The 22 Hornet

calaper · 03-24-2008, 06:03 AM

My dad and I are looking at buying an old .22 Hornet. We are in Australia so there isn't exactly much choice in what we buy. Currently i'm looking at a 2nd hand savage which is going for around $400, it is in good condition.

What i am wondering is this:

- How does the old hornet round perform? (range, trajectory ,etc)
- What is a reasonable price for the firearm in fair condition? ( I will convert it to Aus Dollars)

I have also been informed that the cost of ammunition is on the expensive side but i am quite looking forward to reloading and also casting my own projectiles which i've done for my 44/40.

Your input is appreciated.........

thomasbrooks07 · 03-24-2008, 06:34 AM

I dont own a .22 hornet but ive shoot them and they are fun but your right to expect pricy ammo. In a nutshell the .22 hornet is in the middle of a .22 magnum and a .223 calubur. From off the top of my head it has a velocity of around 2500-3000 feet persecond but I dont swear by that since I dont own one lol. I am not really sure if 400 is a fair price since I dont know what rifles cost in AU, but ive been to au and everything is expensive so I would guess thats a fair price if the rifle is in good shape. If you pick it up give us a range report and maybe some pics^^

Taurus Fan · 03-24-2008, 07:02 AM

Here's some basic info :
.22 Hornet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

$400 for an old Savage? Sounds ridiculously high, unless there's something weird going on in Australia with gun prices.

wunhunglo · 03-24-2008, 07:04 AM

I've got a Voere .22Hornet stashed away in the back of my gunsafe and in it's day it was considered the ideal cartridge for foxes. I would say max effective range of about 150-200 yards. Nice little round and I believe fairly easy to load for.; not too sure about casting something that small & going that fast, 40grn should go about 2700fps. In the UK you should get a 2nd hand one from 100-200 pounds?? maybe?? In Ossie, don't know!!

samuel · 03-24-2008, 10:25 AM

I use a Savage M219 a lot for coyote and other varmints.I handload using 11.3gr of IMR4227 behind a 40gr Hornady vmax bullet,and 11.5gr behind a 35gr vmax giving me about 2600fps and 2900fps.I am dead center with the 40gr at 60yds and can make a holdoff shot at 200yds holding 8"high.The 35gr will be dead on at 90yds but doesnt carry quite as good as it is a flatbase with short ogive.I like the hornet because it has stopping power out to 200yds and is very quiet in populated areas with pinpoint accuracy.It still has 200lbs+ energy at 200yds.I can load faster but loose just a little accuracy. sam.

oldjarhead · 03-24-2008, 10:53 AM

What model Savage are you looking at?
I have a Savage Model 40 that set me back $380 new.
I've been a .22 Hornet fan for 40+ years and find it a great little cartridge and a fairly flat shooter in both pistol and rifle. It won't be a devastator but it will do the job on small and medium game.
Ammo in that caliber runs on average $33 a box of 50. The drawback with the M 40 is it's single shot. I purchased 2 boxes of Pri Partisan .22 Hornet at about $15 per 50 rd box. Great price, unreliable ammo. The first round out of the box was a hangfire. After all said and done, there were 5 hangfires and 14 failures to eject...accuracy was pretty good at 100 yrds. I have another box to check out.

Samuel, do you have pics of the M219?

Silent Shooter · 03-24-2008, 01:18 PM

Round these parts, it is known as the "Deer Poacher's Special"...

wunhunglo · 03-24-2008, 01:35 PM

SS. That's strange, mine was used by a well known Scottish poacher for many years (Me!)

samuel · 03-24-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldjarhead

What model Savage are you looking at?
I have a Savage Model 40 that set me back $380 new.
I've been a .22 Hornet fan for 40+ years and find it a great little cartridge and a fairly flat shooter in both pistol and rifle. It won't be a devastator but it will do the job on small and medium game.
Ammo in that caliber runs on average $33 a box of 50. The drawback with the M 40 is it's single shot. I purchased 2 boxes of Pri Partisan .22 Hornet at about $15 per 50 rd box. Great price, unreliable ammo. The first round out of the box was a hangfire. After all said and done, there were 5 hangfires and 14 failures to eject...accuracy was pretty good at 100 yrds. I have another box to check out.

