22 hornet thoughts

[mickb]

I think ive posted about this before on forums, maybe this one. How is the 22 hornet viewed fellas? Is it the answer to something between a 22mag and a 223 or is an archaic relic only for enthusiasts which comes with a range of its own issues.

I have to admit the tiny powder charges and resultant low noise have always had me interested. Also the sheer popularity of it at one time meant it must have had some utility. Hercules/Alliant 2400 was designed for it specifically in the day after all. Not all calibres get their own actual powder.

First dramas Im guessing is finding new guns that still chamber it..

[deye243]

It's a relic that should be put out of its misery if you are into anemic Center fires just buy a triple two or a 223 and use Hornet projectiles and either some pistol powder or the same powder the hornet uses then you have no problems with the crappy thin brass made for the hornet .
It's just like the old 303 does actually nothing that a 308 won't do yet for some reason people still like using a tomato steak to play with.

[on_one_wheel]

It would probably be a great round if it weren't for the high cost and lack of availability when it comes to fast powders.

[Blr243]

What do u have above and below it ?

[bigrich]

i played with 22 hornet , amazingly, accurate little round. 35 and 40 vmaxs out of a krico would shoot ragged one hole with lil gun or 2205. i understand 2205 will be available soon . even loaded trail boss for around 1550 fps and good accuracy . BUT it's very niche. unless your regularly culling foxes, bunnies or cats where noise is a concern it's limited in it's usefulness as it doesn't have enough energy for game bigger than already stated . head shooting goats and hoppers out to reasonable distance , say 150 yards, it'd work , but 222/223 are superior except for noise levels. as it is i don't take my 222 or 223 out much these days , my 250 savage with 85bt's is far more emphatic as a light game general walk around rifle with more thump and reach to deal with anything i might come across . a lot less muzzle blast than a 243 too. it's got a old school type boom instead of the 243's sharp crack .

the hornet can be finicky , partial FLS , light crimp and small pistol primers help to get great accuracy . case life is about 3-4 firings depending on how hard your pushing it . i think i'd rather a 22mag and not have to reload if i had a use for a rifle with that type of energy level . if you want a accurate classic cartridge , 222 is way superior and inherently accurate . i use one for comps but still have my 223 tikka t3 for a "working" rifle .

just a few of my thoughts, hope the OP find them useful

[Tinker]

It's a relic that should be put out of its misery if you are into anemic Center fires just buy a triple two or a 223 and use Hornet projectiles and either some pistol powder or the same powder the hornet uses then you have no problems with the crappy thin brass made for the hornet .
It's just like the old 303 does actually nothing that a 308 won't do yet for some reason people still like using a tomato steak to play with.

Some of us really enjoy the history of the sport. Shooting a .303 accurately with iron sights is a good test of marksmanship. Even more fun is the old Martini Henry, hoisting a 480 grain projectile in front of a huge cloud of smoke and the whole range smelling like rotten eggs.
I shoot 22 Hornet from a Lithgow Model 24, again for the history. Very accurate even with the heavy military trigger.
I recently made the mistake of getting a cadet rifle in 297/230 Morris Long, which involved making my own brass out of Remington 22 Hornet cases which were the only ones thin enough for resizing. Trying to winkle 1.3 grains of Trailboss into these little cases is an experience.

[mickb]

Thanks fellas, I think I have already talked my way out of the idea again Just looking at prices of rifles for a start, $1400 for a used brno or CZ527 yeah nah.

[mchughcb]

Mick look at a nice secondhand anschutz if you have your heart set on it. I had a Brno hornet since I was 16 and could never get it to shoot.

Powder supply is a real issue at the moment.

[Oldbloke]

It's a relic that should be put out of its misery if you are into anemic Center fires just buy a triple two or a 223 and use Hornet projectiles and either some pistol powder or the same powder the hornet uses then you have no problems with the crappy thin brass made for the hornet .
It's just like the old 303 does actually nothing that a 308 won't do yet for some reason people still like using a tomato steak to play with.

100% 100% 100%
Wanted one for years. Hardy hear about issues for 223. Plenty of Hornet issues.

Bloody glad I bought a 223.

[mchughcb]

Thanks fellas, I think I have already talked my way out of the idea again Just looking at prices of rifles for a start, $1400 for a used brno or CZ527 yeah nah.

This is way better quality

https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fu ... s%2Fm2%2F4

[GQshayne]

Its a relic from a past era. Cases & powder not so easy to find. Not as good as a .222 or a .223. Probably not a good idea if you are thinking of the practical aspects.

You should definately buy one I think. Definately.

[bigpete]

I'd love one. With a bit of imagination its a very versatile cartridge.

[Billo]

I'd love one. With a bit of imagination its a very versatile cartridge.

I couldn't agree more, almost no recoil much like a 22 Magnum almost, which can allow you too see hits on small game.

