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

[dchum]

Me and @jnotzon have been getting his grandpas (RIP to a great man and legend) little Ruger 77 .22 hornet dialed in.

It now wears a gloss 4x Zeiss Diavari which we both think is perfect . We are still looking for its most accurate factory load.

I’m am very lucky he will be letting me use it as we both are going for a Damara Dik Dik in May together on our Namibia safari with @KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS

 

[jnotzon]

Me and @jnotzon have been getting his grandpas (RIP to a great man and legend) little Ruger 77 .22 hornet dialed in.

It now wears a gloss 4x Zeiss Diavari which we both think is perfect . We are still looking for its most accurate factory load.

I’m am very lucky he will be letting me use it as we both are going for a Damara Dik Dik in May together on our Namibia safari with @KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS

Actually has an old Zeiss Diatal-C 4x marked West Germany… incredibly bright scope. Have shot Winchester Super X out of it and it’s right at an inch at 50 yards. Need to test some other ammo as @dchum mentioned and stretch its legs out to 100 yards.

 

[375er]

Me and @jnotzon have been getting his grandpas (RIP to a great man and legend) little Ruger 77 .22 hornet dialed in.

It now wears a gloss 4x Zeiss Diavari which we both think is perfect . We are still looking for its most accurate factory load.

I’m am very lucky he will be letting me use it as we both are going for a Damara Dik Dik in May together on our Namibia safari with @KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS

Are you guys reloaders? If so I am sure you can tighten up that group and you have time. I have that exact rifle and get decent groups at 100 with it.

 

[dchum]

Are you guys reloaders? If so I am sure you can tighten up that group and you have time. I have that exact rifle and get decent groups at 100 with it.

No neither of us are. We’ve only tried just Winchester super X

I’m sure we will try some different more quality ammo and get it sorted a little better.

Fingers crossed - but even right now I think it would get it done if needed haha.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Found this video on YouTube. It's comparing the 17 to the 22 Hornet note the last shot is the 22 Hornet, 45 grain. Yaoza.

 

[D.M.V]

I feel like the Hornet is just begging to be necked up to 25.

Awhh man. Wildcatting isn't dead yet. Great idea.

 

[Foxi]

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 .

I don't like them very much.
It's as loud as a normal cartridge and it's half an in-ear-operation to reload it, and I've never been convinced by its effectiveness.
We don't have prairie dogs and if you shoot a badger or a fox in a stubble field, you reach the limits of this cartridge at anything over 90-100m
If you don't have a sharp, track-safe dog with you, the animal is lost.
I love my .223 for that and I feel safe.

 

[BlueFlyer]

My first centre fire rifle that I bought as a poor Engineering student was a CBC 151 in 22 Hornet. I put a 6X Weaver steel tube scope on it. Used it for many years and it is still in the back of the gun safe.
Later on I started small bore competition and I bought a BSA 12/15 Martini actioned rifle. When I bought my Anschutz 1815 I had the BSA 12/15 converted into 22 Hornet as I really love this tiny little cartridge.
I have always reloaded, and a favourite load was/is 11.5gr of W296 with the Sierra 40gr hornet bullet. The only weakness with the hornet is the brass flow into the neck. You have to keep them trimmed but if you are not carefull the base will separate. From experience the easiest way to remove the top of the cartridge stuck in the chamber is to just nip up a 3/8 UNC tap into the stuck case from the breach and pull it out.
The K-Hornet significantly overcomes the case stretching problems.
My uncle had an early model Brno (CZ) in 22Hornet, that is a beatiful tiny Mauser action.

 

[PerH]

It is very popular as an insertion tube for combo and drillings . In Sweden the wardens had for many years , I think they still do have the dispensation to use it for dispatch of traffic injured game in urban areas . And it worked very well for them there.

 

[Philip Glass]

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.

I have used a .218 Bee quite a bit and even on deer at close range. It is very similar yet less popular than the .22 Hornet. I would advise using a .223/5.56 with Barnes 70g TSX for small African game.

 

[dchum]

I have used a .218 Bee quite a bit and even on deer at close range. It is very similar yet less popular than the .22 Hornet. I would advise using a .223/5.56 with Barnes 70g TSX for small African game.

.218 bee is a cool old round. My uncle uses it a his turkey gun

 

[WAB]

I feel like the Hornet is just begging to be necked up to 25.

I’m really, really hoping this is a joke Saul!

 

[Saul]

I’m really, really hoping this is a joke Saul!

Just wait until I cram it into a revolver.

 

[WAB]

Just wait until I cram it into a revolver.

LOL, just talk to our Nova Scotian friend about that. He is not allowed to have ammo for his .25-20 rifle because a few revolvers were made in that caliber! I doubt they could find one in all of Canada!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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.

@Ridge Runner
I have a 22K hornet I load with 40 gn Hornady VMax and the largest game u have used it on is wild dog and smaller goats. To me it's perfect for that size game but would have no problems using it in impala or springbok within its range limit.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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

@KMG Hunting Safaris
YES, I own in and use it regularly. It's built on an 1885 Winchester lowall and will put 3 shots at 100 yds that can be covered by the base of a hornet case. Shoots a 40 gn VMax at 2,900fps
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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

@Ridge Runner
To a head and do it you won't be disappointed but resale value may go down. I use 12gn of 2205/H110 with a 40gn bullet for 2,900fps and outstanding accuracy.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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

@Ridge Runner
Be careful not all hornets will shoot 50 grainers due to the barrel twist. I would love to use them but my barrel sends them out sideways thru the target. Loves 40 to 46 grains and the little Varmit grenade designed for the Hornet
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I'm thinking of it for the claimed increased accuracy. I have to experiment with various loads but so far the grouping is not as tight as I would like for these small critters.

What I understand is the K version spaces the cartridge in the chamber off the shoulder vs. the rim on the regular Hornet.

Any additional input regarding this from the many experienced hand loaders and ballistics experts?

@ActionBob
Both can actually headspace off the shoulder but the K version has a much more defined shoulder. Some hornets especially the BRUNO are notorious for headspace so once the case is fireformed it is advisable just to neck size or you will suffer case head seperation after a few shots.. Both are like any bottle neck case to load but the Hornet has a very thin neck so the slightest bump with the press will destroy the case.
I use Remington case only and have never had an issue in my K version. Loaded in my single shot I can load to a coal of 1.9" with the 40 gn VMax.
Bob

 

[WAB]

@Ridge Runner
Be careful not all hornets will shoot 50 grainers due to the barrel twist. I would love to use them but my barrel sends them out sideways thru the target. Loves 40 to 46 grains and the little Varmit grenade designed for the Hornet
Bob

Funny, mine won’t shoot 45 gr bullets but lives 50’s.