Next Handi- 22hornet or 204?

[The Chad]

Want another handi, to be used mainly for coyotes, already have the 223. But, want something smaller, maybe let my girls use it someday. They each sound like awesome little guns, but which one. I know, know(Tim) get both... But which one first.

[henry1]

oh ohoh! I know, ! I know! The Hornet!!!! Mine is coming soon too! I wish you wouldn't have brought up the other one because somehow my brain skipped it when thinking of the "next one". So now it has been rekindled! LOL Thanks!
anyways thats just my .02$, I know that the hornet is a great little round and is as versatile as the handirifle itself.

[aulrich]

I went hornet because it is available in the super light version, because it is a walking varminter and the boys need to carry it. Also because it is a little quieter and a smaller jump from 22lr. And after we start bagging coyotes with it I will have 100% confirmation that it was a good step at this point I am 95%. Mind you my other handi is a 204, what will be the ussage.

[LaOtto222]

If your coyote range is going to always be this side of 200 yards then the Hornet. Actually it should be under 150 yards for sure kills. The only advantage the 204 has is longer distance. You 223 will get within 50 - 100 yards of a 204. The 22 hornet will be some what quieter than either the 204 or 223. Your girls will love the 22 Hornet too. Get the super lite and they will like it even more.

[The Chad]

Guess I will get the hornet first, well probably two of them anyway. One for me and a youth model for the kids. I have always wanted a hornet, and it sounds like it would be a lot of fun to handload for. And most of my coyotes are usually less than a hundred yards, so it would fit perfectly. Thanks Chad

[darat100]

I will be in the minority here, but I LOVE my fluted 204.  Tack driver if there ever was one.  I love to be able to watch the target at 150 yards when something goes pop!  I set mine up with camo lam thumbhole stock set and wouldn't trade it for anything.  It is by far the most fun handi I have to shoot.  (But the 445 is a close second!)

[saltydog]

IMO the Hornet is too light for reliable use on Coyote size varmits and game - yes I have used a Hornet on a coyote but it took a finishing shot even though hit in the lungs. Rabbits,potgut and so forth are all great use of the Hornet but I would recommend you get get another 223 - why worry about 2 calibers when you have an effective one - if you have just got to have 2 get the 204 Ruger.

[just bill]

Considering all you wrote.  IMO the 22 Hornet with out a doubt.

It's been around 70 years as a varmint caliber.  It would not surprise me if it has killed more coyotes than any other true varmint caliber made..........thats a long time to hang in there.

[tobster]

If you going to handload , why not just download your .223?  Hornet brass is thin and necks crush real easy when handloading,not to mention brass is more expensive than the.223.

[SM Bob]

Hornet brass is thin and necks crush real easy when handloading,not to mention brass is more expensive than the.223.

At Midway right now Winchester 223 brass is going for $16.99 for 100.
Winchester 22 Hornet Brass is going for $17.99 for 100. Not much of a
difference there. The great thing about the Hornet is you can get
almost 3000 fps using only 12.5-13 grains of Lil Gun and a Hornady
35gr V-Max bullet. The Hornet has been around for years and is
a proven varmint round. Nothing wrong with a 223 either. I say
go for the Hornet.

                                       Robert

[quickdtoo]

Me too, the hornet is a bunch of fun and easy to load for once you get set up, but of course, like I always say, get em all, you can't have too many Handis!!

Tim

[poncaguy]

I'll 2nd the Fluted 204, mine is a tack driver too..............

[McLernon]

The 204 packs a wallop compared to the Hornet. The 204 will reach out to 300 yards+ with no problem, the Hornet I regard as a 150 yard cartridge. I own and love both of them. For 'yotes I use the 204 with 40 gr Vmax's. Like has been said before 'get both'!

Mc

[MSP Ret]

for the girls (or for you or me) I say go with the Hornet, without a doubt. I have a couple of .223's and a couple of Hornets, the .223 used to have cheaper storebought ammo available but factory .223 ammo is quite pricey now. The .22 Hornet is a real beauty, a classic, and very cheap to feed if you reload....<><....

[MnMike]

Just load your .223 with 20 gr of Win 748 and 40 gr. bullets. It will keep any recoil sensitive shooter happy. Then you can buy the .204 which is a tack driver in a Handi.

mike