Author Topic: .22 Hornet, for small game barrel? (Read 1839 times)

Levergun 94 · « **on:** October 17, 2006, 03:19:27 PM »

Well, I decided on a 30-30 Handi, for general purpose..... hopefully in the near future. I'd love to get a new .22 L.R. rifle as well, but it seems like it would be a little more Handi (pun intended, hehe) to get a .22 Hornet barrel, instead of lugging two separate rifles around. What do you all think? Been seriously curious about the little Hornet for years....but always had a .22L.R. around back then. The only downside I see is the price of ammo, but if it could get me a clean shot, a bit further out it might indeed be worth it .....
Seems like it'd make a good little pot filler. Thought about the little .17's, but from all I've seen, they seem like they're a little hard on meat.....(besides killing the 'one rifle' theme, as with the .22 rimfire.....).

Tim

RonO777 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2006, 03:28:23 PM »

Get the hornet. Ive got one and I love it.
Ron

joshco84 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2006, 03:33:25 PM »

im assuming you are talking about squirrels, and maybe rabbits (only small game i can really think of as being edibal (sp??)) im not real sure but i think the gun in question was the hmr, but what are the ballistics of a 22 hornet compared to the 17 hmr? if comparable or higher theoretically you would be doing more damage due the larger bullet. plus going from the 30 30 to a 22 hornet for an all around gun is a pretty big jump. if it were me i would stick to maybe a 204 ruger for a carry gun, granted a little big for squirrels, but would make nice head shots on rabbits and have plenty of oomph for coyotes, bobcats, coons, all that stuff at a decent range. plus a 30 30 would be aweful hard on animals if you are wantin to keep pelts.

Levergun 94 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2006, 03:47:00 PM »

Quote from: joshco84 on October 17, 2006, 03:33:25 PM

im assuming you are talking about squirrels, and maybe rabbits (only small game i can really think of as being edibal (sp??)) im not real sure but i think the gun in question was the hmr, but what are the ballistics of a 22 hornet compared to the 17 hmr? if comparable or higher theoretically you would be doing more damage due the larger bullet. plus going from the 30 30 to a 22 hornet for an all around gun is a pretty big jump. if it were me i would stick to maybe a 204 ruger for a carry gun, granted a little big for squirrels, but would make nice head shots on rabbits and have plenty of oomph for coyotes, bobcats, coons, all that stuff at a decent range. plus a 30 30 would be aweful hard on animals if you are wantin to keep pelts.

Hey there joshco84 .

The 30-30 is what I grew up on. Big meat hunting....deer and the like. There may be better, more efficient rounds, but it's what I like

.....
As to the .22 Hornet, I'm trying to stick with the one 'rifle' idea as carrying one main rifle, and a separate barrel wouldn't be a problem for me, but carrying 2, or 3 ect rifles would be an inconvenience at best. I just noticed there is .17 hmr fmj ammo, but this again would mean buying a separate rifle as it is a rimfire.
Most folks I know that own one love their .22 hornets, and use them to fill the pot, like I would. I've no personal experience with the Hornet, hence my question. Just curious as to people experience with this round, and it's uses. HOPE that cleared up my intentions

Thanks for the advice RonO777 ....may just have to try one out relatively soon

.

Thanks for the replies,

Tim

darat100 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2006, 03:51:20 PM »

Tim

go for the hornet. If you load, it really isn't that expensive to shoot. talk about making a pound of powder go a long way!

And a lot more fun.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Josh

bub524 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2006, 03:59:30 PM »

No question get the Hornet. There's nothing like it. Its EXTREMELY accurate. My wife shoots one ragged hole groups at 50 yds. all day. and under 1 1/4" at 100 yds. Its real cheap to reload. I mean real cheap. If you don't reload then start. Get a "Classic Lee Loader" for around $20 and that will do it for you. Buy a hundred cases from Midway, some primers and 40 or 45 grain bullets and you're set. You can take the loader with you in the field if need be. Its not real "benchrest" perfect but it works.
I think you'l get a lot of use from the Hornet. I prefer the old timers myself, like the 30-30, Hornet and few others. The new fangled cartridges just don't have the same feel. The Hornet looks like a "Minnie Me" next to the 30-30.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1161136841.2236=/html/catalog/cleeloader.html

Levergun 94 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2006, 04:21:53 PM »

Hey Josh! bub524 !

