Accuracy / Energy of 22 WMR vs Hornet

[inthebeech]

The topic bridges Rimfire and CF but it had to go somewhere.

The future doesn't look bright for finding a Browning A-Bolt in the Hornet (first choice) so I am thinking about filling the gap for a low noise, low recoil chuck gun with the 22WMR.  I am obviously not going to be able to punch as much paper ($$$) since I can't reload it.  Not too concerned;  and neither is range since the 22 mag would be sufficient at the ranges I'd use it at.  I primarily want to know if there's any sacrafice in accuracy between the two.  I realize there are many variables here so maybe I can give a likely scenario for you to comment on;

Browning would be out of the box with perhaps some trigger work and epoxy bedding.  Reloads would not be top of the line bullets or expensive Benchrest primers - just commonly available varmint bullets in mixed cases trimmed but not sorted in any way.  You know, hunting loads.

VS...

Any 22 WMR that this forum recommends (that also has to fit me) with fairly high end ammo (If I can't reload I can certainly afford the better rounds).

Is there anything between these two worth mentioning regarding accuracy potential?  Again, this is a 100 yd gun that I want to have a bit more omph than my 22 LR.  If the Hornet is really the wise choice, I'll just keep looking; better than spending money on an uninteresting (Whelen's words) rifle.
Thanks.

[BUGEYE]

the 22 hornet would be my choice for an all-round gun if you could legally load it down for small game here in ga.  but we're stuck with rimfire only.
a gun for squirrels to coyotes would be great.

[pastorp]

I believe I would skip over both of the cartridges you want to choose from and look for a good 222 Remington in your choice of rifle.  generally the 222 will out shoot either the hornet or the mag and is easy to reload.
As a plus there used to be lots of sako vixens in 222 that could be had for a reasonable price. Don't know how that market is now days. But I've owned two of them in years gone by that were both 1/2" shooters if I did my part. That's about as good as it gets for a varmint gun.

Regards,

[inthebeech]

pastorp,
That's exactly where I think I'm heading if I decide to go the CF route and skip the 222 mag;  there is no shortage of 222's at my local gun shops.  I'd still like to know just what kind of accuracy I can expect from the 22WMR however.  Honestly I can keep going up and up and eventually there's no point since I am getting close to reduced loads in my 257.  I am more of a minimalist which is why I am interested in feedback on the accuracy of the 22 magnum; it's honestly all I need.
Thanks,

[Sensai]

Have you considered the 17s?  Both the HM2 and HMR will easily handle a woodchuck/groundhog at 100 yds, and both are very accurate in the right gun.  I shoot groundhogs with a 22 mag on occasion, it's accurate enough, but I don't like the terminal ballistics.  All of the 22 WMR loads that I've used have left the critter moving around.  With both my 17HMR and my 22 Hornet (Savage 340) its lights out right then.  I wouldn't give up on the Hornet, maybe a nice CZ 527 American?

[Rex in OTZ]

I just saw a Ruger77/.22hornets new for $500
I settled for a H&R Handi Rifle in the Hornet.
mabe some day I'll stumble across a Savage 340 in .22Hornet.
I already came across one in .222 and a winchester 70 in .225winchester

[tuck2]

The 5.7X28 MM round  in a rifle has a a little less energy than the 22 Hornet  but more than the 22 WMR round. The 221 Fireball has a bit less energy than the 222 Rem round but more than the Hornet.  I have used the 22 WMR, 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball, 222 Rem, and 223 Rem rifles  and other calibers for prairie dog shooting.  The 221 Fireball Rem LS in a Boyd Thunbhole varmint stock with 40 Gr reloaded bullet ammo is used more than the other .224 dia bore rifles.   My 22 WMR Kimber rifle is more accurate at 100 Yds than my Kimber 22 Hornet but has less bullet energy.  MY tuned up 17 Fireball Rem 700 Limited in a Boyd Thumbhole stock is more accurate than my Sako 17 Rem.    In rifles of equal quality  at 100 yards the groups from a Hornet could be more accurate with reloaded ammo than factory made 22 WMR ammo. The bullet velocity from a 22 Hornet is  more than two times greater  the same weight bullet  from a 22 WMR.-- For spring prairie dog shooting I like using a Cooper 57 M LVT 17 HMR,  a tuned up varmint  stocked  Rem 17 Fireball and the tuned up varmint stocked Rem 700 LS 221 Fireball rifles.   After reloading the old tapered  thin walled 22 Hornet case ,it is the last center fire  round  I would get agin.

