Author Topic: 22 Hornet Rifles (Read 4687 times)

bowhunter27295 · « **on:** November 30, 2011, 05:45:43 PM »

Narrowed down my search for a fur friendly caliber to 22 hornet.

Narrowed further to Savage 25 LV, Ruger, or CZ 527?

I would greatly appreciate any real-time-use opinions on these rifles.

.22-5-40 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2011, 06:05:05 PM »

Hello, bowhunter27295. If possible, I would look for one with a 1-14" twist, instead of the old 1-16". This will permit heaver bullets..and since you are concerned with hides..the stronger constructed bullets are usually heaver than the 45 grainers you would be stuck using with that slower twist.

38-55 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:31:32 AM »

I have had three 22 hornet rifles, I have one now. First two were rear locking bolts, I no longer have them. Both shot light loads ok, but were nothing to get excited about. I now have a quailty single shot rifle with a 1-14 twist. I have found my hornet. I shoot mainly cast bullets with a very few jacketed. The accuracy of this rifle is very good. Cast loads do well on squirrels and turkeys. I have shot turkeys with jacked bullets, but prefer the cast ones. Less damage and the turkey doesn't go anywhere. For woodchucks the hotter loads with jacketed bullets work well. I use bullets in the 45 - 50 gr range. If I were going to buy a bolt rifle. I would have to take a hard look at the CZ.

drdougrx · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:44:39 AM »

I'd also have a look at the Ruger and have it accurized and converted to a KHornet. Lots of folks do this. Look at the CT Precision Chambering site.

Catfish · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2011, 10:35:48 AM »

I`ve never had a Hornet in eather, but have a CZ 527 in 204 and several Savages laying around here. You woun`t go wrong with eather, if your buying new, but stay away from the old Savage 340. Real bad triggers and the one I had would drive tacks part of the time and shoot like a sawed off shotgun the rest, never did get it figured out.

Flynmoose · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:23:18 PM »

I have a CZ 527FS in 22 Hornet. It is a great shooter. I have not shot any game with it, just some pests. It has the single set trigger and very nice wood. I put a 4-12X40 Leupold on it and it shoots better than I do. That rifle is a keeper.
FM

.22-5-40 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2011, 07:27:24 PM »

Hello, 38-55. I thought I was about the only one shooting cast in a Hornet. I too started out with a rear-locking bolt gun (pre-import Anschutz mannlicher stocked). This rifle went thru brass like crazy!
Since I had my single-shot. I am still using the same RWS brass for over 15 years.
What bullet and alloy are you using? What kind of accuracy? Thanks!

38-55 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2011, 03:12:42 AM »

22-5-40 check pm

cjclemens · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2011, 05:00:39 AM »

I've had great luck with my Ruger 77/22 hornet. It shoots just under MOA right out of the box with factory winchester 46 grain loads. It does even better with handloads if you have the patience to deal with Hornet brass. The 40 and 35 grain V-Max bullets, at an appropriate velocity, tend to fragment very well on impact - leaving a .22 caliber entry wound and no exit.

1armoured · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2011, 10:59:07 AM »

Hi,
Love shooting and loading for my Hornets.
There are probably not many Savage 25 Hornets out there, as production was a bit slow after announcing the new model,
same as with the Model 40.
I have a Savage Model 40, which is the single shot, rear locking version of the 25.
Very accurate and great to shoot off the bench, but a bit fiddly as a single shot.
Shoots consistently within MOA, and my best to date .3" at 100mtrs.
Probably the most accurate Hornet I've ever come across.
The Accutrigger took a bit of getting used to, but breaks crisply at 2.5lb.
I guess with the bottom end Savage products, that you might not always get a good one, though !

My other Hornet is an Anschutz Model 1730, with 5 shot clip. Bit more upmarket.
Again a great consistent MOA shooting rifle, light, crisp trigger, medium heavy contour barrel, and looks good too !

My favourite load is with the 40gr Nosler BT with Lil'Gun and Pistol primers,
although I have a wide range of projectiles that I put through it, from 35 - 50gr.
I generally crimp them with a Lee factory crimp die for a bit more consistent neck tension.

I don't know what would be best for reducing fur damage, but possibly a 50gr Match BTHP ?
or one of the solid offerings like from Barnes. But maybe need a faster twist for the longer heavier ones ?
cheers,
SS

Nobade · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2011, 01:58:35 AM »

Don't forget TC Contenders. 1:12 twist from the factory, and chamber cut with a real throat so they shoot cast bullets exceptionally well. Mine loves the RCBS 55 gr. flatnose, and will group under an inch if the wind isn't blowing even up to full power. I also have a Sako 78, 1:16 twist. I never could get it to shoot anything worth a darn until I went at it with a throating reamer. After that it shot the Lyman 35gr. roundnose bullets quite well, but wouldn't stabilize anything heavier. But that rifle got rebarelled to a .27 Hornet (straight case) and I like it even better now.

hotrunner · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2011, 12:18:36 PM »

You might have a wait for that Savage WV 25 Hornet; I had my name on the list for one for 9 months, and was still getting the run-around 5 months later. When the dealer said he couldn't guarantee the sale price he advertised them for last March - when he never even had them in stock to begin with - I wrote both him and Savage off. Having had a C-Z 527 in another cal. (.221FB), I can vouch for their quality and accuracy; if I can't find a Browning Micro Hornet (have heard some are due in the country in the near future), I'll go with the C-Z. Yes, don't forget about the Browning...

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2011, 05:13:16 PM »

Quote from: bowhunter27295 on November 30, 2011, 05:45:43 PM

Narrowed down my search for a fur friendly caliber to 22 hornet.

Narrowed further to Savage 25 LV, Ruger, or CZ 527?

