Author Topic: 22 centerfire reccomendations (Read 729 times)

docbones · « **on:** April 28, 2004, 02:39:37 AM »

Gentlemen,

I am thinking of setting up a 10-inch bull barrel and I am hoping to hear your sage opinions on which 22 centerfire I should get. I am only interested in rimmed cases, thus my choices would be 22 Hornet, 22 K-Hornet, 218 Bee or 22 Jet. Any opinions are certainly appreciated. Also do you think I can get acceptable accuracy from a factory T/C barrel? I just hate the thought of long waits for the truly nice customs and I doubt my own mediocre abilities would adequately reflect on a custom barrel. I guess the other choice would be to consider a rechamber but I just don't know. Thanks for your time.

Docbones

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2004, 04:31:23 AM »

Docbones, I think my three greatest weaknesses are Tenessee sour mash, firm feeling women, and .22 centerfire barrels for my contenders, not necessasarily in that order. All three keep me in trouble constantly. Like you, I like, but don't limit myself to rimmed cases. Since we're talking 10" barrels, I would rule out the larger cases...222, .223, magnum and improved versions, and the .219Zipper. I think my favorite, if it were rimmed, would be the .221fireball. But of course it's not. I have heard of folks making it that way by using 357Max brass, but I haven't tried it. I love my Bee's and it's about half way between the Hornet's and fireball in velocity but they are hard to find. A Mashburn or Ackley version of the Bee might be the way to go. Fox Ridge doesn't list either but a phone call couldn't hurt. The only one I've never tried is the Jet and the improved version of it. It would have to be pretty close to the Bee. I've rambled around a lot and said very little but I think the good news is, they are all great! Which one is best? I'm sure you'll get a lot of answers.
Good luck and GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

Bullseye · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2004, 03:30:54 PM »

I would go with that timeless 22 hornet. I have a factory 10"er and it will shoot under 1" at 100 yds all day long if the knucklehead behind the trigger does his job. I have one 10 shot group at 100 that just made one big hole.

Paladin · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2004, 05:32:36 PM »

I know you said 22 centerfire, but I really like the 256 win mag. I also do like the hornet.

Sixgun · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2004, 03:46:42 AM »

I have to put in my vote for the 22 Hornet.

I use my 10" factory barrel for NRA Hunter Pistol Silhouette. It wears a 4-12X40 Bushnell Sportsman scope. It will shoot under 1 inch at 100 meters with several of my loads. It works good with cast bullets also. The original loading for the Hornet included cast bullets.

Using a "Taco Hold" with a rifle scope you are much more steady and you can get a suitable rifle scope that will work on a Hornet, much cheaper than you can get a suitable pistol scope.

I have taken mine out ground squirrel hunting here in Southern Idaho and from a rest with the scope turned up to 12 power, nothing is safe out to 200 yards.

Sixgun

Sixgun · « **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2004, 04:03:09 AM »

No, I don't have a digital camera or a scanner at this time.

Mine wears the old style walnut grip with the thumb ridge on it. I put that on to make weight before they uped it to 5 lbs. It also has a walnut forend.

The barrel is a ten inch bull with the soddered on front sight, so the bell of the scope has to be behind that. The 4-12X40 Bushnell Sportsman is short enough that this isn't a problem. I have a weaver mount and weaver see-through rings and a hammer extender.

Sixgun

wiley · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2004, 04:19:59 AM »

is a lot nicer case to work with than the Hornet. Thicker walls, slightly bigger capacity, ect. It gets bad press from flat nose bullets and stretchy lever actions; neither is an issue in the Contender.

Steve Ruchala · « **Reply #7 on:** April 29, 2004, 04:29:13 AM »

What is the "Taco" hold?

Ladobe · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2004, 03:54:46 PM »

I have 10" barrels in 3 of your choices... 22 Hornet, 218 Bee and 22 Jet. If I could only have one of them it would be the 218 Bee. My :money:

JOE MACK · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2004, 02:16:51 AM »

I've got 12 inch barrels in .22K-Hornet and .218 Bee. The Bee brass can be a little hard to find now and then. I also have a fun little round called the .22CCM. It's pretty quiet and does a good job on vermin at short range. Brass can be difficult to locate, too. I'd go with the K if I could only have one. JMHO. :grin:

redhawk44 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2004, 07:20:28 AM »

I have a 10" 221 FireBall and like it a lot, but if I could find a 218 Bee, I would buy it. I have had Hornet barrels, but the ballistics are less that awsome and brass life is short.

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2004, 04:08:18 PM »

I would go with the plain old .22 Hornet. It is commonly found. Reloading components are widely available and the gun is fun to shoot. In my opinion, you could go with the bigger rounds such as the 223 but at the expense of the fireball effect.

jeff · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2004, 06:34:53 PM »

I'd recommend the Bee over the Hornet, particularly if you reload. The reason is if you are lucky to keep having birthdays, you will find that your fingers won't work as well in later years. The bee is a bit larget in diameter and easier to grasp (personal experience). I'm also partial to the Mashburn variety. If you go with a Hornet, consider the K-Hornet in either case both will fire factory loaded ammo. Brass for the 218 is only made by Winchester, in a pinch you can also use 25-20 or 32-20 although the cases will be a little on the short side. Bullberry chambers the Mashburn. Here's the Bee transformation to a Mashburn.