225415 Gas Check I really liked it and thought it was every bit the equal of my normal make of choice, the Anschütz. since 1930, with factory rifles coming along about 2 years later. Sam got There are highly frangible bullets as well as missiles of substantial construction. 10.0-grain Lil’ Gun Elegant and slender, the Lyman Ideal in .22 Hornet is a “mini-sized” Sharps’ copy. 5. A cartridge that shoots that flat seems like a natural for Field Pistol competition. The big ammunition manufacturers produce multiple varieties of .22 Hornet ammo specifically designed for hunting predators and varmints. Newer .22 Hornet rifles (like the Ruger 77/22) have a 1:14 twist rate. Add in pure shooting fun plinking with cast bullets and you’ve got a winner. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: New York Department of Environmental Conservation, State Agency: Great for chicken hawks too. First one disappeared / evaporated into thin air. The Hornet is perfect for mid-range varmints of all stripes. Accuracy runs were conducted with the Savage Model 25 LV rifle scoped with a Bushnell 4.5-14X scope set at 14X. Lyman mold 225438, .225″ diameter, 44-grain gas check, provided 159 bullets for 1 pound of lead. The .22 Hornet has survived this long because it fits perfectly into a spot between Sectional density and ballistic coefficient are anemic in .22-caliber bullets. Due to advances in propellents, modern factory-loaded .22 Hornet ammo has slightly improved ballistics compared to the original loads from the 1920s and 1930s. The Fireball is eazy to reload but takes a bit more powder but the case life is much longer. (413) 642-4262 I own a 22 hornet & 22 K-hornet also. It is a great round but only if you place your shots well. There’s no question about it, whatever the little slope-shouldered pipsqueak accomplishes, the .222/.223 duplicates on Monday and improves on Tuesday. Winchester sees the result as feasible and begins building ammo in 1930 chambered for the—nothing. After all, that’s most likely the main reason why the 22 Hornet is the number one cartridge of choice of Field Pistol shooters today. I never heard of the 22 Hornet e as my elderly logger friend from Cana da says. The same year, a Number 956 lightweight bolt action (4 pounds, 14 ounces) “especially made for the new ‘Hornet’ cartridge,” priced out at $18.50, with .22 Hornet ammunition costing $3.35 per 100 rounds with 45-grain bullet. Re-chambered Springfield 1922 .22 Long Rifles and newly barreled Martini single shots were the first Hornets (as far as I can tell). For perspective, consider the exceptional 1932 Luna Single Shot Target rifle in .22 rimfire, Model 980 falling-block action, fitted with micrometer wind gauge rear sight, disc front sight, plus “perfectly adjustable rear sight,” with both sights removable with a key. However, after Winchester Model 54 rifles chambered in .22 Hornet went into large scale production in 1933, the cartridge really made it into mainstream use. I enjoyed sleepovers with the old folks because, although foreigners, today they would be called cool. There is a company that tightens up the bolt and has had great success in improving accuracy. of 1.723" and should feed through the magazines of bolt action repeating rifles without a problem. The .22 WCF had been around since 1885. Buy some excellent .22 Hornet hunting ammo here. Development of the cartridge we know as the .22 Hornet is usually credited to Grosvenor Wotkyns, who at the time was a member of the Ordnance Department at Benecia Arsenal in California. Some accounts from that time period state that the .22 Hornet was the most accurate centerfire cartridge the technicians at Winchester had ever encountered up until that point. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: It’s been chambered for over 80 years by numerous arms factories, and is available in pistol, revolver, sporting rifle, and even “survival” and multibarrel guns. Comment: High accuracy, Sierra 53-grain HP Match Bullet The fact that this 1930 baby falls well behind the scintillating .22 centerfires is exactly why the cartridge has never died. So, the biggest advantage the .223 Remington has lies in its higher velocity and flatter trajectory that make it easier to hit targets at longer range. Most of the older .22 Hornet rifles (like the Winchester Model 54 and 70) have a relatively slow rifling twist rate of 1:16 inches. For small game and furbearers, there are full metal jackets (where allowed by law), such as the fine Sierra 55-grain GameKing boattail. I also read a magazine article that said the 22 Hornet “was” the “first choice” for coyote hunting, because a 223 causes too much hide-fur damage (if a person is selling hides) but a 223 can be “hand loaded” with “less powder” to about equal a 22 Hornet. Oh wow, that’s a great development! Note the .164″ spread! Thanks for sharing! 