New Hornet rifle

[Bourt]

No love for the walnut, headspace?

[headspace]

Hey Bourt,

Mate I'm huge fan of the walnut, I did some checking and found that the rifle is actually a Remington 799. They bought these out in about 2006 with that Mini Mauser action in a limited range of calibres. The actions and possibly the barrels were made by Zastava but Remington put their own stocks on them. It was offered in either a laminated wood stock or a synthetic.

Boyd's have a stock for this and in order to get a walnut stock I'll order one that's unfinished and do the final work myself. I find synthetic stocks a bit jarring especially when the blueing on the barrel and action are so good as this.

JD

[Lorgar]

I find synthetic stocks a bit jarring especially when the blueing on the barrel and action are so good as this.

Ditto. Not a fan at all.

[headspace]

I took the 222 out to the range today, the scope on it is a 6-24x43 Barska, and I'm not in love with it.

There's not a lot wrong with the scope it's just too much scope for a little rifle with a 20inch barrel that's supposed to be a walk around thing. So the scope is going to be replaced with a Vortex or some sort, probably a 4-12x40 and the stock will also go in favour of the fore mentioned Walnut from Boyd's.

In the meantime I had tightened the mounts which were loose, removed the stock and relieved a bit of plastic so the barrel would float. I had 100 rounds of Winchester Super Varmint and shot off 40 of 'em. It looks like it will be a genuine sub MOA rifle once I get the stock and scope sorted.

So far so good. All this and I'll still be well under the cost of a new Zastava plus scope.

[Tiiger]

If you're MOA mid way through all that fiddling it's definitely promising.

[headspace]

Yes mate, I'm looking forward to some good things with this little rifle. It's going to be the fox rifle to beat I reckon. Nice little 20 inch barrel will make it easy to handle in the bush.

[Aussier]

It makes life easier.

Gotta wonder at the guys lugging 26" barrelled rifles through the next bush. There is always one...

[headspace]

I have 2 rifles with 24 inch tubes; a 270 and a 223 varminter.

My 308 has a 22" and you already know about the 222.

I can't see a 26" barrel being part of the kit unless it's purely a long range thing.

JD

[Lorgar]

24" is about the limit for bush, forest I reckon.

Less if you're in real dense stuff.

One of the QLD guys here does pig hunting in cane fields. Want it real short then.

[headspace]

The change over is complete. I've finished off the work on the stock and inletting and changed the scope over to a 4-12x43 Vortex Crossfire whish looks pretty good so far. I've also done up the trigger and eliminated the creep although there is still a slight 2 stage feel to it. It now breaks at a nice 1.5kg. The stock has had about 8 coats of Tru-Oil sanded between coats with fine steel wool. After the final coat I rubbed it down with Rennaisance Wax. I've also fitted a thin Pachmayre? pad in place of the plastic butt cap that the stock came with. Shooting time on Wed. I'd like to post a pic but have no idea how.
JD

[creet]

The stock has had about 8 coats of Tru-Oil sanded between coats with fine steel wool. After the final coat I rubbed it down with Rennaisance Wax.

Sounding shiny

Pics coming?

[Aster]

Hi Creet, it's not all that shiny mate, I rubbed the last coat of tru oil back then rubbed in the wax. It's got a sort low sheen to it and the grain is nice. Soon as I can figure it out I'll post some pics. The rifle shot a 1.16" group at 200m today so I'm smiling.
JD

Edit: Pictures added

5shot group at 200m

target.jpg (21.51 KiB) Viewed 7412 times

Zastava barrel and mini Mauser action with a Boyd's walnut stock I bought unfinished

rifle-tree.jpg (49.43 KiB) Viewed 7412 times

[creet]

Good effort

[on_one_wheel]

Hi Creet, it's not all that shiny mate, I rubbed the last coat of tru oil back then rubbed in the wax. It's got a sort low sheen to it and the grain is nice. Soon as I can figure it out I'll post some pics. The rifle shot a 1.16" group at 200m today so I'm smiling.
JD

Try the instructions in this link for uploading your photos viewtopic.php?f=27&t=1011

[Aster]

Pictures added above for you headspace.

[headspace]

Aster,

Thanks for that mate, I'll have a go at doing it myself next.

Cheers,
John

[greenonion]

Far out grain on the stock there.

I know it's a flaw but it's kind of cool

[butiwanna]

Vortex on top there?

[Harper]

Good shooting for a short barrel sporter

[headspace]

GO, I really like the grain in that stock, I don't know if they all come like that, but it's good value for under AU$160 all up.

Butiwanna, yes mate. it's a Vortex 4-12x43 Crossfire. I was going to get the next one up but heard some really good reports of the Crossfire.

Harper, thanks mate, I was pretty impressed with that considering the effective range of the rifle is only supposed to be 250m. That was with 50gn Vmax and 21gn 2207 and CCI BR primers, Winchester cases.

JD

[Mich]

If anything, it probably works in your favour for hunting

It would camouflage better than a solid block of brown stock if it didn't have the different colour timber through.

[headspace]

Hi Mich,

You're probably right there mate, I bought it and built it up from a barrelled action to use mainly as a fox rifle, but there's always the chance of a wild dog or feral cat around.

Going to try some 40gn pills in Hornady and Nosler soon.

JD

[AusC]

Good shooting for a short barrel sporter

Good for any hunting rifle.

[robbo1980]

What about the Weihrauch headspace real nice bit of kit even comes with the double set triggers you like!!!! I'd buy one in a heartbeat!!!

Yes yes I have a weihrauch hornet and its a bloody tack driver. Puts 5 shots into the size of a 5 cent coin at 100m.

[bigrich]

any opinions on rear locking bolt hornets to front locking ones ? any opinions on scope choice for walking/stalking versus varmiting/sniping ?

[GCol]

I have a 1992 vintage CZ 527 and have to say with the mini mauser action makes a great rifle. I had to play with the magazine to increase the available length to shoot the Hornandy 40gn v max seated out to the lands but worth the messing around. The Hornet is good for at least 175 m on foxes. I am able to load above the ADI load data with AR 2205 with no issue and good accuracy.

[Oldbloke]

Fossil Thread.jpeg (39.73 KiB) Viewed 5498 times

[bigrich]

Whadya sayin OB ? Hornets are fossils ? Going out to get some wabbits with me fossil this afternoon

[GCol]

Hi Bigrich
Giving that the Hornet is a centrefire(yes a small one) that makes me want to use a front locking action. I know that there are some fine rifles made on rimfire actions but they will always have issues with the longer higher pressure Hornet cartridge. Also you can load them up higher for more velocity with a good front locking centrefire action.
I have had my Brno/CZ 527 for around 20 years and in some ways oldbloke is correct in saying it is a fossil but still fills a niche between the 22 magnum and 222/223 very well which I guess is why it is still around. To get the best out off it you need to hand load it as for some reason the projectiles that are factory loaded are round nose and at modest velocities(maybe because of the weaker action it has been chambered in). I have found the 40gn V max very good even at Hornet velocities and may try the 35 gn version one day. Even though I have just picked up a Tikka T3x lite in 223 I would not get rid of my Hornet.

[in2anity]

Wait, wasn’t OB referring to the thread?