I didn't realize that both calibers were available until I finally handled one a a local gun shop. Can anyone comment on the advantage or disadvantage of one caliber vs the other?
That CZ seemed pretty sweet. I really liked the set trigger!
Would be used for target and maybe Yotes. Thanks

I have a 221 on a rem 700, I've never owned a hornet. I am told the fireball is what the hornet should have been.

I'm very happy with mine; I have a 527 in .223 that I like a lot, too.

I'd go with the 221.

One day I'll get a 527 in 221 also.

I have two Hornets. One is a 527, and it is the most accurate rifle I own. You need to review the ballistics of both rounds and make a decision based upon your proposed usage. Store bought Hornet ammo is pricey, but I reload.
Pete

Step up and buy a real caliber .223 !. The .221 is OK .My opinion of the Hornet IT SUCKS !.

I have a close friend who purchased a TC barrel 22" in a Hornet !. This guy has been loading for 40 years keeps impeccable records . Loads so many different calibers I couldn't even begin to tell you half of them .

Any way he's tried every thing in projectile weight powder combination he or I or anyone on this forum could come up with . It will not shoot under 1.0" consistently with any load . His best load was with IMR 4198 45 grain and 60 grain projectiles . Very disappointing . Oh did I tell you he has TWO barrels for it !.

The triple duce or .223 or 22-250 are hand above !.

I've shot one of his old 03 he had developed a load for it shoots .475" all most every time !.

Or how about a 6.5 X 55 that does .625" every time !. These were rode hard put away bloody surplus weapons . No trick barrels or triggers either just War relics !.
Get several opinions not just mine !.

get the hornet if it blows you can go over to 5.7x28 or a wildcat there of and they are a hoot.

Between the two, my vote is for the .221 chambering. You can always load it down slightly for Hornet performance, if you want that. I would be very surprised if it won't shoot well below half an inch with a little care in loads and tuning.

They are sort of a local "fad" at our club here. A lot of the local benchrest competitors have them as their "sage rat" guns, and they are real performers.

One of my close friends has pretty much lost the sight of his right eye, so has recently had to learn to shoot left handed. He went to the .221 for low recoil while learning to shoot again. He is shooting groups in the mid .1s to the low.3's with his .221. Saw him doing it again just last Sunday....

quote:

Originally posted by PJ:
You need to review the ballistics of both rounds and make a decision based upon your proposed usage.
Pete

+1

Don

I have both and can say that for me I take the Hornet out about 90 percent of the time. Anything up to foxes and just shy of about 200 yards is history.

FYI My Stevens Mod. 200 in .223 will out shoot my CZ 527 American in .222. From what I read on this forum, however, I'm the only who has the missfortune to say that. You hold a CZ 527 in your hands and imediately fall in love with the beautiful thing. Taking it to bed( play on words) was another story. roger

I have the Hornet but can't see what it can do that a .221 wouldn't do better .
Magazine is too short on the CZ Hornet to use ballistically efficient projectiles .
Think the .221 uses a .222 length mag ?
Read before I bought mine that the Hornet was finicky to load for and now agree . Unfortunately our importer doesn't bring the .221 into Australia .
Now I've bought a Sako .222 as well which I probably wouldn't have done if the CZ .221 was available here .

quote:

Originally posted by Bushchook:
Now I've bought a Sako .222 as well which I probably wouldn't have done if the CZ .221 was available here .

I'd say you have a VERY fine rifle in the Sako Duce. Feed it well, and it will deliver accuracy.

Don

I've always had a hornet around, about 29 years now. They just do everything I want to do on live varmints under 200yds. The Ruger boltgun I have now will shoot a magazine full under 2" at 200yds for me, and you hardly notice the rifle going off. It has been the "starter" centerfire rifle for over 100 boy scouts, and about twenty nieces and nephews over the years in a couple different rifles.

It just works for me, I got two sub-moa loads for it, and the kids love it.

Rich
DRSS

Being the glutton that I am, I have both the .22 hornet and the .221 in the 527.

Both are FUN GUNS to the extreme. Given the difficulties and finickyness of the Hornet, I would take the .221 if I could only have one. It is a much more consistant rifle in the group department. I am not a bench rest shooter but 2 of the 30 some .221 groups I have shot with handloads have both been 5/16". Most are between 7/16" and 9/16". I cannot make the .221 shoot over 1 1/2", no matter what I feed it. The hornet won't touch that.

I have both a Hornet and a K-Hornet (not in CZ's). I like them both and am able to make both of them shoot surprisingly well, however, the .221 is a much more modern design and is thus preferable from a shooter's point of view.

I just had occasion this weekend to work with a friend's new CZ 527 in .223. There is a DESPERATE need to mill down the incredibly oversized base of the bolt handle in order to allow the scope to be mounted much lower. I can't understand this obsolete design on an otherwise very slick little action. The "backwards" safety is totally unacceptable and it surprises me that CZ can get product liability insurance to sell it in this country. (Maybe they're going without?)

The single-set trigger is outstanding -- easily the best factory trigger I've ever seen.

If CZ would restyle the bolt handle (and sweep it slightly to the rear), change the safety to operate as ALL other guns do, then offer an internal double stack magazine, they would have a real winner. They could also improve the appearance by putting a less opaque stain on the stock in order not to obscure what is otherwise pretty decent walnut. They could also float the barrel without making the barrel channel nearly a quarter-inch larger than the barrel. Make those changes and I'll buy one in every caliber they offer.