.22 Hornet Rifles

P

Pecci

New member
What type of rifle do you have in .22 Hornet, and what are your opinions? I've been looking into one for a long time, and finally have some money, after selling another gun.
 
I have a 77-22 Ruger hornet that has been glass bedded and has an after market trigger. This one is very accurate, however the Ruger I had before this one was not so I traded for the one I have now.
 
Ruger 77-22. Very accurate, but only with handloads. Factory ammo only shot about 2". Mine has Timney spring and sear kit.

Are you asking for opinions about which rifle to get, or how the Hornet performs, or???
 
I don't curretly have a .22Hornet, a good friend does. It's a wonderfully accurate little rascal. It's a Brno, the forerunner of the CZ. Brno made their reputation in N. America with this rifle. CZ has maintained this tradition, and is equally as accurate. It'll be my next varmint rifle. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal
 
I purchased a TC G2 Contender rifle, so I could just swap barrels when I wanted to try a different caliber. Much cheaper than buying another rifle, the barrels take up less space than another rifle, and you get the same feel for every barrel/caliber you shoot. I'm currently waiting for my Hornet barrel, but if its as accurate as my others then I'll be pleased.
 
Pecci:

I too was checking out .22 Hornets and decided to go with the Savage Model 40 Varmint Hunter. Appears to be a nice rifle for the money. I just got my scope mounted on it and I'm waiting for a break in the weather to zero it in. I fired it a couple of times to check it for operation and I've got to tell you that the accu-trigger on this rifle is nice. Right now it's set at about 3lbs. It's crisp and smooth, a real delight.

I'm trying Winchester and Remington ammo in it first and then some Hornady when it gets here so I'll keep you posted. It's going to be my main rifle for coyotes. As soon as I get some results on paper I'll share it with you.

Good Hunting!

Range Finder
 
Range Finder, Would you say it's heavy or cumbersome? Scoped it would have to be close to 8 1/2 lbs. It's the best looking gun that Savage makes.
 
I have shot them all and only own 2. A CZ-527 and an Anschutz. The CZ is the best of the bunch in my experience. It shoots as good as my heavy barrel Anschutz for about 1/2 the price. Browning Micro's are not bad but they are hard to find as Browning only makes them for import every couple of yrs or so.

I have shot several samples of the Ruger's in both Sporter and Target versions. Have not see one that would shoot yet! As you usually see, when one that shoots well is mentioned here, it has had to be worked over. Since they cost more than a CZ out of the box, I can't see spending even more money on a rifle that should shoot well to start with. This is just my opinion. I love the way the Rugers look and feel but if they are not accurate they are worthless to me.
 
Pecci:

The rifle certainly is a little hefty and you're right about the weight with a scope. Yet it is well balanced and fits nice in my hand even with the beaver tail fore end. It is comfortable for me to hold. I'm a big guy and have a good size hand so maybe it will be a touch unnatural for someone with smaller hands. The balance makes up for the weight as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure that when on my 3rd or 4th mile on my snowshoes I'll probably have a different opinion of the rifle but I really like it.

Today was the first day in a week when the temperature got to 30 degrees and there was little or no wind so I took the Hornet out to sight it in. I started at 20 yards and it was on paper pretty good. A few adjustments later and I was shooting at 50 yards. I was thrilled to see that shooting 3 shot groups and I had no trouble with .25" groups even with a flyer or two. Several of the groups had near same hole accuracy for two shots and the third was a flyer which opened the group to a quarter inch. The largest group I had was .48". These groups incidently were shot with the Winchester 45 gr.SP's. Guess what? When I tried the Remington 45 gr. PSP's they grouped very close to the Winchesters! Next I decided to try a longer range. There are drifts across my range nearly knee deep and it was after 4 P.M. so I cranked the scope up to 9x and picked a lump of dirt about the size of a golf ball on a hillside where the wind had blown the snow off the ground. At the report of the rifle that small lump was gone. Next to it was another of the same and again I powdered it. The range was about 135 yards. Did the same thing at 150 yards on a tuft of grass. The Remington shot just a wisker low at the same tuft of grass. I then pivoted my rest to the right and picked off another exposed piece of dirt and grass; range 100 yards. The rifle shoots good enough for me to chase coyotes. I zeroed the Winchesters to hit at about .3" high at 50 and this puts it right on at 100 yds and -2.4" at 150 yards. I held with these figures in mind and I'm good to go. Next warm and windless day I'll double check it but I'm very confident with anything 150 yards or closer. I've got some Hornady 35 gr. V-Max coming and Winchester 46 gr. HP's as well but they have to do pretty good to beat the shooting this rifle is doing now. I'm very happy with the accu-trigger and I really like the looks and feel of this rifle. I'll keep you posted. I'm sure you're going to do this anyways but if you can go some place to handle this rifle and see for yourself about the weight and you. It's swell for me though!

I'll keep in touch on the Model 40 and in the meantime good hunting.

Range Finder
 
Last edited:
I would suggest a Browning Micro hunter. It is small and easy handling. I think you will be happy with the way it shoots. Mine shoots much better than I do! It likes 35 grain v-max or 46 grain winchester hollow points.
 
Just thought I would mention I have a Continder( old style) Carbine with a 21" sport weight barrel .Continders give great accuracy and are very light weight .I get sub MOA groups with WW Brass, AA1680 powder , Rem small pistol primers ,and Nozzler 40 gr Ballistic Tips .However , this is not a reloading project for the faint of heart ;home brewed 22 Horneys will test your faith .
 
Jack Roberts, I agree that the 221 FB is an exciting caliber. I have three grown children and I love each of them in different ways because they are so different from each other. Its somewhat like my 22 Hornet, 22 K Hornet and 221 FB. All three are Coopers and I love each of them in different ways. I could not choose one over the other. Sure hope the kids don't read this!
 
Claimbuster:

Well Said! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

For me the .22 Hornet is much more than ballistics. And it does what it does well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Thanks again.

Range Finder
 
I also have the 77/22 Hornet, I have some nice rifles but that one is one of my favorites. 35gr v-max and the 40gr barnes verminator are the best reloads so far. Best thing about the hornet is the cost to reload, you can get well over 500 rounds from a pound of powder!
 
Browning Micro Hunter A Bolt 22 Hornet is my "favorite rifle" for fox here on the east coast. It is very-very accurate. It is the only gun I have that I can shoot three shot odd-shaped one holers with at 100 yards using factory ammo.

Hornady 35 gr V-Max!
 
Back
Top