Author Topic: 22 hornet (Read 11192 times)

fatercat · « **on:** December 09, 2007, 10:34:01 AM »

most of the time i don't shoot things on sunday. today a large flock of crows started to clean out my deer corn. two shots two crows. damn i love that gun. quit, no recoil. got an nice 10 or 12 point buck coming in to eat.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2007, 01:57:21 AM »

Were you able to take 2 shots before they flew off or did you shoot a them at different times? What is the range?

saltydog · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2007, 03:39:26 AM »

You shot a buck deer ( 10 or 12 pt) with the Hornet - some would call that pushing the envelope.

303Guy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2007, 07:45:23 PM »

Quote from: fatercat on December 09, 2007, 10:34:01 AM

most of the time i don't shoot things on sunday. today a large flock of crows started to clean out my deer corn. two shots two crows. damn i love that gun. quit, no recoil. got an nice 10 or 12 point buck coming in to eat.

I love my hornet too! The biggest game I have shot with it is feral goat using 50gr Sierra Blitz's. The performance was stunning for such a tiny cartridge! That was before changing to Lil'Gun. I now have it shooting Hornady 60gr Spire Points to MOA at 110yds. It does the same with 55gr Nosler BTSP's and Remington bulk 55grainers. Great cartridge!

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2007, 01:10:49 AM »

I've not considered using those bullet weights since i didn't expect them to expand at the lower velocities the Hornet would give. What loads are you using and have you chronographed them.

I do want to explore cast bullets and have a 55 gr. RCBS mold.

fatercat · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2007, 02:35:41 AM »

no i did not shoot a deer with 22 hornet. i shot one crow out of a tree about 95 yds. they flew off and then they just had to come back to see what happened. got another about same range. if i wanted to take the buck i got my 35 whelen or my marlin 30-30 for that. just want to take pictures of the deer for now. when i figure out how to post pics-i will post a few.

303Guy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2007, 07:51:52 PM »

woodchukhntr , I have not chronographed my loads (I don't have a chrony - yet). I expect I am getting around 2650 fps with 55 grainers. I am loading 13.1 grains Lil'Gun for 55 grain bullets (but find the Sierra's produce more pressure so will cut back on them) and 11.6 grains Lil'Gun with the 60 grain Hornady's - but - I cut off the exposed lead tip in order to shorten the bullet. I have shot feral goat with 50 Sierra Blitz and found them to work very well indeed. That was with AR2205(H4227) and a lower velocity than I now get with 55 grainers using Lil'Gun. I have done tests using water saturated wool furnature padding and find the expansion at hornet velocities to be good - if not a bit too much at close range. Varmint bullets behave a bit like standard soft points at hornet velocities. I have some pictures of the test medium and bullets but do not have a website to post them in. I could e-mail them to you directly if you like.

I too have a 55 gr. RCBS mold. I have tried them in my hornet and would say the result are quite exciting. Casting with that mold is quite challenging and is best done when in a patient mood. I did not size my case necks - I just used a paper patch, pretty much like the black powder guys do with a cloth patch, and with full loads of AR2205(H4227). I did not pursue this line but recovered bullets showed no flame cutting or rifling stripping nor did I see any sign of lead fouling in my barrel - in fact, no reason why they should not be accurate and deadly. If I were to load cast, I would stay with AR2205(H4227) because that powder does not require a heavy crimp and neck sizing. The paper sabot/cup prevents any bullet damage when seating.

super mario · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2008, 03:33:07 PM »

The .22 Hornet is one bad mutha. I have been using mine for deer the past 3 years. Heres a doe I took this past friday. And a buck I took last year that went 180lbs.

The deer around here havent evolved into the bullet proof ones I here so much about.

303Guy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2008, 07:28:07 PM »

Quote from: super mario on January 01, 2008, 03:33:07 PM

The .22 Hornet is one bad mutha. I have been using mine for deer the past 3 years. ..... a buck I took last year that went 180lbs.

The deer around here haven't evolved into the bullet proof ones I here so much about.

.....

