Author Topic: Savage 40 .22 hornet ? (Read 6823 times)

JWP58 · « **on:** December 01, 2009, 04:34:06 AM »

I really want a hornet since i am going to start reloading (other wise i would get a .22mag), and i really like the savage model 40. But i hear the action is strong enough for hotter loads, is this completely true?

I dont want a CZ, so dont bother...

securitysix · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2009, 04:57:19 PM »

Max pressure for the .22 Hornet is 47000 CUP. Even at that, case life may be fairly short. Not sure what "hotter loads" you'd want to run through a .22 Hornet anyway, short of rechambering it to a .22 K-Hornet or a .22 Ackley Hornet. I'd fully expect the action to be able to handle either of those rechambers.

hotrunner · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2009, 07:47:14 PM »

JWP: I have a Model 40 and have heard the action ISN'T strong enough for hotter loads. Indeed, it is basically a rimfire action, made in Canada, I believe. Decent rifle, but with what else is out there, wish now I'd have spent the extra for a _ _ or Browning Micro. Rifle is now relegated to "barn-gun" duty (with very good-shooting factory Fed-Premium 45 gr. ammo.) Instead of handloading for it or re-chambering to a K, I went to a .221 Fireball (_ _ or Remington are the only off-the-rack brands found in that cal. @ present that I know of.) Far more reloading options and much-longer case life. A blast to shoot, accurate, and a little louder than a stock Hornet, with over 25% more energy and fps, it still maintains those features that make a "mini-centerfire" so neat, and safer in built-up areas than bigger c-fires.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2009, 12:45:57 AM »

I also have no clue what "hotter loads" means in this regard. The Hornet case is not very thick and not all that strong. I'm sure Savage would not be offering the rifle were it not safe with all factory loads and SAAMI level reloads. If you think you can safely load to higher than SAAMI pressure levels in a Hornet of any make you'd be sadly mistaken in my opinion. Stick to book loads and it should do fine.

The M40 is actually the one Savage rifle that tempts me.

JWP58 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2009, 02:24:07 AM »

Anything over 43,000 CUP, which is what i hear off the shelf loads are at.

ShottieMan · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2009, 03:05:11 AM »

I would save your money on the Savage and mabye start to consider the CZ a bit more!

I am a die-hard Savage fan and had the M40...ended up having it replaced with a different model after 2 seperate M40's showed problems with extraction. Between the 2 rifles, they went back to Savage a total of 5 times. Seems this is an issue with this model that most have problems with.

I loved the .22 Hornet and will be looking into the CZ's sometime down the road.

Good luck if you decide to go with the Model 40.

Gibbsfan · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2009, 05:21:36 AM »

I have a m40 savage and had extraction problems with it but it is easily cured by taking a dremel and making a slight notch where the extractor ramps up on the cone at the beginning of the chamber. But You can really get rid of all extraction problems if you just make it into a K- Hornet. If you look at a standard Hornet case it is built like a wedge and when fired that is exactly what it does in side the chamber so if you make it a straight wall case like a Khornet then all your problems are gone. It does have a poor design but after I did that to mine it sure made a heck of a weapon. I have all kinds of Hornets and this one shoots with the best of them. I would look at the new little Remington 788 also a shooter.

fatercat · « **Reply #7 on:** December 10, 2009, 02:05:11 AM »

ruger makes a great hornet

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2009, 07:27:23 AM »

I've a M40 Savage and am very pleased with it. The action will take any "modern" .22 Hornet load. I have pressure tested numerous factory loads and reloads using an Oehler M43 with a Contender 21" barrel. Using the traditional slow powders like H4227, 2400, H110 and now LilGun pressures at max loads are well within SAAMI spec. My Contender Carbine really loves the Hornady 45 gr Hornet bullet over 12.5 gr of LilGun. Velocity is 2704 fps with less pressure than all the commercial loads. Accuracy was .585" for the 10 test shots. Fortuneately the M40 loves the same combination except i use 13 gr LilGun. The longer 24" barrel of the M40 ran that load at 3020 fps fps with the 10 test shots going into .7". I'd say that is pretty "hot" for a standard .22 Hornet.

I have 300 rounds loaded for the Contender and 400 rounds for the M40 and plan on a search and destroy mission into NE Oregon seeking the wiley ground squirells this spring.

Larry Gibson

StrawHat · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:01:59 AM »

I have shot Hornets for quite a few decades and if you think you want to "load it up" just get a different cartridge. The 221 Fireball, 222 Remington, 22-06, 224 Weatherby will all sling bullets faster than the Hornet but the Hornet will do it much quieter and with a lot more fun. It also allows you to learn to stalk in closer as the trajectory favors closer shots.

No experience witht he M40 but, like Greybeard, I have also been tempted to get one.

Never quite understood the "load them up" idea but that is fuel for another thread.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:21:23 AM »

I definitely agree with Greybeard and Strawhat. The 40 should do well with any Hornet load, as long as it's a SAAMI spec Hornet load. You can get better than average performance with good balistic tip projectiles, and of course your results will be optimized by creating a load your rifle shoots better and more accurately than any off the shelf load. Accuracy is a big reason to handload and hitting the critter is The Key to effectiveness. If you need performance above and beyond the capabilities of what a 22 Hornet will do, get 22-250 or a 204 or whatever it is that meets those requirements.

