I found a slightly abused Browning Low Wall in 22 Hornet which I think will make a great rehab project. Other than nostalgia, what is the Hornet really useful for? I've been looking for a slim trim single shot for general packing around and kind of always wanted a hornet just don't really know why. Anyway I came across this combination yesterday and had the shop put it in the back for a day or two to decide. I will need to strip off the shiny finish as that is pretty scratched up and some dents. It looks to have nice wood hiding under the finish. I think a nice rubbed oil will bring out the silk purse. What do ya'll think?

first - that is one great little rifle. the hornet is a good short range quiet little round. you can do several things very easily to it if you don't want a hornet. 1st rechamber to k hornet. get a 2-300 FPS increase. #2 rechamber to 221 (i did this to mine) 222, 223 etc. single shot rifles are very easy to change calibers on. browning uses an epoxy finish that is a bitch to remove, (MEK works) just be careful on which chemical you use.

quote:

Originally posted by tankerjockey:
I've been looking for a slim trim single shot for general packing around and kind of always wanted a hornet just don't really know why.

That should be reason enough! I've bought other rifles "Just cause I thought I liked them"

I'd love to have a Low Wall in .22 Hornet just to walk around and shoot small game with.

I have shot everything (and I do mean everything) with a .22 Hornet from bullfrogs up to and including WT deer & hogs.

Great little gun.

If you are a fur-hunter like I was as a kid...does not tear hides like a faster .22!

The .22 Hornet is just a good killer.

Sounds like a great project that should result in a very nice little gun. Before you go drilling and reaming on the chamber as Butchloc suggests, try the little Hornet out. Depending on where you live and shoot, it can make a great small game/varmint gun. I own three of them (one K-chambered) and like them for turkeys and prairie dogs. It's a fine cartridge for doing in the occassional skunk, raccoon, or even coyote. Fiddling around with the Hornet from the benchrest is entertaining (though sometimes frustrating), but can be very rewarding -- and it is stress-free in terms of noise, recoil, and component costs.

Here's a tip on getting the Browning, or Remington finish off. Go to the local Automotive, or Aircraft paint store, and buy a quart of Aircraft paint stripper, the brands at Lowe's and the local hardware store, will not work. About 25.00 for the can. Forget about sandpaper until you get all the finish off. Use a putty knife to scrape off the lifted finish. Of course, you need to remove the butt pad/plate, and the wood from the action. Also you will need to stain the stock before you apply new finish, once stripped it will be pretty light. Hope this is helpfull.

Jerry

PS I would buy it also!

In this age of megavelocity, grossly overbore cartridges, the little Hornet is just the model of effective efficiency. You'll probably find it much more effective than you think. It's quiet to shoot and very cheap to load. I bought mine as a replacement for a .17HMR and its expensive ammo.

LWD

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:
In this age of megavelocity, grossly overbore cartridges, the little Hornet is just the model of effective efficiency. You'll probably find it much more effective than you think. It's quiet to shoot and very cheap to load. I bought mine as a replacement for a .17HMR and its expensive ammo.

LWD

LW
How much is HMR ammo in the USA? Please add up all of your component costs and show me how you can load 50 rounds for less than buying 50 of HMR.
Unless of course you bought components 10 years ago?
Regards Greg

quote:

Originally posted by Fasteel:

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:
In this age of megavelocity, grossly overbore cartridges, the little Hornet is just the model of effective efficiency. You'll probably find it much more effective than you think. It's quiet to shoot and very cheap to load. I bought mine as a replacement for a .17HMR and its expensive ammo.

LWD

LW
How much is HMR ammo in the USA? Please add up all of your component costs and show me how you can load 50 rounds for less than buying 50 of HMR.
Unless of course you bought components 10 years ago?
Regards Greg

I did this little exercise a few years back for the .17 Ackley Hornet and the HMR it was about a dead even push. The components were a lot cheaper then but so was my HMR ammo as I stocked up at $6.99 and $7.42 a box at different times from MidSouth, sure glad I did.
I love my Hornets, K-Hornets, .17 and .20 caliber wildcats and everything else that goes boom. That said, the HMR is here to stay in my world. Sometimes it's nice to go gopher hunting and just not have to worry about catching brass, reloading etc. I love all of em .

You'll love your Hornet!!

17 HMR ammo at midwayusa.com is $13-$16 per box depending on brand and/or bullet.

Hornady 35 grain VMax is $17/hundred or 17 cents per.

Federal small pistol primers are $31/thousand or 3.1 cents per.

I'm paying locally about $28 per pound for Lil Gun. At 12.6 grains per load that's 555 per pound of powder or 5.05 cents per bullet.

So excluding brass, I'm at 25.15 per load or 12.575 per 50 loads.

So I'm not really loading it any cheaper.



Well, at least I'm reusing the brass, and I'm getting to load!

LWD