Hornet

[gomer pyle]

I’ve got a hankering for a 22 Hornet(or possibly a 17). I’ve been wanting something more than a 22 mag but don’t like how the wind effects HMR. For some reason, I keep coming back to the Hornet. I will mostly shoot targets with the occasional groundhog, but do plan for a Prairie dog hunt sometime in the future  

I like the looks of the Ruger 77 but keep reading bad reviews and that it would need to be sent to CPC. 
I'm not big on a CZ, mostly because of the magazine hanging down. 
Thoughts on a Hornet? If I go 22, do I need a K chamber? 17 better or worse? Which rifle?

[KahrMan]

If money is not an issue look for an older Sako rifle like a L-46 or something similar.  The '50s and '60s Sako rifles in .22 hornet are some of the best out there.

[TomInMN]

1 hour ago, gomer pyle said:

Thoughts on a Hornet?

I get the nostalgia factor, but if you're not dead-set on the Hornet because you think it's super cool I'd encourage you to just go with a .223 in a nice bolt action rifle.

If you don't reload, you have a lot more choices in .223 loads, better availability, and lower price per bang. If you do reload, you can mimic the Hornet's good qualities (relatively low powder usage, not much recoil or report) but you also have the flexibility to load something like an 80gr projectile, which a Hornet setup really wouldn't be able to handle.

[gomer pyle]

Honestly, I like the fact of less recoil and less noise. I’m not set on the Hornet, it just meets all the things I like. The 17 WSM is another round I’ve looked at but I just keep coming back to the Hornet. 

[DaveTN]

Savage makes several models in .22 Hornet. .22 Hornet ammo is still available for about the same price as .223. It’s a much shorter effective range than the .223, but also less recoil.

Is resale value an issue to you?

[gomer pyle]

5 years ago, yes. Now, with a 9 yr old who loves to shoot, once they come home they stay. 

[Hozzie]

I guess range would be the deciding factor for me.  That said, I am an unabashed 204 Ruger fanboy.  Everyone seems to default to 223 because of availability, but I guess I like something different.  22-250 and 204 Ruger are probably my two favorite rounds altogether, especially for prairie dogs.  Both will have more noise than the Hornet, but the 204 will have similar or less recoil to the 223, but the speed is awesome.  

 

[Handsome Rob]

Have you thought about a .17 hornet, or .17 Fireball?

[gomer pyle]

I have thought about the 17 Hornet. I would like more opinions/info on it. 

[xtriggerman]

 The 22 Hornet is a great cartridge. An old friend of mine shot a large pile of Coyotes over the decades with his Savage 23D. I have a 23B in 25-20 and really like these old classic Savage guns.  Down side is cost of ammo. Only the import stuff is reasonable considering the tiny amount of material to make one of these rounds. Someday I'll get my Dillon set up for the 25-20 with spitzer heads & modify the ol girl for Winchester 351 SLR mags. That's the ticket right there for me in that category.  If you reload, your good to go .

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/22-hornet