22 K Hornet

Captain_coues

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Months ago, I placed an order for a 22 Hornet. I'm a lefty, so it needed to be custom made. Long story short, it didn't go through. There were difficulties getting it to cycle, and the builder gave up. No hard feelings, they really gave it a good shot.
For years I have wanted a 22 Hornet or K Hornet. I won't be happy until I get one. I was really excited for the one being built that I bought dies, brass and bullets.
Do any of you know of someone out there that can build a lefty 22 Hornet or K Hornet? I know Cooper builds a single shot model 38. I may do that if I can't find anyone in the US to build a repeater. PM me if you don't want to post here.
Thanks
 
Keep in mind Hornets are not accurate. I have 2 pre-64 model 70's in the Hornet, one is a Hornet the other is a K hornet. both shoot like crap. I used to have a model 43 and it was worse. the Hornet deserves it's bad reputation for accuracy.


I really can't think of a good thing to say about the Hornet other than it's nostalgic. the 17 HMR is superior in every way for this category in my opinion.















Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-09-17 AT 07:49PM (MST)[p]Thanks Tog. I hadn't heard they were that bad. Years ago I thought it would be neat to have a round that shoots the 40grn bullet at 3000 fps. That's where I got the idea of the K Hornet. I have several 223s and 22 mags so it would be more of the nostalgia idea. I have also thought about the 221 Fireball. I can't get my head into the 17 calibers yet, but I'm getting there.

What do you think about the 218 Bee?
 
There are a few accurate hornets , but accurate compared to what? MOA on a rife good to 250 yards is not accurate in my opinion. it needs to be 1/2 " or better to be in competition with a 17 HMR. not an easy task for a Hornet.




The K hornet came about as a way to extend brass life and get a little more velocity. it helped on both . I don't have any experience with the 218 Bee but I've read it is an improvement over the hornet.

I've killed rats to 300 yards with my HMR but in reality it's a 200 yard gun. the Hornet might handle the wind slightly better than the 17 but it isn't a long range rifle either even if you had the accuracy.




Give the 17 HMR serious consideration if it's a medium range varmint gun you're after. very accurate ,very effective , not as much noise , safer down range and no reloading microscopic cases. we have lots of sand rats around here and go through 1000's of rounds a year, after buying my 17 HMR my Hornet's will never come out again. obviously if small game is your goal the hornet would do less damage to the meat.

There are a bunch of new small cartridges these days and if the HMR didn't do everything I needed I'd look into them before I considered another Hornet.








Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
It's been years since I shot any groups on paper with my Hornet, but I seldom miss ground squirrels out past 200 yards . I also prefer the heavier bullets of the Hornet for coyotes , compared to the 17 HMR .
 
It took quite a bit of effort and experimentation at the loading bench but my Hornet shoots well. Hornets are picky eaters. Mine likes a 45 grain bullet with a light crimp. Factory ammunition was indeed awful.

No offense, but frankly I think the pre-64 Winchesters are fine hunting rifles but many are lacking stellar accuracy when they are riding the bags.

It certainly is not a long range round but within it's limits it is fine for varmints.
 
I have a CZ 527 in 22 hornet that shoots 35 grn V-max into 3/8 inch at 107 yards and 40 grn V-max into 1/2 inch. Trick is to load bullets just off the lands, use lil-gun powder and cci pistol primers. Factory Remington ammo shot lousy in my gun, 2-1/4 inches at 107 yards.
 
The 218 Bee is my dad's favorite round. He has killed deer, wild hogs, coyotes and too many jackrabbits to count.

Had a couple of Ruger 22 Hornets and never could get them to group.
 
I had a ruger 22 hornet before my cz. The best I could get was 1-1/8 inch group. They made that rifle on their 22 rimfire action, it's got a two piece bolt,(not good for high pressure centerfire cartridges)and locks at the rear. When I ordered it I thought it had the same action as their other centerfires. I saw that two piece bolt and figured it would cause me trouble. Some people put a very thin stainless steel washer between the two bolt pieces which helps take up the slop and improve groups. I just sold mine and bought the cz.
 
Seamaster , I have dozens of pre-64 70's and many are tack drivers, but in the hornet you're right they never were the best. and to even get decent accuracy you must use the original .223 caliber bullets. how you can build a 8 lb hornet on a 30-06 action and not make it shoot is beyond me. some of it has to be the cartridge.



I'm just saying I'd never spend two bits on another Hornet. just my opinion and experiences.














Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
I've had a Ruger M77 Sporter for 25+ years, and it will shoot handloads Sub-MOA.

Factory loads have been at a solid 2" .

With the Hornet, small changes add up quickly. I'm talking about 0.1gr of powder making a difference.

Most Hornets seem to shoot Lilgun powder and a small pistol primer very, very well.
 
This is from my A-bolt hornet with factory 35 grain hp's 3 shots @100 yds.
Shoots pretty good ?
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