I have had my Hornet for years, and really like it. It can be a pain to handload. The case necks are very thin, and if not kept trimmed perfectly square, seating a bullet in a not-square neck will give you a cocked off, out of square round that doesn't shoot well. If everything is right, mine shoots under 1" at 100 yds. It is a pain sometimes, but I'm still not getting rid of it. I have gotten good case life out of mine, until I tried hotrodding it, which loosened up some primer pockets. I still doubt you will ever equal a .223 for case life, the Hornet brass is just too flimsy. I also agree, just buy both!