Great Shooting! The thing is, we're not supposed to let the world know how effective the hornet really is!

I have developed a load that pushes a 60gr bullet to the brighter side of 2600fps without pressure signs and with very good accuracy. (A bit of fiddly technique involved). But just the same, I shall be using my 303 for deer and wild hogs.

I must say 'though, my last hunt (yesterday) would have killed me had I been lugging my 303 around! 'Tarzan in the jungle' comes to mind!

I ended up with cramps in my upper legs while driving home!

Hard work, but what a fun day!

glwenzl · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2008, 04:10:46 PM »

Good shooting with the Hornet and I share the same joy... My 22 hornets. 22 K-Hornets and 17 AHs are all awesome lil rounds! I also shoot a 17 Squirrel which is half the size of the Hornet case and is even greater fun!!!!

here is a video clip of my son shooting the 17 AH, hardly any recoil but man does it flip a PD!

click the pic

super mario · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2008, 06:35:48 PM »

Took another one over the weekend, used the hornet again. Neck shot at 55 yds

Guy Pike · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2008, 01:59:16 AM »

There's four pages debating the suitability of the 243 for deer and here you are using the 22 hornet with great success! I'm surprised the flamers haven't turned you to ashes by now. Papere and my uncles took many deer with the 22lr during the depression and the family survived quite nicely. As always, there can be no substitute for a well placed round. Have fun, Guy

cwop · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2008, 02:18:35 AM »

well once again a skilled hunter could probably kill big game with a blow gun. i have a 22k barrell coming and excited with the potential of this little cartridge.

keep going
bob

super mario · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2008, 08:51:56 AM »

Quote from: Guy Pike on January 10, 2008, 01:59:16 AM

There's four pages debating the suitability of the 243 for deer and here you are using the 22 hornet with great success! I'm surprised the flamers haven't turned you to ashes by now. Papere and my uncles took many deer with the 22lr during the depression and the family survived quite nicely. As always, there can be no substitute for a well placed round. Have fun, Guy

So did my dad and my moms family. They were both born in the '20's and lived on farms, they were dirt poor and killed deer for food, not for any sort of sport, .22lr was what they used. I own a .243 but I like the hornet for close ranges, I neck shoot basically everything anyway, it just the way I like to shoot. I never have to track a deer and it is the most humane way of taking a deer. It's instant death, no suffering.

drags · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2008, 10:26:31 AM »

super mario, what are your loads for the 22 hornet?
Drags

super mario · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:30:23 AM »

I don't hand load. I have been using Rem. 45 gr HP,s They are pretty explosive though. I took a 40lb hog with a body shot using them and the hog had 3 exit wounds.
This pic is the exit wound on that last spike I shot. Looks like a grenade went of in his neck.

rks1949 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2008, 01:30:19 PM »

I have to agree,about the "little Hornet" being under rated. I and a couple friend use them for coyote hunting,most shots (while calling) are 200yds. or less,and the hornet does as well as any other 22 CF cartridge. I shoot a Savage M40 single shot,and the gun shoots under .5 MOA at 100-200yds. I use 40-50gr. V-Max bullets,and they are bad medicine for coyotes. Since Hogdon has came out with Lil Gun powder,and the performance has "stepped up" the Hornet is becoming popular again. It's a great gun,and does everything,and more than it's supposed too! Ron

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2008, 02:44:21 PM »

That's quite a lot of damage for a round that is not supposed to be adequate for anything other than small game and varmints! I would not use the Hornet for deer unless that was the only thing that I had, and would not shoot unless I could place the bullet in the right place like super mario did.

