.22 Hornet

[walshie 2,804]

We went out lamping last night and my mate decided to bring his CZ .22 Hornet with him. I'd never seen one used before and I always thought they were just a grown-up rimfire.

I was amazed at the damage one of these things can do.

Anyone else own one?

[sussex 5,777]

Had one 35 years ago ,it was a great round .Having used the rimfire for everthing when i got the hornet all of a sudden charlie at 100+ was not a problem .It was the hornet really got me into rifles.Back in the day we did a fair bit of pest control one job was feral cats,the hornet was as humane as you could get !!Only got rid of it about 5 years ago...

[charlie caller 3,654]

A very underrated round indeed,3x the power of an hmr,at least,but to get the best from a hornet,you must reload for it, as most factory ammo,with the exception of hornady 35gn vmax is pretty pedestrian,and expensive,with a good handload the hornet is capable of dropping charlie out to 200yds,and long range rabbits/crows out further,and the real bonus is even with a hot load,you are only using around 12gns of powder,but if you get one and reload(essential)for the small aditional outlay,get the Lee case flare tool,and the factory crimp die,as these two items combined,will see groups shrink to cloverleaf size @ 100yds.Oh and if you fancy one CZ make the best.

[sussex 5,777]

CC you are spot on there,i shot factory ammo for years (never been into reloading) till a pal reloaded some for me ,the differance was really noticeable ,never bought factory again .Big diff in cost as well ..

[heritage 202]

Reloading for a hornet will show significant increases in performance but its not vital.., as above the 35g v max will provide results that are both accurate and consistent enough to do the job well. The main benefit of reloading would be the reduction in price but this would obviously depend upon the amount of ammunition used..., the 22 hornet is indeed a very underestimated calibre and as for manufacturers, well......once you've used the hw60j all the other brands seem second rate IMHO.

[mattydski 560]

I have a CZ Hornet.........

I use 35gr vmax exclusively for rabbit, crow, fox, out to 200....... Im the limiting factor thereafter..

 

13gr of Lil gun is devastating..... Hole on Hole........ doesnt get any better that that.

 

To be honest, if deer aren't on the menu, Hornet comes out the cupboard every time...

 

Stops Charlie dead in his tracks....

[Furittus 35]

Just arrived back in from paying charlie a visit, my friend had his hornet with him, I have to say it is the cure for the problem, devastating at 100 yards, ( two charlies less ) .

[cragman 2,769]

I have a Hornet and I find it does what it says on the tin. An excellent round out to 200 yds as has been said. Foxes don't get up after being hit by this round. I shot a fox on sunday week paced out to 100 yds and it knew nothing about it. I'd recommend one to anyone but reload your own, or as I do, I get a friend to do it for me.

[Charlie in bed 5]

Agree with everything that has been said about the .22 Hornet. Great caliber, had one years ago shot a lot of foxes with it, good fun.