Opinions Requested - .22 Hornet Rifle

[Shynloco]

Ok Folks,
I was at the range the other day and saw a couple of fella's shooting .22 Hornet Rifles. I knew ZIP about .22 Hornets before, but learned real quick about their accuracy and particularly they're effect shooting range. Now I'm kinda of an accuracy freak and use most of my rifles for target shootin. In doing some reading about the .22 Hornet, it appears that the following three rifles caught my eye: Others were nice but cost too much for my wallet.

CZUSA Model 527 Ruger M77/22-VHZ Savage Model 40 Varmint Hunter

If you had your choice of buying one of these three, which one would you buy and why (and don't use cost as a factor)? Thx

Alex

 

[RonAKA]

Alex, that Savage Model 40 looks like it is based on the Canadian rimfire gun? Assuming it is, I like the AccuTrigger on the rimfire and have been able to tune it down to less than 1 lb pull. However, I don't really like the way the action is fitted to the stock. Unless they have done something different with the Model 40, I think it is way too flimsy for a centerfire cartridge. For sure you would have to pillar bed it, and also reinforce it by the rear action screw. But, since it is a single shot they may have left much more wood under there than I have in my BTVS. Is the CZ based on the rimfire or their centerfire? I find the CZ in rimfires tend to have better overall quality of workmanship, but their trigger is not as good as the Savage. Don't know anything about the Ruger.

If it were me, I would be a lot happier with a real centerfire action, and then would have no hesitation in recommending the Savage. Also for a small centerfire it seems really hard to ignore the .223 Rem, as it is so popular. You can get quality Lapua brass for it, and there is no shortage of reloading die choices.

 

[pintopete]

How about the Browning A-Bolt Micro. I have shot one and when you operate the bolt you know it is a Browning. The one I shot was very accurate with the Hornady V-Max ammo. I would rather wait and save up for the Browning. Good luck, Peter.

 

[jonbearman]

I would go with the cz.There quality surpasses the american companys.Most of there rifle's have acceptable accuracy and the fit and finish is good.I think timney make's a trigger for it.There trigger is a single set unit that is adjustable for pull weight. I think the cz micro action is as good as it gets for the money.The retail is 718.00 , but I am sure if you shop around or find one used you can save some money.I owned a ruger and accuracy was not real good even with handloads.I would go cz all the way.The browning is nice but I will bet the price tag is right up there.The cz stock is beautiful turkish walnut and is checkered nicely.The sights on them are'nt half bad either.

 

[Shynloco]

Thx to all for the responses. Actually I was leaning toward the CZ model mostly because of the write-ups I've read, plus I don't have one of those...YET! And to RomAKA, thanks for the advice. That Model 40 worries me a bit for the very reasons you mentioned. And I already have the Savage Model 12 VLP in .223 complete with the Lapua brass. She's a shooter for sure. This thing with the .22 Hornet is just an extension of my "latest" love for .22. Actually I have four Rimfire .22's including an Anschutz Model 64 mpr, 2-Savages (BV & TR) and an old Remington which I was given when I was 14. But that distance shooting of the .22 Hornet impressed me plus it uses a centerfire cartridge. All my other rifles are centerfire rifles and I just enjoy shooting all of them. So thx to all for your input and I appreciate everyone insight into all these different caliber rifles.

 

[bozo699]

Shynloco,
I plan on buying a cz I have heard nothing but good about them. I own two M77/22 hornets
They look neat but that it There JUNK!! I have had extensive gunsmithing on both of them and have never been satisfied. I have a Encore and was thinking of buying a custom barrel in .22 hornet for it.
Wayne.

 

[V509]

I have a Ruger in 22 Hornet and am pleased with the accuracy.
Guess I just got lucky?

 

[bozo699]

V509,
You must have gotten lucky, I own two,another friend has two and another close friend has one and none of them shoot better than 1 1/2" @ 100 yds and usually not that good.
Wayne.

 

[JerryMay]

I had the Ruger in 22 Hornet for a few years, shot quite a few Foxes with it, quite accurate...then again a Fox is a fairly large target. Then I went to the 221 Remington Fireball,.....WOW! much more accurate, an extra 400 fps and better case life, worth a look and I think CZ chamber a rifle in it, just my opinion as I have owned and hunted with both,

Jerry, UK.

 

[1000yardstare]

Friend of mine has a Browning A-Bolt Micro Hunter in .22 Hornet. Nice looking, shoots sub-moa. He gets 3000 fps with 40 gr VMax and H110.

