T/C Contender 14": .223 vs. .22 Hornet?

[MatthewVanitas]

I've gotten in and out of T/Cs a couple times so far. Just sold off my huge collection earlier this year.

This time, I'm thinking of building on the one frame I have left, and sticking to the basics: one or two barrels, one set of furniture.

Partially, this is because I keep wanting to get a Rem 700 .223 "tactical rifle" or similar. But on further reflection, a .223 T/C Contender will do about the same thing, for cheaper, in a smaller package. Needs more fiddling to make it as stable as the rifle, usually will have a shorter barrel, but is awfully handy and somewhat novel.

In the 14" barrel, am I losing all the advantages that the .223 has over the Hornet? Should I just get a Hornet barrel instead, for cheaper reloading and less noise?

Or will the .223, even in a 14" barrel, still chuck heavier bullets so much faster that I'll be able to reach out further?

Main interest is target shooting, but not completely ruling out varminting, especially if I get back into a nutria area.

Take care,

-MV

 

[db_tanker]

your main issue with this is that the 22 Hornet and the 223 remmy will have the same barrel twist... 1-12 if I remember correctly...
With both barrels, unless you get a custom barrel from MBMCO, Bellm or such with a specific fast twist, you would probably be better off with the 223.

You can load it down to 22 hornet velocities. I know that with a 40 gr. ballistic tip, I can hit 3000 with top loads out of my 12" TC. This is a legitimate, 150 yard 1-1.5 moa firearm, as well. No recoil, but a louder report than the Hornet.

You can load up to a 62 gr. SS109 bullet in that 1-12 I have found, but the accuracy won't be there like it would with a good 55 gr. hornady or the 50 gr. Sierra.

The 22 Hornet...man that is just a sweet little round...but with your guidelines you have laid out...I would go with the 223.

Nutria, huh? You been to the guadalupe recently? lol


D

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've got a 223 Blue dot load that throws a 40gr bullet at about 2200fps and shoots well under an inch at 100yrds. Then I have a load that throws a 55gr bullet at 2800fps and also shoots well under 1 inch. Have just started to play with the 60gr bullets.
Another plus to the 223 is with the mild loads the brass last forever. That hornet brass is a pain in the bum.