Anyone Using a .22 Hornet?

R

Range Finder

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Hunters:

Anyone here using a .22 Hornet to harvest their fur i.e. coyotes, cats, foxes and coons? I just picked up a Hornet and would like to use it on the aforementioned but I'm wondering about damage to the hides. Any info would be greatly appreciated. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Thanks again.

Good shooting and hunting.

Range Finder
 
What kind did you get? Which bullet does it like? Some Hornets will shoot miraculously with one bullet but not the other.

For factory fodder, I suspect the least damage will come from the Winchester Super X 45gr Soft Points. The most damage from the Hornady 35 gr V-Max, these are the ones my gun loves though. Just try and stay away from bone on entry. Good and bad, plus's and minus's, it will all balance out.
 
Pruson:

I bought a Savage Model 40 Varmint Hunter. I haven't shot it yet at a target because the scope I purchased will not fit with a medium height saddle (Weaver rings). Reason: I bought a Weaver V3x9x38. Because of the receiver sleeve that the barrel is fitted to the scope bell will not clear. I'm now awaiting the arrival of high saddle rings. Hopefully, they will provide the clearance I'll need.

You're right about the ammo though. I bought a couple boxes of the Winchester 45 gr. soft points and a couple of boxes of Remington 45 PSP. I don't expect much from the Remington but I'm hoping the Winchester will fill the bill. Have to see.

Thanks for the reply and good shooting.

Range Finder
 
I shoot an old Savage Model 340-B... I don't shoot factory (I reload) but the Hornady makes a great 35gr V-max (what I reload with) you will have very little pelt damage. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I have a ruger heavy barrel hornet.Real tack driver! I shoot 46gr. winchester hollow points.For some reason most hornets like these factory loads for those of us who don't reload. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gifI think they stablize a bit better in the hornet I recon. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif I hope you like sewing cause on grey fox it can be messy! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I'm also looking at a .22 Hornet barrel for my Contender rifle and was wondering the same thing. I don't reload either, so I'm also stuck with factory rounds. Cabela's sells HSM ammo with Calhoun bullets. I don't know much about these bullets, but it does state something about a double hollow point design. You can get various bullet weights for the Hornet. I was looking at the 30 grain for red fox, since that's all I shoot around here, and was wondering if this bullet would even exit given its design and weight? Its also available in 37 and 42 grain.
 
You can find out about Calhoon bullets @ (www.jamescalhoon.com). They seem to be designed to be very explosive for Varmit shooting. Don't know how they would be on preditors but check out his web-site. He makes some pretty interesting stuff, and I'll bet his bulletts are well made.
I got a 77/22H about 2 months ago to try on Bobcats and have not had time to reload for it yet, but have tried several factory loads. The Hornady 35gr. vmax are the best in my rifle so far. Suprisingly the Sellier&Bellots (made by CZ) are a close second. The Win. HPs and SPs are not too bad, 1-1&1/2", and the Rem. isn't worth talking about.
I'm sure the reloads will do much better, but our season opens next week so I'm going with the Hornadys for now. I don't really like the Polimer tips for hunting but I'm hoping the lighter bullett and slower speeds of the Hornet don't do too much damage. I'd sure like to get a nice rug made providing I can connect.
I'm pretty happy with the Hornet so far and think with reloads I'll like it even more.
Thanks, Charlie
 
I have a browning low wall i love it but lately it's taken a back seat to the 250. I shoot35 grain v-max and it works great.

Ed
 
I hunt with a guy that uses a 22 Hornet. He has taken no yotes with it yet but I have seen him take three coons with it. No fur damage what so ever except the entry and exit holes. I even saw him shoot one with the hornet at 5yds and there was no exit. He was shooting Hornady VMax (not sure of the bullet weight) factory loads. I am pretty impressed with it and might get a barrel for my handi.
 
I have shot quite a few coyotes with mine, but no fox. It is a very pelt friendly round for coyotes, most of the time. I've used 40, 45, 50, 52 and 55gr bullets, Vmax, BT's softpoints, HP's etc. I now handload a 45gr Barnes XLC over 13grs Lilgun, and am pleased with the results. Even when I get an exit, the hole is small.

For coyotes, I limit my broadside shots to under 175yds, and a head-on shot to under 100yds. For fox, I would think it suitable for 200yds+.
 
Range Finder, I use a hornet in settled areas where I want to keep the noise down. Mine is a 77-22 Ruger and likes the Winchester 45gr factory ammo. I have had no problems on fox and bobcat but occasionally lose the coyote or have to try and put two rounds into him with the hornet. Some of the yotes in this area are quite large. I try to get the yotes in close here when using the hornet because it sometimes dosen't put them down at longer ranges.
 