I am not a fan of the super magnums, and feel that anything more than a .30-30 on deer is overkill. If you hit it right, you don't need the magnums. If you don't, it will still get away! Still, the magnums sell a lot of guns and keep the manufacturers in business.

rks1949 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2008, 03:35:13 PM »

I've never shot anything (bullets) bigger than a 50gr. in my hornet. I might have to give it a try

Ron

303Guy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2008, 08:57:43 PM »

Quote from: rks1949 on January 20, 2008, 03:35:13 PM

I've never shot anything (bullets) bigger than a 50gr. in my hornet. I might have to give it a try Ron

I won't be going back to 50gr or 45gr bullets in my hornet. So far, my best groups were with 60gr Hornady's (with exposed lead tip cut off making them 58grs). Very close, was Nosler 55gr BTSP's. The depth of crating in a steel plate with the hornet is astounding! (From 45gr to 60gr/58gr). Penetration of a tree trunk really surprised me (200mm). Performance on a feral goat made me wonder! My shot separated the foreleg from the body on a frontal shot angling into the heart, at the shoulder blade. The leg and shoulder were just held there by the skin. That was with 50gr Sierra's. Now I am using Lil'Gun, and driving Hornady 55gr somewhat faster. I would say the 60gr/58gr Hornady's get about what the 50grs used to.

Star1pup · « **Reply #20 on:** January 23, 2008, 12:59:09 PM »

I plan to get a .22 Hornet for groundhogs, coyote and other varmints, but have little luck surfing the web for a bolt action other than CZ & Remington. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep the price reasonable. Around $600 would be great if it's a decent shooter.

rbergum95 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 23, 2008, 02:51:53 PM »

you can get a savage model 40 single shoit for around $400 or so. they are definately shooters. i have one that averages 1/4 inch with handloads, sub 3/4 inch with winchester factory fodder.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2008, 01:37:11 AM »

A Contender Carbine would do it. I have one in .22 Hornet, it is very accurate with 13.0 gr. of 'Lil Rifle and the Hornady 40 gr. V-Max bullet. I just used the load that worked well in my old H&R Topper. Maybe this year I will work up some other loads and try them out.

The great thing about the Contender is that you can pick up other barrels down the road for $200 - $250 each (more for custom barrels). I believe that you can get one for about $600.

rks1949 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 24, 2008, 02:35:02 AM »

Quote from: rbergum95 on January 23, 2008, 02:51:53 PM

you can get a savage model 40 single shoit for around $400 or so. they are definately shooters. i have one that averages 1/4 inch with handloads, sub 3/4 inch with winchester factory fodder.

Ron

fatercat · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2008, 01:40:55 AM »

i have a ruger, nice little gun. i went by gun shop yesterday--box of rem 22 hornet $41.75 dam#@^. can't afford but to have one shot, one kill

Star1pup · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2008, 03:16:47 AM »

My buddy tells me I should just buy a .223 or .222 and load it down. I still like the idea of a hornet, though. Any opinions?

rks1949 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 27, 2008, 06:29:22 PM »

You can down load(light loads)for the 223,but it won't be as effective as a full charged case. Without at least 70% volume (fill) the velocity gets erratic,and accuracy goes down hill. Both are great cartridges,it depends on what you want to do,with the gun. The Hornet is a great little gun,and a pound of powder goes a long way. If you shoot allot at 200yds. or less,the Hornet won't disappoint you.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #27 on:** January 28, 2008, 02:19:43 AM »

Star1pup,

If you aren't reloading, all centerfire calibers except .223 FMJ's cost too much if you are going to do any serious amount of shooting. And getting into reloading above the basic Lee Loader level is not cheap either. I suggest doing a search for .22 hornet remanufactured ammo on the web if you don't want to reload. Either that or get into low-end reloading with Lee equipment. Do you have any friends that would do it for you or allow you to use their equipment?

Star1pup · « **Reply #28 on:** January 28, 2008, 02:25:58 AM »

I bought the Lee Anniversary kit when it first came out and have added to it. I load .357, .38 spcl, 30-06, .222 and .380. I'll just need the .22 Hornet dies.

303Guy · « **Reply #29 on:** February 03, 2008, 06:39:15 AM »

It IS possible to reload the hornet without resizing! (I do it all the time - it does get a bit tricky with Lil'Gun, 'though - a press is needed to compress the powder down to bullet seating level and more powder is needed to get consistent burn - H4227 works just fine with loading manual data).