Looking into 22 Hornet

[jmorris]

What the Hornet has over the 22 RFM is a little more power and the ability to reload it.

If by “a little” you mean another 1000 fps, 400ft/lbs +/- and by “ability to reload it” you mean can pick from any available .224 projectile (assuming not an old .223 Hornet) vs. the hand full of 22 Mag rounds out there (many with just plated bullets), I agree that pretty much sums it up.

 

[HowieG]

If by “a little” you mean another 1000 fps+/- and by “ability to reload it” you mean can pick from any available .224 projectile (assuming not an old .223 Hornet) vs. the hand full of 22 Mag rounds out there (many with just plated bullets), I agree that pretty much sums it up.

Well, not any .224 projectile. If you want decent velocity, 45 grains and under work the best. 50 grainers get kind of pokey and my 88 grain ELD bullets are darned near as long as the Hornet case so I am pretty sure they won't work. But even with those minor limitations, I would say I would easily trade a 22 Mag for a Hornet any day of the week.

 

[jmorris]

You most certainly won’t get ideal results with all of them (guess you are only going to get “ideal” with one of them) but they are an available choice, that the .22 Mag does not have and double the energy.

 

[HowieG]

I just saw CCI 22 magnum ammo over at Midway on sale for 40 cents a round. I guarantee I can load 22 KHornet cheaper than that.

 

[HowieG]

You most certainly won’t get ideal results with all of them (guess you are only going to get “ideal” with one of them) but they are an available choice, that the .22 Mag does not have and double the energy.

Which one do you consider is the ideal one?

 

[jmorris]

That depends on what the rifle likes but I generally go for the lighter end of the spectrum pushing 35 & 40 grain bullets in the 2800-3000 fps range.

However, I also have .223’s, 22-250’s and such to play with the heavier ones.

I guess I am also biased against the .22 Mag. I have wanted to like them, they just never seem to work with me and there are not the number of choices out there like .22 LR or the feeling like they need to load them with decent projectiles like the .17 HMR.

 

[HowieG]

That depends on what the rifle likes but I generally go for the lighter end of the spectrum pushing 35 & 40 grain bullets in the 2800-3000 fps range.

However, I also have .223’s, 22-250’s and such to play with the heavier ones.

I guess I am also biased against the .22 Mag. I have wanted to like them, they just never seem to work with me and there are not the number of choices out there like .22 LR or the feeling like they need to load them with decent projectiles like the .17 HMR.

I like the 40 grain "V" bullets as I call them. Nosler Varmageddon and Barnes Varminator. I run both around 2800 fps. I also have a fondness for James Calhoon's 37 grain double HP. Have you tried them?

I do have a load with the 35 Vmax at 3100, but that is a stumpy little sucker and I don't care for how it looks. It shoots fine though.

I'm like you in that I have a 223 and two 22-250 rifles if I need to upscale. Plus the Valkyrie I guess, although I don't really consider that a varmint rifle.

I do have a couple of 22 Magnum six guns. That cartridge is okay in a wheelgun.

 

[jmorris]

I do have a load with the 35 Vmax at 3100, but that is a stumpy little sucker and I don't care for how it looks. It shoots fine though.

That bullet and 13 grains of lilgun is not a bad choice for them.

 

[HowieG]

That bullet and 13 grains of lilgun is not a bad choice for them.

I am actually using 11 grains of lil gun for the 3100 fps load.

 

[jmorris]

I’d have to go back to my records but I think that’s faster than I was getting with this load.

 

[HowieG]

I’d have to go back to my records but I think that’s faster than I was getting with this load.

View attachment 1052775

I've been using AA1680 with the 40 grain bullets. I tested some W680 and, of course, it worked well since it is obsolete. I have most of a pound, but that 's it.

 

[Skeeter330]

I have been intrigued by the hornet for a long time, but I already have a 22 magnum I don't really have a use for, and I really don't need another caliber in the inventory.

If you aren't into reloading don't bother. Where i live most of the shooting is at 200 yards and in and I enjoy reloading so for me the hornet checks all the boxes

It makes a nice close range target round and a relaxing hobby reloading