Thanks for the input.

Quote

I prefer the old timers myself, like the 30-30, Hornet and few others. The new fangled cartridges just don't have the same feel. The Hornet looks like a "Minnie Me" next to the 30-30

Pretty Much

Been told by a few old timers before, they like the Hornet because of the accuracy, and it reaches out just a 'mite' further than the .22L.R., and doesn't do much damage. Like I said, I've no experience with this round, but enough people have given the same reasons for using it, with not many negatives...... figured it might be time to give it a try. In a month or so I'll get the 30-30, and a bit after than, perhaps the .22 Hornet barrel. Because of a messy D, not much money can be diverted for firearms for a while, but this set-up wouldn't put me out too much, and would seem to do all I need of it. I'm just really curious about others experiences with it. What have you hunted with it? What ranges? Even fond memories (favorite Hornet hunts

), and the like. I KNOW what the .22L.R. will do, and the 30-30...just wondering if the hornet might fill the bill for me is all. Two rifles in ONE package sound about right to me

,

Tim

handyman06 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2006, 04:28:26 PM »

Just a word of caution, 35gr. v-max is WAY too destructive on squirrels.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2006, 04:39:42 PM »

You have another .17 option, the .17Mach2 which is a .22 Stinger necked down to .17 cal, much better for squirrel and much flatter shooting than a .22Lr, ammo is more expensive than the .22 tho at $6-$7 a box, but it's super accurate, also. It's about 600fps slower than the Hmr, but uses the same bullet, and you can also shoot .17Aguila ammo in it which is a 20gr FMJ.

Tim

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/17M2/

http://www.jesseshunting.com/articles/guns/category8/41.html

http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

Levergun 94 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2006, 05:05:26 PM »

Hey there Tim!

Thanks for the input. I may try one of the little .17's one of these days, when finances improve.

The more I read about the little .22 Hornet, and it variant the K-Hornet though, the more interested I become

. Seems kind of silly almost, when most other folks are going with the 'bigger means better' philosophy, haha. Of course...with the price of these little rifles.....I may just have to try one of each, after I've gotten caught up

.

Tim

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** October 17, 2006, 05:09:29 PM »

I love my hornet Handi, great shooter, you need ALL of em!!

Tim

Levergun 94 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2006, 05:14:39 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on October 17, 2006, 05:09:29 PM

I love my hornet Handi, great shooter, you need ALL of em!!

Tim

I swear..... you folks here are trying to convert us all to Handi-holics, aren't you

Tim

myarmor · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2006, 05:24:13 PM »

I have never owned a Handi Hornet, so I can't really speak from experiance about it. But I do own and shoot lots of 223's and have been experimenting with different loads for it using BlueDot pistol powder, and I am very happy with what I am finding. On the light loads it can mimic a 22LR, 22WMR, and the medium loads 22 Hornet, and then you still have the case capacity to use full power high velocity 223 loads to reach out there.
The light loads, around 22LR and 22WMR speeds, are pretty quiet and very easy on the ears. And for safety sake, I never use anything hotter without ear protection.
The 223 is a very versitle round and a ton of fun to play with, as I am sure the 22-250 and 220Swift are also-in which I plan on diving into one day

. The 204 is great too, but the bullet selection is smaller then the .224's so it's not quite versitle.
It's just an idea to throw around, in case you are a reloader.
I do see how the 22Hornet has a lot of character, and has a lot of history to it. So I ain't knocking the little guy by any means. Many here love theirs too much and I have seen too many with good results to speak down of it.
I just find the 223 to fill almost all my personal varmint needs, and that includes Rabbits and Squirrels.
-Aaron

PartsMan · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2006, 03:53:46 AM »

I agree on the 223. I just got a 223 for plinking.
Considered the hornet (and even 22mag) but figured I would have to reload to make it work.
If your going to reload anyway why not get a cartridge that can be loaded "hot" too.
Plus you can get american eagle fmj for $5 a box. Should go strait through.

