22 Hornet any good?
- Thread starter tomcat
- Start date
- Location
- British Canuckistan
I see a 22 HNT CZ 527FS in my near future...
Great cartridge, get it in a CZ (I have a Ruger
)
)
- Location
- on the road again...
22 hornet
since you are asking i will give you my opinion. i have owned a hornet for several years and have reloaded for it a little bit as well as shooting factory ammo. i have heard some people say that the hornet is an obsolete cartridge that is surpassed in performance by so many modern cartridges that it should be forgotten. i fully disagree. the hornet is a great round if you only expect it to do what it is designed to do, that is to perform as a light duty centerfire varmint caliber for shots up to about 200 yards. the hornet is fully capable of taking coyote size game up to this range, and a little further on gophers. the almost non-existent recoil and subdued report of the hornet are very desirable characteristics, especially if you live in an area where you may annoy near-by residents with a larger rifle blast. the down side of this cartridge is the cost of the factory ammunition, almost one dollar per round. if you reload then the upside increases dramatically as a pound of powder goes a long way when you only use 12-13 grains for a typical "hot" load. you will be limited to bullets under 55 grains because of the twist rate in most hornet rifles, and the brass is thin so caution is required when resizing so you do not buckle cases. all in all i feel the hornet is in the same class as other classic calibers created during the same time period, namely the 30-06 and the 375 h&h, timeless cartridges that have an old world charm.
since you are asking i will give you my opinion. i have owned a hornet for several years and have reloaded for it a little bit as well as shooting factory ammo. i have heard some people say that the hornet is an obsolete cartridge that is surpassed in performance by so many modern cartridges that it should be forgotten. i fully disagree. the hornet is a great round if you only expect it to do what it is designed to do, that is to perform as a light duty centerfire varmint caliber for shots up to about 200 yards. the hornet is fully capable of taking coyote size game up to this range, and a little further on gophers. the almost non-existent recoil and subdued report of the hornet are very desirable characteristics, especially if you live in an area where you may annoy near-by residents with a larger rifle blast. the down side of this cartridge is the cost of the factory ammunition, almost one dollar per round. if you reload then the upside increases dramatically as a pound of powder goes a long way when you only use 12-13 grains for a typical "hot" load. you will be limited to bullets under 55 grains because of the twist rate in most hornet rifles, and the brass is thin so caution is required when resizing so you do not buckle cases. all in all i feel the hornet is in the same class as other classic calibers created during the same time period, namely the 30-06 and the 375 h&h, timeless cartridges that have an old world charm.
Sums it up perfectly IMO
migrant hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
+1 what Cummins said. Great cartridge for what it is, don't get a Ruger.
I have a ruger, converted to K hornet with a timney trigger and floated barrel.
It's very pickey about loads, but it's shooting into 3" at 200 with 35 gr vmax handloads.
Get a cz if you can get one, I wish I had!
I have a ruger, converted to K hornet with a timney trigger and floated barrel.
It's very pickey about loads, but it's shooting into 3" at 200 with 35 gr vmax handloads.
Get a cz if you can get one, I wish I had!
Please don't buy a ruger as they are not the best hornets out their and feel awful in the hands! The Savage model 40 (new model) is accurrate, but again is no walking around gun. If I were to buy a knew gun it would be a CZ as this seems to be your price point, and you don't have to get a new trigger,barrell or stock. This is one of the best for your money, I have owned 5 hornets in my life and this is the only one I regret selling. Each rifle will have its limit in accurracy, this round is very particular to its rifle. You must be a handloader to get the best accurracy out of the gun, and its to exspensive to buy factory. I currently own 2 hornets and old Win. model 54 and a BRNO combo gun and I am on the lookout for an Sako model 78 these are real caddilacs
I hope you have alot of fun when you deside on wich hornet fits your need and your pocket book! If I were to buy the best factory available hornet today I would get either a Cooper or a Kimber. Best of luck in your choice of rifles, Dale in T-Bay
I hope you have alot of fun when you deside on wich hornet fits your need and your pocket book! If I were to buy the best factory available hornet today I would get either a Cooper or a Kimber. Best of luck in your choice of rifles, Dale in T-Bay
I have a Ruger #3 & a Browning micro (got in EE). Love the cartridge. Great gopher rabbit etc. Have shot a couple coyotes but not the best gun I have for that. When my sons were younger I never got to shoot the #3 as it was there 1st pick.
longbeardking
Member
- Location
- New Hampshire USA
I have a Hornet in Savage model 23D. I have had no issues relaoding for it. I have had no issues killig fox, crows, or woodchucks. I wouldn't part with mine for love OR money.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
I used to have a #3 carbine... Great little cartridge within it's limitations. As has been pointed out, expensive to buy factory, but inexpensive to reload for. A pound of powder goes a loooooong way.
CZ is a great choice.
Great little cartridge within it's limitations. As has been pointed out, expensive to buy factory, but inexpensive to reload for. A pound of powder goes a loooooong way.CZ is a great choice.
The hornet is a useful cartridge, halfway between a .22LR and a .223, double the reach of the rimfire and half the noise of the .223.
In some farming country gopher fields the hornet is preferred because it doesn't disturb the neighbors like the bigger cartridges do.
200 to 250 yds is very do-able with the hornet. IMO it's a nicer gopher gun than the .223 or 22-250. I've smoked a few 200 yd coyotes with the hornet, but the .223 or .22-250 have an edge on yotes past 100 yds, IMO.
In some farming country gopher fields the hornet is preferred because it doesn't disturb the neighbors like the bigger cartridges do.
200 to 250 yds is very do-able with the hornet. IMO it's a nicer gopher gun than the .223 or 22-250. I've smoked a few 200 yd coyotes with the hornet, but the .223 or .22-250 have an edge on yotes past 100 yds, IMO.
Last edited:
