Pondering a 22 Hornet or K-Hornet for a pro hunter

[Mulligan]

The goal is a centerfire 22 for rabbit hunting and maybe the silly yote that hangs around too long.
I have a deuce, 223, 223AI, and 22-250. Just looking at something a bit slower that is not a rimfire, for rabbits.

For those with experience with these two cartridges, what to you recommend and why?

I have a bunch of old Waldog brass and a great reamer for it, I could get a Waldog barrel but then again, I do not need 3000-3500 fps for bunnies.

Thanks
CW

 

[Mark M.]

I have had both, but currently only have one.The K hornet, the reasons are simple. You can shoot the. 22 hornet in the K hornet chambering, they simply fire form into the K hornet, Case life is better with the K hornet, plus case capacity is increased.
Win Win with the K hornet

 

[Leo_B]

I have a .22 Hornet. It is everything I need in a not rimfire rifle. That said, if I came across a nice .22K Hornet I'd grab it in no time. Good luck with your decisions.

 

[kenacp]

Have both. Great small CF.Like the K better for reasons stated above. Go with the Contender frame if you have that.

 

[stacy]

I have both there both dandy little rounds but the K -Hornet is just a awesome little cartridge for me out to bout 200-250 yds in the right conditions

 

[Evan]

How about a 22 Squirrel? A little work to make, but not as much as a Waldog even. I have frequently had thoughts of putting one together but have always talked myself down.

 

[Oldbloke]

Work up a reduced load in the 222 or 223. That's what I did. Two rifles in one.

 

[qldreloader]

Ran a standard Hornet for many years. Managed to buy a bulk box of 4000 Winchester 40gr JHP projectiles for not much money at the time and ran them about 2400fps. Accuracy was good and they killed many rabbits, hares, cats and foxes. I found that neck sizing prolonged case life but generally brass life was short.

 

[17VLD]

Hornets are kinda like potato chips, one probably won't be enough. But if you have good restraint I'd get the K for all the above mentioned reasons. Was probably the best $100- I ever spent at Gre-Tans to have him rechamber a Ruger 77/22 Hornet to K and also the least amount of money I ever handed over to Greg. Just recently brought home a Super Redhawk in 22Hornet and it is quite literally a blast and very accurate too.
The 40vmax or Calhoons 42 will make you smile, enjoy.
Matt

 

[Mulligan]

How about a 22 Squirrel? A little work to make, but not as much as a Waldog even. I have frequently had thoughts of putting one together but have always talked myself down.

Yep
I looked at both the squirrel and mink.
I have zero fear of wildcatting. I regularly shoot a TallDog and Waldog and have way too many Ackley’s ……. If that is even possible? But the humble little hornet is calling me.

CW

Edit
A 17 or 20 squirrel might be a hoot!
CW

 

[JohnHenry]

Yep
I looked at both the squirrel and mink.
I have zero fear of wildcatting. I regularly shoot a TallDog and Waldog and have way too many Ackley’s ……. If that is even possible? But the humble little hornet is calling me.

CW

Edit
A 17 or 20 squirrel might be a hoot!
CW

Some 17 Squirrel info.

http://saubier.com/smallcaliber/17squirrel.pdf

 

[snert]

Go Bee or simply load down 222 or 223. 4 grain unique under a 40 grain Hornet bullet in 222, or look up Calhoon's "To Bee or not to Bee" article on using blue dot for gopher rounds.

But if you insist on a hornet...go K. I like mine.

 

[Leo_B]

Edit
A 17 or 20 squirrel might be a hoot!
CW

No, they'd be a chatter not a hoot. Don't shoot hoots.

 

[jeffakujawa]

The goal is a centerfire 22 for rabbit hunting and maybe the silly yote that hangs around too long.
I have a deuce, 223, 223AI, and 22-250. Just looking at something a bit slower that is not a rimfire, for rabbits.

For those with experience with these two cartridges, what to you recommend and why?

I have a bunch of old Waldog brass and a great reamer for it, I could get a Waldog barrel but then again, I do not need 3000-3500 fps for bunnies.

Thanks
CW

I love my K-hornet I use it for woodchucks I can hit them just about anywere and there just dead. It might be a bit much on rabbits though. I shoot 12 grs of lil gun with a 40 gr. v-max velocity is awesome 3200 fps. my brass is Nosler it is very heavy so my case capicity is diminished 12 grains is almost compressed. just a few .00ths off the rifling but its a great combo no signs of pressure quiet no recoil my rifle is a savage the hardest part of the project was modifing the magazine

 

[Mulligan]

Go Bee or simply load down 222 or 223. 4 grain unique under a 40 grain Hornet bullet in 222, or look up Calhoon's "To Bee or not to Bee" article on using blue dot for gopher rounds.

But if you insist on a hornet...go K. I like mine.

Does the Bee brass last longer?
CW

 

[snert]

Does the Bee brass last longer?
CW

Yes, if you can find it.

 

[snert]

I am a big fan of loading down a 222. I used a 40 grain Sierra Hornet bullet (224) and 4 grains Unique fired by a cci standard primer. It was a one hole load at 35 yards. I used it for tree squirrels when I had only one gun. It was about 22 mag velocity.
Blue dot in a 223 will give you Hornet velocity with common hornet bullets. A felt marker (blue) on the primer keeps regular loads seperate from Blue Dot loads. Calhoon still has his article up on his website.

 

[Mark M.]

Yes, if you can find it.

Grafs has it in stock

 

[Oldbloke]

Go Bee or simply load down 222 or 223. 4 grain unique under a 40 grain Hornet bullet in 222, or look up Calhoon's "To Bee or not to Bee" article on using blue dot for gopher rounds.

But if you insist on a hornet...go K. I like mine.

Most shotgun and pistol powders can be successfully used for "hornet" loads in a 222 or 223. Some are just better than others.

 

[Mark M.]

Most shotgun and pistol powders can be successfully used for "hornet" loads in a 222 or 223. Some are just better than others.