Handi Rifle in .22 Hornet accuracy ??

[41 magnum]

Anyone have first hand knowledge if they are accurate outta the box?
 
Thanks
 
John

[Brian P.]

That would be an issue primarily of the rifling.  I can say my 1/9 223 can put 10 cold shots into 1.25" at 100yrds.  I load mine with SR-4759 and Hornady 45gr hornet bullets to the 2800-3000fps range.  I also use H4895 and Speer 70gr soft points at 3000fps for the deer season.  The scope has to be adjusted but the bullets follow the exact same trajectory which I think is pretty neat   Military brass is cheap and tough as nails compared to hornet brass, too.  Just my $0.02
I ALMOST got the hornet myself, until I did some researching on reduced 223 loads.

[41 magnum]

I, too, would down load 223 ammo, BUT, my buddy asked me, so he must have a chance at a purchase.
 
I knew with all these great folks, someone has the answer...........
 
Thanks

[Brian P.]

If set on the cartridge I would certainly go for a handi in 22 hornet.  My best groups at reduced (22AH - 218 Bee range) were with the hornady 45 gr hornet.  The 34gr dogtowns (I think they're called - the ones from Midway) were super accurate as well but I wanted a heavier bullet for coyotes.  The 55gr dogtowns were almost as good as the hornady's.  The 46gr Winchester has an awesome looking hp but didn't group well in my gun. 
I would certainly try one out. Also, my hornet shooting friends universally recommend using a LIGHT crimp using a LFC die.
 

[twoshooter]

I bought a barrel here, an ejector so it is older. Tried it on 3 frames, the 3rd fit fine. A few test loads and it was doing about 1 1/4 at 75 yards. Tried it on a 410 shotgun frame. It fit perfectly. Tried the same load, 5/8 to 3/4 " at the same distance. Needless to say it stayed on the shotgun frame. You should be able to get an inch or better w/ good loads @ 100 yds.

PS: My load is with the "Dogtown 34gr bullets mentioned aove over 11.0 gr of IMR 4227.

[RustyReel]

I bought mine used on one of the auction sites.  Shot it last week, 55 gr. Hornady SP (the cheapie bulk ones that sell for about $88/1000) pushed by a bit of H110.  Shot 5/8" groups at 50 yds, no problem.  Picked up some 40 grainers to try but have not had a chance to do it as of yet.  I can't complain about the accuracy with the 55 Hornadys.....better than my two 223's and my 22-250 Handis. 

I also took the barrel off the SB2 frame it came with and put it on a shotgun frame, old 490 Topper Jr. frame.  I'm keepin it there.

[41 magnum]

That would be an issue primarily of the rifling. 

Are you saying they come with rifling options?----oh brother.......

[mo_bio]

Have a stainless bull barrel and it has 3 loads (so far) that will shoot under 1" at 100 if I do my part. It is my most accurate handi or it may be tied with my HR2. I love shooting it. Loading for it, not so much.

[.Dirty-.30]

That would be an issue primarily of the rifling. 

Are you saying they come with rifling options?----oh brother.......

The first Topper barrels in Hornet are said to be 1 in 16", next came Toppers in my barrel which is 1 in 12" and now they are had in a 1 in 9" twist.   
Does anybody know what twist the first Hornets of 80 years ago had?

[.Dirty-.30]

I bought a barrel here, an ejector so it is older. Tried it on 3 frames, the 3rd fit fine. A few test loads and it was doing about 1 1/4 at 75 yards. Tried it on a 410 shotgun frame. It fit perfectly. Tried the same load, 5/8 to 3/4 " at the same distance. Needless to say it stayed on the shotgun frame. You should be able to get an inch or better w/ good loads @ 100 yds.

PS: My load is with the "Dogtown 34gr bullets mentioned aove over 11.0 gr of IMR 4227.

What do think made the difference, better, lighter trigger pull with the other frame?

[gendoc]

That would be an issue primarily of the rifling. 

Are you saying they come with rifling options?----oh brother.......

The first Topper barrels in Hornet are said to be 1 in 16", next came Toppers in my barrel which is 1 in 12" and now they are had in a 1 in 9" twist.   
Does anybody know what twist the first Hornets of 80 years ago had?

  my old winny mod 70 has 1:16 
 

[twoshooter]

Mine is a 1-12 twist also, but as to why the shotgun frame just shot so much better I cannot say. All I did was to swap frames, nothing else/ The trigger is about the same, the frame is case hardened and has the schnabel forend,  no modification. Sometimes even blind hogs find acorns.

