Make and Model poll for the Hornet

[inthebeech]

I'd like to start looking around for a Hornet (any action style at this point but bolts are preferred) and I apologize if this has been answered previously, but I'd like to know what is out there that I could find chambered for this round.  I'll list the guns that I know to hopefully save you some typing.  By the way, I'd prefer old guns but this isn't a requirement (I don't have any guns made before WW2 except for a Ruger Flat Top 44 special and that's just because I gave up looking for this great round in an old Smith).  (The * identifies those I would be interested in buying if anyone knows of any at their local gun shops).  If you happen to have personal experience with any; their temperment, rigidity, ability to epoxy bed... I'd welcome the input as well.  I happen to know where a Savage 340 is but have no clue about its ability to be bedded properly / rebarelled - things that might be useful to know.

*Savage 340
new Savage 40
Ruger 77/22H
Anschutz 1730
NEF / H&R
Pre 64 Model 70
*Win 43

Thanks everyone,
Ed

[martineta]

Mine aren't old old but I like them.  I have two 22 hornets.  One is a 24 inch thompson encore that shoots like a dream and the other is a 10 inch Thompson Contender that I enjoy as well.

[Flynmoose]

My bolt action 22 Hornet is a CZ 527FS. It is beautiful and accurate. I love the mini-Mauser action. I
don't like the magazine hanging below the stock. My solution was to buy a single shot adapter from
Calhoun products. I don't hunt with it and find that by shooting in single shot, I shoot better and use
less ammo. I have several 22 Hornets made by Thompson Center, great shooters! Whatever you decide
to get, plan to reload. 40 grain bullets and Lil Gun powder is a match made in heaven!!
FM

[Lloyd Smale]

my blued ruger has been a great gun. It shoots 35 vmaxs into 3/4s of an inch for 5 shots all day long.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  My Hornet is a Browning Mico...it is a great shooter...if I were buying new today and could not get a Browning, I would probably go with CZ...But from what I have been hearing, Rugers NEW barrels are very accurate..I have a new #1 that seems excellent....

[Higene]

I have had a TC Contender, a Savage 340, and a Ruger M77. The bolt on the Ruger 77 needed to be shimmed to get it to shoot right - Connecticut Chambering did the work. There is a Bolt fix for $100 and a bolt chamber package for $200. Even after the Smith work (bolt shim only) the 77 was only OK.
The Savage shot well. To use Sierra 40 Gr HP or Nosler Ballistic tips the cases had to be trimmed so that the bullets would fit in the mag. The 16" Contender did it all.

PS IMHO K-Hornet looks better on paper. It is a lot of work with very fragile cases for very little gain.
Don't get me wrong K-Hornets shoot but the most accurate loads for me were possible with hornet range data.

PPS If CZ made a left handed 527 I would have one. I have a 452 and am saving for a left handed 527 American in 223.

Higene

[Dixiejack]

I agree with you about the K-Hornet.  Easy to fire form, but when reloaded and fired I have had a lot of case necks to split.  I like the .218 Bee.  Have one in a HI Wall with a 10X Fecker scope. Sub MOA at a 100 yds. when i do my part.

[1armoured]

I have a Savage M40 and an Anschutz.
I have also drooled over a Micro Hunter,
and previously owned a Brno.

Most of the European sporting arms manufacturers have chambered a Hornet in the past, and all those that I have seen or shot have been good examples and worth owning.

Not many do now that I am aware of.
Anschutz have recently ceased production of their 1730. Their previous 1400/1500 model version designations of the same rifle were just as good.

Most if not all (Except the Brno/CZ) of these were on their rimfire actions, and as such are on rear locking actions.
They have a reputation for stretching the brass a little more than frontlockers,
but I have found using Lil'gun powder, with it's reduced pressures, this is nullified.

Anschutz, Walther, Krico, Weihrauch, Sako, Brno/CZ etc all made quality Hornets.