Samuel, do you have pics of the M219?

I tryed to pm you,and wrote a book length post and I dont know what happened to the pm,and got a message my post was too short.And you ask me to post a picture!What I am going to do is shut this damb thing down and go pout. sam.

calaper · 03-25-2008, 03:17 AM

I didn't actually know the hornet moved so fast. I am not sure exactly what model the savage is but i will definitely find it out. It's a shame ammo is so expensive but i guess that is how it goes.

Is it actually possible to cast my own projectiles as i didn't know they moved so fast?

For the guy that asked for a pic, i will post one if i end up buying it, i'll also give you a range report.....see how we go!

Cheers

samuel · 03-25-2008, 04:51 AM

If you use cast bullets,you cant push them that fast because they would slip in the riflings and lead the bore up.My load book says,for 45gr jacketed,2300fps to 2600fps+ and for cast,1600fps to 2200fps.The faster you push a cast bullet,the more alloy,s you need or the harder it has to be. sam.

irish murphy · 03-25-2008, 05:03 AM

I wouldnt bother casting for any 22 centrefire mate.The hornet is a very handy little round.Pretty quiet and cheap to load for.The amount of buggering around getting lead projies to work without leading the barrel isnt worth it IMO.As for what your rifle would cost its hard to say if you dont list the model you are buying?There is a few BRNO zkw 465 getting around the shops for around $500.These are top little shooters and hold their value well.Also worth a look if you arent really to fussed about a single shot is the martini cadet.They are awesome little shooters.Or maybe a NEF handi rifle.They cost about $300 new.The amount of different breeds and types of 22hornet over here is endless.Just depends how much you want to spend.If Brad Y sees this post he can give you a bit more info than me too.If i can ask where in aus are you?Might make it easier for me to refer you to dealers i know.

vikingpreacher · 03-25-2008, 03:58 PM

It is good at close to medium range varminting but, I can't tell you how much the rifle is worth.

oldjarhead · 03-26-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish murphy

Also worth a look if you arent really to fussed about a single shot is the martini cadet.They are awesome little shooters.Or maybe a NEF handi rifle.They cost about $300 new.The amount of different breeds and types of 22hornet over here is endless.Just depends how much you want to spend.If Brad Y sees this post he can give you a bit more info than me too.If i can ask where in aus are you?Might make it easier for me to refer you to dealers i know.

IM, Is the Martini popular down under? I have an unknown make similiar to the Cadet in size but the guts appear different. Needless to say I'm having trouble finding parts for the thing. It's a gorgeous little rifle and chambered for the .22lr. I hope someday to get it back on line as a .22 Hornet but I need a source for parts.
Can't find anyone here that knows a bit about Martini rifles.

Magnumsrule · 03-26-2008, 11:36 AM

You have to remember that the ammo looks pricy but you are buying lots of 50 instead of 20 right? So $45 for 50 22 hornet or $25 for 20 223.

AKHunter · 03-26-2008, 11:47 AM

Yes, at least the Remington ammo I last purchased for my .22 Hornet was 50 rounds at .50c each. That was a few years ago and the purchase was for intial sighting in and function check as it was a new rifle. The brass of course was my base for reloading. I consider that very reasonable costwise, at least it was then.

Btw, I think it is an underrated but terrific round for all the reasons already mentioned. I learned right off though that for upland game birds,( I bought my .22 Hornet for ptarmigan and the fox and coyote I crossed paths with so often while using a .22lr in the past) be sure to make your shoots to the head or base of the tail. It has a tendendcy to turn a ptarmigan (grouse) inside out if hit near center of mass. I never shoot at a bird that isnt on the ground .

stalebiscuit · 03-26-2008, 06:36 PM

oh my god what a fun thing

it is intense i will say

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurus Fan

Here's some basic info :
.22 Hornet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

$400 for an old Savage? Sounds ridiculously high, unless there's something weird going on in Australia with gun prices.

ya, they arent allowed

irish murphy · 03-27-2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stalebiscuit

oh my god what a fun thing

it is intense i will say

ya, they arent allowed

Whats not allowed?

samuel · 03-27-2008, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calaper

I didn't actually know the hornet moved so fast. I am not sure exactly what model the savage is but i will definitely find it out. It's a shame ammo is so expensive but i guess that is how it goes.

