Author Topic: 22 hornet in Encore. Opinions? (Read 575 times)

Sandy Flakeman · « **on:** January 15, 2005, 08:32:50 AM »

I'm looking to buy a 22 Hornet custom barrel for the TC Encore and would like to know if anyone has any experience with this round. I plan on using factory loads and a factory frame with a custom barrel,( Virgin Valley).

Also, I would like to know what type of scope to place on it. I prefer Leupold and will be using it for Coyote out to 100 yards. Thanks.

Catfish · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2005, 01:24:18 PM »

The old .22 Hornet was the first long range varmint round. It`s still a good round today. While not nearly as flat shooting as most of the newer varmint rounds, it will still do a good job to about 200 yrds. on groundhogs. A well placed bullet will drop a coyote with no problem. Another selling point of the Hornet is that it is not as loud as the hotter varmint rifles makeing it better suited for more populated areas. On my hotter varmint rifles I mostly use 3 x 9 Leupolds. I have a .17 AH that I shoot alot and it wears a 2 x 7 Leupold. For the .22 Hornet the 2 x 7 would probibly be my choice for mostly hunting. If you were going to spend quite abit of time on the bench a 3 x 9 would be alittle better. Years ago I shoot a .22 Hornet alot. That gun wore eather a fixed 4x or a fixed 6x scope and I killed alot of game and it didn`t seem that 1 scope was noticeably better than the other, both had strong points and weak points.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2005, 02:23:28 PM »

Thanks Catfish. I was leaning towards a 2x7 power myself.
Any Leupold model suggestions ? I only use Leupold.

Thanks again.

Sandy

22popnsplat · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2005, 05:39:49 PM »

I have a 24 inch factory encore barrel in 22 hornet, It shoots 5/8 inch average 5 shot groups at 100 yards with a best group so far of .283. Its a bit finicky but carefull handloading will get them to shoot. For paper punching I put a weaver V24 on it.

Catfish · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2005, 12:43:13 PM »

All of my Leupolds have been eather fixed power or Vari Xll and I have no complaints about any of them. I did buy 2 Vari Xlll`s at a gun show Sat. and plan to put the 3 1/2 x 10 on my .204 barrel so by Spring I`ll have a better idea if the Vari Xlll`s are really worth the extra money, but I really don`t think you can go wrong with any Leupold.