22 hornet opinions

09 December 2010, 04:59

ty_falcon

22 hornet opinions

I just realized,I need a 22 hornet.Dont know why but I do.
I really only have 3 choices
ruger, I've heard they wont shoot without a rem bbl.
pre 64 model 70.Big bucks
and the cz 527.
The winchester would be (in my opinion) the best, But do I search gunbroker hoping to get one that is not wore out. Or do I take my chance with a ruger.
I've heard a few good things about the cz.But the magazine is kind of a turn off.
I dont expect a bench rifle,but I want a squirrel,coyote killer within it's range.

09 December 2010, 05:20

FishinHank

my best friends dad owns a ruger, its one of the 77/22 .22 hornet models and that thing is a tack driver!

09 December 2010, 05:29

carpetman1

I like the CZ--sure wish the safety wasn't backwards. Ive heard .22 hornets can vary in size--you considered the .204 Ruger? I like 20 cal in air rifles and it should be great in centerfire---yea thats it a CZ in Ruger .204.

09 December 2010, 05:30

Jerry Eden

ty: I agree the new Rugers do shoot well. Especially with Lil Gun and 35 Vmax bullets. I also own several CZ's and they are really tack drivers. If you have a hankerin for an older rifle, don't overlook the Model 23D Savage, excellent shooter, also the Model 43 Winchester, a little more money, but it is a Winchester. So for what it's worth, you do have a choice, have fun!!

Jerry

09 December 2010, 06:19

308Sako

Lil Gun and the 35 gr is the answer to the Hornet. The ruger has a decent chance of satisfying you. Me I'll stick to my gunshow find:

09 December 2010, 06:39

swampshooter

I have a stock Ruger 77 in .22 Hornet. It shoots so good with 35 gr. Hornady and 13 gr. of Lil'Gun that you wouldn't believe me if I told you. It hammers prairie rats, at least up to 200 yards, after that I switch rifles. I'm extremely pleased with this combo and I'm pretty hard to please.

09 December 2010, 08:33

LWD

I have a Savage 40 and it shoots lights out. The new Rugers are generally well regarded. I don't like the CZ safety at all otherwise I'd have one of those. You can occasionally find a Browning A Bolt Micro Medallion in .22 Hornet. They are sweet. I've not bought a couple I've run across and really regret that. The Hornet is really a wonderful little cartridge. I'm thinking about getting another.

LWD

09 December 2010, 16:54

df06

I had two Rugers (slow learner), neither shot well at all. Sold both after trigger jobs and a lot of other wasted gunsmithing expenses.
Bought an old Kimber and a new Anschutz. Both are extremely accurate.
Never had a CZ, but hear positives about them.

09 December 2010, 20:10

MikeMichalski

CZ. If you carry it with an empty chamber, and only work it bolt when you're ready to fire, the "backwards" safety is moot.

09 December 2010, 20:25

tiggertate

Like LWD said, the Browning A-Bolt Micro in 22 Hornet is a great option. I bought the Hunter grade, not the Medallion but both shoot very well. The Browning reamer has the throat cut for the short blunt Hornet style bullets where some makers use a one-size-fits-all throat for ever 22 centerfire. That's one reason some are not always as accurate as they should be.

09 December 2010, 21:12

DMB

I also bought the Hunter Grade Browning in 22 Hornet. It is probably the best commercial Hornet made today in terms of accuracy, and balance. I just changed out the trigger pull spring for a lighter one, and then proceeded to shoot several different loads in 1/2" groups at 100 yards for 3 shots. I never had a Hornet that was as accurate as the Browning.
I also have a Win Model 54 Hornet and a new Ruger 77-22 Hornet that is also accurate, unlike the earlier 77-Hornets. The 54 has nere perfect metal, but the stock could use refinishing. The 54 was the first rifle I loaded for that my Step Dad let me shoot, so I did some Jonesing to get one just like the earlier one.
Lil-Gun and H-110 shoot very well in my rifles.

09 December 2010, 21:43

Larry Gibson

+1 on the savage M40. great varmint rifle but a bit heavy for a "walk about" rifle. If you can find an older Ruger #3 they make a great .22 Hornet. I've had mine for years and love it.....love the Savage too.

Larry Gibson

09 December 2010, 23:00

eurocentric

I have a few hornets and variants as well, this is my favorite:

09 December 2010, 23:04

eurocentric

Nothing wrong with any of my Rugers, I have a total of 5. Love how light the standard model is

10 December 2010, 00:01

Stonecreek

I enjoy shooting my Hornets a great deal and recommend the little cartridge -- if you have patience and a knack for tailoring handloads for a potentially finicky round.