17 Caliber.172” Diameter. Again, thanks. Install resizing die off of ram head; 6. Additionally, the cartridge had a very light recoil and a mild report that made it a true joy to shoot, especially when those early loads had such impressive performance for that time period. In today’s post I’m going to show you why the .22 Hornet is so versatile and exactly why you should consider hunting with it. It’s very economical to handload, and can be used effectively with cast bullets. Case length is controlled with an RCBS trim die. Speer’s TNT 50-grain .224 bullet pushed by 13-grain Lil’ Gun retains sufficient pasta, even at 300 yards, to make Rancher Harry happy with a reduction of livestock-tripping prairie dog holes. The Big Game Hunting Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com.au, and other Amazon stores worldwide. Extend de-capping pin well beyond base of FL die; But Colonel Harriger did not have Lil’ Gun. For instance, Federal, Hornady, Nosler, Prvi Partizan, Remington, Sellier & Bellot, and Winchester all manufacture at least one .22 Hornet load. The polymer tip helps increase the ballistic coefficient and initiate expansion, even at low impact velocities. 17 Rem. ammo. Bullet was a 50-grain Sierra match handload. 20 Caliber.204” Diameter. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: After all, Arizona allows the .22 WMR on peccaries, as does Texas, and one of my African outfitters has a cousin in Australia who relies on the Hornet for wild pigs and goats. i load my own so my costs are low. 1. Standard Deviation: 12 fps 100 Springdale Rd. I have a Browning A-bolt in .22 Hornet, and its easily my most accurate rifle. Standard Deviation: 28 fps Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Mississippi Deptartment of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, Minnesota Deptartment of Natural Resources, Michigan Deptartment of Natural Resources, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. But having solid information on a K-Hornet owned by my friend Colonel Russell Harriger, the facts are in. 2,924 fps The .22 Hornet cartridge evolved out of the black-powder .22 WCF, which originated in 1885 for the Winchester single-shot rifle, and was also chambered in the 1873 Winchester. 221 Rem Fireball. It has been attributed to the two piece bolt that they use. I like the Hornet for varmints and spike white tail deer. It does the job for me. Javelina and wild turkey: either scope will do. Full-length resize case it was sure accurate for its day. Unfortunatly, the Ruger bolt guns have a so-so reputation for accuracy in.22 Hornet. There is a great deal of variation in .22 Hornet brass. By 1939, the Stoeger catalog boasted the Model 70 Winchester in .22 Hornet for $61.25. Screw Fl resizing die to full contact with ram head Winchester Model 43 in 22 Hornet..Your information is thoughtful and right on the mark, I thank you. Minnesota Deptartment of Natural Resources, State Agency: I was surprised to see the sought-after Super Grade Model 70 also in .22 Hornet for $84.85. Even though it doesn’t compare favorably on paper to many more modern cartridges, there is no denying that the .22 Hornet has quite the appeal to varmint hunters looking for an accurate cartridge with a tame recoil and a mild report. I’m hunting with lead free reloads in .22 Hornet, here in California. He found standard small rifle primers proved the best choice. The mild report and low recoil are key points for me, plus of course that one can reload, unlike rimfires. Not antelope hunting, just scouting. Built by fireforming the case in a different chamber, the .22 K-Hornet has a sharper shoulder that can accommodate more powder. Standard Deviation: 17 fps So after a bit of research I ordered one in .22 Hornet from the Sportsman Gun Centre in Exeter. Ideal Rifle Would a lee loader make accurate ammo? Using the cartridge for deer hunting is a somewhat controversial subject. The Hornet seems less victim of this problem than some cartridges. Let’s be honest — at the range, you use a standard magazine pouch for your auto pistol reloads, but in the real world, it doesn’t always happen. Install charge with a tap of funnel to settle powder ( 13-grain Lil’ Gun fills the case The 22 Hornet was born around 1920 and in its day the Hornet was the cats meow. 3. For real and pix dont lie. How do I know if my rifle is .223 or .224 (does it really matter)? Cast lead bullets workable for small game and wild turkey at velocities ranging from 1,300 fps to 2,000 fps and harder bullets at up to 2,500 fps for wild turkey. The reason is simple but profound: the .22 Hornet fills a niche perfectly between the excellent .22 WMR and the hot-rock two-twos. Middletown, CT 06457 Nevada Department of Wildlife, State Agency: Until that point, The Ideal in .22 Hornet is a scaled-down Sharps type rifle with the classic falling block. Exploding a squirrel or rabbit with a .223 isn’t very helpful if you are wanting meat, not to mention being driven off built-up hunting areas because of noise complaints. But it’s still nice to have the relative quiet of the Hornet compared to the boom/crack! 