The 22 Hornet: Uses: Your Choices in ammo, on animals, results

[Ridge Runner]

I am starting this thread for the sole purpose of not hijacking or deterring from others' OP's related conversational posts.

This thread is to help those of us who are planning to take and use the 22 Hornet to gain confidence and what limits on size of African PG this caliber should be used to hunt.

Also to gain ballistic knowledge about this little caliber while in practical use vs theoretical computations.

Ballistic and practical information on using .224 bullets designated for 22 Hornet vs .224 bullets designated for .223/5.56 caliber.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I am starting this thread for the sole purpose of not hijacking or deterring from others' OP's related conversational posts.

This thread is to help those of us who are planning to take and use the 22 Hornet to gain confidence and what limits on size of African PG this caliber should be used to hunt.

Also to gain ballistic knowledge about this little caliber while in practical use vs theoretical computations.

Ballistic and practical information on using .224 bullets designated for 22 Hornet vs .224 bullets designated for .223/5.56 caliber.

Just to confuse you even more, have you seen the 22 K Hornet?
Very interesting concept.

 

[D.M.V]

My cz527 in 22H is a complete tack driver with some speer varmints and some H110

 

[Tgood1]

I've used a hornet for a couple decades across several states. Currently use 45 grain barnes. Just a fun effective gun when used with careful shot placement.

 

[spike.t]

My son years ago used his ruger 22 hornet to take a puku and kafue lechwe...both one shot kills...First time I had anything to do with this calibre...just thought would be nice upgrade from his ruger 10/22lr...was very impressed with it...used Remington ammo as found a couple of boxes recently in a trunk....as thought had some, as I got a zasatava m95 mini mauser action in 22 hornet just recently as one came in in a shipment to the gun shop I use....not used on anything yet ,but its a great little rifle and has iron sights...problem is only ammo in the shop is hornady 35grn varmint stuff....but have the Remington put aside for when I get around to using it on something....way finns puku and lechwe went down I was impressed...

 

[WAB]

I’ve put literally thousands of rounds through my No 1 in .22 hornet on prairie dogs. It is extremely fun doping the wind with the little gun. Mine won’t shoot 45 gr bullets. It loves 50 grain TNT’s driven by 4198. However, these are varmint only bullets as they give immediate membership to the ‘red mist society’. (If you haven’t googled that you should).

Renner is currently working his magic on my hornet.

 

[Ridge Runner]

My cz527 in 22H is a complete tack driver with some speer varmints and some H110.

May I ask:

What powder grain weight of H110?
What are your ballistics: velocity, KE,?

I'm still testing loads using: H110, and IMR4227.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Just to confuse you even more, have you seen the 22 K Hornet?
Very interesting concept.

Actually had to do some research.
I'm considering converting my 22 Hornet to 22 K for increase in brass life and velocity.

 

[Mekaniks]

I really like the Hornet and have had several from a Thompson Contender, Savage O/U, Winchester Model 43 and currently have a CZ 427 which is the most accurate of all of them.

I use a max load of AA1680 powder and 45g Speer SP bullet. Makes for great small game hunting and plinking

 

[WAB]

I’ve put literally thousands of rounds through my No 1 in .22 hornet on prairie dogs. It is extremely fun doping the wind with the little gun. Mine won’t shoot 45 gr bullets. It loves 50 grain TNT’s driven by 4198. However, these are varmint only bullets as they give immediate membership to the ‘red mist society’. (If you haven’t googled that you should).

Renner is currently working his magic on my hornet.

I misspoke on the above. I am pushing that 50 gr TNT with 11.1 grains of W296.

 

[Saul]

When do you decide to reach for the 22 Hornet?

 

[WAB]

When I want to have fun! When I lived in WY I burned roughly 5,000 cartridges per year on prairie dogs. My main gun was a hyper accurate .22-250. I would shoot it until the concussion gave me a splitting headache (yes I was wearing hearing protection). However, for pure fun I would grab the hornet. Doping a 200 to 250 yard shot in a stiff Wyoming breeze is just awesome with the little gun.

 

[Surgeon1]

I’ve shot thousands of prairie dogs with a 22 Hornet. Currently have 2 Ruger 77s and a custom based on a Ruger action! Mostly shoot 40gr Vmax using 296. All will shoot 1/2”. Had an Anchutz then a Sako custom years ago! Coyotes and foxes and sage rats are also easy targets
Have thought for 3 years of taking one to Africa to finish my Tiny 10

 

[channelkat]

Thank you for posting this topic. I am intrigued by both the 22 hornet and K Hornet and this sort of data is exactly what I have been looking for. Will keep an eager eye on posts!

 

[Don458]

I use my Hornet for fox on a Farm that I hunt. I use the 35gr vmax with lil gun . Shots were never more than 125 yds .

 

[channelkat]

I use my Hornet for fox on a Farm that I hunt. I use the 35gr vmax with lil gun . Shots were never more than 125 yds .

So those varmint loads don't destroy a little fox? Forgive my ignorance. I have absolutely no experience with this cartridge but debating on picking one up, or just continuing to work up some "tiny 10" load for a currently owned rifle.

 

[Don458]

So those varmint loads don't destroy a little fox? Forgive my ignorance. I have absolutely no experience with this cartridge but debating on picking one up, or just continuing to work up some "tiny 10" load for a currently owned rifle.

This was a load I worked up for coyotes on the farm, During Deer hunt had yotes all over so I decided to take the 22H out . The two fox i shot really didn’t have that much damage ( more than usual but not that great). Same with yotes that came close. I did load it up to max.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I misspoke on the above. I am pushing that 50 gr TNT with 11.1 grains of W296.

Thanks. I have W296 powder and searching for FMJ 50 grain bullets.

 

[mooze]

I am starting this thread for the sole purpose of not hijacking or deterring from others' OP's related conversational posts.

This thread is to help those of us who are planning to take and use the 22 Hornet to gain confidence and what limits on size of African PG this caliber should be used to hunt.

Also to gain ballistic knowledge about this little caliber while in practical use vs theoretical computations.

Ballistic and practical information on using .224 bullets designated for 22 Hornet vs .224 bullets designated for .223/5.56 caliber.

all modern hornets are/use 224 diameter. You'd have to get a 1950s gun or older to get a 223 bore.I use 35 gr VMAX factory ammo in a K-hornet ( fireforms well, excellent accuracy) and 52 gr bergers and TSX 45 gr in reloads. W296 is H110. I like Little gun and AA1680 best. AS I have a 222 as well I use the hornet only for Varmints.
Coyote/wolf up I use a 243.

 

[D.M.V]

May I ask:

What powder grain weight of H110?
What are your ballistics: velocity, KE,?

I'm still testing loads using: H110, and IMR4227.

So I don't have a chronograph so I can't give you those numbers.

But my best load was 11grns of H110 with a Speer 40grn SP Varmint projectile. Seated at 1.73 in my gun. 1.49 on a CBOG.

I was also playing with some Lil Gun loads around the 13grn mark but I don't remember them really giving me the accuracy I was happy with.