.22 Hornet experts?

[graycrait]

I would like to start a private dialogue with someone who knows a lot about .22 Hornet, reloading concerns, good "enough" rifles that can have barrels replaced with different twist rate barrels, etc.  I really want to looking into shooting and reloading subsonic .22 Hornet.

 

Thanks

[Dolomite_supafly]

There is even a 22 Super Jet which is the same as the 22 Jet except it has a sharp shoulder rather than the tapered case. Think of it as a Ackley improved 22 Jet.

[dlm37015]

cz hornet the best i have of 4. i think savage has a good one as well .i use a sure fire on mine with a 50 grain cast bullet with a gas check.i found the best subsonic is a 223 necked up to 264 or 6.5 . big bullets are easy to get brass is cheap and it will stabilise better than a 308 .the sad thing is its too long for an ar i think i have a chamber cutter around here someplace.i have one in a 788 rem and a tc

[Westwindmike]

I wanted a 22 Hornet until I learned how to load my .223 down to Hornet velocities. I shoot those in my Contender.

[gregintenn]

I wanted a 22 Hornet until I learned how to load my .223 down to Hornet velocities. I shoot those in my Contender.

I was going to say that the op might have the best luck with a Contender. You can have a barrel made up for one in about any configuration you'd like can't you?

[Dolomite_supafly]

The problem with running reduced loads is they can be very inconsistent. You want 80% or more case fill and the bigger the case the more important it is.

 

If you have a chronograph load a round and point the muzzle towards the sky to force all the powder to the back of the case. Shoot across the chronograph and record the results. Load the next round the point it at the ground and do the same. The results will surprize you. I have had rounds go supersonic when the powder was at the back of the case and subsonic when at the front.

[pcrc11]

I love my CZ527 in 22 Hornet.

[graycrait]

http://kegisland.com/subsonic-hornet.html

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?250339-Consistency-in-22-Hornet-subsonic-handloads

[I_Like_Pie]

I echo the ability to download .223 or .222

Same bullets and more brass availability.  .22 Hornet isn't hard to reload for, but brass really doesn't last all that long by way of its shape/design.  I have found that 2400 powder is the best for this cartridge if you do go with it.

 

The only way that I would ever consider keeping one is if I ran across a 77/22 hornet Ruger rifle.  That is a really cool form factor for that caliber.  Possibly also one of the S&W revolvers that they chambered for it.  I see the caliber staying alive simply because there are people who love the .22 magnum who are reloaders who don't want to pay .22 magnum prices for something they can do themselves.

 

Otherwise I would just go with the more mainstream calibers.

[pcrc11]

Everybody and their brother owns something in 223. There is just a coolness factor in owning an "oddball" caliber that does not show up at the range at every other bench.

Edited April 17, 2013 by pcrc11

[graycrait]

I want one of these merely so I can load a 40 grain lead bullet to the same speeds as .22LR so when I can't buy .22LR ammo I can reload something very similar.  Seems that the CZ 527 is the "gold standard" in accuracy vice price of current manufacturers.   

[pcrc11]

The CZ527 is the one to get. Even over on the Ruger forum the 77 does not high praise in the 22 Hornet unless it has had the K modification. I was torn betwwen the 77 and the 527 but after research soon found out that you are correct, the CZ527 is the "gold standard". The single set trigger alone is worth the price of admission. Only problem your going to have is locating one to buy.