Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints In the market for a 22 Hornet

I'm in the market for a 22 Hornet for some plinking and predator hunting. I lost out on an auction for a nice Browning A-Bolt. I would like one of these but they seem to be pretty scarce.
What else is out there?
Ones I know of are the Ruger but I have not had any luck with the Rugers I owned. I would be hesitant but would consider one.
CZ though they just don't tickle me.
The mini Mauser ehhh
Kimber (I am a Kimber fan but would not pay the prices they ask for these and the impossible to find mags)
Sako - don't find those. Probably would have better chance getting a date with Scarlett Johansson.
Would love to see what you guys have. Post some pics please.

I'll be listing a Ruger 1B in the next few days.

Must be a bolt gun

I have had a ruler 77 for years. Altho they are not pateculary great shooters with hand loads they do good enough job for what they are.....a hornet. 100to150 yd gun. Also look at the cz they are probbly more accurate. Also ruger number3
Or how about the baby sharps.......really cool if you can live with iron sights.

I bought a sako hornet from a member here so you never know

Wanna sell it

Annie makes one.
A little to Euro looking for my tastes but they're accurate.

My CZ shoots pretty good, under MOA most of the time, anyway. I haven't worked with any powder except 1680, either, so that's withOUT much experimenting or tinkering. I wouldn't overlook the CZ without at least trying one out, if you can find a buddy with one to loan you.
I don't hotrod mine, I have "other rifles" for going fast............

And the set trigger is sweeeeeetttttt...................

Winchester makes a nice one in a pre-war...

That is a great looking rifle but unfortunately too rich for me.

I've got the CZ.

Not a bad rifle at all. Slightly cheezy mag that hangs down, but otherwise it's nice.

Slightly???


..... that's an understatement

I have a nice CZ I want to sell.

Let's see that baby!


.... they do make a mod for those slightly cheezy mags

My dad has the CZ Hornet and I thought it was quite a nice rifle. Just for $hits and gigs, we took it back to 300yds and shot some steel torso targets. I was quite surprised that it was holding just under MOA. My friend was so captivated by the hornet, he went out and found a Contender Hornet...LOL.

I currently own two Ruger 77/22s and just sold a CZ 527. I gave a nephew an old Kimber that I had. Only one of these remained a Hornet and the rest I made into K-Hornets. The CZ was the best quality and shot quite well after I replaced the trigger with a Rifle Basix. The Kimber was a disappointment and I have heard that the quality of the Kimber of Oregon rifles were hit and miss. The one I had shot well sometimes. The Rugers are tough and mine have the heavy long barrels. They have proved to have good accuracy after replacing the triggers with Jards and with the longer barrels, they give the best velocity. If I could get a custom bolt made I would convert a Remington M700 to K-Hornet. That would give me all that I want in a Hornet.

I have a 223 LVSF that shoots as far and as accurately as I need. The hornet would be for woods calling and plain plinking. My woods is very thick so shots are short. Also want something with a quieter report. Thought the hornet to be ideal.

CZ magazines aren't cheesy, they're very well made. Quite strong and dependable, sturdy is another word that comes to mind.



Savage M25 magazines, THOSE are the "femunda" of cheesy magazines.

Hunterjrg: Over the years I have owned and tried to "work with" LOTS of 22 Hornet Rifles, including pre-64 Model 70's, Winchester Model 43's, Anschutz, Ruger 77's, Savages, Ruger #1's and perhaps some others that I have forgotten about.
I simply have never had very good accuracy from any of them.
Of recent I have heard of folks "accurizing" their Ruger 77 Hornets with various fixes - that might be your solution.
I have a friend with a Browning A-Bolt in 22 Hornet that shoots quite well.
I do have another possible solution for you in a Rifle and in a caliber that I know generally shoots VERY well - and that would be a Remington 700 Classic in 221 Remington Fireball!
I have one of these and the nifty little Rifle is surprisingly accurate (for a sporter weight Rifle) and has significantly increased in value since I bought it!
Best of luck to you and I am sorry you did not win that auction for the Browning.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Well, maybe cheesy was the wrong word. How about fugly?

Okay, I'll give you that one........ I've got four 527s, though, and the magazines don't bother me. There are worse things out there, excellent accuracy out of a little bitty CZ that's easy to carry and shoots great, with the excellent set triggers, make the magazine issue go completely away for me.

My .221 Fireball is probably the most accurate rifle I own, out of several, but the .204 is a ball to mess with, too. I haven't had time or cooperative weather enough to mess much with the new .17 Hornet, so I can't say much about it. They ALL shoot great, though and are really handy to keep around. My old .22 Hornet was used, with a cracked stock, when I bought it. I cleaned it up a bit, re-finished the wood (the crack thru the pistol grip had already been patched up pretty good), and use it as my "beater" rifle, since I can't mess up the looks any worse than they are. It's a lot of fun to play with, and cheap to shoot. I usually buy those Midsouth 34gr. HPs to shoot, they're cheap and shoot great.

There were a couple of CZs over on gunbroker a day or so ago......but don't tell anybody.

