22 Hornet

J

Jim Phillips

New member
Looking around and there are some mighty nice looking rifles in 22 Hornet. Does anyone shoot a 22 Hornet and what are your thoughts?
If I bought one it would be for target shooting at my Farm 100-300 yards. Maybe some varmint hunting but would probably use my 204 Ruger for Coyotes.
 
I like my 12" Contender in 22 Hornet, and I have enjoyed hornet rifles I have owned, but for accuracy in the 100-300 yard range 221 Fireball typically gets the nod if I am wanting a smaller quieter cartridge.
 
Ok, thanks. This is the kind of info I am looking for. I would most likely be shooting in the 100-200 yard distances but the field I shoot in is 300+ yards long.
 
I have a Ruger 77 in 22 Hornet. It is my favorite varmint rifle for the farm I hunt. 200 yds is about the max I can shoot there, and the hornet fits that range nicely. Crow, armadillos, and beaver are the primary targets there.
 
I also have a Ruger 77/22 in a 22 Hornet. I free floated the barrel and put a better trigger in it. I don't think I'd shoot past 200 with mine given the limitations of the cartridge
 
Factory loaded .22 Hornet ammunition is kind of pricey... you may want to consider handloading for it unless the cost isn't a factor.
 
I have a CZ 527 that was orig. a hornet and the previous owner had it reamed to K-Hornet and I love it. It shoots about anything I feed it with good accuracy and I can shoot factory stuff in it too. Hard to beat a CZ.
 
Originally Posted By: BaxI also have a Ruger 77/22 in a 22 Hornet. I free floated the barrel and put a better trigger in it. I don't think I'd shoot past 200 with mine given the limitations of the cartridge

I have the same rifle, and I agree ...... 200 yards is about the max I'd attempt on anything larger than a squirrel.
 

We used a Brno (CZ) .22 Hornet while calling Black-Backed Jackal in Namibia. That's my only experience with the cartridge, but we did enough shooting in the three days I was there to get a good feel for what it would do. The rifle belonged to the PH and he let me use it in trying to save a good pelt to have tanned. We also used it to shoot several Dassies one evening.

The Hornet is a neat little cartridge, but the 35 gr. V-Max we used was a little bit light causing too many runners. I guess finding the right bullet for accuracy and killing power might take a bit of work, but should be well worth it once you find it. It's a great cartridge in a light-weight caliber for smaller critters. A .223 we also used anchored the jackal much better, but as mentioned, finding the right bullet can make a big difference.








The Hornet worked very well for Dassies. Most of our shooting was probably around 100 yards or less.






Dassies are similar to rock chucks and inhabit rocky places.




 
Agree with the .221 Fireball suggestion. Am much happier on my farm - about the same shooting distance - with the Fireball than the Hornet. From experience: sure as you take the Hornet out, you'll see a groundhog, coyote, etc. just out of "killable" range. Although you'd need the .204 (got some of those, too) for a 300 yd. 'yote, a 200 yard poke at one wouldn't be out of the question with a .221.
My place backs up to a #&?#€ bike trail, and the Fireball, although loud like any centerfire rifle, is more "socially acceptable" than anything with more power starting with the .204R; second in CF report low decibels only to the .22 Hornet, imo.
 
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I have a a Browning A-Bolt Micro Hunter in the .22 Hornet, shooting 35 grain Hornady Bullets.Definetly a Tack Driver Rifle that reaches out good distance and can put a pretty decent hole in a Varmint/Predator.So far Ive shoot a nice Big Ground Hog at 128 yards.... gonna try it on Coyotes,Foxes and Bobcats if I can ever Call 1 in for a shot? ;0)
 
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