New Encore with 24" 22 Hornet (?)

[Dan Martin]

I've had a hankerin' for a Hornet for years but never owned one.....fixed that this weekend.

I bought an Encore with the 24" Hornet barrel and just mounted a 3.5x10 Intensity scope.

I currently don't handload (have in the past but time is an issue).  Any recommendations for /experience with factory Hornet loads?  My objective is a relatively quiet groundhog rifle for 200 yards and less...


Thanks folks.

[LHitchcox]

Try the Hornady 35 grain V Max. They are usually very accurate.

[Hopalong7]

If ever there was a caliber that screamed for reloading, I think it's the Hornet.  What little factory ammo I seen was very high priced and it's probably THE most economical round to reload.  I have three and love'm all, but I honestly can't remember EVER shooting factory stuff.  Sorry, no help here.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[alsaqr]

Been reloading the .22 Hornet since the 1950s.  I have a .22 Hornet barrel for my Encore:  It will shoot 1" three shot groups at 100 yards when I do my job.  All of my .22 Hornet loads use IMR 4227 or Alliant 2400 powder.  Most of my re-loads use 45 grain bullets:  I buy the bullets in quantity when there is a sale; it does not matter much which brand. 

10.5 grains of 2400 and a 45 grain SP makes a good chuck load.  Be careful when working up loads.  A couple tenths of a grain can make the difference between a safe load and one that is over pressure.   

[Dinny]

When you can get it, the HSM .22 Hornet ammo with Calhoon bullets have been very accurate for me. Cabelas has sold it for a while, no idea if they have any left though. Give it a try, I bet you'll like 'em.

~Dinny

[securitysix]

I shoot a .22 K-Hornet, so any factory ammo I fire is for fireforming purposes.  That said, when I was fireforming my first cases, I had some Hornady V-Max ammo in a 25 round box and some Remington ammo in a 50 round box.  Both were shooting 1" or better groups at 100 yards and .5" groups at 50 yards while fireforming in my .22 K-Hornet Contender.  I'm still working on finding a handload that will do that reliably. 

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

 ;)my hornet is a Browning, but I have had it since 1995. I think for a man on the east coast it is one rifle I would never be with out. From small varmits, on up it is a dandy. But reloading is required. I have shot little if any factory ammo through mine. Here in the west, it is great for grouse, ground squirrel, p. dogs, coyotes close, and cottontial rabbits. It is a dandy.

[securitysix]

;)my hornet is a Browning, but I have had it since 1995. I think for a man on the east coast it is one rifle I would never be with out. From small varmits, on up it is a dandy. But reloading is required. I have shot little if any factory ammo through mine. Here in the west, it is great for grouse, ground squirrel, p. dogs, coyotes close, and cottontial rabbits. It is a dandy.

So, I'm guessing you think the .22 Hornet is a dandy? 

It is a cool little cartridge, for sure.  It has some limitations that the bigger .22 centerfires don't, but it can do some things those same bigger .22 centerfires can't.  Learn its limitations and work within them and you'll have an excellent cartridge.  That seems to be the consensus of everyone I know of who likes the .22 Hornet.

[Dinny]

It is a cool little cartridge, for sure.  It has some limitations that the bigger .22 centerfires don't, but it can do some things those same bigger .22 centerfires can't.  Learn its limitations and work within them and you'll have an excellent cartridge.  That seems to be the consensus of everyone I know of who likes the .22 Hornet.

  I would have to definitely agree with this statement, but I would also say that in the hands of an extreme marksman the .22 Hornet is a force not to be reckoned with. A few examples:  Look at the older Barnes reloading manual under .22 Hornet, it pictures a zebra shot with the .22 Hornet.  It also mentions a warthog being killed by the same.  I just moved back from Germany a year ago.  I hunted there with some men who exclusively used the .22 Hornet for pigs(schwartzwild).  Their rational was that it was much quieter and didn't discourage other pigs from coming in later the same night.  I never had to chase a pig with them(nachtzuche).  Thank God too, that's dangerous a situation to be in.
  Just in case you're thinking like Paul Harvey, there is no rest of this story.  The German Jagers are great shots and pride themselves in making humane kills. Most shots were less than 100m and always to the side of the head and after dark.  Somewhat of a attribute to the quality of glass they use.  If you can afford, I highly recommend a hunting trip to Europe, it is quite an experience that not only involves hunting but also fine food and spirits unlike you have ever had in the US.  As much as I would like to think I'm a good shot, I hunted with a 30-06. "Bring enough gun" was my motto.

~Dinny