By the way if you do stile want a hornet barrel I would consider the superlight 20".
Very "handi"

myarmor · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2006, 04:38:50 AM »

Quote from: barr25-06 on October 18, 2006, 03:53:46 AM

....
Considered the hornet (and even 22mag) but figured I would have to reload to make it work.
If your going to reload anyway why not get a cartridge that can be loaded "hot" too....

Exactly.

RemingtonMagnum · « **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2006, 12:33:30 PM »

The 22 Hornet has been a major part of my hunting so many years ago. Just a pleasure to use and carry.

Don Jackson Remington Magnum/Ultramag

Joel · « **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2006, 05:52:59 PM »

4.2 grs of Unique/46 gr Speer Flat Point deisigned to be used in the 94CL in 218 Bee. Velocity is 1500 fps. cases last for freakin' ever. I just barely run the resizing die into the neck...acts more as an expander die, plus knocks out the primer(rem 6 1/2's). The load basically replicates the original 22 WRF(not 22 Mag) loading. I've used it for years on small game from squirrel to Turkey. Found the load in Barnes COTW 3rd edition as a smokeless load for the 22 WCF...the forerunnner to the Hornet. Longest shot on a squirrel has been around 75 yds; longest on a turkey around 80 yds. I originally tried using Hornet spitzer bullets, but they simply don't expand at these velocities. I have the Savage 24V, which you see in the pic, and had a NEF which my Son-in-law talked me out of. I"m in the process of getting a new one in Hornet. Sighted dead on at 25 yds, you're about 1/4" high at 50 and 1.5 low at 100. At least in my rifles. Group size from both rifles was basically one hole at 50 and 1/2-3/4 at 100.

Levergun 94 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2006, 05:23:45 AM »

Gettin the Hornet, as soon as I can.
Going to start handloading a short time after that .....

I'll take her around the block a few times and see what I think, then perhaps up to K-Hornet

I think I'll get the Hornet first. Can wait on the 30-30 .....unless I can figure a way to get the scratch for both

Tim

cpj · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2006, 10:14:22 AM »

Both rounds of your chosing are great rounds.(30-30 and hornet) I dont understand what all the fuss is about with meat damage on small critters? Where are you guys aiming anyway? If I am tree rat hunting, its head shots only, that way I dont waist any meat. But thats just me, not bragging on my shooting abilities, but just where I aim. That, and I dont have an excuse for not making head shots with the rifle that I use. Here it is, I know its not a handi, but a sweet shooter non the less.

50 yard, 5 shot group, the flyer is the first round, which always(grumble, grumble, cuss, cuss)
hits funny.

Levergun 94 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2006, 10:56:03 AM »

Personally.....
I wouldn't have a problem using a .17 (I'm assuming that's what you're using? Correct me if I'm wrong.) if using fmj, or a more meat friendly bullet than those explosive little numbers they're toping the cartidges with. MAIN reason I've not gotten one yet. Better bullet selection ..... then I'll look a little more.
The Main reason I've decided on the 30-30, and the Hornet is they're both centerfire rounds that can be barreled to the same rifle.
If I opted for a rimfire round, then it would need to be two separate rifles entirely, defeating my intended purpose for this rifle.
Nice little click-clack btw

. Have quite a fondness for them m'self, but I do prefer the single shots

. Just personal preference...
but those sure are fun

Tim

cpj · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2006, 11:03:30 AM »

Quote from: Levergun 94 on October 21, 2006, 10:56:03 AM

Personally.....
I wouldn't have a problem using a .17 (I'm assuming that's what you're using? Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Tim

Youre wrong.

Its just a 22 long rifle, I was just wondering why people talk about meat damage. I mean even with a 22 if you are using hollow points and hit a leg or something, that leg is more than likely going to be waisted anyway.
Sorry for the highjack, btw.

