School me on the 22 Hornet

leeelmer

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Hi Guys
I just bought a M77/22 Hornet
I have never loaded for the Hornet before and have never even shot one.
But I am intreaged with it.
I wanted a gun for shooting grouse and rabbits as well if a yote stepped out at resnable distance I could take him as well.
Let me know your thoughts on the gun, as well as if you have anywhere to start on loads or at least faviorite bullets.
i have been hand loading for years for my other guns so not new with the reloading aspect.
I ordered a set of Lee collet dies and a Lee factory crimp die as well
Thanks again
 
12.8 grains Lil'Gun with 40 V-Max... Bob's ur uncle on coyotes.

3.0 grains Trailboss with 45 SP Hornet bullets for small game...

Your good to go.
 
I used Win 296 in my Sako with either 40 or 45gr.Hit coyotes would yap then bite themselves ,run in circles 25 yards and fall over dead.Never had the opportunity past 125 yards as all were closer.Nice beaver round............Harold
 
I'm trying to decide between a .17 Hornet or .22 Hornet. Leaning more toward the .17 Hornet as I might not be reloading for a while and from what I read, factory .17 rounds are pretty accurate out of the box.
 
Bought an Anshutz 1430-1434 Hornet back in 75, favourite bullet was the 45 gr Nosler Solid Base Hornet bullet and 11.6 grains of WW 680 ball, almost out of both, 4 pounds goes a long way. Factory WW ammo shoots as good as my best reloads , under an inch. Don't shoot any of those rabbits or grouse in the body if you intend on eating them, reduced load would be the way to go. Started with a 40 mm 3-9 scope on it but changed to a Leupold Compact 2-7, it's fine at Hornet ranges. Case life goes to hell if you try to squeak every last FPS out of it, but I have a Bee and a Swift if I need to reach a bit further.
 
I have a Hornet in a old Brno and it has always shot good even with my reloads. I use 4198 since years ago that was just about all there was for it. The only problem is that the Brno is the most dangerous gun ever made. You can pull the triggers since it has two when it is on safe and it fires when you let the safety off. Another fellow I know in Alberta has the same gun and the same problem. Seems they were made that way.
 
Put a Timney trigger in that rifle and you'll really be happy with it. I halved my group size. Mine likes W296 and 45gr Hornadys. L'il Gun works good, too. Fireform and neck size only. Don't crimp, you'll start splitting case mouths.
 
Thanks for the responses guys.
I use LEE crimp dies for every cal I shoot. Realy like them.
I'm quite exited. And I was thinking a 2-7 leupold would a good match on this gun.

A 2-7 is not a good match IMO... you won't realize the accuracy potential without more magnification... consider 4-12, 4.5-14 or 4-16... I had a VX-3 4.5-14X40 and switched to a VX-2 6-18X40 AO on my last one and was glad for it...

If the rifle is a short range bush plinker/hunter then the 2-7 is fine... but I'm betting you are going to like shooting it and it will see range time.

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I had a model 43 Winchester in 22 Hornet. I didn't experience great accuracy with it but I only shot a couple types of factory ammo never got to reloading for it. Neat little cartridge though may have another some day.
 
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