That's one of the great things about living in a country where our access to small arms is guaranteed. If you have need (or want) of rifles in different ballistic categories, you can get them.

lucky guy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:35:31 PM »

Why not get a 223? Savage, _ _, Remington, Tikka, Howa, Winchester, you name the bbl, stock, etc. You can load it down to 22 mag levels, and load up 60 gr partitions to hunt deer or ?? You could shoot targets much farther than with the hornet. Tons of brass and bullets, factory ammo available everywhere. Just another option.

Autorim · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2009, 03:43:18 AM »

If you can find one, I suggest a Ruger No. 3 in Hornet. I have a Hornet, .222, .223 and 22-250. The Hornet and .222 are shot the most - just plain fun. The Nosler solid base bullet is a really good performer in my No. 3.
I saw a No. 3 Hornet at the last gun show, but already have one.

Ken

JWP58 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2009, 10:43:21 AM »

well since i have a .243, which can be loaded down....i am thinking about a larger caliber now, maybe 7mm08.

trotterlg · « **Reply #14 on:** December 26, 2009, 08:45:48 AM »

7mm-08 isn't that much larger than your .243, even shares the same case. Larry

JWP58 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 27, 2009, 03:29:08 AM »

This is true, i've also been thinking about a 7x57mm....or even just another .22lr, cant beat the price to shoot.

I just dont know.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #16 on:** December 27, 2009, 04:26:09 AM »

Just curious as to why not a CZ? I like my hornets and a M40 would prolly suit me just fine, But I'd buy a CZ first.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #17 on:** December 27, 2009, 07:49:54 AM »

That ugly magazine that sticks out of the bottom of many CZ rifles has kept me from buying one. I like the set trigger but cannot get past the magazine.
Here in woodchuck country many are shot by using the pickup hood as a rest. I have a friend that put a very nice scratch in his hood when hurrying to get a shoot at a woodchuck running for his hole. Reason enough for me not to buy a CZ.

JWP58 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 27, 2009, 07:57:40 AM »

Quote from: Badnews Bob on December 27, 2009, 04:26:09 AM

Just curious as to why not a CZ?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, something a college kid as myself does not have a ton of...

ShottieMan · « **Reply #19 on:** December 27, 2009, 10:21:30 AM »

Quote from: JWP58 on December 27, 2009, 07:57:40 AM

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, something a college kid as myself does not have a ton of...

Be patient a little while longer and save that extra cash for the CZ!

Trust me...you WILL regret the Model 40 purchase!!!!!

jlwilliams · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:53:43 AM »

Wow. From a guy with the Savage logo in his avatar, that's quite an impeachment of the model 40.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2009, 12:41:50 PM »

CZ now make a 527 with a shorter box mag and there are two or so company's that do remakes to shorten the mag. Not saying you should rush out and get one but there are alternatives.

ShottieMan · « **Reply #22 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:19:50 PM »

Quote from: jlwilliams on December 28, 2009, 01:53:43 AM

Wow. From a guy with the Savage logo in his avatar, that's quite an impeachment of the model 40.

Yeah...says alot for the model 40, doesn't it!

You would feel the same way I do if you had to go through with what I did!!! THANK GOD I got the 12FV to replace it!

I am a Savage fan till the day I die BUT the Model 40 is the red-headed stepchild! I'd rather buy another Model 93 than give Savage ANY credit for the 40!

hotrunner · « **Reply #23 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:55:15 PM »

If $ is a problem, why not an NEF Handi-Hornet? Only weakness would be the trigger; at one time you could send it back to the factory and they'd lighten it for free, now it may cost a few bucks.

Gibbsfan · « **Reply #24 on:** January 04, 2010, 06:29:42 AM »

I have a m40 chambered in a K-hornet and it is the best shooting hornet out of all the hornets that I have had. Very acccurate and shoots very hard.

bkraft · « **Reply #25 on:** January 04, 2010, 06:54:24 AM »

I had a Mod.40 until about noon yesterday when I swaped it for a 799 Rem again in Hornet. My ONLY complaint with the Savage is it was too heavy for whit I wanted to do with it. Which was a "walkin gun." never experienced extraction issues, trigger was as good as any I've ever shot in my limited experience. I just got too old, fat and lazy to lug the thing around. Proably screwed up tradin but the lil Remmie was too cute for words, cheaper than a CZ and has a darn sight better trigger than a Ruger I was lookin at. I hope the 40 you're lookin at treats you as good as mine did me.

navylawdog · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2010, 09:20:15 AM »

Good conversation since I seen one in a gunshop the other day when I was home on leave and was rather intrigued by it. What would the difference in price between the CZ and Savage be? The one I seen the other day was $459 brand new.

Navylawdog

bkraft · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2010, 11:46:25 AM »

I was quoted $650 cash out the door or starting at $750 with trade on a CZ American in .22 Hornet. And $625 for a Ruger in target grey with a liminate stock, here in Kansas within the last 10 days. The price of the CZ's has really jumped, so I'm told. Your price sounds about right to me, with what I've seen and heard.

navylawdog · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2010, 08:56:33 AM »

Thanks for the info. The CZ does sound a bit on the pricey side. I think I will take my chances with the savage if I decide to go that route. Where at in Kansas if you don't mind me asking? I am always looking for a new gunshop "back home".

Navylawdog

bkraft · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2010, 09:51:44 AM »

Smokey Valley Shooting Sports in Lindsborg, on the CZ and Bullet Stop in Wichita on the Ruger