 

[LHSmith]

Ok Folks,
I was at the range the other day and saw a couple of fella's shooting .22 Hornet Rifles. I knew ZIP about .22 Hornets before, but learned real quick about their accuracy and particularly they're effect shooting range.

Most centerfire shooters are NOT impressed by the accuracy and range of the Hornet, after-all it ranks as the smallest popular CF round. Are you sure they weren't "K" Hornets or other wildcat. Specifically what performance did you witness that impressed you.
My vote would be the CZ, have one in rimfire...there's a lot of quality for the $$$.....don't like the protruding mag however. Of the people I know that have the Ruger, they did not hang on to it for it's accuracy.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I looked into a 22 Hornet several years ago after shooting a friends. I ditched the idea in favor of a 222. The 222 is easier to load for and not nearly as hard on brass.. From what I've read and heard Hornets have a propencity to split the necks.. I still get a wild hair every now and then concerning a Hornet, but since I have a 222 I can't convince myself I really need a Hornet..

 

[snert]

I had one 22 Hornet..a Ruger. Nice looking, svelte little gun that caught my eye...then drove me insane trying to get it to shoot. i am no sluch on the bench and at the reloading table, but this gun was the only one I ever sold that I am glad i got rid of! I went to a 222 (nostalgia) and it is far better. I cn load it down, or up and it just plain shoots. i would go with the CZ. the ruger just did not have it.
Snert

 

[Vanguard]

pay attention to rate of twist, the faster the better, most are 1-14 but some are 1-16 stay away from 1-16
in reality they should be 1-12.
My nef is 1-9 twist, its not a real tack driver but its good.
I have problems at 100 yds maybe its the wind, at 50 yds it clover leafs and 1 holes a bunch
I dont know why people say theyre hard on brass or theyre difficult to reload, total bs, I have about 20 loads on the same brass without a glitch.
1lb of powder goes a very long way with the hornet,
it makes 4/5 the power of a .222 with half the powder.

 

[jonbearman]

I really love the small cartridge's. I get 636 round's to the pound with the .218 bee.It is a little hard on brass,however it is a hot load of 296 powder and a 50 grain plhp.The little remmy bullet is fabulous.I can shoot well under an inch at 100 yds with the ruger#1.The .218 classic marlin lever gun shoots as well and better if I do everything right.Cheap to shoot and powerful..Gotta love that!!

 

[MOO1072]

I had the same issues as snert with a Ruger .22 Hornet. I got sucked in by the slick styling. Took it to the range and I could not get it to shoot or hold a zero. Tried everything from trigger jobs to bedding and replacing the scope. Eventually I sold it and I am so glad I did. I will never touch a Ruger again. I found out later they use a grub screw to hold the barrel in place. Sometimes they come from the factory a bit loose. The biggest irony is I could have had a CZ for the same money.

 

[oldhoward]

I have a Ruger 22 hornet and this is what I learned about it and 22 hornet reloading. Having owned several 22 hornets they can be very accurate. The ruger with factory ammo would shoot 3/4 to 1 inch groups all day. My hand loads shot terrible up to 7 inch groups!! Same loads in another rifle shot 1/2 groups?? I did all the obvious things, bedding, changed scopes...... . Worst shooting bullets in the Ruger were the 35 and 40 grain vmax, it just would not shoot them. A friend told me to try Lee Collet dies and after a few months of trying I finally gave them a try. I just sized the neck as little as possible and the Ruger began to shoot hand loads! Seems the chamber may be a bit sloppy?? It still don't shoot the vmax but it does like the Barnes 36 grain varmint grenades and most all the hornet bullets. Groups are about 3/4 of an inch or less most of the time. Hope this helps those who are having difficulties with their Ruger.

 

[snert]

mOO1072..
My post was short like the temper I had with that ruger! i also did all you did. It still would hit a basketball at 100 yards everytime! Whatever the reason, the gun was not worth fiddling with in the long run. i wish it had been a CZ too. Right after the Ruger came a 40xb in 22-250. When I shot three rounds and saw one hole, I thought I was into the same issue! Up close, I was happy to see it was one big hole, about .196 after the fifth round. I never looked at a Ruger again.
Buy the CZ.
Snert

 

[CT10ring]

my suggestion is to get a Cooper in 22 hornet-I have an older one early 90's & amazingly accurate- easy 5/8" groups at 100 yds. Try HSM or Hornady 35g vmax for factory ammo. I much prefer my .221 FB's for little cartridges, tho.

 

[jonbearman]

The neat thing with the hornet is the report.It is loud but nothing like the bigger centerfire's out there.The .218 bee is about the same in report.But you can get over 600 rounds to the pound.It make's for alot of shooting for people on a budget.