30-40yrs ago, .22Hornet ammo was not plentiful but generally available. It came in 50rd boxes so disappeared Less quickly. It also offered a reloader a low cost option as it uses such small powder charges.
Today, not so. 5.56/.223 is more widely available, cheaper, more powerful, and offered in a MUCH wider array of offerings.
I like my Hornet, but it’s been two years since I’ve taken it to the range. I now actually prefer the .218Bee, mostly for the rifle it’s in (Marlin 1894CL). But for decades, few .218s were made and ammo was nearly unobtainable. Thanks to Hornady for a new run of brass/ammo!
Curiously, both guns (cartridges) prefer the exact same loads...
As for case longevity, I’ve got some .22Hornet cases from first box I bought in 1976. Over sizing the brass will kill it quickly as the cases are quite thin. I still occasionally use the Lee Classic Hanndloader to neck size the brass.
But, if you’re a tinker’er, and dyed in the wool reloader, the Hornet is an interesting option.
Opening day of deer season 2017 I got busy cleaning deer!