22 hornet accuracy

[Guy Pike]

My Savage Model 40 responded well to sorting brass by rim thickness. Obviously this allowed me to keep a consistent headspace. It seemed to prefer minimal headspace. It dawned on me that all my rimmed cartrides might benefit from such sorting. Something to try? My best, Guy

[LaOtto222]

The Hornet really needs to head space off the rim because the shoulder slopes too much. That is not what makes a really accurate cartridge however. If there is a shoulder you can head space off, it is better than the rim. When you do not have any choice such as the Hornet, sorting rims would make a difference. Do you throw out the cases with the rims that do not "measure" up?

[bilmac]

I've had a couple of hornets and had the kind of accuracy you all are talking about so they didn't stay with me for long. I have been thinking about another lately, thinking that a real mild cartridge might let me see my bullets impact  in the Pdog towns and be able to call my shots and adjust. I can't do that with a 223.
 
I have been experimenting with reduced loads in the 223 and have found a load that will shoot under an inch and is pretty close to the zero for full powered loads. Haven't tried them at dogtown yet to see if I can call my shots or not. I think you all have talked me out of another hornet. That's what I love about forums, you guys probably saved me from an expensive mistake.

[LaOtto222]

You can get acceptable accuracy out of a 22 Hornet, just not bench rest type accuracy, and probably never will. It is a matter of accepting what is accurate enough. I think most if not all 22 Hornets will shoot into 1" at 100 yards once you find the load it likes and your reloading techniques suit the cartridge. It is rare that you will get a .5" shooter with a Hornet consistently. You are not going to shoot them long distances any way. even 1" at 100 yards should translate into 3" at 300 yards, enough to hit a PD and 300 yards is a long ways out for a Hornet. Doping the wind and elevation get to be very critical at that distance with a 22 Hornet. More practical is a 200 yard limit. Then you are talking 2" or less, plenty to hit any thing on four legs from PD on up. With that said, it is my opinion; much easier to get acceptable accuracy out of a 223, even with reduced loads. Good Luck and Good Shooting.

[bilmac]

An advantage od
f using reduced loads in my 223, in addition to being able to use the full power interchangeably, is the fact that the rifle is bigger and heavier than I would be tempted to buy in a hornet. This should help me spot my shots.

[LaOtto222]

Not in all cases, but the one of the few advantages the 22 Hornets have over 223's is that they generally are lighter and easier to carry in the fields. I know you can get light weight 223's and heavy 22 Hornets, but a heavy Hornet negates one of it's advantages in my opinion and the light Hornet normally weighs less than a light 223.

[bilmac]

Really, if a guy is looking for hornet type performance, he would be better off with a 221 fireball.

[LaOtto222]

You are not going to get an argument out of me on that one. I also have a couple 221 Fireballs. Well three, but one will become a 223 after the first of the year. All three will out shoot any one of my 3 22 Hornets. The Hornet does not require as robust of a action, since it does not generate as much pressure as the 221, so the rifles can be made lighter. The Savage Model 40 has two small locking lugs. One is the bolt and the other is a small one just opposite of the bolt, similar to a 22 rim fire, with an extra lug. They stuck a heavy barrel on it and a laminated stock. I think they could have shaved 1.5 - 2 pounds off if they would have had a good synthetic stock and a shorter thinner barrel. But it would not look as good. I think they are missing the boat. They should offer a regular weight gun and a varmint weight gun.