However, I just don't see the point in having a Hornet chambered on an action that is large enough for a .300 WSM (Browning) or even a .375 H&H (Win Model 70). If you're going to enjoy the little cartridge, also enjoy an action properly proportioned to it.

There are still some nice ones from yesteryear floating around on auction sites like the Sako P72 and M78. Also, the Kimber of Oregon M82 is a very nice and accurate one, as is the Walther KKJ and its European cousin, the BRNO. The Win M43 is a little cruder, but still a serviceable and enjoyable gun. The Savage M23 is actually just too crude to recommend.

In current production, the Ruger M77/22H appears to have much improved barrels compared to its early and very inaccurate production, so it is a good candidate (trigger fixes are also available). The Cooper is an outstanding little rifle; I just wish they would put a magazine on it for those of us who sometimes miss the skunk on the first shot. Not as nice, but likely a good shooter, is the Savage 40. And on the truly pricey end you can always spring for an Anschutz if your bank account can bear it.

You can also find some single-shots like the Ruger No. 1 and No. 3, but again, the follow up on the missed or wounded skunk will be dangerously slow.

Nearly forgot -- I echo the concerns expressed about the CZ and its backward safety. They'll finally figure out it is backward when someone gets hurt and sues CZ's asses off. In addition to the safety problem, it is an accurate gun with a fantastic single-set trigger but it has an inexplicably thick root on its bolt handle which forces the scope to be mounted very high, well above the normal eye line of a shooter with his cheek properly braced on the stock. Added to this the fact that it is not a Hornet-sized action, but rather a .223-sized action causes me to pass on the CZ despite its attractive price.

10 December 2010, 00:04

craigster

Best for me so far has been CZ. I've had a Ruger 77 (junk) and a Savage . I do have a #1 that has been rechambered in K-Hornet (nice)

10 December 2010, 13:55

Ingvar J. Kristjansson

This talk about the newer Ruger 77/22 hornet being much better today respect at the past, when did this happen ? From what year are they ok ?

10 December 2010, 19:28

eurocentric

I have bought 5 in the last 18 months... not a single problem..

quote:
Originally posted by Ingvar J. Kristjansson:
This talk about the newer Ruger 77/22 hornet being much better today respect at the past, when did this happen ? From what year are they ok ?

10 December 2010, 19:31

eurocentric

Stonecreek, just an fyi.... The CZ is probably the most popular rifle for 22 hornet wildcats, I don't think there's another brand that comes even close. I don't have one yet but I think its worth mentioning.

quote:
Originally posted by Stonecreek:
I enjoy shooting my Hornets a great deal and recommend the little cartridge -- if you have patience and a knack for tailoring handloads for a potentially finicky round.

However, I just don't see the point in having a Hornet chambered on an action that is large enough for a .300 WSM (Browning) or even a .375 H&H (Win Model 70). If you're going to enjoy the little cartridge, also enjoy an action properly proportioned to it.

There are still some nice ones from yesteryear floating around on auction sites like the Sako P72 and M78. Also, the Kimber of Oregon M82 is a very nice and accurate one, as is the Walther KKJ and its European cousin, the BRNO. The Win M43 is a little cruder, but still a serviceable and enjoyable gun. The Savage M23 is actually just too crude to recommend.

In current production, the Ruger M77/22H appears to have much improved barrels compared to its early and very inaccurate production, so it is a good candidate (trigger fixes are also available). The Cooper is an outstanding little rifle; I just wish they would put a magazine on it for those of us who sometimes miss the skunk on the first shot. Not as nice, but likely a good shooter, is the Savage 40. And on the truly pricey end you can always spring for an Anschutz if your bank account can bear it.

You can also find some single-shots like the Ruger No. 1 and No. 3, but again, the follow up on the missed or wounded skunk will be dangerously slow.

Nearly forgot -- I echo the concerns expressed about the CZ and its backward safety. They'll finally figure out it is backward when someone gets hurt and sues CZ's asses off. In addition to the safety problem, it is an accurate gun with a fantastic single-set trigger but it has an inexplicably thick root on its bolt handle which forces the scope to be mounted very high, well above the normal eye line of a shooter with his cheek properly braced on the stock. Added to this the fact that it is not a Hornet-sized action, but rather a .223-sized action causes me to pass on the CZ despite its attractive price.

