Ruger #3 in .22 Hornet. Was the barrel correct?

[mannyrock]

 
Dear Guys,
 
   I am thinking about perhaps getting a Ruger #3 in .22 Hornet, for close varmint and squirrel hunting.  But I have a technical question.
 
   I remember years ago, looking at a Browning Low Wall in .22 Hornet.  It was really expensive.  I was very surprised to hear that they were not very accurate at all, because to save money, Browning didn't use a true .22 Hornet barrel on them (which I think are actually .25 caliber?), but instead used some type of stock .22 barrel.
 
  My question is:  Did the Ruger #3 in .22 Hornet have the correct, true, barrel for the .22 Hornet round.
 
  Also, does anyone have any info on the accuracy of these with factory ammo?
 
Thanks, Mannyrock

[mannyrock]

 
Dear Guys,
 
   From some quick research, it appears as if the .22 Hornet actually uses a .224 caliber bullet.  I guess the question remains, though, as to whether Ruger used a proper sized barrel or not.
 
Thank, Mannyrock
 
P.S.- When squirrel hunting, I sit in deer stands, shooting down only.  So, no risk of firing that Hornet up into the air.

[pastorp]

Never heard of a hornet using 25 caliber bullets. 25=.257, I think what your referring to is prewar hornets were .223 not .224 as we have nowadays. Current barrels should all be .224 correct for modern ammo.

[.22-5-40]

Hello, mannyrock.  The Ruger No.3 in .22 Hornet used a .224 groove dia.  I wonder if what you are refering to is rifling twist?  The old standard 1-16 twist for the Hornet came about because at the time the Hornet came out, Winchester was producing the ammunition...But there were no commercial manufacturers building the rifles!  Gunsmiths were converting everything from BSA martini .22 rifles, to old original Ballard and Winchester High & Low wall .22's.  Of course the std. L.R. twist was 1-16" so that became the std.  Today manufacturers are still handicapping this fine little round with that old-slow 1-16".  I have a custom Hornet on a Sharps Borchardt action with a Shillen 26" oct. 1-14" twist.  I can use bullets up to 55 grains with accuracy.

[mannyrock]

 
   Thanks for all of the info guys.  You have jogged my memory.
 
   The Low Wall Browning (copy of a Winchester) that I was looking at a several years ago was brand new, with an octagonal barrel.  What I think I remember is that Browning  "cheaped out" and used a .223 barrel on it, instead of a .224, giving it lousy accuracy.   I was just about to pay $850 for it, when I happened to read this on the internet.  I passed it by asap.
 
  Glad to hear that Ruger used the correct barrel.
 
Mannyrock