never had a reg. hornet. but the k-hornet is a ringer! i have a 21in. contender carbine with a 6-18 simmons airgun scope on it. i shoot 35gr v-max,s at around 3200fps. ive killed groundhogs, at 235yds. (the longest) i also shoot 45gr softpoints, for less performance! its very accurate! half inch at 100yds is average. and this gun with its good balance, weight, and excellent trigger, it seems to hit more than it misses! the brass doesn,t need trimming as often as the regular long sloping case. i would say, if you reload, go for the k-hornet for sure!