Is it actually possible to cast my own projectiles as i didn't know they moved so fast?

For the guy that asked for a pic, i will post one if i end up buying it, i'll also give you a range report.....see how we go!

Cheers

I can push the 35gr vmax to 3100fps on the chrony but it shot 1 1/2" groups.I can stay under 1" at 2900fps.I shot a woodchuck(dont know if you know what they are,but they are a rodent varmint we have that gets to about 15lbs+) at 200yds,headshot.The 35gr vmax hit on the right side,about eye level and blew all of that side of his head out.Thats pretty good for the smallest centerfire.The Speer 32gr bullet shoots good but doesnt carry with the vmax.It has an open,wide hp. sam.

hornet lover · 03-27-2008, 04:30 AM

i am having trouble with the tempreture effecting my powder in my hornet, it shifts the point of impact up to an 1", iam using W296, is there anything i can do to stop this, i have nearly a pound left and dont want to waste it, what would be the appropriate tempreture for this powder, any suggetions would be appreciated.

03-24-2008, 06:03 AM	#1
calaper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 106	The 22 Hornet My dad and I are looking at buying an old .22 Hornet. We are in Australia so there isn't exactly much choice in what we buy. Currently i'm looking at a 2nd hand savage which is going for around $400, it is in good condition. What i am wondering is this: - How does the old hornet round perform? (range, trajectory ,etc) - What is a reasonable price for the firearm in fair condition? ( I will convert it to Aus Dollars) I have also been informed that the cost of ammunition is on the expensive side but i am quite looking forward to reloading and also casting my own projectiles which i've done for my 44/40. Your input is appreciated.........

03-24-2008, 10:53 AM	#6
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mansfield, MO Posts: 820	What model Savage are you looking at? I have a Savage Model 40 that set me back $380 new. I've been a .22 Hornet fan for 40+ years and find it a great little cartridge and a fairly flat shooter in both pistol and rifle. It won't be a devastator but it will do the job on small and medium game. Ammo in that caliber runs on average $33 a box of 50. The drawback with the M 40 is it's single shot. I purchased 2 boxes of Pri Partisan .22 Hornet at about $15 per 50 rd box. Great price, unreliable ammo. The first round out of the box was a hangfire. After all said and done, there were 5 hangfires and 14 failures to eject...accuracy was pretty good at 100 yrds. I have another box to check out. Samuel, do you have pics of the M219? Last edited by oldjarhead; 03-24-2008 at 10:55 AM.

03-24-2008, 01:18 PM	#7
Silent Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 292	Round these parts, it is known as the "Deer Poacher's Special"... Last edited by Silent Shooter; 03-24-2008 at 01:55 PM.

03-25-2008, 03:58 PM	#13
vikingpreacher Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 269	It is good at close to medium range varminting but, I can't tell you how much the rifle is worth. __________________ Join the cartridge comparisons group! http://gunandgame.com/forums/group.php?groupid=3

03-26-2008, 11:36 AM	#15
Magnumsrule Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Alberta, Canada Posts: 593 Blog Entries: 2	You have to remember that the ammo looks pricy but you are buying lots of 50 instead of 20 right? So $45 for 50 22 hornet or $25 for 20 223. __________________ Cartridge Group Like to discuss cartridges? Join HERE!

03-24-2008, 06:34 AM	#2
thomasbrooks07 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 185	I dont own a .22 hornet but ive shoot them and they are fun but your right to expect pricy ammo. In a nutshell the .22 hornet is in the middle of a .22 magnum and a .223 calubur. From off the top of my head it has a velocity of around 2500-3000 feet persecond but I dont swear by that since I dont own one lol. I am not really sure if 400 is a fair price since I dont know what rifles cost in AU, but ive been to au and everything is expensive so I would guess thats a fair price if the rifle is in good shape. If you pick it up give us a range report and maybe some pics^^

03-24-2008, 07:02 AM	#3
Taurus Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cobra Command Headquarters Posts: 811	Here's some basic info : .22 Hornet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia $400 for an old Savage? Sounds ridiculously high, unless there's something weird going on in Australia with gun prices.

