Fun Gun ?

[Cedric 132]

At the moment I use .22lr and hmr for rabbits and corvids and only come across the occasional fox but would like to do more foxing.

 

I've read all the posts about the various centrefires and as I'm not likely to be shooting anywhere near 300 yards, probably under 200, I'm considering the .22 Hornet.

 

I also like to do quite a bit of informal target practice and noise is a big consideration. I believe I've read that the Hornet is nearly as quiet as an hmr - is that right? Is the .222 a noisy round ?

 

As for accuracy I gather that the Hornet is every bit as accurate as the hmr if not better - again - is this correct?

 

Any suggestions and info appreciated.

[charlie caller 3,654]

The Hornet is a brilliant little round, but here's the fly in the ointment, factory ammo is expensive, and with the exception of Hornady, 35grain vmax, it is pretty crap, and loaded to low pressures and velocity, so to get the best out of a Hornet, you MUST reload for it, my hornet with the PES/MAE sound moderator was quieter than my mates hmr, or at least the crack was less. Hornet and .222 are around the same noise level, and it is the .222 I would advise you to get if you dont intend to reload a hornet, the .222 is a superb sweet shooting, fantastically accurate round, and factory ammo is available everywhere,it is quiet with a decent moderator on board, and should the occasion arise you can shoot deer with the .222 but not with the Hornet.

[shropshire dan 467]

Sorry to but in. But is the .22 hornet .222 quiter than a .223 naturally I think the .223 is louder but then id have thought a .22 hornet was louder than a hmr.

 

Thanks

[charlie caller 3,654]

I cant say I have noticed a great deal of difference to be honest.

Edited July 6, 2014 by charlie caller

[danw 1,748]

I can't tell any describable difference between my .223 or .222 both with jet z cqb mods but I would have said my mates .22 hornet was a little quieter it's hard to tell really.

[shropshire dan 467]

I always thought a .223 with mod sounds like hmr without mod

[Cedric 132]

Dan - that sounds pretty noisy, I wouldn't like to bang off 50 rounds in a session like i do with the .22 and hmr.

 

Charlie - I've wondered about reloading, I have the time and space so I suppose I could soon learn.

 

I think I'll go round to my dealer and see if there is anyone with either calibre in the area then I couild listen for myself if they are amenable. We are pretty much out in the sticks and there are more guns about than the Royal Armoury !

[3175darren 1,100]

I cannot discount the 222 as I had one, and regretted the day I sold it for a long time,I have a 223 and love the round brilliant little gun,However I sold my 17 HMR and bought a 22 hornet,and again love the round and use it more than the 223,I do not yet reload for it,although I have the gear now to do so,and will when I have shot my factory ammo off,I believe the hornet is better than the 17 HMR but that's my personal preference,the trouble I had was getting a consistent supply of 17 HMR ammo,I had issues with the case necks cracking,although I never had one stuck in the barrel,I was told the cracked case necks would not affect it but there was a definite noise difference, and I would usually miss when it happened, so I think it did make the difference mentally the case's cracking sat in the back of my head,so I went for the hornet and in my mind it was the right move,as for which one to buy,I would check ammo availability in your area,223 is a very good gun easy to reload for,but like I say I have both hornet and 223, and always grab for the hornet,good luck with your choice mate,as for sound there's not much in it remember the mod only deals with the bang from the powder and muzzle crack,not the sonic crack of the bullet doing 3,000 FPS,you will always have that, unless you got subsonic ammo.

[SportingShooter 0]

If you're going to do a bit of target shooting as well, then it has to be the .222 for me. It has the benchrest pedigree.

 

I can't say I notice any discernible difference between the noise of a hornet, a .222 and a .223. The hornet is perhaps slightly quieter but nothing to write home about, particularly if you live in a rural area where noise doesn't really matter.

 

.222 is a cheap round to reload too which is where it's accuracy shines through.

[Alsone 789]

Dan - that sounds pretty noisy, I wouldn't like to bang off 50 rounds in a session like i do with the .22 and hmr.

 

Charlie - I've wondered about reloading, I have the time and space so I suppose I could soon learn.

 

I think I'll go round to my dealer and see if there is anyone with either calibre in the area then I couild listen for myself if they are amenable. We are pretty much out in the sticks and there are more guns about than the Royal Armoury !

 

CF isn't really the best choice for target practice TBH unless you're well healed.

 

Banging off 50 rounds will cost you around £55-60 with a .223. Quite an expensive hour out!

 

Also remember, CF is only legal for zeroing against paper. You need to be more careful with your gun to avoid scope drift.

[danw 1,748]

If where talking informal practice then privi is plenty good enough and at £50 per 100 for hornet, .222 or .223 it aint going to break the bank

 

http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=16&sort=20a&page=1

[bbs 26]

 

 

If where talking informal practice then privi is plenty good enough and at £50 per 100 for hornet, .222 or .223 it aint going to break the bank

 

I personally don't like the cheep privi round tne name sais it all privi shite

I use the remington 50gr accutip boat tail

What a round ultimate fox dropper out to 300

 

 

http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=16&sort=20a&page=1

[danw 1,748]

 

If where talking informal practice then privi is plenty good enough and at £50 per 100 for hornet, .222 or .223 it aint going to break the bank

 

I personally don't like the cheep privi round tne name sais it all privi shite

I use the remington 50gr accutip boat tail

What a round ultimate fox dropper out to 300

 

 

http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=16&sort=20a&page=1

 

Lol ultimate fox dropper as I said for informal practice then privi is good enough would I shoot fox with it we'll if it grouped well and some guns group very well with it then why not but if you want a real 300yd fox dropper then the .223 ain't never gonna cut it

[charlie caller 3,654]

As Danw says if you want a 300 yard fox dropper, .22-250 .220 swift or a .243

[shropshire dan 467]

Are you guys suggesting a .223 isn't ideal at 300 yards? Im about to get my .223 and doubt ill push past 250yards max but id like to be confident that if charlie came up at 300 yards and won't come closer I cant still take it.