[quickdtoo]

Are you saying they come with rifling options?----oh brother.......

All H&R twist rates are in the FAQs sticky, no you don't have an option, they aren't even made any more, H&R discontinued the Hornet.   Vintage barrels were 1:16", they changed to 1:12" sometime in the mid '80s then to 1:9" in ~2007.

Tim

[cwlongshot]

I swapped stocks to Lams, Installed a Leupold scope and installed a Wollfe spring and shot it...



CW

[gendoc]

here's mine witha simmons wtc, right outtha box............

[bigvarmnt]

Hey Doc, what primer did you use to set them off?

[gendoc]

standby a lil'bit an i'll tellya

[gendoc]

Hey Doc, what primer did you use to set them off?

ok BV,  handi hornet likes tha  cci 450 msr primers.......

[bigvarmnt]

Figures   Don't have much in the mag primer dept. Will look next time I go.
That would be a fine group if you could bring the bottom two up a tad  
Thanks for lookin

[gendoc]

try it with what you have....j3 hasa hornet handi and it'll shoot evathang jus fine, long as tha COL and
propel-mix is close. he takes crows from tha back porch off maw-maw's sweet corn @ 94yrds.
an sumtimes a few other critters if need be

[hoytcanon]

I bought a barrel here, an ejector so it is older. Tried it on 3 frames, the 3rd fit fine. A few test loads and it was doing about 1 1/4 at 75 yards. Tried it on a 410 shotgun frame. It fit perfectly. Tried the same load, 5/8 to 3/4 " at the same distance. Needless to say it stayed on the shotgun frame. You should be able to get an inch or better w/ good loads @ 100 yds.

PS: My load is with the "Dogtown 34gr bullets mentioned aove over 11.0 gr of IMR 4227.

Thanks partner! I never even thought to try our Hornets on our .410 Tamer frames... the Tamer frame can handle Hornet pressure no problem... we use these Hornets alot for impromptu predator hunting when we are out for small game... so it would be ideal if they function well on the Tamer frames... I'll give it a try.

[hoytcanon]

I bought a barrel here, an ejector so it is older. Tried it on 3 frames, the 3rd fit fine. A few test loads and it was doing about 1 1/4 at 75 yards. Tried it on a 410 shotgun frame. It fit perfectly. Tried the same load, 5/8 to 3/4 " at the same distance. Needless to say it stayed on the shotgun frame. You should be able to get an inch or better w/ good loads @ 100 yds.

PS: My load is with the "Dogtown 34gr bullets mentioned aove over 11.0 gr of IMR 4227.

Thanks partner! I never even thought to try our Hornets on our .410 Tamer frames... the Tamer frame can handle Hornet pressure no problem... we use these Hornets alot for impromptu predator hunting when we are out for small game... so it would be ideal if they function well on the Tamer frames... I'll give it a try.

Well I tried our .22 Hornet barrels out on our Tamer .410's... they fit perfectly... nice and tight, no wiggle or slop and full latch engagement... the Tamer stock feels a little weird with our scoped barrels, but the weld is not too bad.... small price to pay for the incredible convenience... these .410 & Hornet combo's will work really well for the type of hunting that we do alot of... now to get to the range to sight in and work on accuracy... with any luck our pet loads will still be good to go. Also very sweet is that the Tamer .410 and scoped Hornet barrel fits into a Plano Pro Take-Down case... very light and compact (we have two sets, for son and I). 
http://www.planomolding.com/product.php?BCCID=118&PID=879

[gcrank1]

The one I had, IIRC, was a 1:12; it shot consistent 3/10" groups at 50yd. (my home range limit for paper) with 40gr. bulk (Remmy?) JHP handloads and hit were it was looking in the 'field test' next door (you know, pick a spot and blow it, if you do your part as a shooter).
I did nothing to the rifle, not even an o-ring, just cleaned the barrel, made a book load about 10% under top for whatever powder I had and went shooting. After about 50rds plinking and getting acquainted I shot paper.
Then it was boringly accurate so I sold it..........(well, I had two other Hornets; a 223 would have been a better option for me for various load level experiments).
As to 'out of the box'? Mine was good, yours could be bad, or somewhere in between. Its all speculatin' until you try whatever comes home.