I've had a few Hornets, some improved and in all 3 calibres chambered, it's not got the energy of the 223 and but it's quieter and fun to shoot.

If your a tinkerer and like reloading fiddly cartridges then there is heaps of fun.

I recently bedded and fixed the trigger on a new Ruger 77 22 Hornet and straight out of the box it shot 20mm 3 shot groups at 100mm with cheap factory PPU ammo. That's more than enough accuracy to head shoot bunnies or foxes out to 200m

[Bugman]

Had a hornet for a few years. (Ruger M77) Could be a bit of a bitch to seat projectiles, but I did like it.
Ended up a closet queen so I finally saw the light and sold it and bought something with a bit more grunt....a 243.

[yoshie]

I have one for 100m handgun metallic silhouette, almost perfect. Don't have to adjust the sights, unlike 357 and 44 magnum etc

[mickb]

Thanks fellas, its got some style and a following by the looks but I think the tinkering and fiddly aspects will put me off. I really need a point and click option for this gun as Im not overly inspired by tweaking small bores in general.

[animalpest]

I've had a Hornet for the past 40+ years. While I also reload for plenty of other calibres, I don't find the Hornet a challenge to reload for. The thin case does need a bit more finesse when seating bullets but I find the advantages of the Hornet outweigh the negatives.

[geoff]

I had a 218 Bee which are, for all intents and purposes, very comparable to the 22 Hornet. A fun little cartridge that was a pleasure to shoot and quite economical really, if that aspect matters to you at all.

I regret selling it quite often just because of how quaint and pleasant it was. Very little muzzle report, effectively no recoil, good for new or young shooters to have a play with before moving up to a 223

Great for stuff that you may want a bit more poke than a rimfire for topography or wind etc, without blowing the ass out of something like a rabbit with a 223

Look, the intermediate cartridges aren't for everyone but I would own another one again in a heartbeat. I enjoyed it and it was effective for what I used it for - surely that's what matters?

[bigrich]

Thanks fellas, its got some style and a following by the looks but I think the tinkering and fiddly aspects will put me off. I really need a point and click option for this gun as Im not overly inspired by tweaking small bores in general.

Like i said earlier, it’s a great accurate classic round, but you’ve got to have a reasonable use for it and like reloading. If you want a classic round that’s inherently accurate, 222 is it. Hard to find a load that doesn’t shoot well in it . But for most the 223 is very cheap to run with factory ammo and brass is cheaper. But in my opinion with 40-50 something grains projectiles it is more accurate than 223 . Just depends on what your expectations and uses are I guess. For comps I use 222, for walking around the paddocks 223 is more than enough. But I am thinking of revisiting a past project, the 6mm-223. Or otherwise known as the 6x45. Extremely efficient and shoots up to 87-90gn projectiles extremely accurately with more energy than a 223 1-8 twist with heavy for caliber projectiles. One pass through a sizing die , load and shoot . Even more barrel life than 222/223. Sorry to drift off topic….lol

[Oldbloke]

It's, 223 for me!

Fuk, I'm a poet and didn't know it!

[mchughcb]

Thanks fellas, its got some style and a following by the looks but I think the tinkering and fiddly aspects will put me off. I really need a point and click option for this gun as Im not overly inspired by tweaking small bores in general.

I sold my hornet and got a sako quad with 4 barrels. The 17HMR on rabbits out to 150 was fine. I've never regretted selling it or buying the quad.

[Bello]

Hello Mick b

I have several tooo many calibre firearms (as you do).
I asked myself the same question you asked about the 22 Hornet.
I looked at the ballistics of the 22 Hornet and then compared them to the 17 Hornet.

I bought the 17 Hornet.
I brought some loaded ammo and compared it to my reloads. The loaded stuff was about 200 FPS faster than what I could load.
I used ADI AR2205, 20gr Hornady V-max projectiles.
It’s a very low recoil firearm, I THINK rabbit, fox and cats out to 200ish meters, will be no problems.

All depends on what you want to do with it. If you’re looking for fun, add it to your collection. If your being practical, then get a 223, ammo is cheaper, it hits harder, (With the 223, I have taken Rabbit, Hares, Foxes and foxes, too many Chital dear, small pigs). 223 is a great calibre. It’s my main rifle.

My 2c

[mickb]

Hello Mick b

I have several tooo many calibre firearms (as you do).
I asked myself the same question you asked about the 22 Hornet.
I looked at the ballistics of the 22 Hornet and then compared them to the 17 Hornet.

I bought the 17 Hornet.
I brought some loaded ammo and compared it to my reloads. The loaded stuff was about 200 FPS faster than what I could load.
I used ADI AR2205, 20gr Hornady V-max projectiles.
It’s a very low recoil firearm, I THINK rabbit, fox and cats out to 200ish meters, will be no problems.