2.0-grains Red Dot 2,720 fps The Ruger M77/22, the Savage 25 Lightweight Varminter, and the Thompson/Center Contender are all in current production and are available in .22 Hornet. IF it did not have such beautiful wood on it the dang thng would have long since gone down the "gusnhow highway"! I am saveing my pennies for a replacement to us here in the states. Lil’Gun now has published data for the 45 grain TSX Barnes copper monolith bullet, “just sayin”. He got 2,846 fps on his chronograph with his hottest 50-grain bullet K-Hornet load. Comment: Explosive! I grew up in Africa Zimbabwe on a large farm 90% of my hunting was done with a brno 22 hornet any thing up to deer sized game fell to its tiny bullet all kneck or head shots. Thanks for your comment Bruce! Comment: Penetration with accuracy, Barnes 50-grain TTSX FB Bullet He initially shot the buck in the shoulder and caused a nasty, but probably not immediately fatal wound. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, State Agency: It would be a long time before I owned a Hornet. Winchester has a FMJ boattail at 55 grains, a 55-grain Pointed Soft Point, a 50-grain Pointed Soft Point in spire-point design with considerable shank, plus 34- and 40-grain bullets. Comment: All-around load—excellent in Ideal. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: Comment: Run to test .5-grain reduction, Nosler 35-grain Ballistic Tip Lead Free Bullet Through all of that, the .22 Hornet has refused to die and is still hanging around to this day as a relatively popular varmint cartridge. Standard Deviation: 17 fps 22 BR Rem. Only take that shot if you really know what you’re doing though, because it’s easy to screw up. Hmmm…The .22 Hornet made its commercial debut around 1930 and was a “new round” simply because it used smokeless powder in the much older blackpowder case – the .22 Winchester Center Fire (WCF). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, State Agency: There was also the M6 Scout Aircrew Survival Weapon issued by the USAF as an over/under .22 Hornet/410 shotgun combo. However at only .142 sectional density for a 50-grain Spitzer with a “C” of merely .175, these bullets do what they were designed for. Down on the corner lived Jim Martin, older than I, and tolerant of my incessant and often ill-designed shooting questions. The Challenge Intrigued by the new cartridge, Townsend Whelen tested it out a few years later in a modified Springfield rifle. 13.0-grain Lil’ Gun i have a 77 223 which is very accurate. Indeed, the .22 Hornet was the third most produced caliber (behind only the .30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester) in pre-World War II Winchester Model 70s, which should give you an idea how popular the cartridge was with American hunters in the 1930s and early 1940s,. Across the highway from my Wyoming home, the little rifle will be on antelope scouting treks. Plentiful factory ammo also validates the present status of this old-timer. From whence came the Hornet (know as the 5.6x36mmR in Europe)? 40-grain Ballistic Tip For comparison, the maximum load for the .22 Hornet with Accurate 1680 powder is 13.5 Gr., resulting in 2516 FPS from a 20-inch barrel; however, the maximum charge of 1680 in the .22 K-Hornet is 16.0 Gr., resulting in 3177 FPS from a 20-inch barrel, and 2854 FPS from a 14-inch barrel. I have the other Ruger.22 Hornet (#1B) and can say that it … Also own 223 & 22-250's. There is no doubt Lysle Kilbourn’s invention will better the standard Hornet velocity-wise. Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources, State Agency: My other Hornet rifles (coming up) broaden the horizon of .22 Hornet application. The literature across the board has Captain Grove Wotkyns, G.A. As all of the big farms seem to be falling victim to developers my Browning B78 high wall in 22-250 gets more “safe time” and my Browning 1885 low wall in 22 Hornet seems to get more field time. John. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: My Red Dot load of only 2 grains for low-velocity loads yields 3,500 shots per pound. My best groups at reduced (22AH - 218 Bee range) were with the hornady 45 gr hornet. However, the body of evidence also indicates that both cartridges are very effective on predators, small game, and varmints. Considering that Whelen is known for his quote “Only accurate rifles are interesting”, he must have found the .22 Hornet quite fascinating indeed. Any help as to reloading hints greatly appreciated. Seat bullet. i would stay away from the hornet because of ammo cost, the 223 ammo is very reasonable. The .22 Hornet was also widely adopted in Europe where it’s known as the 5.6x35mm. But practical overcame desire, and I got a Sako .222 instead. at the trigger. There’s no telling how many coyotes, foxes, and bobcats hunters have taken with the .22 Hornet over the years. Two powders — Hodgdon’s Lil’ Gun for superb balance between velocity, pressure, and good case life (such as 13 grains pushing a 45-grain bullet at 2,878 fps at 31,000 CUP), and Red Dot for cast-bullet plinking, small game and mountain birds — is all you’ll need. Since most of those rifles were converted from the rimfire .22 Long Rifle cartridge, they had a .223″ groove diameter (more on this in a minute). Michigan Deptartment of Natural Resources, State Agency: Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: Price: $1,595, Model 25 Rifle The only 10-shot group fired fell below an inch, center to center. 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