Hmr Vs Hornet

[Elliott 436]

Yes I know, they are two completely different rifles and the Hornet is much more powerful than the rimfire however I'd like to draw up some comparisons between the two because I recently sold my HMR to move into centrefire. As it turns out I've actually bought a .223 but I have added .22H to my ticket as a direct replacement for my HMR. The idea being that I'd use the Hornet to control foxes and rabbits on the golf course.

 

I have read a few posts about a few shooters chopping their HMR for a Hornet. Many say that the report of the Hornet is similar to a HMR so you might as well have the extra punch. I've heard factory ammo isn't amazingly accurate, however the option of reloading offers the shooter with the ability to develop a precise load. The Hornet also is a proven fox calibre whereas, in my opinion, HMR is only suitable at reduced ranges with shot placement being more critical. This presents it's own challenges when lamping (rangefinding) and during windy conditions.

 

So, I'd like to hear from those who have a HMR and changed to a Hornet, or those who run both. Would you say the Hornet is a more versatile tool that can tackle foxes and smaller ground game (without making too much of a mess) that the HMR has been so well known for?

Edited October 2, 2014 by Elliott

[Rimfireboy! 1,463]

Interesting subject Elliott, I've been considering a hornet myself, with the idea of using it as a more versatile replacement for my hmr. Should be enlightened......

[charlie caller 3,654]

Right, with the exception of Hornady 35 grain vmax, factory ammo is (in my experience) pretty shi*e, not accuracy wise, but it is loaded very conservatively to accomodate the ancient hornets that are still in use,the way to get the best, and save a considerable amount of cash is to reload the hornet, then 200 yard fox loads are easy to achieve for about 20 pence a bang,I love the hornet and regret ever selling mine, an absolute must as I have mentioned before, to achieve super accurate ammo, are two very inexpensive items from Lee, the .22hornet factory crimp die, and the universal case flare die, which gently flares the case neck to allow easy seating of the flat based hornet bullets, these two items will shrink an acceptable 1" group down to a ragged one hole group@ 100 yards,a CZ 527 is the absolute best hornet to get, no exception, and mine loved Sierra 45 grain varminter bullets, with these home loads off the bipod I could head shoot 8/10 bunnies @ 200 yards, not bad for a round that started its life in black powder form way back in the 1800s

[Alsone 789]

.17 Hornet probably worth a look as being a new calibre it doesn't have the load restrictions of .22 H to accomodate the older rifles.

 

Can't comment on it 1st hand though as never seen one in use.

[delswal 3,819]

.22 Hornet. This time, every time anytime.

[Deker 3,478]

The thought of a Hornet goes through my mind from time to time, I have rimfires up to WMR and my centrefires start at .223, so there is approx. a 1000ft lb gap there.

 

The logic seems the gap should to be filled, the reality is I have never found the need, there just doesn't seem anything in the UK ideally suited for a Hornet, and I have been looking for many years trying to justify one, but I can't.

 

Now, as a one gun tool, the Hornet is quite useful, but I have a lot of others so I struggle to find the need.

[charlie caller 3,654]

The hornet is a strange one and is hard to pigeon hole, too powerful for rabbits, although I shot lots with mine, but they have to be head shots mind not deer legal (more's the pity as it would be great on roe at sensible range) and there are better fox tools out there, but then again as Deker says, as a one gun for all jobs it takes some beating, have a stroll round with a hornet, a headshot bunny comes in the bag nicely, as does that 200 yard fox that your hmr is not suitable for, and of course it can be reloaded, for pence per pop, and with a good moderator on board it is as quiet as you will ever get a centerfire, and if you want to paper punch, you can fire a lot of rounds without the barrel heating up, I loved mine and as said wish I had never sold it

[Elliott 436]

It does sound a useful little calibre.

 

I'd be interested to hear how Cedric is getting on with his Hornet

[cragman 2,791]

I shoot with a Hornet, and it does what I ask of it every time. I use reloads and factory loads. I'm not into the guns as much as some of the guys on here so can't comment about much more. It was recommended by a mate who works in a gunshop and he does the reloads for me.

[celticrusader 78]

Might be couple of years yet before the .17 wsm builds up enough rep and availability for us to pick it up but that might bridge the gap.

[Alsone 789]

.22 Hornet. This time, every time anytime.

 

Nothing wrong with the .17 according to many sources, here's just one such report - same ballistic curve as .223 in 55gr and good on fox to 300yds.

 

As I said, not seen it myself, but no reason to disbelieve many good reports:

 

Edited October 3, 2014 by Alsone

[slipper 116]

But whats the point? Same curve as a 55 grain 223, but a lighter round, why not just get a 223?

[slipper 116]

Sorry didn't read the whole thread, my bad, lol

[Cedric 132]

Well, my Hornet is progressing! The Hornady factory ammo isn't bad but I struggled with my first home loads due to being sold the wrong sized bullet heads. I naively thought the 40g V-Max were the same length as the 35g, not so, they are longer and I had to seat them deeper just to get them in the magazine, However, they seem to work just fine.

 

I have now ordered some Sierra and Speer heads plus some 35g V-max, I'll see how they go. It's very interesting checking how the various powder loads perform - more is not necessarily better!

 

I have a fox to sort out on Monday, in a valley, max. range 145 yards so I checked the zero yesterday at 100 yards, shooting about 3/4" high. At 140 yards it was only 1/4" low - very little drop. And that was with the lightest load i had, 12g of Lilgun with 40g V-Max.

 

It is definitly louder than the HMR, more muzzle blast, but that could partly be accounted for by the short barrel - 16".

 

It is affected by the wind but nowhere near as much as the HMR. Magpies kind of explode when hit in the middle ! I still use the 22lr for closer range rabbits but have the mil dot calculation to cope with up to 100 yards, I don't have a mil dot scope on the Hornet as it's easy to guess an inch or so.

[celticrusader 78]

nice to see your getting things sorted mate, ive been curious to see how things have been coming along.