[je265]

I used to hunt woodchucks almost every day when I was younger. I started with a .22 lr but quickly discovered that with any shot beyond 60 or so yards they would make it down their hole with body shots. I upgraded to a .22 mag and found my effective one shot kill range extend to 100 to 110 yards. I made some long range hits at around 150 yds or so but some would crawl down their holes similar to a .22 lr at 60+ yards.

I've always liked Marlin rifles and you can usually find a good used on from $150 to $200. With a good 4x scope that is all you'll need for 100 yd chucks. .22 mag ammo is available and around $10 for 50 rounds. I've always been more of a hunter than a target shooter but by trying different types of .22 mag ammo I've always been able to find a combo that shoots into 1/2" at 50 yards. I can't recall ever shooting my .22 mag at 100 yds at the range but have shot over 50 woodchucks at that range in the field.

Sometimes we tend to overthink things and make life complicated. For your intended purposes I would stay simple and get yourself a .22 mag and go have fun.

[Drilling Man]

  I've had several Hornets over the years, i don't have even one today.  I DO still have a couple 22 mag's though, and i have had at least one of those around for many many years.

  I also have a couple .222's around too.  I just don't like Hornet cases, and prefer the 22 mag. as it does what i need done and i don't have to pick up the empties and reload it!  If i'm going CF, i'm useing a 222 Rem..

  DM

[keith44]

I am not really fond of the standard Hornet.  I converted mine to K-Hornet, and with good handloads it will shoot 1/2 moa out to 200 yards with 45 grain bullets.  Best I ever got out of a .22 Mag was 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards.  For critters up to the size of coyotes the K-Hornet is perfectly capable.  For anything tougher, or further than the 200 yard mark get more gun!  As for the .22 rimfire magnum, it is what it is, about a 100 to maybe 150 yard rimfire that cannot be reloaded, and ammo is overpriced.

[1armoured]

I love all things .22 .

I have owned and used .22r/f, .22WMR, .22H, .222, .223, .220 Swift .

I don't have a WMR or Swift now,
but my favourite is reloading for and shooting the Hornet. Mine are good 200mtr guns.
My favourite is a 40gr Nosler BT and 13gr Lil'Gun at just under 3,000 fps. Very accurate, and little recoil or noise.

I'm not a fan of Factory Ammo, though.

Browning make a lovely little Hornet.

Always possible to load a Hornet down to WMR specs if you want to.

The Hornet handloads should always outshoot a WMR.
The WMR ammo available nowadays is much better than what we had to shoot 20 years ago !,
but still probably more a 100mtr gun.

The .17 HMR gets good reviews, and seems to be very accurate esp with the Hornady and Eley ammo available.
Probably a better bet than the WMR, if you go that route, but can be more expensive.

Have a look at 'Chuckhawks' reviews.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_17HMR_22WMR.htm

cheers,

[coopershooter]

i used to have a contender carbine barrel in 22-k hornet. I used hornady 35 gr v-maxes at around 3100 fps. very accurate, very explosive, cheap to reload. didnt have to trim brass much.  I miss that barrel!

[mdi]

I am more of a minimalist which is why I am interested in feedback on the accuracy of the 22 magnum; it's honestly all I need.
Thanks,

Any answers on 22 WMR accuracy?

[keith44]

...  Best I ever got out of a .22 Mag was 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards.  For critters up to the size of coyotes the K-Hornet is perfectly capable.  For anything tougher, or further than the 200 yard mark get more gun!  As for the .22 rimfire magnum, it is what it is, about a 100 to maybe 150 yard rimfire that cannot be reloaded, and ammo is overpriced.

next question

[jlwilliams]

The 17hmr may be just the ticket for a minimalist varmint rifle.  The trajectory is closer to the trajctory of the Hornet than it is to the mag rimfire.  Accuracy is great and it's surprisingly effective.

[bluedog6]

The ruger in a stainless laminated is a tack driver as is my 22 hornet in the same configuration. Have you considered a contender? I own both a 22mag and a hornet and theyt both shoot well.

