I've been toying with the idea of buying a 22 hornet rifle for plinking. The appeal is it's ballistically superior to a 22LR (by a pretty wide margin), cheap to reload for and the barrel should last forever. But the biggest appeal is having something I can shoot without heaing protection and the recoil light enough for me to witness bullet impact through the scope. I'm asking for a 22LR but with better ballistics, better than a 22 mag too. I'd also like to be able to reload for it, which means the 17 HMR is out.
I usually shoot my 22LR stuff without hearing protection. I am wondering what your threshhold for hearing protection is. As well, what is your shreshhold for being able to see bullet impact through your scope without recoil causing you to miss the view? I use muffs or plugs for everything but 22LR, and at times I'll put it on for that, too. For instance if I'm shooting in a covered area where the sound is amplified. For scoped rifles I go from 22LR then jump to .243 (no 22 centerfire rifles). With the .243, try as I might, I can't see impact.
I usually shoot my 22LR stuff without hearing protection. I am wondering what your threshhold for hearing protection is. As well, what is your shreshhold for being able to see bullet impact through your scope without recoil causing you to miss the view? I use muffs or plugs for everything but 22LR, and at times I'll put it on for that, too. For instance if I'm shooting in a covered area where the sound is amplified. For scoped rifles I go from 22LR then jump to .243 (no 22 centerfire rifles). With the .243, try as I might, I can't see impact.
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