22 Hornet

[GLC]

Anyone out there have an H&R in 22 Hornet?  I'm thinking about one.  Looking for comments, concerns, accuracy info, what can I expect? 

I'm looking for a cheap, walk around varminter, that is relatively low noise. 

Thanks

[billy_56081]

I have a hornet in the ultra light barrel.  have a vynil washer under the forearm to free float the barrel it shoots between .50 an .75 inch 3 shot groups and is the gun I use the most year round. I really love my hornet. I use 13 grains lil gun and a 35 rain vmax.

[MSP Ret]

I have two, a standard weight barrel and an Ultralight. A .22 Hornet is a perfect centerfire round for what you are looking for. For some reason Ultralight barrelled .22 Hornets all seem to shoot great without the problems associated with the higher powder capacity centerfire cartridges, .243's for example. For your application, carrying a centerfire all day in the woods I would HIGHLY suggest a .22 Hornet Ultralight barrelled Handi....<><....

[JerryKo]

Def a great cal rifle setup for what you intend to do.  It still gives a good crack to the ears tho.  Def not a 22lr.   Any way, mine has not been tricky to load for.  It has grouped everything I have tried well.  The best so far is 11.0 grains H110 and 35 gr vmax.  I had some forearm problems and ended up bedding the forearm spacer and stud, but even before that it was shooting very well.  I have the standard  contor 22".  It also shot the 55gr SPSX very well with brandy new win brass right out of the bag.  I loaded it up by seating with a 223 seating die and no crimp before my dies arrived.  Now that is def NOT finnicky!  Good luck you won't go wrong.  A shop here has a syn stocked 22" 22 hornet with open sights and ejector for $210.  New!  Been eyeballing it real hard but not able to buy at the moment.  Hope somebody grabs it soon.

Jerry

PS you wont stop at 22hornet.  I see many more in your future if you buy the hornet.  Next should be the 45/70!

[GLC]

Thanks for the replies.  Sounds good so far.  I do have another H&R but it is the 12 gauge USH.  Super accurate and my go-to slug gun. 

I have several bolt action 223's but was looking for something a little quieter for groundhogs near residential areas and another caliber to tinker with.  I have several 22 LR's and a 22 Mag but they are lacking in punch for big ground hogs.  I don't like to wound animals and hate to see them run off injured.

I'm thinking I'll give the Hornet a try. 

[GLC]

Been doing some more considering.

I checked H&R's website and didn't see the superlight in 22 Hornet, only 223. Did they discontinue the Hornet in the superlight?

Are the chambers fairly tight and throats pretty short?  Can you load to the rifling or is there a lot of jump?  I've got a fair amount of experience with tight chambers, necks, and throats to know that these factors contribute greatly to accuracy and brass life. 

Is the twist 1 in 12 or 14?

Will using a bipod on the H&R put enough pressure on the barrel to affect POI or are they pretty stiff? 

Thanks again.

[quickdtoo]

The Hornet was discontinued by H&R Gardner before Remington(Cerberus) bought H&R/Marlin, they may still have some accessory barrels tho, both the Superlight and standard barrel are still listed on the October 2008 parts list and accessory barrel list. Twist is 1:12" except for a run of Marlin made barrels which are 1:9", all twist rates are listed in the FAQs and Help sticky.

Tim

[Graybeard]

Uster have one but it's at Wayne York's shop now being converted into a .25-20. I'd still not mind havng another Hornet and who knows one day might.

[hawken54]

i bought a 22 hornet handi about 4 months ago and absolutely love it. i have not yet had a chance to do any serious sighting in on paper but with the factory iron sights and remington factory 45 grain hollow points i've had a ball shooting groundhogs and targets at 25 to 75 yards. i cant decide whether to mount a scope or go with a peep sight, anyway good luck and i am sure you will have a blast with your hornet, i love mine and really like the reduced blast from this cartridge. Donnie

[SM Bob]

I love my Hornet. It's probably the most accurate Handi I own. Anything out to
150 yards is toast when it's lined up in the cross hairs. Sierra 45 grain Hornet
soft point bullet over 12 grains of Lil' Gun shoots 3 shot groups well under 1" at
100 yards all day long. One of my favorite rifles! It is a perfect round for a walk
around varmint rifle. Definitely a must have caliber. Get one!

                                    Robert

                                         

[shaner]

probobly the top 3 handis you can get ahold of , ive owned 4  still got 2 and they all shoot very well, and the cost if you reload  is alot better then alot of rifle reloads these   days