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Author Topic: Anybody shoot a Hornet?  (Read 1224 times)

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Offline cheapshooter

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Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« on: February 18, 2012, 08:25:02 PM »
Well, I started my Contender addiction last Summer with a G2 Stainless with a super 14 35 Remington and 14" 22 LR Match barrels. I've added a 14" 223, and 10" 45-70. I'm now thinking of a 14" 22 Hornet. Not for any particular reason, just always thought the Hornet was an interesting caliber, and have never had anything chambered for it. I guess it's something a little better at 100 yards than the rimfire, but less than the 223.
You think it's worth another barrel and scope to just have for range shooting?
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Offline Thebear_78

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2012, 08:34:50 PM »
I had a 10" hornet with a 2.5x pistol scope on it.  It was a great shooting little pistol and worked well on fox/raccoons.  Shots out to 100 yards where fairly easy.   It was a fair bit easier to carry than the 14" .223 barrel and had a lot less muzzle blast.  Fun little barrel.
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Offline Flynmoose

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2012, 08:57:28 PM »
I have a 12" G2 pistol setup, shoots great. The 20" G2 carbine does as well. To really realize the potential of the cartridge, you need to handload. They are great on varmints and, though I wouldn't do it, have taken a few deer. I found it to be a very good caliber to introduce youngsters to the world of centerfire.
FM
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Offline Slowpoke Slim

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2012, 10:00:22 AM »
I have a factory 14" Hornet barrel. It is my most accurate factory barrel, and one of my most accurate barrels period. It will put 5 shots into one hole at 100 yards with boring regularity. I can't emphasize enough my recommendation to handload, especially for this cartridge. If you end up getting one, PM me and I'll give you my load recipe. It shoots just as well out of my buddy's single shot Savage rifle.
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Offline David D.

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2012, 12:40:18 PM »
Everyone should have a Hornet!!!! I have two, one is an Encore and the other a MOA. Both mine like 40gr. VMax bullets. Great little pistols for hunting Turkey.
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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2012, 01:09:29 AM »
    Over all the other 22 centerfires(I can't think of one I haven't had)the Hornet is pick of the litter, except maybe for my Bee.  I still have a 10" and 21" and as already stated ther're just "boringly accurate".  I also agree with Slim....reloading is a must.  I'm not throwing away my .223 or triple duce either, but they would have to go long before my Hornet ::) .
Walt
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Offline OLDHandgunner

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2012, 03:24:57 AM »
The 22 Hornet is a must for any Contender owner. The 22 Hornet has always been the most accurate of all the contender cartridges. Most loading books and articles with tell you this.
 
I have 2 Hornet barrels, one is a T/C Custom Shop 9" matte blue tapered barrel / with a Burris 5x. The other is a T/C Custom Shop 23" matte SS in 22k Hornet / with a 4x12 Mini Burris Target. Both are excellent shooters & fun to shoot.
 
As stated before, reloading is the way to get the most accuracy out of the Hornets.
 
And to your question as to is it worth buying a 22 Hornet barrel & scope? A definate YES.
 
 
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Offline cheapshooter

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2012, 10:29:50 AM »
Thanks guys....For helping me spend more money LOL. It was inevitable though.  I will be getting a Hornet barrel next, and right now am working on finishing out my "gun room" so I can get my loading bench back up and running. I don't think any centerfire barrel for a Contender is complete without handloads!
What magnification power do you recommend for the Hornet in say a 14" barrel? I kind of like the long barrels on my 'Tender, and the only short one I have is the 10" SSK 45-70 with open sights.
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Offline swift-justice

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2012, 03:59:05 PM »
Quote from: cheapshooter on February 20, 2012, 10:29:50 AM
Thanks guys....For helping me spend more money LOL. It was inevitable though.  I will be getting a Hornet barrel next, and right now am working on finishing out my "gun room" so I can get my loading bench back up and running. I don't think any centerfire barrel for a Contender is complete without handloads!
What magnification power do you recommend for the Hornet in say a 14" barrel? I kind of like the long barrels on my 'Tender, and the only short one I have is the 10" SSK 45-70 with open sights.
Any 2 or 4 power will work just fine.
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Offline stubshaft

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2012, 05:44:34 PM »
Good luck in finding one.  I was a late bloomer when it came around to Hornets but after buying one I could kick myself for not getting one sooner.  Triple deuces are also a great caliber especially if you shoot cast.
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Offline Richard P

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2012, 06:42:54 PM »
A hornet barrel is great fun. It is easy to make 2000fps from a 10'' barrel. As for optics you can go the traditional pistol scope route; or you can use rifle scopes. The recoil is mild enough that you wont get a fat lip. You should watch that the cases are sized properly and dont grow so much that you have the case mouth up against the barrel throat.
If you hotrod it, before long you'll need a 1/4x20 tap to reach in and clear the separated casing.  Once the threads start to get a good bite, use a rod from the front. Sometimes a brush will get them out but it is good to carry the tap.
Some will---and some wont stabilize the 55gr bullets. 50s do well.   
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Offline Ken Yerian

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2012, 05:31:21 PM »
Luv the hornet. . 45 grain works well for me.
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Offline Sixgun

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2012, 05:00:59 AM »
I have two ten inch Hornet barrels that I use for Hunter Pistol Metallic Silhouette.  One wears a 4-12 Bushnell Rifle Scope and one wears a Williams FP Receiver.  I use them in the scoped and metallic sight classes.  They are both deadly accurate. 
 
It is a good idea to use a rifle scope on a hornet.  It does not recoil so hard that it hits you in the face and a taco hold is much steadier than holding at an arms length.  I also use a taco hold with the Williams sight.
 
I mainly shoot cast bullets for silhouette competition.  They are just as accurate and don't do as much target damage and I have never not had a ram fall with at least a 1/2 bullet hit.  I use two bullets.  A Lyman 46gr and a RCBS 55gr.  Both use pop can gas checks and I have a master rating with both barrels.  I use 3.7gr titegroup with both for around 1600fps.
 
Last summer I decided to try some lil'gun.  The Hogdon manual minimum load with the 55gr got 2340fps with 3in groups at 100 meters.  Not quite as accurate as I get with jacketed bullets but still very impressive. 
 
Sixgun
 
 
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2012, 05:12:12 AM »
I loved my 10" HB hornet Contender!!

I shot a bunch of chucks crows and a couple song dogs with mine!!  Very accurate!

The guys are rite, EVERYONE should own at least one!!

I am contimplating reaming one to a K Hornet...

CW
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Offline Slowpoke Slim

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2012, 04:01:52 AM »
Hey Cheapshooter,

I have a 2.5-8x variable Weaver pistol scope on mine. I just prefer variable scopes for most of my shooting, especially if it's going to see field use. I like the flexibility.

Here's my 14" Hornet, all decked out in a benchrest wood set, ready to make the rifle boys cry a bit:

 :P

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Offline OLDHandgunner

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #15 on: February 25, 2012, 02:41:51 AM »
That's a nice looking set up. And I bet it will make the rifle boys cry.
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Offline tc scout

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Re: Anybody shoot a Hornet?
« Reply #16 on: February 25, 2012, 11:26:18 AM »
There's nothing like shooting the Hornet in a Contender. My 14" barrel with a Weaver 2.5-8X28 is the most accurate barrel I own.
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