.22 Hornet

Ahsan Ahmed

Ahsan Ahmed

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I realize that this calibre has pretty much been dwarfed by the more modern .22 centrefires i.e. .222/.223 etc in this part of the world.

I would be interested in learning how many people still use this for jacks/varmints etc.....I like this cartridge due to subdued velocity/noise level as compared to those other CFs specially if one is shooting not too far from builtup areas.

On past ocassions where conditions/range permitted, I have used this effectively for barking deer (read, Indian Muntjac - roughly size of a small goat)+ at one time, an enormous Bobcat :D that was wreaking havoc on the poultry in a hill village (not the proper firearm to use but that was the only one available to me that evening and an unexpected opportunity for a shot).

Anyway, there is this CZ527 Lux that wouldn't be too bad or that new single shot Savage.....appreciate feedback from folks who may already be using one. Thanks,
 
I'm a new convertee Ahsan. :) I bought a lovely old model 43 Winchester a few months back (a trade with Doug actually) and am really enjoying it. Unfortunately there isn't really any varmits or other game worth using it on around here so I don't have any reports there though. :(

I think though it'd be an excellent compromise between the sluggish rimfires and the surprisingly loud .223s et al. And a 45gr hornet bullet at ~ 2700ft/s is no slouch. I've shot my hornet without hearing protection a few times and the report is not bad at all. Recoil is virtually non existant and you can see your hits through the scope @ 100yds every time. Mine shows good accuracey promise with factory fodder and I'm looking forward to getting set for reloading this wee cartridge. :cool:
 
My father used one for years for blacktail deer on Vancouver Island.

I'm not recommending that use, just reporting it. I have his Model 43 Winchester now and intend to scope it.

(Yes he did that deer hunting with iron sights, choosing only neck shots)

Fun gun to shoot. Funny about the Model 43 Salty, I know another shooter in your community who has one too, the deluxe model with checkering. Mine is plain Jane.
 
I know a game warden in Yugoslavia who used the .22 Hornet on Roe deer, feral dogs/cats, and European hare. I like them, although I have not shot game with it.
 
MD-you said your father used a hornet for deer on Vancouver Island-was that by chance his fathers' 22hornet?-I knew an old guy who was the gatekeeper of the watershed and thats all he used-but I thought his was a BRNO
 
No, ratherbefishin, he bought it off a Native seal hunter in the Seagate Hotel beer parlour in about 1964.
 
Presently, have my sights set on that CZ527 (BRNO rifles aren't same as those used to be) but still better than most :)
 
Back to MD, yes the .22 Hornet is quite popular around here. You can get ammo at both little shops up here, yet its hard to find in big stores down island. ;) I'm thinking they're used mainly on commercial boats for seals and sea lyons. Not that that's supposed to happen or anything... I do know an older guy who grew up in Smith's Inlet and there's been one in his family for years and its certainly bagged a pile of deer in the old days. Like your dad would have, very close range and head or neck shots. Not recomending this either, but that's how it was done years ago on the coast.

Back to Asahn, if I was looking for a new one I'd probably go with the CZ too. Not the same quality as the old BRNOs as you say, but you could say that about any new rifle these days. I've heard that the new ones are great shooters. :)
 
Actually, Salty, there is a BRNO 22 Hornet there too, if the fellow there whose initials are RR still has it. I last saw it about 30 years ago.
 
Salty said:
I'm a new convertee Ahsan. :) I bought a lovely old model 43 Winchester a few months back (a trade with Doug actually) and am really enjoying it. Unfortunately there isn't really any varmits or other game worth using it on around here so I don't have any reports there though. :(
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...hmmmm....and I think I know where Doug got that 43 from ;)

Rob
 
MD said:
Actually, Salty, there is a BRNO 22 Hornet there too, if the fellow there whose initials are RR still has it. I last saw it about 30 years ago.
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Don't think I'd know this guy, but you should pry it out of his hands and sell it to me real cheap :D :D
 
x 2

I have two Hornets, a CZ 527 and a Ruger 77/22. I also have a Model 43, but in 25/20 (was looking for one in .218 Bee, but no luck). I saw a model 43 in 22 Hornet at Lethbridge gun show, the fellow wanted $900 for it, and it was just the plain jane model.

The Hornet is definitely a good little gopher round, and if you handload for it, it can be a very pleasing little cartridge. If not, the good news is that Fedreal is now making factory ammo, and Hornady, Winchester and Remington all load lighter bullets.
 
I've had a 22 Hornet of one sort or another on my rack for at least 49 yrs,
most were Brno ZKW 465's which were all great shooters.
Currently my 22H is a nice custom built Martini with an old Lyman Super
Targetspot 20X scope. It keeps Win 45gr soft points inside an inch @ 100yds
I liked that nostalgic/classic style from the 40's and 50's
Every shooter deserves a little Hornet. Buy one and you will probably never be without one...Enjoy it..
 
Dennis pretty well nailed it - you get a .22 Hornet, you will probably always own at least one.

Yes Rob, that Model 43 Deluxe is in (at least) its third set of Gun Nutz hands. I got a nicer one (same model, but nicer wood) from Dennis a while ago....

Salty, you should ask Rob what he paid for that rifle originally! You did win the lottery already when you made that swap! ;-)

Doug
 
Doug said:
Salty, you should ask Rob what he paid for that rifle originally! You did win the lottery already when you made that swap! ;-)

Doug
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Well that figures Doug. The only time I end up a little ahead in this game of horse trading rifles is when I end up with a rifle that I do not want to sell. :rolleyes: ;)
 
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