The Savage M40 is also a rear locker, but a pretty beefy, solid action, and I have found very, very accurate.
Good trigger too, which I find very important for accurate shooting.
Single shot, and can be a pain to chamber the round. OK if you're shooting off a bench, but I wouldn't buy it for a 'walkin' varminter.
Maybe with Savage there is an element of luck involved getting a good one ? I don't know.
Mine is certainly a tack driver, and half of what my Anschutz cost me.

The Browning is a great rifle. Certainly worth considering,
as is the CZ527.

Cooper makes fine rifles,....if you have a large budget !

The Zastava and their rebadged Remington/Charles Daly is a no frills hunter.
Balkans made and made and sold to a price, so I guess you gets what you pay for.

I'm not a great fan of the single TC's, NEF, CBC type actions.
nor Rugers of any description.

There must still be a few old Winchester and Remington Hornets around, although they might be on slightly larger actions.
And probably need a good check over !
I think the older triggers could possibly be an issue too, both for creep, weight of pull, and lock time.

The thing to look for in an older Hornet is throat erosion and barrel pitting just beyond.
Also headspacing can be an issue.


In my mind, just about anything can be made to shoot, but some are just easier than others ! 

cheers,
SS

[hotrunner]

I've owned: 1. Savage Model 40 Hornet. Accurate, but subject to "flyers" with any ammo. No magazine; for some reason that bugged me with a  Hornet. The 40 was also fairly heavy. Basically outdated, see #3 below. 2. NEF. First Hornet owned. bought for a gun to keep in the barn for emergency groundhog work. Stock trigger too heavy and didn't want to screw with it also didn't like the break-barrel action; spent the $ toward that Savage 40 after I sold it. 3. Have my name on a dealer list for one of the new Savage Model 25 Hornets. Should be an improvement over the 40, with locking lugs, a magazine, and a little more "carryable". FWIW, I've owned Cooper and C-Z .221FB's in those same small actions/rifles as the Hornet. Both excellent, except for the CZ scope/bolt handle clearance issues, and the Cooper being "single-shot", if that's a concern.
     

[Blackhawk44]

Put Ruger #1's and #3's on your list.  If your budget is big, a pre-'64 Winchester Model 70.  I looked for an old Savage M 219 breakopen single for years without luck.  When I was younger, I was always impressed with their fit and smoothness.  Several friends would not part with theirs.

[Dixiejack]

inthebeech, my question is what is going to be you primary use for the Hornet?  Seems that would dictate what type action,  are you going for strictly accuracy, varmint hunting, or just a fun gun. By your list, I would think a fun gun. 

I agree with Blackhawk44. The Savage 219 is one slick rifle.  Been looking for one for years, also. 

 

[PaDan]

I love the Hornet, when Ruger intro'd the 77H I put my name in for one and after a long wait it arrived. I was dissappointed to say the least, accuracy was not what was expected. Ordered a CZ 527 American, big difference, then picked up another from a local . Obsessive ?, maybe, but hey it's my life. I' ve since bought and traded off a Handi rifle, traded off the one CZ and recently bought another 527 LUX (just cause it reminded me of the BRNO 465) all in 22 Hornet. My wife thinks that I'm nuts but, I'm having fun.  Also have my sights set on another CZ 527, this time the full stock version. Did I say that I love the Hornet? Oh, I just missed a Savage 219 in the local traders paper, must be slipping. Sorry for the hi-jack, but I really have taken a shine tonthe Hornet. 12.5 gr. Lil Gun, 35 gr V-max.......... PaDan

[inthebeech]

Thanks all for your input.  You've mentioned a couple of models and a few manufacturers that I didn't know about so this is very useful.  I hesitate to admit that this is just a woods walking fun gun because of the prices of some of these models and frankly some of those desirable features mentioned are nothing more than personal preference for me. 
There's a huge show comming up in a couple of weeks so maybe I'll get lucky; not likely since it is about as competitive as an on-line gun auction but we'll see.
Ed

[manatee1947]

you might want to mosey over to the NEF forum here and take a look. My Handi is as accurate as my sons ruger bolt and cost less than half. Despite what you might think ( I used to ) Handis are pretty nifty, and barrels are largely interchangeable. Check it out.