22 Hornet for Predators

[173ABN]

Would a 22 Hornet be a good gun for coyotes

 

[5spd]

I shot more than a hand full of them in the mid/late 70s with my old Winchester in 22 hornet. I never shot them past the 150 yard mark though. I ran a 45g JSP at 2600 fps if I recall.

 

[stacy]

Yes Sir shoot mine out to 200yds with 35gr bergers and it does a great job that is on paper and varmints

 

[rmist]

In my CZ 527 22 Hornet I use 40 gr V-max and they're awesome !! Good to 200 yards. Using Lil gun powder exclusively with 205 primers. I also load long and use a calhoon single shot follower.
Good hunting !!

 

[Roe]

I use the same rifle as rmist and are dreaming of Lilgun powder. Have to do with Vit N110 here. Shooting Sierra 45gr Hornet roundnose bullet, but rmist's V-max choice is superior in your application.

rmist: You can likely do some filing (the plastic at the back) in the original CZ magazine to allow a 40 V-max, several have done so here.

Very wind sensitive though, here's a film showing the holdoff I need even for very short ranges

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhA-iBo-80Y[/youtube]

I love my 22 Hornet, but 204 Ruger is gaining popularity with fox hunters here.

 

[rmist]

Roe, Do you have a picture or the thread about removing the plastic in the CZ magazine? What OAL can you get by doing this?
Thanx again,
Rmist

 

[AckleymanII]

I used the 40g Speer spire point in a Kimber 82 loaded with 1680. The 40g Speer is a tough high velocity bullet and will break shoulders, spines, and hip joints...all a good thing when you are shooting them on the move.

The ogive on the 40g Speer spire point is further up on the bullet so that you will be able to touch the lands while bullet is seated to OAL for the magazine.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Roe, Do you have a picture or the thread about removing the plastic in the CZ magazine? What OAL can you get by doing this?

rmist: There's an article in the current issue of Varmint Hunter Magazine on how to modify the 527 magazine to accept longer bullet seating, such as with the poly-tipped offerings.

 

[Webster]

Why limit yourself with a small cartridge. Get a .223 or something with more power and range.

 

[Roe]

rmist, I'll make an enquiry and see if someone will host a picture, but seems Rick has found a good answer already.

 

[LCazador]

It's pretty simple to alter the magazine. Disassemble the magazine, poke out the two pins that retain the plastic wedge at the back of the magazine, remove the necessary amount for the COL you will need. You will have to lengthen the follower by adding material to the tail end. I did it for my 17 Hornet, just like the article in Varmint Hunter magazine.

 

[Roe]

No picture.

Was quoted 46.8 mm COL, about 1.8 inch

 

[rmist]

Thanks for reminding me of the VHA article. I went back reread it. I like the idea of having a magazine, but for now I'll stay with the single shot follower. They feed very nice and never an issue.

 

[sbranden]

You don't need to modify your CZ 527 magazines!!!! I seat mine to 1.765", charge 'em up with 13.2 grains of Lil'gun in Remington brass cases and light them off then with Rem 6 1/2 primers. These do 2,875 fps and are sub 1/2" @ 100 yards. I specifically use this load for predator hunting at night time now. Very accurate and effective little bullets. I also shoot these out of a couple of 222's with 21.0 IMR-4198 and CCI 400 SR primers. But out of my hornet I've shot 45 SP's, 40's, 34 Midway Dogtown hollow point bullets (also very accurate, but not great at anchoring stuff), 35 V-MAX's, 37 SDHP's, etc. I like the 40 V-MAX better than any of them, and I know it is doing better in wind for me - much better than 34/35's. My hornet wears a 5.5-16.5x44mm Nikon Monarch so I don't mind stretching it with these 40's now to 200 yards if need be.

 

[Witchhunter]

Out here most of us use a 22/250 or a 243 just because of the long range shots. We hunt a lot of hay ranches where a 400 shot is common. 223 is a minimum, lots of wind to deal with too. Fox and bobcat, the Hornet is sweet.

