Author Topic: 22 Mag and 22 Hornet?  (Read 627 times)

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Offline ajshoots

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« on: October 21, 2005, 03:07:45 PM »
I am thinking of buying both a 22mag and hornet and wanted some input on both. First, does barrel length make a difference on a hornet and what bullets weights seem to be best for accuracy? The hornet will be sometimes used for coyotes so bullet performance will be a concern! About the mag, is there much difference between the ultra and the sportster in terms of accuracy? Thanks Aaron!

Offline ajshoots

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2005, 03:10:31 PM »
I guess I should have stated that I don't reload so info on hornet loads isn't important just bullet weight and any info on factory ammo. Thanks again Aaron

Offline Paul5388

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2005, 03:59:12 PM »
Aaron,

If I was paying factory load prices, I don't think I could afford to shoot as much as I do.  :roll:

However, if you aren't going to reload, the Mag will be much cheaper to shoot.  I think Hornets are going for >$20/50 around here and you can get Mags for <$10/50.  I can reload my Hornet for less than what Mags cost.

The Hornet uses a 45-46 gr bullet in factory loads and I believe the Mag is only 40 gr.  That plus the higher velocity of the Hornet gives it more energy to expend on coyotes.

A new Hornet can have any barrel fitted from the factory, so the Sportster is a deadend road IMO.

I rarely shoot factory loads and haven't ever shot a factory Hornet, but my reloads will group about 1" at 100 yards (sometimes better and sometimes worse).  I don't know what a Mag will do at 100 yards, but I think it'll have a hard time keeping up.

I forgot to add, I use a 20" Super Light Hornet barrel, which really makes it handy!

Offline mitchell

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2005, 04:15:35 PM »
if you don't reload don't get the hornet if you do you'll never have a better gun.
curiosity killed the cat , but i was lead suspect for a while

Offline ajshoots

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2005, 04:37:13 PM »
Maybe I wasn't very clear, but I plan to buy a Hornet and a Mag! I am not trying to decide which to buy. Cost isn't an issue for ammo and wouldn't make me change my mind about what to buy. I don't reload for any of my rifles simply because I have no desire to do so, and easily get below 1inch with all of my various rifles with factory ammo. If a Hornet won't accurately shoot factory ammo, then maybe I will opt for something other than the Hornet. So, will a Hornet shoot factory ammo well and if so what is an expected group from factory ammo? 1 inch 2 inch?

Offline Paul5388

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2005, 05:26:07 PM »
Quote
easily get below 1inch with all of my various rifles with factory ammo.
Now that's a tall order in my opinion and I sure can't do it easily with what I have been shooting.  

Today I shot some HSM .223 Rem that's supposed to be LEO ammo and it sure didn't group at 1 inch and I'm not sure it would group at 2 inches.  Win white box varminter will group less than an inch, but the rest of the leftover AR 15 ammo in .223 Rem I have sure won't (.223 and 9mm are two of the few I have factory loads for).

Offline cheatermk3

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2005, 06:11:43 PM »
If cost is not a factor then I would recommend the Winchester supreme moly coated(I think that's what the black coating on the bullets is) hollow points.  They're the ones in the black boxes.  I got a box of them with my hornet, a superlight.  It took about 30 rounds but after that they shot very nice groups.  I didn't measure them but had they been my own handloads I would have been satisfied with the way they worked.

Offline jack19512

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2005, 04:09:35 AM »
Posted by Paul5388

"I rarely shoot factory loads and haven't ever shot a factory Hornet, but my reloads will group about 1" at 100 yards (sometimes better and sometimes worse). I don't know what a Mag will do at 100 yards, but I think it'll have a hard time keeping up."





Here is the last 100 yard two shot group I shot with my 22 Mag Ultra.  



 

Offline Paul5388

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2005, 04:34:07 AM »
Jack,

That looks good!  

Would you say that's the norm or it just happened to do well that particular time?

Offline jack19512

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2005, 05:09:45 AM »
I think I can duplicate this group consistently if I don't get the barrel hot.  I was shooting two shot groups, which I have recently started doing and was trying different ammo to see which the Ultra might prefer.  This group was shot using the Winchester Dynapoint ammo which the rifle seemed to prefer.  No cleaning or anything between changes of ammo.

I would shoot two shots and then walk to the target and mark them.  So the barrel wasn't cold when this group was shot but it wasn't hot either.  I said earlier "if I don't get the barrel hot", which is a little misleading because I only said that because the belief is when the barrel heats up the groups tend to open up.  Whether they would on this rifle I don't know.

I have a Savage bolt rifle that likes the Winchester Supremes and is a real accurate 22 Mag.  Once I work with this Ultra some more I am confident it will be a real shooter also.  Anyone that thinks a 22 mag can't be real accurate is mistaken.   :grin:

Offline ajshoots

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2005, 05:13:01 AM »
PAUL5388, I have 2 .204 NEFS, 243 Rem 700, and a 17hmr Savage all of which shoot under an inch at 100yds. Aside from the HMR, the other 3 have never seen anything other than factory loads and shot sub moa all day everyday. I don't expect you to believe me, but I wouldn't own a rifle that can't shoot atleast 1in groups. None of my rifles are "stock" which does make a difference! But, if I buy a rifle and it won't shoot moa, then I start tinkering till it will or it finds its way to the nearest gun show for a new home!

Offline mitchell

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2005, 06:15:43 AM »
Quote from: ajshoots
. Aside from the HMR, the other 3 have never seen anything other than factory loads



ok i'll believe you but how the heck do you handload for a 17hrm??????
curiosity killed the cat , but i was lead suspect for a while

Offline ajshoots

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22 Mag and 22 Hornet?
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2005, 03:46:14 AM »
I meant to say excluding the HMR because you can't reload a rimfire. Atleast not that I am aware of!