i need info on a 22 hornet

N

night rider

New member
im thinking about buying a ruger 22 hornet model 77 stainless/ bull barrel. i want somthing that will have a longer range than a 22 mag but will not be to loud ive never shot one wanted to get some input on this gun and how it performs.
thanks
 
The .22 Hornet gets some mixed reviews on accuracy. I have one in .22K Hornet. Most are using pistol primers for the charge, and alot use H110 and Lil Gun. Its a great lil cartridge when its working correctly. I use 40 grn BT's and 35 grn VMax.. both shoot well. Good Luck.
 
I bought into the hornet inaccuracy myth until I got one and shot it, mine was very accurate with both factory and reloaded ammo, dropped groundhogs dead out to about 150yds with Nosler 40gr BTs, I would like to get another one day.
 
A 221 shooting "blue dot" loads would be exactly what you need. A lot more power than a 22mag and as quiet, maybe even quieter.

Jack
 
I just got a new Hornet barrel for my Encore recently and shot it for the first time this past Sunday. Shot a 5/8" group at 100 yds during load testing and was quite happy with that kinda accuracy from a short range rifle and especially first time shooting it after working up loads. I was also quite impressed with how quiet it is. I think I'm in love! My load recipe:

45 Hornady Hornet SP
WW brass
WSP
12.2 Lil' Gun
1.750" OAL
Lee factory crimp
2700 FPS
 
The biggest problem with a hornet is learning to trust it, they are a lot more rifle than they are given credit for. I bought a CZ full stock in 22 hornet in 2002 because it was a pretty rifle and I was curios about the cartridge. I found it to be accurate, easy to load and very effective. I use mainly two loads, 40 grain Sierra hornet with 13.2 grains of Lil Gun and a CCI 400 primer or a 30 grain calhoon double hollow point with 14.2 grains of H 110 and the same primer. The 40 grain will do 2800 and change and the 30 grain will do a little over 3400. You will need a 17 caliber drop tube to get that much Lil Gun in a hornet case. I have added a couple more hornets, a CZ american, and a Brno hornet sporter, since then. I can't imagine being without a hornet.
 
I've been shooting Hornets for many years. If you reload, don't buy into the inaccuracy thing. Like any other caliber, they take a little work. But, the results can be rewarding.

I have a M38 Cooper Classic that I had a hard time finding the right load for. After some work I found two of them. Either a 37gr. Calhoon or a 34gr. Midway with 12.5gr. of Lil Gun shoot fantastic. Since the 34gr. Midway's are cheaper I tend to shoot a lot of them.

As a short range rifle they are fantastic. Low noise, cheap to shoot, etc, are all positives.
 
I have a CZ527 Lux in .22 Hornet. It pretty much does exactly what you are looking for.

If I were to do it again, I'd get the CZ527 American in .22 Hornet. My standard load is 35g V-Max over 13.2g of Lil'Gun, CCI400 primer, which puts them out the muzzle at around 2,900 to 3,000 fps. I've dropped ground hogs out to 169 yards (standing off shooting sticks) with it which is the longest shot I've taken with it.

It's light enough to be carried every day all week, handy, easy to load for, components readily available, has a removable magazine so it's quick and easy to clear when moving to a new location, inexpensive to shoot, mild report, has a wonderful single set trigger, and it's accurate.

Fitch
 
same as fitch cz527 but imr4227 11grs. 35 v-max 1/2" at100 yds 5shots 10 shots 100 shots. longest shot a ranged 230 yds rockchuck dead but not scattered all over
 
I once knew, now deceased, a Camp Perry medalist who shot hawks on the wing with a Hornet, this would have been over half a century ago, before anyone jumps on this. As I remember, 22 was the total, so that should clarify the accuracy question.
 
Originally Posted By: rem222tsame as fitch cz527 but imr4227 11grs. 35 v-max 1/2" at100 yds 5shots 10 shots 100 shots. longest shot a ranged 230 yds rockchuck dead but not scattered all over

Rem222t,

What primer? I'm going to try your load - I only have 27 of the Lil'Gun loads left, I just discovered have an almost full bottle (dusty) of IMR4227, and a box of the 35g bullets, so this is a good time to experiment.

Thanks
Fitch
 
Originally Posted By: Blackhawk43The biggest problem with a hornet is learning to trust it, they are a lot more rifle than they are given credit for.

A HUGE Amen here.
I started handloading in 1948, for a 22 Hornet.
I now have three Hornets, and have learned how to load for it. Small Pistol Primers, or Rem 6 1/2's, 13.0 grains of Lil Gun, any bullet in the 40-45 grain weight that works in a particular rifle, and bullets are crimped. I do like the Browning Huntsman Hornet I have as it balances perfectly, and is very accurate, 3 shots at 100 yards in 1/2" groups, about as accurate as I want from a Hornet.

Merry Christmas...

Martyn
 
The hornet is a fun little round. Have to reload to have fun with it. I had a ruger and was disappointed with it. Gave up on it and the round until my friend got a CZ. When I saw the accuracy he could get I had to get one too. Got the CZ american. The old rugers were bad. don't know about the new ones but got burned once and took to big of a loss to go that way again. I still like ruger just not their hornet.
 
Originally Posted By: cigThe hornet is a fun little round. Have to reload to have fun with it. I had a ruger and was disappointed with it. Gave up on it and the round until my friend got a CZ. When I saw the accuracy he could get I had to get one too. Got the CZ american. The old rugers were bad. don't know about the new ones but got burned once and took to big of a loss to go that way again. I still like ruger just not their hornet.

Your point is well made about early Ruger 77/Hornets; lots of unhappy customer of that rifle. But, I got one of the newer ones and have no trouble at all with it. It shoots very well.
 
Originally Posted By: Jack RobertsA 221 shooting "blue dot" loads would be exactly what you need. A lot more power than a 22mag and as quiet, maybe even quieter.

Jack


Or a 223 with Bue Dots 1200 FPS to 2800 FPS, you pick the velocity/noise.
 
You might try 12.3 grains of H110 with the 35 grain V-max in your hornet, it will get you around 3100 fps, actually duplicate the factory Hornady load.
 
I load for two different 22 Hornets. One is a 10" TC and the other is a CZ. I use Lil Gun and IMR 4227.

Both are very accurate, adding 2 more accurate Hornets to help offset the infamously inaccurate ones out there...

-BCB
 
My 2 sons and I all have Ruger 77-22 Hornets and all shoot great with our handloads. Never did a thing to them except a trigger job on my sons. Mine has a good trigger. Mine didn't shoot good at all with factory ammo but does now with Rem brass, CCI 500 primers, 35 gr V-Max and 12.7 gr of Lil-Gun powder.
 
I have seen several Rugers that friends have bought in recent years and they have had no issues. CZ's are a great Hornet. I wouldn't shy away from the Ruger, especially if you reload. I had the same rifle you are looking at and it was a nice rig. I had bought it to rebarrel to 17AH and shot it before hand to see what it would do. Shot factory loads into an inch or just under so I am sure it would shoot with reloads.

Longest shot with my Kimber hornet was 195 yards on a woodchuck off shooting sticks. Sold the rifle a few years ago and I am still kicking myself. Everyone should own a Hornet or a variation of it (17AH
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