All depends on what you want to do with it. If you’re looking for fun, add it to your collection. If your being practical, then get a 223, ammo is cheaper, it hits harder, (With the 223, I have taken Rabbit, Hares, Foxes and foxes, too many Chital dear, small pigs). 223 is a great calibre. It’s my main rifle.

My 2c

Thanks mate for the thoughts. I'm not a collector so to speak, just 4 firearms. Bare minimalist these days. The hornet was to replace a 223 I gifted to my brother a while back but I might just get another now on everyones advice. Cheers.

[fnq22]

I reckon it depends on what you want to do with it and what niche its meant to fill...

I recently got a 17 HMR Anshutz which has proven to be a lovely spotlighting round..also have a 22 hornet Brno which also is super accurate just with factory ammo ..what i like about those is they are great for small game out to 175 yards or so..shot some groups at 200 yards at the range and they both gave great groups though in a hunting situation you would want a decent rest to ensure a proper kill shot at the longer range..

I see some reccomendations for 222/223 instead..my question is why a .223 when a 6mm will kill virtually anything way further and better then any 22 calibre..?

As a "one rifle fits all" calibre , well no, but the 17 and 22 hornet both have little recoil and arent too noisy and fill the gap nicely in between my .22lr and 243 ...

[straightshooter]

fnq22
Everything depends on whether you handload or not.
If you only use factory ammunition then yes the principle of the the bigger the game or the longer the range then the larger the cartridge needed applies, with the attendant need for a suitably chambered rifle.
The merit of the 223 is it is very amenable to being loaded back to replicate the performance of even a 22 RFM or a 22 Hornet or whatever. While also being capable of being loaded to full power and/or longer range with relatively heavy bullets.

[Oldbloke]

fnq22
Everything depends on whether you handload or not.
If you only use factory ammunition then yes the principle of the the bigger the game or the longer the range then the larger the cartridge needed applies, with the attendant need for a suitably chambered rifle.
The merit of the 223 is it is very amenable to being loaded back to replicate the performance of even a 22 RFM or a 22 Hornet or whatever. While also being capable of being loaded to full power and/or longer range with relatively heavy bullets.

And it's easy & cheap to do.

[Rathie]

As many have said above - depends on what you want it for, whether you handload etc.

I have 2 over the years. An early 50's Brno and a Browning A Bolt. Both wonderfully mild and accurate and the perfect walk around rifle for rabbit and fox.

With close carefully stationery shots also put goats in the pot and pigs on the ground.

Low report also a consideration if hunting on smaller properties.

I loved my time with the venerable hornet but moved on (222 and 223) as hunting priorities changed.

If you can support/justify a large arsenal - the Hornet will always bring joy.

[bladeracer]

fnq22
Everything depends on whether you handload or not.
If you only use factory ammunition then yes the principle of the the bigger the game or the longer the range then the larger the cartridge needed applies, with the attendant need for a suitably chambered rifle.
The merit of the 223 is it is very amenable to being loaded back to replicate the performance of even a 22 RFM or a 22 Hornet or whatever. While also being capable of being loaded to full power and/or longer range with relatively heavy bullets.

Additionally, the tighter twist rates of the .223 allow you to replicate Hornet loads with bullets unheard of for Hornet usage.

[fnq22]

Yeah guys i get your points on the .223 being more versitile and of course ammo availability anywhere....but then why not go a 22-250 which also does the same thing and quite a bit more....?

But in my case I have a .243 which then makes 22-250 redundant and a 22 hornet breachs that gap between rimfire and .243..

I cant justify it but i would not say no to either a 223 or a 22-250 though...its tough isnt it trying to work out the perfect range of calibres to own as often our needs over time may well change also...

I also had never even heard of a Sako quad but that looks extremely cool...wish i had have known about that before buying my .17HMR..

[bladeracer]

Yeah guys i get your points on the .223 being more versatile and of course ammo availability anywhere....but then why not go a 22-250 which also does the same thing and quite a bit more....?

But in my case I have a .243 which then makes 22-250 redundant and a 22 hornet breachs that gap between rimfire and .243..

I cant justify it but i would not say no to either a 223 or a 22-250 though...its tough isnt it trying to work out the perfect range of calibres to own as often our needs over time may well change also...

I also had never even heard of a Sako quad but that looks extremely cool...wish i had have known about that before buying my .17HMR..

I rarely use the .243. 80gn bullets in the .223, then if I want more velocity 85gn bullets in the 6.5x55m or 100gn in the 7mm-08, they pretty much all achieve the same results at the target. .204 or .223 both fill the gap from .22LR upwards with reduced loads, but the .223 is much more versatile than the .204 due to bullet choice. I have no use at all for WMR or HMR. .22-250 is great with lighter bullets. If you have one with a custom tight twist rate it doesn't push 80gn bullets significantly faster then the .223 does.