Oh yeah, I bought one here from a member and sold my ruger. Ruger shot ok but not great. Haven't shot the CZ yet.

I had considered the 221 Fireball but have zero experience with it. Never seen a rifle chambered for it in these parts. Is the report noticeably quieter than the 223? How much louder than the hornet?

Seems like you CZ owners are happy with them. Backassward safety and all.

I carry mine with a cold chamber, so the safety doesn't matter a bit to me. The Fireball is a bit louder than the Hornet, but not enough to matter much, it all depends on how you load it and with what charge of what powder, I use Reloader 7, and I'd consider it "in between" the Hornet and the .223. I've tried Lil Gun in it, and it cracked like a stick of dynamite, didn't much care for that aspect of Lil Gun at all.

The bad thing about the Fireball is the price of brass, Remington brass is crap (needs annealed out of the bag) and Nosler(Norma) is expensive. All told, I'd buy the Nosler brass and forgo the Remington crap brass altogether. That's the only headache I have with the Fireball, it's a great little cartridge.

If the safety confuses a person that much they probably shouldn't handle firearms. Safety on handguns and shotguns vary allot and no body ever whines about that. I don't get it.
As for the magazine,,, it's an easy fix if it bothers you.
(Sorry, that's the only close up I have.)

People that dismiss CZ's are doing themselves a disservice IMO.

I don't think the safety would confuse me-just different. I much prefer the 3 position ala Kimber Winchester or the tang safety ala Browning. I do like the mod to the mag though. Please tell me more.

http://rvbprecision.com/shooting/cz-527-rifle-magazine-conversion.html

Looks like Roy's changed things a little since I had mine done. Especially the price. It was half what he's charging now.
It's also shorter than mine so it only holds two. Mine holds three.
If you compare the pix on his site to mine you'll see that the mag release lever is almost flush with the bottom of the mag where my mag hangs down a little but past the release. The new style looks better IMO but the capacity might not be enough for some guys. If you want three ya might call him though. He's good guy.
Luck

The ruger has a 3 pos wing safety AND a 6 rd rotary flush mag....

Looks they they stopped modifying the hornet mags. Figures. Looks real nice though.

Love my Ruger All~Weather!





It kills things dead





The rotary mag is hard to beat & it shoots sub coyote & groundhog

40gr V-Max and as much Lil' Gun as I can get in them tiny Hornet cases; is what my Ruger likes eating.

Fun little rifle, for sure!

Didn't see that but I didn't read the whole update either.

To bad because the Hornets a fun round although personally, I'd rather have a 221. Hornet definitely has the old school cool factor, but give me a bottleneck non rimmed case every time.

BTW,,, if your hearts set on a hornet and you can stand a single shot, Coopers M38 Classic is the sweetest little walking varminter you ever threw over your shoulder.
This one's in 17AH but they have .224dia barrels too;)

Anschutz 1432-34. Awesomely accurate rifles.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=394299992#DESC

The biggest hurdle I've encountered is FINDING a CZ on the shelf of my LGS.............or on the net for that matter. I'd love a Hornet and a Fireball, but want to start my CZ collection with a .222Rem. Darned if I can find a new one at retail. The auctions have 'em on occasion, but I refuse to pay above retail for a used rifle.

Had a Ruger when they had the issues. Could not get it to shoot. Got a deal on a Browning. Not an A-bolt fan but that was a sweet little gun. Making it a 17AH was even better. Had week moment an sold it for a Vixen in 17Mach4. Iffen I was in the market for a Hornet, I would grab a Ruger in the new 17Hornet. In 22cal I would get a 700 in Fireball and load accordingly.

Shrapnel posted my only in my dreams rifles. Hopefully one of my kids gets rich and famous and hooks the old man up.

BINGO..........














[img]http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/huntsman22/guns/IMG_0021_zpsccac6891.jpg[/img]

Or maybe this one:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...s/8604973/Re_17_HORNET_CZ_VARMINT_PACKAG

Great pix huntsman22.
A shop up the road has that same Ruger. I did fondle it for awhile.

I'm always a little baffled when people talk about the inaccuracy of the .22 Hornet. I've only owned 4, but the only one that shot 56-shot groups as LARGE as an inch at 100 yards was a T/C Contender carbine. The others have been a CZ and a pair of Ruger single-shots, a 1B and a No. 3. All regularly grouped under 3/4" for 5 shots at 100, and with the right load in ammo put together carefully 1/2".

The .17 Hornet is at least as accurate, probably a little more so.

More than accurate enough for me and the close range coyotes for my woods.
Printing little groups makes me feel good though.
I have been thinking of a Hornet I bet for over 10 years. I talk myself over it for awhile or something else more flashy comes along.
With the invasion people up north now being a little bit more discreet while out hunting early or late would be preferable.
Thanks JB

If you like the Lux they are available here:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411552671

Not a style I prefer.
Looked at the stainless laminate 17 hornet by Ruger again but could not pull the trigger at 9 bills for that. Prefer the 22 anyway.
The search continues.
Wish I would have bid a little higher on that Browning. Maybe.