Lonedog:

I was curious as to what distance you start losing coyotes? You also mentioned that once and a while you have to shoot the yotes twice. I'm assuming this happens most often at the outside of the effective range of the Hornet... or is this due to a less than good hit?

Where I hunt a 100 yd shot is a long one. I've made a mental note to limit my shots on coyote to no farther than 150 yards. For foxes 200 yards max and cats under 150. Truth is, in this country I usually won't get the opportunity for shots as far as my personal limits mentioned.

I've got my rifle all set-up now and all I need is a little warmer weather with a lot less wind so I can zero this rifle. The coyote around here are pretty big too so I'm going to choose my shots. What kind of damage does that Winchester 45 gr. soft point do to the pelts on your fur? I notice that some of the above hunters use the Hornady 35 gr, V-Max and have success with it not tearing up the hides too bad so I'm going to give them a try as well.

In any event thanks for your response and I wish you a good season and good shooting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Range Finder
 
I have a TC carbine that sports a 16 1/2" stainless hornet barrel. I bought the barrel used and it had been reamed out to k hornet by SSK Industries. It shoots surprisingly well for such a small gun. I have a cheap off brand 6x scope on it and off a bench it will consistently hit golf balls at 175 yards. The k hornet gives a little better velocity and really improves case life. I load bulk 45 gr HP's and get reliable kills at reasonable ranges and minimal pelt damage. When the butt is on the ground, the muzzle barely reaches my waist and the whole package only weighs a hair over 5 pounds. It's really a sweet little package when you're doing a lot of walking through rough terrain. Dale
 
Yes you will lose coyotes with the 45gr soft point! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gifUse the 46gr. win.hollow points I told you, and you don't need to worry about crippling if your shot is good!But its ultimately your choice. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Skunkylure:

How do the 46 gr. HP's act on coyote fur? I'm more interested in the damage done on yotes than foxes as I will be using my .22WMR for foxes. I'm really going to focus on the yellow dogs this year. Thanks for your input because I have NO experience with a Hornet and I don't want to cripple dogs if I can help it. I'm an avid bowhunter - at least I was until I had shoulder surgery - and I like to get as close as I can so I'm going to do my part to the best of my ability.

Thanks again and good hunting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Range Finder
 
Rangefinder, I rarely have to shoot past 75 yards here and when I am in an area where long range shots may be necessary I take a swift or 243. I only use the hornet in settled areas where noise is a problem. I am not interested in pelt damage only predator control. The reason I think I have had a few yotes keep moving is related to the fact they were large dogs and I may have not hit them well. Most of the time the hornet works well for me and is one of my favorite calibers. I am going to try the 46 gr hp's suggested by skunkylure.
 
RF,

Don't worry about fur damage to a coyote when shooting a Hornet. I get more concerned with stretching the range than pelt damage. Most of the coyotes I shoot are facing me at +/- 75yds. and I don't get exits with head-on chest shots from my Hornet.

As far as losing coyotes, I noticed that head-on shots over 100yds and broadside shots over 175yds, would cause runners once in awhile, thats why I have a self-imposed limit.

Good luck.
 
K-22hornet:

I agree totally with your self imposed shooting distances for different variations/angles of target opportunities. Fortunately, over the many years of hunting I've been able to develope appropriate fire discipline on most targets. That, with a respect for the animals I hunt as well as those I do not.

After loosing much of my hearing in SouthEast Asia I decided to become a bowhunter and got rid of most of my firearms, reloading equipment, etc. Then I hunted about everything with a bow including birds, rabbits, squirels, with flu-flu arrows, plus deer and bear, foxes, chucks; you name it I shot it with my bow(s). Then I injured my right shoulder, required surgery,and here I am back to firearms. I've always been one who loves to shoot. And I love rifles and shotguns and I'm enjoying shooting - almost always with hearing protection.

Prior to my tour as a bowhunter I enjoyed many firearms to include but not limited to 22-250's, .222 Remington, 30-06's, 30-30's, .303 Savage, and my favorite woods deer rifle, the .35 Remington's - all in lever-actions(Marlins).
I loved to hunt predators and killed many foxes, coons, bobcat and feral cats but never a coyote. Back in the days when I was predator hunting (the sixtys) there were not alot of dogs around. Anyways, I've started back again and looking to take some yotes because they're everywheres around here and could use a little thinning out... at least on my property, so that's what I'm doing. I always wanted a .22 Hornet and now I've got one thus all my questions from you guys with experience. I hate to shoot them and not use them for something so I'm going to use their fur - IF I CONNECT.

Thanks again for all the feed-back from you and the other riflemen/hunters. It is greatly appreciated /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Range Finder
 


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