10 December 2010, 20:09

DMB

quote:
Originally posted by eurocentric:
I have bought 5 in the last 18 months... not a single problem..

Mine is of the same vintage.
The last 3 shot group I shot with it was at 50 yards. Snow was too deep to trudge the 100 yards. The group measure 1/4"; not to shabby for a Hornet. That would probably have been a 1/2", 3 shot group at 100 yards.
Again, the newly made 77/Hornets get good accuracy press.
I have no idea when Ruger "fixed" the 77/Hornets, but they rank high up on the accuracy ladder today. I did do a trigger job on it, and made sure the barrel was free floating. No other mods.
One of the big plusses for the Ruger 77/Hornet is their fabulous rotary magazine.. Ruger scored very high with that magazine design.

Don

10 December 2010, 22:05

Red C.

I reload .22 Hornets for a friend who has an older Ruger 77 and it shoots GREAT! It loves Lilgun and 45 grain bullets.

11 December 2010, 03:39

Haggis

I've a CZ527 and can't fault it apart from the dodgy arse about face safety. cracking little gun.

11 December 2010, 05:06

Stoneybroke

A friend wanted to repair/refinish Grampa's rife, a model 322 in 22 hornet. He said that $$$ were irrelevant. Two overnights with wipe out and the bore was clean. Sent the metal out to be reblued and found a decent piece of maple, with some figure under the original finish. Gary Hnath refinished the stock, reworked the trigger and made new bases. With new Bushnell 3200 , Grampa's rifle nows looks better than new and will shoot into 1 inch all day. I tried to buy the old girl, but not in this life!

11 December 2010, 05:24

jimatcat

my .22 hornet is a cloverleaf safety m70... it shoots the .224 bullet... tries .223's wrong!! finally figured out what was wrong, it setttles down to a moa gun...

11 December 2010, 05:32

jwm

I totally agree that the Hornet deserves an action sized to the cartridge. I had and sold a beautiful and accurate Anschutz, had and sold a Ruger that just wouldn't cooperate, and had good luck with a single shot H&R.

The most beautiful, most accurate, and just plain classiest IMHO was a gorgeous Brno ZKW465, reamed out to K-Hornet. I'm amazed that nobody has mentioned these guns...they are a joy, especially with the double-set trigger.

John

12 December 2010, 06:23

br6ppc1

I have a Browning Micro Hunter in 22 hornet. i admit that it has a full size short action, but I have several A-bolts that I hunt with. The 22 Hornet is a familiar rifle to me and it's track record is hard for me to argue with. When I purchased the rifle, I tried some reloads, but I couldn't find one to beat Winchester 46gr HP factory loads. I have run 4 boxes of them through it with an 85% kill rate on varmints and 3 hogs (yes, I did keep count of my kills). I finally got some Rem 6 1/2 primers and that was the key to getting great accuracy. I now use Rem 6 1/2, Alliant 2400 powder and Nosler 40 gr BT's. I get 2600 fps and sub 3/4 in accuracy. I have another 22 Hornet Micro Hunter in storage

. It likes my reload just as good as my first does.

12 December 2010, 06:53

jpl

I have 3 Hornets, a Cooper 38, a Ruger 77/22 Hornet, and a T/C Contender. All 3 are very accurate, but my favorite is the Cooper. I agree with what others have said about full size actions not fitting the Hornet very well. For some reason even the Ruger action is a mile long compared to the Cooper. If you need a magazine I'd suggest the Ruger, otherwise I'd get a Cooper. Good luck.

13 December 2010, 20:34

DMB

quote:
Originally posted by eurocentric:
I have a few hornets and variants as well, this is my favorite:

That sure is one BEAUTIFUL rifle...
I do love the older single shot rifles like that, from an earlier era.
Kudos on having in your inventory!!

Don

13 December 2010, 21:16

mdstewart

quote:
Originally posted by ty_falcon:
I just realized,I need a 22 hornet.Dont know why but I do.
I really only have 3 choices
ruger, I've heard they wont shoot without a rem bbl.
pre 64 model 70.Big bucks
and the cz 527.
The winchester would be (in my opinion) the best, But do I search gunbroker hoping to get one that is not wore out. Or do I take my chance with a ruger.
I've heard a few good things about the cz.But the magazine is kind of a turn off.
I dont expect a bench rifle,but I want a squirrel,coyote killer within it's range.

Not sure if you're interested, but I should still be able to get you a new Anschutz in .22 Hornet at a great price. If you're interested, pm me to let me know. Mike