Author Topic: 22 Hornet  (Read 1228 times)

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Offline don29

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22 Hornet
« on: February 28, 2014, 06:37:30 AM »
i have a 223 Ultra Varmint.
 
i'm considering a 22 hornet barrel (to be fitted by H&R)
 
i also have a 22-250.
 
the economics of the 22 hornet are very appealing when it comes to reloading. i have 22 hornet reloading dies and lots of fired brass for it...i had a 22 hornet barrel years ago but 'hard times' forced selling before i could get familar with it.
 
anyone have the 22 hornet on the SB2 frame? what success? like? dislike? open sighted? scoped?
 

Offline Dinny

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Re: 22 hornet
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2014, 06:40:37 AM »
I've had a few Handi Hornets. They all shot well. Through reloading, you could turn your .223 into a Hornet class shooter using any number of mostly available powders.

Thanks, Dinny
Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

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Offline HWB13

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2014, 06:52:29 AM »
Don, I love my Hornet.  Very accurate and a blast to shoot. Did a custom paint job.  Ever since I bought it the Green Hornet was on my mind.
Kevin   
Handi's:17 Mach2, 17 HMR,17 WSM, 22LR, 22 Win Mag, 204 Ruger, 22 Hornet UV, 22-250 UV, 25-06, 30-30, 35 Whelen, 30-06, 20gaX2, 20GA ultra Slug, 12ga ultra slug, 12 ga Turkey, H&W 45-70 BC X2, 45 LC CC, 44 Mag, 500 S&W and 140+ non-H&R types

If you have to shoot more than once you should not have shot the first time.

Offline rdlange

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2014, 06:56:01 AM »
Well I have one [SB2 barrel & frame] and it shot pretty good last year.  But factory ammo was scarce/expensive so I started gathering 'stuff' to reload.  Then I reamed it to K Hornet and fireformed a dozen.  Then light bullets got very scarce so I 'kept' them.  Then I got distracted by 'other' interests.... So I think you have a good idea.  And.....

Here are TWO more questions to add to yours. 

1.  Guidance requested on cast bullet shooting for the Hornet, and...

2.  WHAT is a good cast bullet for an OLD mod. 158 Hornet barrel?  It MAY have a 1-16" twist; or not???

Just fyi... midway has the Lyman 225415GC DC on sale right now. [but at 55gr it MIGHT be too heavy for the 1-16 twist] 

Glad you posted Hornet question.  I was about to...

Think as if you LIFE depends on it... IT does..!  Be Well...

Offline twoshooter

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2014, 07:45:41 AM »
I love my Hornet, I had it on an SB2 frame initially but tried it on a 410 SB1 frame I had and the groups shrank dramatically so it stayed there. I know that theoretically downloading a 223 will produce Hornet equivalent loads, but it really doesn't. My Hornet replaced my 22 mag that I gave to my grandson. I shoot 34 gr bullets at around 2800-2900 fps. I don't think my 1-9 twist that slow  would go as well. The load density is good, the case is full, I use 11 gr of IMR 4227 so I get over 600 rounds to the pound, that is pretty economical. Case life so far has been better than I originally expected also. It goes out with me more than any other rifle I own.
1000 years ago Men KNEW the Earth was the center of the Universe.....500 years ago Men KNEW the world was flat....... 15 minutes ago you KNEW man was alone in the universe.... Just IMAGINE what we will know tomorrow !! "K"- from Men in Black.

Offline don29

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2014, 07:49:25 AM »
the heaviest bullet shown in my old speer is 52 grains with a top speed of 2395 fps with the slowest speed of a 223 shown as 2594 fps with the same bullet; 199 fps difference...
 
enuff to "lay the smack" on critters within 100-150 yds...
 
not bad ballistics from a cartridge as dimunitive as the hornet...

Offline MAN - GA

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2014, 08:04:45 AM »
I looked for one for a year and found it last Dec. at the NRA Whittington Center in New Mexico over CHRISTmas so I bought myself a CHRISTmas present.  Only shot a few factory rounds thus far, but have several hundred bullets and brass and 3lbs of Lil,Gun, 2lbs of H110, and 1lb of 4227 I picked up in the last two weeks to try.  Last weekend my 8yr old sized all the cases and we ran them through the vib cleaner.  We need to get to loading and go shooting.  I am impressed by the accuracy with factory rounds thus far - 8 & 10yr old can shoot nickel size groups at 50yrds.  I think it is a lot of fun thus far.  Money well spent for me

Offline SEK_22Hornet

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2014, 11:46:31 AM »
I hope to get back to playing with some of my Hornets when the weather warms up. That includes two H&R's (one 158 and one new one reamed to K Hornet on my Buffalo Carbine, and my CZ527 Varmint in 17 Hornet). Be sure to try both small rifle and small pistol (NOT Magnum) primers with your loads to see which one works best. I always loved Winchester 680, but it is long gone, except for some surplus I bought recently to try. Also read a lot of good comments about Lil' Gun and some good comments on AA1680, which is supposed to be really close to Win 680, but I need to work on loads for all to find out what I like best.  I use jacketed bullets - around 45 grain so far. I haven't played with the 35 grain Hornady's yet.

Offline Spanky

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2014, 12:22:39 PM »
I've knocked the stuffing out of quite a few whitetails with my Hornets. :)
45gr. softpoint ammo is my favorite.



Spanky

Offline Old Fart

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2014, 11:41:00 PM »
I lik mine. It came a s a recent production gun with the ambi stock.
I really like that stock on the hornet. Like others mine is a reaal shooter.  ;)
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2014, 12:21:27 AM »
I like mine, Just haven't shot it enuff yet to give a good review and seeing as I just reamed it to K Hornet I am starting all over. Very fun round to shoot thou and yep it's cheap to load. I cast my own bullets so I am gonna work on getting a good cast load worked up on it. 8)
Badnews Bob
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: 22 Hornet
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2014, 01:22:32 AM »
I've knocked the stuffing out of quite a few whitetails with my Hornets. :)
45gr. softpoint ammo is my favorite.



Spanky

Any idea on velocity Spanky? It's good to hear Hornet success stories on whitetails. A lot of the internet commandos out there act like anything less than a 7 Mag is no good.

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