I ALREADY LOAD AND SHOOT A 527 AMERICAN IN 22HORNET AND FIND IT ACCURATE,AND PERFECT FOR FOX,S . I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF A 223(527 KEVLAR VARMINT).IS IT WORTH KEEPING THE HORNET ,OR JUST GOING FOR THE 223 I REALY LIKE THE HORNET WITH LIGHT BULLETS !!! ANY IDEA,S???

Here is the way I try to alwats evaluate two choices . . .
You can always load the 223 down to perform "like" a Hornet, but it is DANG HARD to load a Hornet up to perform like a 223.

Course then I throw out logic and buy what I want with the intent of shdding one or the other later . . . LATER never seems to come though!

So much for opinions to be of any use.

Steve,

I think the Hornet will always be useful where you want to limit noise a little. If it's working well then you should keep it. Really it depends on the sort of ground you cover, and your style of foxing. If you squeak them in, and take most shots under 150 yards, you don't have a need for a .223. Doesn't mean you shouldn't have one - you just don't NEED one!

I use 35gr Hornady vmax and Hodgdon Lil' gun in my hornet to great effect. These loads chrono at just over 3200 fps. My own preference for longer range is the .222 rem.

Patrick

Hey Steve, I messed with quite a few 22Hornets for 35 years and never could count on them being consistently accurate. Since you are happy with yours, keep it and get the 223Rem as an additional rifle.

Anyone who gets rid of an accurate rifle(trades, sells, whatever) eventually regrets doing so. The more consistently accurate it "was", the more it bothers you. (Voice of experience.)

PATRICK
I too use 35g Vmax with 2400 and also 45g hp bullet for the 218bee getting 1/2--3/4 inch groups at 100yrds also using reflex sound mod with it !!!
steve

Steve,

I wrestled with this problem a little while back, and to cut a long story short I kept my Hornet. I get about 2950 fps with Hornady 40 gr V-Max and 13gr of Lil Gun, Patrick is right out to 150 yards or so the Hornet will do the job, if I expect to be shooting beyond that then I take my 243 and if it is going to be closer I like to use my 22WMR. You are right though about shooting bunnies at 200 yards or so with the Hornet, for some strange reason although not a particularly long or difficult shot, well for others that is for me it is long, it is strangley satisfying.

Keep the Hornet

John

Steve



If you asked every shooter in the UK what was your first centrefire rifle I bet a good proportion would say the Hornet.

I first had a BRNO fox before swapping it for various other C/F models

If it was a choice between the two I`d say the 223 because of its versitility and more readily available ammo/reloading gear.I think you`ll find 223 factory ammo is less expensive than Hornet any way

If you can justify it keep the hornet and get a 223.You`ll enjoy both



Tim

Thanks to all
think i will go for a 223 with a 1 in 9 twist,so i can cover both ends,the hornet up to 45g bullets and the 223 from 55g and upwards.fancy the 527 syn/varmint,what do you think??

Steve

Can`t fault the CZ`s at all but have a look at the Tikka T3 as an alternative.These are probably the best out of the box accurate rifle in that price range
If you have the extra cash to spend have a look at the Sako 75`s as well

Tim

I have both the .22 Hornet and the 223 Remmington.
The .22 Hornet is a 150 yard, max rifle. The .223 is a 250 yard rifle.
I use a 45 grain bullet in the Hornet and a 55 grain bullet in my 1 in 12 twist 223. The 223 is an Ultra-Lite Ruger, with a pencil thin barrel, that heats up after one shot.
The wife shoots: 26.5 grains of Winchester 748 and gets a dime size group. I have to drop the load [same powder] down to 21.5 grains to get the same group.
I load 9.7 grains of Herculese/Aliant 2400 and get a dime size group. All groups are at 100 yards.

Madison,

For folks using 1950's powders and bullets,maybe the Hornet IS a 150 yard gun.For those of us who have availed ourselves of newer components,it will run with a .222 past 200!!!!!!!!

With handloads featuring 40g Vmax bullets and 13g of Lilgun at about 2900FPS, MY Hornet is darn sure more than a 150 yard rifle!!!The neat thing is,the Lilgun load develops about 3/4(or less) of the pressure of powders like WW296,H110,1680 and AA#9.Using "Lilgun" in the Hornet, velocity and long brass life is great.If one uses fireformed,neck sized brass and seats the bullet out to just touch the rifling,the accuracy of a good Hornet rifle will astound you!

I own an 1885 Browning low wall and its a BAD day when it won't poke three shots under 1/2" with that load.The smallest 3 shot group with it was under.2" at 100 yards.Due to the streamlined shape of that Vmax bullet it retains velocity well(more energy at 225 yards than the BEST 22 mag load has at the MUZZLE).

It shoots flat enough that Jack rabbit sized game is in DEEP trouble out to 300yards if one has a scope with target turrets and can read the wind.I nailed one at 309 paces last summer(witnessed)and he flopped over with one shot.It is as usefull on Prairie dogs as ANY .223 I have ever owned.

Properly loaded,the Hornet is simply a great small varmint round..

Steve

If you want a tad more power why not wildcat yours to K-Hornet ? Better brass life....... something different

If your after more power and superb accuracy then ifs got to be a CZ . 222 Rem..............

Im sorry but cheap ammo is not a good enough reason for a .223 Did i mention a hate .223

Englander