223 or

DGY

DGY

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I’m wondering what would be the most versatile, the cheapest to shoot between 22 Hornet, 22k Hornet, 222 or 223? Mainly for plinking at the range and maybe the odd varmint hunt! I want to shoot more but don’t want to spend more money than I need to reload?!?!
223 is definitely the more common and available I would think?!?
 
You are correct that 223 is likely the cheapest mainly because brass is so readily available at a reasonable price or even free. That said without brass in the equation 22 Hornet (more finicky to reload) and 222 are cheaper when it comes to the powder department. Primer and bullet cost is the same for all.
 
.223... free brass, cheap bullets, readily available SR primers and lots of available powder that goes a long way... end thread.
 
Everyone seems to think because brass for the 223 is cheap or free it is the answer but if you are concerned about saving money then the Hornet will get you more than 575 rounds loaded per lb. of powder and the brass has a long life as does the 222. The 222 will get more than 300 rounds loaded per lb. of powder and is so much quieter than the 223. I have them all and my favorite is the 222 unless I'm in the gopher patch and then the Hornet goes to work.
 
vmax204 said:
Everyone seems to think because brass for the 223 is cheap or free it is the answer but if you are concerned about saving money then the Hornet will get you more than 575 rounds loaded per lb. of powder and the brass has a long life as does the 222. The 222 will get more than 300 rounds loaded per lb. of powder and is so much quieter than the 223. I have them all and my favorite is the 222 unless I'm in the gopher patch and then the Hornet goes to work.
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Having owned a dozen or more Hornets and K-Hornets, I can safely say that any savings in powder "ain't worth it." You will have to buy brass, and even with care you will crumple some of those paper thin cases, and they are a PITA to load. I have super accurate Reduced loads for my .223's which narrow the powder gap and then win in every other category
 
You can down load a .223 to be a .22 Hornet or even a .22WMR.

.223 with a 8 or 9 twist is very versatile and practical option for training, varmints, deer, matches, etc….
 
hoytcanon said:
Having owned a dozen or more Hornets and K-Hornets, I can safely say that any savings in powder "ain't worth it." You will have to buy brass, and even with care you will crumple some of those paper thin cases, and they are a PITA to load. I have super accurate Reduced loads for my .223's which narrow the powder gap and then win in every other category
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You are right about the Hornet being delicate to load especially if you have big fat sausage fingers but the life of the brass is much better than the 223 and 222 brass lasts even longer. Brass has to be replaced eventually no matter what you are loading for. I personally don't buy used brass or use any military ammunition in my commercial rifles so cheap brass is not a consideration for me. I buy new and keep very good records of my reloads.
 
Joel said:
How's the 223 brass when loaded to clone 222?
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It lasts forever, and the added advantage is that .223 brass is practically free if a fella is just looking for plinking ammo!
That being said, my hunting/walking varminter/trapping rifle is a .222- only because I have owned it since the late 60's.:p
Cat
 
iron cat said:
It lasts forever, and the added advantage is that .223 brass is practically free if a fella is just looking for plinking ammo!
That being said, my hunting/walking varminter/trapping rifle is a .222- only because I have owned it since the late 60's.:p
Cat
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That one must have some stories. How many barrels has it been through?

Trying Starline for "serious" 223 loads here, but have plenty of LC, etc...like you said cheap and plentiful!
 
.223ai or even simply .223 throated slightly longer.
7 or 8 twist barrel and the sky is the limit. 500yards and beyond no problem.
Plane Jane .223 9” twist is good out to 500 yards generally. Obviously you can stretch it out, but consistency starts becoming an issue.
I’d say brass is about as good as it gets no matter which direction you go. I’ve got 10 plus reloads on well prepped military brass that easily shoots sub half minute.
 
Joel said:
That one must have some stories. How many barrels has it been through?

Trying Starline for "serious" 223 loads here, but have plenty of LC, etc...like you said cheap and plentiful!
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Still has the original Anshutz barrel! At one time it was amazingly accurate on targets, it is not nearly as accurate now as far as groups go, but i don't shoot groups with it- there is not a coyote within 300 meters that I will miss with it however!
Cat
 
Ok that is what I thought, 223 is the most sensible choice! 222 is a good choice but a bit harder to find brass or even rifles I guess!
 
hoytcanon said:
Having owned a dozen or more Hornets and K-Hornets, I can safely say that any savings in powder "ain't worth it." You will have to buy brass, and even with care you will crumple some of those paper thin cases, and they are a PITA to load. I have super accurate Reduced loads for my .223's which narrow the powder gap and then win in every other category
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Dozens, ehh? IMO, If you say " I can safely say" first warningt BS flags go up big time. Lol... looks at what you posted in the past in order what you to try sell what is IMO your obsolete garbage. That goes a long way, so as you say, "... end thread".
 
Yup 223 is the way to go, been shooting one for years, I had a 22 hornet and a 17 hornet and sold them both, the 223 is the cheapest and easiest to load for and will give you better range. Most standard 223's will have a 1:12 twist which is fine for light bullets up to 60gr if you are planning to shoot heavier bullets then look for a 1:9 or maybe a 1:8 twist both are fairly easy to come by and will let you load up to about 80gr bullets.
 
riversrest said:
Dozens, ehh? IMO, If you say " I can safely say" first warningt BS flags go up big time. Lol... looks at what you posted in the past in order what you to try sell what is IMO your obsolete garbage. That goes a long way, so as you say, "... end thread".
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Reading comprehension is obviously not your strong point. States “ a dozen or more”. He actually knows what he’s talking about concerning the reloading of the hornet. The hornet is a fun round but I can safely say a PITA to reload !! Maybe stay off the booze when posting. It has really helped me. Haha
 
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