 

[Scot]

I've hunted coyotes for over 4 decades now and, if I could only own one coyote hunting rifle, it would be a 22-250 hands down. Why? Because it covers all situations and drops them like a cheap lawn chair. Early season hunting I use my Rock River Coyote Carbine with a 3x9 Leupold. This rifle shoots 1/2" groups with 50 gr Nosler ballistic tips and 8208XBR powder at max loading. It's a 300 yard rifle IMO. With 50 grain bullets loaded to 3900 fps in my 22-250 and sighted 1.5" high @ 100 yds all I have to do is leave just a crack of daylight between the crosshairs and a coyotes' back at 400 yds and its a done deal. As for night hunting I use a 221 Fireball & 50 grain bullets as most shots are well under 100 yards and the noise level is minimal. I own over a dozen varmint/predator rifles from 22 hornet through the 243 and I don't see the need for trying to make something out of a rifle caliber that it isn't. Yes, a hornet will kill a coyote with a well placed shot, but I believe there are much better choices for a dedicated coyote rifle. By the way, when I started shooting the mighty midget (221 Fireball) it replaced my hornet, 218 bee and 17's. It's a marvelous, super accurate little wonder of a rifle and one of the most fun rifles I've ever owned and I've owned over 150 rifles in my lifetime.

 

[stacy]

SCOT JUST REMEMBER ITS NOT WHAT U DRIVE IT'S WHERE U PARK THAT PROJECTILE I'VE SHOT MANY RIFLE'S VARMINT HUNTING OF ALL CAL.HERE IN FOOTHILLS OF N.C THE 22 HORNET COULD HAVE BEEN USED ON EVERY HUNT! IT GOES BACK TO WHAT I STATED 3000FPS KILLS JUST LIKE 4000FPS IF ITS IN THE TRANSMISSON!

 

[Scot]

Stacy….I understand what you are trying to say to justify the 22 Hornet as a coyote hunting round. Coyotes have been killed with the 22LR, too. But, I was trying to make the point that there is really no need to limit oneself in choosing a rifle/caliber for coyote hunting. You won't find any hardcore, longtime coyote hunters (and I am one) opting for a 22 Hornet as their dedicated coyote rifle. If its all you have, well, you can kill coyotes with one within limits both ballistically and physically. As an example, take your 22 Hornet and enter a major coyote calling contest with generally 70 or 80 teams. Your Hornet is going to be lonely because it will be the only one there! And while you're there, look around and I'll bet 90% of the rifles used will be of the 223 and 22-250 persuasion. AR's will dominate the .223 group. Hmmm…..wonder why? Happy Hunting.

 

[Webster]

Why would you spend at least $1500 for a rifle and scope and be willing to be at the bottom end of capability? I was never interested in 233s until recently but I think it's the best choice for a varmint rifle out to 400-500 yards if you want a factory barrel. You don't need near max powder charges like most people try to do. I am not a fan of the 204 and 22-250. It would be nice if all of the rifle manufacturers sold a22BR, 6BR, 6BRX or 6.5-47. I think it would help their sales. It would be worth it just for the advertising they would get. The cost to have 20 custom chambered riffle barrels in stock would be peanuts for a large company like Savage, Win & Rem. They could have a couple of barrels in stock and just screw them on if they got an order.

 

[whb]

I've seen some if not mostly good opinion's on the pro's and con's within given situation's.This can definitely give the first member some things to consider and hopefully he or she will enjoy shooting what ever they can put together.I think the K Hornet has some small and I said small advantages over the standard Hornet and yet we know it will have limitations.I enjoy shooting the K Hornet but it isn't going to be my go to rifle when distance and wind bucking is needed.I see and agree that Lil Gun and 1680 are two very good powders and VMax bullets.Thanks and enjoy reading the input. whb