Taurus is making them anymore - they don't show up on their website.  If you want a handgun for varmints, in my opinion a T/C Encore or Contender is a much better choice. 

[jcn59]

I've got a 6" Tracker in .218 Bee.  With factory ammo I get 1450 fps.  The hottest handloads that I can use without the cylinder binding generate about 1800 fps with a 40 gr. bullet. This is an intermediate load for  this cartridge.  I have gotten as much as 2300 fps with the 33 gr. bullet but this sometimes extrudes the primer into the firing pin hole which binds up the cylinder.  This is not a max. load either.  Mil-spec primers don't ignite in freezing weather in this gun so I use small rifle primers.  Case setback can be a problem - stop sizing at the shoulder on a once-fired case.

I have a 2X Leupold on it and it shoots well.   So I'll keep it because .218 Bee revolvers will always be scarce.  It's cool !