how well do the inserts work? whats the deal with the .22 hornet being listed as both a .223 and .224 diameter bullet?
The reason is that a lot of rimfire .22s were reamed out to Hornet and converted to CF; mrimfire bore is typically .223. I have several MH cadets that were so converted, but they will shoot .224 bullets without any real problem; .001" oversize bullets self-swage without a whole lotta pressure.
I have a K-Hornet reamer, because the thin, rather fragile brass of the original lasts way better when it is reformed with the sharper shoulder. I don't load my Ks any hoter than the standards, the difference that can be safely got just ain't worth going after.
As for life expectancy, look through the listings from the major bullet makers, just about all full range makers offer either a 40 or 45 gr "Hornet" bullet. The flat nosed "Bee" bullets work great too. These bullets do NOT work well in the bigger cases as they as very thin jacketed to give varment performance at Hornet velocities. A more fair comparison for the Hornet ( and Bee) is likely the .22 Mag., but it is a continuum that starts at the CB cap and goes up too scarey big gus like the Swift or the 22-250 Imp.
I just traded off a nice little Anshutz Hornet for a Sako Vixen in .222, because the coyote population (at least the survivors) have figured out about how far the Hornets will reach, when the deuce stops reachng, I will up to the 22-250, or maybe just strafe them with the SL-8!
, should get it within a couple weeks, got some collet dies today for it. Looking forward to wringing her out for accuracy and then culling some beavers with it. I have never heard one, so I'm hoping it will have a quieter report then my .223.
I just got a package! 