Ruger accuracy issue were with the older tang safety 77 models. I have a friend with one of the newer grey barreled 77's in a hornet and it is a fine shooting rifle, not quite as fine as some of the CZ hornets I have had and still posses. I had a CZ that shot the factory hornady 35gr bullet into a single hole at 100 yards. Handloading for that rifle was a challenge to say the least. I'd recommend a 19 Calhoon as a great option but it seems out of your budget. G

I've heard a lot of bad about Rugers, but my experience is just the opposite. I have a 77/22H 20 inch carbine that I sent to Connecticut Custom Chambering for a K chamber, muzzle crown, bolt shim, and trigger job. $225 for the entire job, back in 3 weeks. $450 for the rifle and Nikon 3x9 off Gunbroker. It shoots less than an inch while I am fireforming factory Winchester 46gr HP's. Don't know what it will do with proper K reloads. Its the little brother of a 77 tang safety 338 I've owned for 20+ years that shoots 1/2" groups with the N225P. Rugers may have problems, but I just havent seen them. FWIW.

There is a Ruger 1B 22 Hornet in the classifieds right now for sale. If I had the bucks, I would be tempted to try and snag it. I won't have a break barrel single shot (Pain in the arse to unload and re load when shooting from sandbags!) but a falling block Single shot would be pretty cool, IMO. Might want to take a look.

Nope only interested in a bolt gun

Here is one that just popped up:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth.../1/Savage_25_Walking_Varminter_22#UNREAD

I have dealt with Rugerdiggs a couple of times and each transaction went smoothly at all points.

Found my Hornet. It's a Kimber SuperAmerica. Just arrived today.
Pics are from the dealer. Hope to get some pics of my own on the range.

WOW,,,, Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. And the perfect action for that little case.

Enjoy

dayum, that's nice......

Thanks guys. I picked up 2 boxes of shells today. The Winchester Supeme 34 grain jhp and the 46 grain hp.

Nice find....

Man what a nice looking gun.

Whoooooo Dogs! That's a screamer! Details!!!

The man held out and found one HELLUVA rifle! Wow!

Beauty! Hope it shoots well for you.

Kimber SuperAmerica 22 hornet
Skeletonized grip cap
Shadow lined cheek piece
Checkered bolt knob
1/4 rib sights
Range report to come.

Great rifle. I have a Kimber of Oregon .22 Hornet Custom Classic. Mine doesn't like the light bullets, but is very accurate with 45-46 grain win and rem factory loads.

Would love to see pics

Very nice... I was hoping this thread didn't end with you buying a ruger.

Never had much luck with Rugers. Many others have though. I do prefer the styling of the Kimbers over Ruger. I almost pulled the trigger on a couple and even thought of a 17 hornet in Ruger

One of Hesse days I hope to find Number 1 rifles in .22 Hornet and .218 Bee.... when I have money...

Wow, I'm way late for this thread, but that Kimber is wayyy to pretty to hunt.

Had I been here earlier, I would've one up-ed Huntsman22; recommending a Remington Model 7 CDL in 17 Fireball. (17 Hornet's lag...., and are sleepy!)



Picked it up 6-8 months ago and it's never been out of the box! Been standing in line (toe-tapping), for a McMillan!


DMc

Never too late DMc.
That Kimber is going to see some field time. I like to hunt and shoot and that's why I bought it. Collector I am not. Going up north in a couple weeks for turkey and after I find a tom I will have that hornet or my fireball calling coyotes.

Good looking Remington

DMc
That is a nice NIB gun. I bought it's near twin in 17FB, but sst and fluted, shoots half-inch on a bad day, 3/8 if I don't pull one of the 5 shots. They are very nice guns, great looking stocks.

Allen

How'd you scope yours?


DMc

I'll bet it was before 6-8 months passed.......

No such thing as a rifle that's to pretty to hunt.

hemiallen, that was a special run of CDL's Remmy made for the FB's introduction.
They're not M7's but but they're one sweet rifle none the less.

My friend down in NV has a M7 CDL that shoots right with my PN barreled CZ after bedding and installing an old school 700 trigger. That's a handy little rifle with a classic look. Forget the Micky. Bed it and go hunting.

OK, I'll qualify that.., too pretty for ME to hunt. I rarely miss foot-sized gopher holes, and besides, my alligator, elephant, and shark skin boots are all being re-soled. BLING!



I'm soooo confused...



Not 7, but SEVEN?


DMc

Awww the SST flute is NOT a Model 7. Told you I was confused...


DMc

Sorry

I missed yours is a Model 7, mine is, as stated by others, a Rem 700 with the special engraved floorplate.

I put a Buckmaster 6-18 on it, but I may upgrade to a Viper 6.5-20x I have laying around waiting for a new rifle, lol.

The Buckmasters are nice, I really like the side focus, but most of my guns are for the bench. I did buy a NIB 17fb heavy barrel, fluted with the brown synthetic stock and like it better for the bench, this fluted is waiting for use as a walking calling rig ( more an excuse for not selling it, lol)

I recently changed to a 20 Vartarg for this springs Squeek shooting trip, but I'll still use the 17 fireballs.

Allen