Small caliber suggestion

[hardertr]

The only barrel I have for my new Encore is a 24" 7-08.  I would like to add a smaller caliber for rabbit/squirrel/plinking.  I have a 223 pistol barrel for my contender, so thought maybe staying with the same caliber might be a good idea.

For the uses above, is there really any reason to go with anything other than the 223?  How about the 22 Hornet?  I don't want to turn my rabbit/squirrel into hamburger before it ever hits the ground..is the 223 too much?

As far as converting to 22lr, how "practical" is it??

Thanks in advance!

[leverfan]

The only barrel I have for my new Encore is a 24" 7-08.  I would like to add a smaller caliber for rabbit/squirrel/plinking.  I have a 223 pistol barrel for my contender, so thought maybe staying with the same caliber might be a good idea.

For the uses above, is there really any reason to go with anything other than the 223?  How about the 22 Hornet?  I don't want to turn my rabbit/squirrel into hamburger before it ever hits the ground..is the 223 too much?

As far as converting to 22lr, how "practical" is it??

Thanks in advance!

If you reload, I would stick with the 223, just to simplify things.  You could always load it down so that you didn't vaporize too much meat.  The K-Hornet would also be good for reloading, just because it's easier to get longer case life out of the reformed case.  

Converting to 22lr is a snap, and the conversion unit cost between $35 and $60, last time I looked, depending on what conversion you go with.  If you can turn a hex key, you can do the swap.  For your stated purposes, that may very well be the way to go.

[coopershooter]

i have a 21in 22 k-hornet barrel for my contender and i love it!!!
 it,s killed groundhogs way out there! the longest shot was 235yds! i shoot 35 gr. v-maxes and 45gr sp,s the 35 gr v-maxes are great! if they give anything up at long range, i cant prove it. i can run them at 3200 fps, or all the way down to 2500 fps, and it,s like shooting a .22 rf. i shoot 40gr. balistic tips in my other rifles, but my contender is not happy with them.
  in my opinion a .223 is way to much for squirrels unless your talking varmints. in that case the .223 is great. but for playing around, plinking reloading, and shooting edible game, the k-hornet is awsome!

[hardertr]

I haven't seen a 22LR barrel ANYWHERE,

What's the difference between a 22K Hornet and regular 22 Hornet??

[mikemayberry]

It's been several months since I've seen it but I noted with interest that one of the aftermarket barrel manufacturers makes a barrel that is offset so the Encore firing pin hits the rim of a .22 shell.

Seems like a good idea to not have to change the mechanism every time but I just cannot remember which of the makers makes this barrel.

Perhaps someone else can jump in and fill in the blank.

Thanks for listening and I hope with help, this can help.

Mike

[hardertr]

Thanks for the website Chris...

It looks like I'll be going with a 22 Hornet.  I can't see spending $325 for a 22lr barrel :eek:  I guess it would be cheaper to get a stock and a 22lr carbine barrel for my contender frame...OR another contender frame JUST for carbine configurations

:roll: NOW I am feeling the full brunt of "contenderitis"!!

[hardertr]

BUT THEN AGAIN.... I could make up the difference in the price after shooting a couple of bricks of the 22lr ammo as opposed to the much more expensive 22 Hornet.

[trophyhunter]

I got a 204 ruger barrell for mine and it is a tack driver and would be able to take head shots on squirrells at a good distance.  I was hitting 1 inch disc with mine at 150 yards with no problem.

[Fred W]

hardertr asked "What's the difference between a 22K Hornet and regular 22 Hornet??"

The K-Hornet is one of the earliest "wildcat" cartridge designs.  It simply involves a slight reboring of the stock Hornet chamber to make the walls almost straight with a fairly sharp shoulder.  Stock factory or handloaded Hornet ammo, fired in the modified chamber, results in fireforming the brass to the sharp shoulder shape.  This creates a slightly greater powder volume, and many say the brass lasts longer afterward.  It's only worthwhile if you shoot mostly handloads, but you can get a couple of hundred feet per second more velocity with it, and the rechambering operation is fairly inexpensive.  I had my stock Contender Hornet barrel rechambered by J.D. Jones for about $70 (five years ago).  In my opinion the K-Hornet is an ideal way to break into the world of "wildcats" and handloading.  In my Contender, the groups improved considerably also with the K-Hornet conversion.

[tatonka]

I have shot a T/C 21" SS outfit on a contender in 22 KHornet for many years. My barrel was made by Bullberry. It will shoot 1/2" or less(5 shots) @ 100 yards with Hornady 35 GR. Vmax & Lil Gun powder. Velocity is 3050 fps. through my chronograph. Optics is Burris 4-12 Mini PA. I also have a Ruger 22 Hornet model 77 SS. It is currently a 22 Hornet but will soon be a KHornet when funds are saved for the conversion.  Good shooting!

[kb]

How loud is the 22 Hornet and thr 204R?

[tatonka]

Both the 22 Hornet & 204R will require hearing protection for sure. The 204R is probably 20% louder. This is of course subjective without using a dosimiter.

[Catfish]

If you looking for the best best small cal. long range round I would suggest the the .17 AH. Formed from the .22 Hornet case I use 10.4 grns. of H-4227 and get 3,600 fps. with the 19 grn. Calhoon bullet. Mine is a Bullberry and I`ve shot  several 5 shot sub 1/4 in groups at 100 yrds. It shoots point blank, plus or minus 2 1/2 in, to abt. 290 yrds. You will have to head shoot your small game as it will destroy them if you don`t.

[hardertr]

I would like to stick with a caliber I can find ammo for at the local sporting goods shop IF I run out and don't feel like reloading right away.

I just picked up a 223 (still in the mail), and have a question about it... How much damage would a 223 with a light FMJ bullet do to smaller game?  The bullet shouldn't expand or fragment AT ALL.  On rabbits and squirrels, wouldn't the shock of a hit anywhere in the upper body be enough to kill them immediately??

My next barrel will be something in a large caliber (7mm mag or 300 win mag) then I think I'll get the 22 Hornet.  I don't have ANY experience with reloading wildcats/non-traditional rounds, and the idea of having to form brass just doesn't do it for me.

[tatonka]

A .223 with FMJ ammo can be devastating on small game.  I once shot a stray dog (Around 30 lbs) with a .223 Ruger #1 at about 40 yards. The scoundrel was feasting on my daughter's chickens. He had been taking one a day until I spotted him one morning.  The bullet hit him on a dead run (chicken in mouth) right behind the shoulder. The exit wound was quite grotesque but dispatched the chicken thief instantly. I had occasion to shoot a groundhog with the same ammo/gun at 75 yards (Enjoying the fruits of my garden) - again the bullet managed to do a great deal of damage. Stick to  22 LR for squirrel/rabbit size game since you do not reload. Even 22 mag ammo can destroy too much meat.

[hardertr]

I guess my original understanding of the FMJ concept is off.  I always thought it was designed NOT to expand/fragment.  Our M16 ammo is FMJ, meant to pierce light body armor and incapacitate (not kill).