Project Hornet a keeper

[cheatermk3]

A few weeks ago I picked up a hornet, intending to rechamber it to 218BEE.  It was wearing the black stocks that belong on a scoped gun, but has the open iron sights.  So, I put the stocks from a shotgun on it, and liked the way it shouldered.  It shot pretty good with the winchester grey box hollow points that I got wioth the rifle, so I figured I'd give it a try with some 35 grain vmax bullets I had on hand, since several here have reported good results with this bullet.  My first load, using 10.5 grains of IMR-4227, put 5 into a nickel-sized group at 25 yards.  I made up another 30 rounds using the same recipe, and shot some 50-yard groups on a steel plate using a center hold, and shooting at the mark the first hit made on the plate for another 6 rounds--after 7 it looked like 1 1-1/2" splash of lead on the freshly-painted plate.  

So, I'll be shooting this as a Hornet, in spite of the bad-mouthing I've given this cartridge, due to some bad experiences I had 30 years ago trying to get an old Mossberg to shoot, and ruining lots of cases due no doubt to my inexperience at the time.  

As for the 218BEE, I'll be picking up a Topper in 22 jet next week.

I guess this is an apology to the shooting gods for all the bad thoughts I've had about the hornet over the years.  Also, to anyone my remarks may have turned away from this cartridge.

[Mitch in MI]

As for the 218BEE, I'll be picking up a Topper in 22 jet next week.

I'd get a hornet barrel fitted to my favorite receiver and rechamber that. IIRC, all oddball calibers of old H&Rs tend to go high on gunbroker. The last 225 Winchester I saw went for more than a new rifle.

[cheatermk3]

What I meant was that, I've got a line on a topper in 22 jet, that I plan on picking up next week and, since the jet is so close to the BEE,  I'll be playing with it instead of going for a rechamber on a hornet.

Especially since the hornet i got shoots so good.

[6-24x42]

I'm glad to see you are having better results with the hornet than I did. I picked one up with a simmons scope and it did not patern well at all. I was using winchester supreme ammo. I showed them my target where I had gotten it from and they took it back thankfully. Of course I went back a week later and purchased a new 223 handi. Love it. Good luck with your 22hornet.

[mitchell]

I guess this is an apology to the shooting gods for all the bad thoughts I've had about the hornet over the years. .

they told me all is forgiven!! but you better start watching what you say about the hornet or you'll get stung.

[stuffit]

cheatermk3,

K Hornet chamber reamers are about $85.00 and once you get past the case forming stage, you're brass will last and last, as long as you don't "rough handle" it when reloading it.  We did one in a Handi and one in my old Savage 219, and both give superlative performance.  You'll forget all about that Bee.

Best Regards,
stuffit