Levergun 94 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 21, 2006, 11:11:14 AM »

Just curious.... Have you seen what those little .17's do to meat? I've some friends that use these for 'pest' control, and I'd HATE to see that happen to a meat animal. Not my idea of a 'clean' shot.
I love the .22, just can't see having two complete rifles right now, what with my finances in such a mess (read: complete lack of

), esp since I can have 'two' in one rifle, for less than the cost of a standard bolt gun. Been curious about the Hornet for a while now anyway. Gives me a chance to see if it's as good as I hear

.
Have fun with that little click-clack

. Miss mine. Was one fun little rifle.

Tim

cpj · « **Reply #22 on:** October 21, 2006, 11:15:37 AM »

Quote from: Levergun 94 on October 21, 2006, 11:11:14 AM

Just curious.... Have you seen what those little .17's do to meat? I've some friends that use these for 'pest' control, and I'd HATE to see that happen to a meat animal. Not my idea of a 'clean' shot.
I love the .22, just can't see having two complete rifles right now, what with my finances in such a mess (read: complete lack of ), esp since I can have 'two' in one rifle, for less than the cost of a standard bolt gun. Been curious about the Hornet for a while now anyway. Gives me a chance to see if it's as good as I hear .

Tim

Yep, I have seen some of the damage that they can do, and it is nasty! But if you take headshots, the only thing you would have to contend with is the beheading by projectile problem.

I myself kind of want a hornet, and since I reload, it would be cheap to shoot. Ammo is pretty pricey if you have to buy store boughts. IIRC, its like 20 bucks for 50 rounds or something like that?
And you NEED to reload, its almost as much fun as shooting.

Joel · « **Reply #23 on:** October 22, 2006, 04:57:19 AM »

The problem with headshots at the longer ranges I shoot at, if the squirrel is sideways to me, is I'm afraid that if I'm a bit low, it'll graze the jaw and ruin it......leaving the animal to starve. When ít's facing me, or dead away then I take the shot. I trust my Hornet handloads to be consistant, but I've NEVER run accross any brand of .22 Hollow Point hi-velocity to be 100% consistant in my rifles. That, and an awful lot of 22 rifles group at least an inch, often more, at that range. Not good. When the range gets over 50 yds(which is the range I like to shoot at), the heart/lung shot kills just as dead and I don't run the risk of leaving an animal to slowly starve to death.

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #24 on:** October 24, 2006, 07:18:09 PM »

I've got .22 Hornet dies (an old Bonanza set), brass, bullets and a can of Lil' Gun, but nothing to shoot them in!
I've got a Handi in 30-30, .357 Mag and .410 bore.
I've got and Encore pistol In .357 Mag and .44 Rem Mag and want to convert it into a carbine.
I'm not sure which way to go, Encore or NEF, but I have a buning desire to shoot the Hornet in one of them.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2006, 03:06:28 AM »

Hey Joel, why not try some regular velocity .22 LR's instead of the high velocity .22 LR HP's on those squirrels? Most target shooters will agree that the regular velocity ammo is much more accurate than the high velocity stuff anyway, and there is a tool out to make regular lead .22's into HP's if you feel the need....<><...

Joel · « **Reply #26 on:** October 25, 2006, 05:12:43 AM »

Yep, I know that the target stuff is a lot more consistant, and I think you're talking about that SGR tool, or something like that. Almost bought one years ago when he was advertising it here; maybe he still is. Wanted WAY too much money for a bit of simple machining. That ol' Model 69 Winchester of mine shoots tiny holes at 50 yds with target stuff, but since I don't want to buy the tool and those target rounds don't kill quickly with a body shot when I take one, I'll just keep using the 22 with HP's. The rifle was drilled for a 3/4"Weaver sidemount 50 years ago, and I can't put on a decent enough scope to shoot much beyond 50/60 with it anyway. I carry the Hornet 99% of the time unless I'm wearing a pack and doing some hiking also.