I would greatly appreciate any real-time-use opinions on these rifles.

I have a Ruger 77/.22 Hornet. Set it next to my Ruger 77/.22 and you can't hardly tell 'em apart. I have never run factory ammo through it...so all my experience with it has been with reloads. If you do reload for this calibre, take your time and be gentle. Those little cases crush easily.

The nice thing about the .22 Hornet is that there is no recoil...this makes the .22 Hornet a great calibre to use when teaching young shooters. And the accuracy of the cartridge is simply amazing. Shooting 40 grain to 45 grain bullets, from the bench, my Ruger is a tack-driver (1/4 inch groups) out to +/- 120 yards. Slip in heavier bullet weights up to 55 grain, and the Ruger still shoots very tight 1/2 inch groups out to 150 yards. It suffers greatly with anything much heavier than 55 grains. I also load for a .223 bolt action...So its nice to purchace a good supply of 55 grain bullets that can be reloaded and used effectively in both rifles.

I have a 3 X 9 variable power scope on my .22 Hornet, but I've found that most of my shooting is with lower end 3 to 5 power. You just don't need alot of magnification at the distances that this calibre is intended. I have found the .22 Hornet to be a very effective calibre on Prairie Dogs, Foxes and Coyotes out to 150 yards.

You are going to be very happy with this calibre...the Hornet should be more popular in the shooting community than it currently is...

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2011, 03:44:22 AM »

I'd like to mention that my Dad has had an H&R Handi-Rifle in .22 Hornet for maybe 15 years. Its a single shot break action with a Nikon 3 X 9 scope.

At 100 yards, and a solid rest, he has grouped shots at under 1/4 inch...these groups look like an oblong .30 calibre hole in the paper. And with the heavier bullets (55 grain) his little break action, from the bench, out-shoots my Ruger day in and day out...screamin accurate...

Once again...he has never run factory ammo through the gun...all his shooting has been with reloads.

tatonka · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2011, 11:32:31 AM »

22 K Hornet is my favorite small bore cartridge. I load from 1500 fps up to 3000 fps with my K Hornets. I have 2 K Hornet rifles curently - A Ruger 77/22 K Hornet with a reworked bolt and a Bullberry 22 K Hornet SS 20" barrel on a T/C Contender. Both guns will shoot well under 1" with Hornady 35-40 gr V Max's. I have taken game from sparrows to coyote with the 40 gr for coyote up to 200 yards. My longest shot on a crow was a tad bit over 250 yards in the still morning air. I use W296, H110, and Lil Gun powder - mostly Lil Gun. I have owned 22 Hornets but usually end up doing the K Hornet conversion to enhance case life. You can't go wrong with the Hornet for most small game tasks. I own larger 22 centerfires but my Hornets are shot more frequently. Good shooting!

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2011, 02:28:21 PM »

Has anyone tried to get .22 Hornet Brass recently??

I have been trying to get Winchester Brass for about a month now...You'd think these cases were gold plated, and being horded. I'm hoping that they become available soon...I've maybe 1 or 2 reloads left with what I've got, then I'll start to see damaged cases. Once I start seeing damaged cases, its time to scrap the lot and start over with new brass.

I'm feeling a little behind the eight-ball on this...

Huffmanite · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2011, 05:28:23 AM »

I've used Privi Partizan 22 Hornet ammo (box of 50 $25) from Grafs & Sons to shoot in my Martini Cadet Hornet rifle. Hardly match grade ammo, but decent brass that I could reload. Just checked Grafs to see if they stocked not only the ammo, but Prvi brass. Yep, on sale too for $22 per hundred.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12629

tuck2 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2011, 10:17:58 PM »

If someone gets a Hornet and then has it rechambered to a K Hornet they jest as well have gotten a 221 Fireball rifle. I have had a Hornet rifles for some years but since getting the 221 Fireball the old Hornet stays at home. For me the Fireball case last longer than the thin tapered Hornet case and it was much eazer to find accurate reloads for the Fireball rifle.

tatonka · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2011, 06:42:52 AM »

The 221 fireball is a great round also. I'm partial to the K Hornet since I'm old and gray and was brought up on the Hornet. If I need more power than the Hornet, I jump up to the 22-250. Why buy the 221 fireball when one could get a .223 and get some real cheap brass and more power? After all is said and done, isn't it great we can have these discussions and compare notes? Everyone has their favorites and mine change from time to time also except with the K Hornet. Good shooting

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2011, 12:40:24 PM »

Quote from: cjclemens on December 03, 2011, 05:00:39 AM

I've had great luck with my Ruger 77/22 hornet. It shoots just under MOA right out of the box with factory winchester 46 grain loads. It does even better with handloads if you have the patience to deal with Hornet brass. The 40 and 35 grain V-Max bullets, at an appropriate velocity, tend to fragment very well on impact - leaving a .22 caliber entry wound and no exit.

Have you ever come across any load data for the Barnes .36 VG in the .22 Hornet??

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #20 on:** December 26, 2011, 12:44:50 PM »

Quote from: tatonka on December 13, 2011, 11:32:31 AM

........... I use W296, H110, and Lil Gun powder - mostly Lil Gun. I have owned 22 Hornets but usually end up doing the K Hornet conversion to enhance case life. You can't go wrong with the Hornet for most small game tasks. I own larger 22 centerfires but my Hornets are shot more frequently. Good shooting!

I really like the Lil'Gun powder as well. It is very accurate in my .22 Hornet, and it has really increased the ballistics of the calibre. I used to use IMR 4227 and my velocities all sat right around 2500 fps...But with the Lil'Gun powder they've jumped to 2800 fps or better. Nice powder that Lil'Gun.