[gunnut69]

Yjr WMR has alsways disappointed me. Power is too little for coyotes reliably at anything past 100 (max). The 222 is a fantastic round and likely the best of those that've been discussed.. In a good rifle it'll do amazing thing. Just now I've 4-5 but the handiest is an early M7. Short and handy and all I need for cats and coyotes in close.. But my true love is a M700 BDL Varmit Special. With handloads of 50 grain SX Hornadays and 4198 in standard hunting loads it easily shoots under 1/2 inch at 100. The Hornet is an abstinate cartridge to load for. The cases don't last long and the small size makes minute charge variations dangerous. It nearly requires weighed charges and great care. Still it's a favorite of mine. Maybe just a little masochistic tendancy, I don't know. I've been thru many Hornets and most didn't stick. Weren't accurate enough or we too valuable for me to drag theu the woods. I've held on to three- a late M54 Winchester. It got a 20x Lyman SuperTargetSpot with a Lee dot on board. The bores just to dark for great accuracy but 1 1/2 inches at 100 are fairly easy. It's heavy and picky but not for sale.. The enxt was a Kimber 'of Oregon' Cascade model. It was very promising accuracy wise but suddenly went sour. The bedding ledge just behind the safety rotor crumbled and it sprays bullets.. It just hasn't gotten fixed yet. The last is a CZ 527 FS. No set trigger but a nice pull and for some reason it'l shoot just about anything under 3/4 inch and some loads under 1/2. For a Hornet that's almost scarey!! The first groups with were using Remington factory HP's and the group was a single sub !/2 inch hole! I did another and sat right there with the realization I'd likely never buy another Hornet to hunt with. Short barrel my favorite stock style and awesome accurate, what more could I want. It doesn;t really like the light weight Hornet bullets but even they will do 3/4 inch or a bit larger.. I usually shoot Sierra's the most as the factory is just up the road a few miles and they shoot extrememly well.  LilGun is the powder to go to.. Seems they all do well on it and cases life is enough for me. If you're interested in bettering case life hae it converted to K-Hornet. It the reason the K-Hornet was developed. The shoulder produces very small velocity gains but case life is lmost always improved although if one partial size cases the standard Hornet lasts a long time.. I love all the 22 centerfire rifles and shoot Hornets, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-250(my least favorite), 220 Swift and the 224 Weathreby and the Hornet would not be the first to leave if I needed to down size. I'd go with a CZ in the Hornet..

[Flynmoose]

I have also had a great deal of success with my CZ 527 FS in 22 Hornet. It shoots 40 gr loads with Lil Gun the best. I do have a very accurate 22 WMR, a Stevens Favorite Model 30. I couldn't hit much with the iron sights, had it bored and tapped for a scope and was very surprised at the accuracy with a variety of ammo, once scoped.
FM

[foto]

Got a CZ 452 varmint in 22wmr. With cci maxi-mag(40g) I can keep 5 shots within a half dollar at 100yds and with maxi mag +v(30g) 3/4 out of 5 shots in half dollar. With the Hornady 30grain with plastic point I can keep 5 shots in a quarter at 100 yds but they cost a lot. Gun has only 400 rounds through it and seems to be getting better. Replaced a chuckster that was having a good day if you could put 5 shots in a coffee can at 100yds.  Hope it helps.

[mcwoodduck]

Budget wise the rimefires are going to be cheaper to buy.
I own three mentioned above.  17HMR, 22 Mag, and 22 Hornet.
The 17 HMR is really potent as a small game gun.  The 22 Mag has the widest aray of ammo choices from 30 grains to 50 grains and multiple bullet designs from Hollow points to soft points to poly tipped..
The 22 Hornet is great and I have used the 35 grain Hornady rounds, and all the others S&B, Rem and Winchester 45/46 grain loads at about 2600 FPS. 
I think the better question to answer is how far are you planning on shooting. 
I use my 22 Mag up to 125 yards away for varmints. the 17 HMR goes out to 200 and the Hornet is about 150 yards.  At least for me where I can hit with the rifles I own and the optics i have on them and how I can hit a golf ball at those distances.  Any of the three would be a good choice.  Or be like me and get one or two of each.  I don't think any are a bad choice.