Author Topic: new barrel dilema solved, .22 Hornet... comments welcome (Read 413 times)

bad-dog45 · « **on:** August 26, 2005, 07:11:52 PM »

Did a lot of research, ( die cost, brass etc.... and of course oddball, sorta caliber) and finally decided on the 22 hornet. I figue it to be a good varmint caliber out to maybe 150 yards.?. Anybody with a 22 hornt handi, i d like to hear how it shoots, as i ve never even seen a 22 hornet up close, let alone fired one.

P.S. Im not cheap, just very very thrifty! :shock: :wink: thanks for the quote LW)

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2005, 07:29:02 PM »

Yup, fun caliber, kinda like a 17hmr on steroids!!! Mine shoots the 35gr Vmax with a max load of Lil gun into less than 1" for a 10-shot group at 100yds with most of those close to 1/2".

richz14 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2005, 03:20:27 PM »

Any thoughts on this caliber for anything bigger than varmints (pronghorn, for example)?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2005, 04:02:45 PM »

Legalities and ethics aside, I've heard of hunters using the hornet for deer, but I'd be surprised if you could get that close to a speed goat unless you were in a blind....the hornet isn't a very powerful round...

WashPa · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2005, 06:19:43 PM »

I got my 22 hornet this spring and managed 3 shot groups close to 1/2 inch using 40 gr Vmax and IMR4227. I sent the barrel to David White to rechamber to 22 K Hornet (got it back in 9 days) but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet because the rest of the rifle hasn't come back from NEF with the 30-30 and 45-70 barrels I ordered. IMHO the 22 Hornet is on the light side for anything bigger than groundhog.

Jeff

tallyho · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2005, 06:42:49 PM »

I agree with Wash Pa... though I have to say, when I lived in the Yukon many moons ago, I knew that the Natives used Hornets for many things that I would not personally consider.

I remember selling a 22 magnum to an older Indian who said he wanted a bigger moose gun 'cause his eyes were not as good as they used to be. He just wasn't as confident about using his .22LR. I asked him " How do you kill a moose with a .22?" His answer, "I get up real close and shoot him behind the ear!" :eek: :oh:

Obviously, bullet placement comes into play here it is not just about caliber!

And keep in mind these guys were not just hunting once a year nor were they bound by limiting regs and restrictions on what some agency thought was an adequate "killing" caliber. (This may have changed since I was up there, but that was the way it was for a long time.)

This is not to suggest they only used teeny calibers, not at all. Lots of .303 Brit, 30/30, 30-06, and even magnums. Just that some of them used what they had, and those were rimfires, and Hornets! :wink:

Cheers
Kerry