03-24-2008, 07:04 AM	#4
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 1,659	I've got a Voere .22Hornet stashed away in the back of my gunsafe and in it's day it was considered the ideal cartridge for foxes. I would say max effective range of about 150-200 yards. Nice little round and I believe fairly easy to load for.; not too sure about casting something that small & going that fast, 40grn should go about 2700fps. In the UK you should get a 2nd hand one from 100-200 pounds?? maybe?? In Ossie, don't know!!

03-24-2008, 10:25 AM	#5
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I use a Savage M219 a lot for coyote and other varmints.I handload using 11.3gr of IMR4227 behind a 40gr Hornady vmax bullet,and 11.5gr behind a 35gr vmax giving me about 2600fps and 2900fps.I am dead center with the 40gr at 60yds and can make a holdoff shot at 200yds holding 8"high.The 35gr will be dead on at 90yds but doesnt carry quite as good as it is a flatbase with short ogive.I like the hornet because it has stopping power out to 200yds and is very quiet in populated areas with pinpoint accuracy.It still has 200lbs+ energy at 200yds.I can load faster but loose just a little accuracy. sam.

03-24-2008, 01:35 PM	#8
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 1,659	SS. That's strange, mine was used by a well known Scottish poacher for many years (Me!)

03-25-2008, 03:17 AM	#10
calaper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 106	I didn't actually know the hornet moved so fast. I am not sure exactly what model the savage is but i will definitely find it out. It's a shame ammo is so expensive but i guess that is how it goes. Is it actually possible to cast my own projectiles as i didn't know they moved so fast? For the guy that asked for a pic, i will post one if i end up buying it, i'll also give you a range report.....see how we go! Cheers

03-25-2008, 04:51 AM	#11
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	If you use cast bullets,you cant push them that fast because they would slip in the riflings and lead the bore up.My load book says,for 45gr jacketed,2300fps to 2600fps+ and for cast,1600fps to 2200fps.The faster you push a cast bullet,the more alloy,s you need or the harder it has to be. sam.

03-25-2008, 05:03 AM	#12
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	I wouldnt bother casting for any 22 centrefire mate.The hornet is a very handy little round.Pretty quiet and cheap to load for.The amount of buggering around getting lead projies to work without leading the barrel isnt worth it IMO.As for what your rifle would cost its hard to say if you dont list the model you are buying?There is a few BRNO zkw 465 getting around the shops for around $500.These are top little shooters and hold their value well.Also worth a look if you arent really to fussed about a single shot is the martini cadet.They are awesome little shooters.Or maybe a NEF handi rifle.They cost about $300 new.The amount of different breeds and types of 22hornet over here is endless.Just depends how much you want to spend.If Brad Y sees this post he can give you a bit more info than me too.If i can ask where in aus are you?Might make it easier for me to refer you to dealers i know.

03-26-2008, 11:47 AM	#16
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Yes, at least the Remington ammo I last purchased for my .22 Hornet was 50 rounds at .50c each. That was a few years ago and the purchase was for intial sighting in and function check as it was a new rifle. The brass of course was my base for reloading. I consider that very reasonable costwise, at least it was then. Btw, I think it is an underrated but terrific round for all the reasons already mentioned. I learned right off though that for upland game birds,( I bought my .22 Hornet for ptarmigan and the fox and coyote I crossed paths with so often while using a .22lr in the past) be sure to make your shoots to the head or base of the tail. It has a tendendcy to turn a ptarmigan (grouse) inside out if hit near center of mass. I never shoot at a bird that isnt on the ground .

03-27-2008, 04:30 AM	#20
hornet lover Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: victoria, australia Posts: 19	i am having trouble with the tempreture effecting my powder in my hornet, it shifts the point of impact up to an 1", iam using W296, is there anything i can do to stop this, i have nearly a pound left and dont want to waste it, what would be the appropriate tempreture for this powder, any suggetions would be appreciated.