22 Hornet options

[inthebeech]

If one wanted to have a gun built around the Hornet, can you folks comment on platforms and a rough idea of the work invilved.  At this point I am just gathering information so I do not have a preference - bolt or Single shot.  I did read something recently that it was a popular project many years ago to rebuild a Krag of all guns, in to a Hornet.  I don't know the details of how the extractor was made to work.  I do know that the magazine was useless but customers were still getting it done and creating very robust single shot bolt guns.  There's very little that hasn't been done I suppose but I am perhaps a bit more practical.  I am not going to go too far down this path if the scope of work is excessive.   
If there's a chance that for a more reasonable investment (under a grand), that a fairly readily available bolt or single shot can be rebuilt in to the Hornet, I'd like to get your thoughts.
I have no issues with the Ruger No 1's or 3's.  I am simply asking.
Thanks.

[DEACONLLB]

If you are open to almost anything Thompson made the TCR 83 which has set triggers a rich deep blueing and came in 22 Hornet and wood is not too bad they come through Gun brokers and gun shows for around 800.00 with mount and rings it is a single shot break open. Ruger number 1 b can be found in hornet if you look. and the encore can be had with a Hornet barrel also a contender or G2 can be had pretty easy. These are just a few that would be well under a grand.

Deaconllb

[.22-5-40]

Hello, inthebeech.  I believe Lyman has their little Sharps rifle in this caliber.

[pastorp]

For a bolt gun in hornet I would start with the little mini mauser action that CZ uses in their 527 line.

For a SS hornet I would use a browning 1885 low-wall.

Both guns are available in hornet from the factory but the low-wall might exceed your $1000 limit. 

Regards,

[keith44]

H&R Handi-Rifle is the cheapest (being a tightwad this is what I own), I have seen low wall rifles with octagon to round barrels built for the hornet, I've seen rolling block rifles chambered, etc.  If you really want a custom and not a factory built model, you might want to look at CZ.  I have seen CZ's chambered for the Hornet going cheap.  Buy one, and have the action re-done to your tastes and a fancy maple stock built for it.  It'd be more of a semi-custom but should come in right around your goal of $1,000.00 or less depending on how fancy you get with the wood, and checkering, and engraving, and polishing, and how you have the metal work finished out.

[pastorp]

Good grief Keith, we are in the custom rifle section are we not.  . Handi rifle, surely you jest.

Regards,

[keith44]

not suggesting the Handi, just stating my personal choice.

[pastorp]

Keith, do you mean to tell me, honestly that if you were offered a new handi rifle of your choice. Or a new merkel single shot of your choice you would take the handi rifle.  not me I would take the merkel & run. 

Regards,

[keith44]

Nope, just sayin' what I put my money on 8 years ago.  Haven't seen a need to change yet.

[Ladobe]

I guess I could say the same for a TC Contender or Encore, but I'd add a custom barrel and stock set.     They shoot very well, and you will be well under $1K to way under it depending.

But why build one when there are many excellent choices already out there?

I've had a lot of 22 Hornets over the last five & a half decades...   and for a single shot my favorite was a Browning 1885 Low Wall (for $600 at the time).   Second choice single shot would be a Cooper 38 Classic for walking, or a Varminter, MV or VE for bench.   Still have my favorite bolt repeater, a 1949 BRNO ZKW465 with double set triggers.   They can be had for around $1K sometimes (more for one like mine though).

If I was going to build a custom Hornet, it would be a 17 Ackley Hornet.   In fact, that's what I bought the 22H Low Wall for, but it shot too good as a 22 Hornet to rebarrel/chamber it.   Have had 3 custom 17AH's, all TC/Bullberry Contenders (pistol and carbine)... and 1 semi custom bolt SS, a Cooper 38 Classic.    They replaced all the 22H's I had except the BRNO.   Couldn't let that one go... except for the rarer factory stock it is like the one Pops taught me how to shoot with in the early 50's.

FWIW - YMMV

[geezerbiker]

They're harder to find but a small action Martini would be a good choice.  Either an Australian cadet or a British target
rifle, both would be great.

I went with the British BSA target rifle for my .22 K-Hornet...

Tony

[gunnut69]

What ever you do don't buy a CZ527.. They shoot so well that you'll never get around to customizing it! All kidding aside the 527 FS I bought shoots better than any Hornet I've ever owned and thats' been a few..Kimber, Winchester 54, Ruger No.1,(No.3 for a very short while), Winchester 43.. the list is a bit sad but the Hornet is a fine round if a bit fickle in the accuracy department. I advise a CZ 527FS and a good scope. Mine shoots under an inch with a rather modest 3x9 scope on top in CZ rings. It came with 2 mags from an individual in California and was really cheap..  One warning,,If you buy one you won't be altering it as it'll shoot too good to change...

[jlwilliams]

  I'm in the process of converting a Martini to Hornet.  Should be a neat little gun when it's done.
 
  In my opinion, if you want to go Hornet then you might as well go with something antique or at least with an older flavor.  It's a historic varmint round and is best matched with an historic action.  If the end goal were strictly to have a 22 centerfire rifle, then a brand new .223 will do everything the Hornet will do and more, for less money.  Nothing wrong there.  If the goal is a gun with a different character than you get from a synthetic stocked Savage bolt action (again, I have no beef with that) then a low wall, Uberti baby rolling block, or some other interesting action in interesting wood makes a nice match with the old 22 Hornet round.
 
  BTW, when the Hornet was developed way back when, the test rifles they used to try out the variations that became the new cartridge were '03 Springfields and Martinis.  For what it's worth, there is that historical connection.
 
  I think a Krag would be pretty neat too.  For that matter, maybe even a trapdoor action would barrel up nicely.  That may need a little bit of analasis to make sure it's safe, but the thought popped into my head as I was typing so there was no point in holding it to myself.

[Higene]

Where did you find the Martini action?


TC made a factory octagon 10" k-hornet. That and the factory octagon 44/357 Bain/Davis are my favorite Contenders.

[Flynmoose]

I too love my CZ 527 FS in 22 Hornet, nice looking and accurate. I liked the Hornet so much I bought a 24" TC factory Encore barrel, a 20" TC custom shop G2 barrel and a 12" factory G2 barrel. That's a few hungry mouths to feed, sweet misery at the loading bench! They are all fun and accurate, pick one and go!
FM

[eskimo36]

This is my hornet. Turnbull did the color and Luxus did the wood.  I have mounted a Zeiss 2.5-8x 32 0n it since this pic in warne quick detach rings.  Ruger made less than 400 hornets in the 1-A configuration.

[Rock Home Isle]

H&R Handi-Rifle is the cheapest (being a tightwad this is what I own), I have seen low wall rifles with octagon to round barrels built for the hornet, I've seen rolling block rifles chambered, etc.  .....

My Dad has a Handi-Rifle in .22 Hornet. Dang!! that rifle is accurate.