Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Help me decide 22 Hornet or .223

I've got this little problem, I can't make up my mind between a 22 hornet or a .223 as a new varmit gun. What do you guys think? [img]images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0[/img]

I love the hornet. I helped my grandfather shoot the barrel out of his. But I've never owned one. I have owned 3 .223's. Unless your in love with a certain rifle, I'd go for the .223. That mil surp ammo angle will provide many hours of fun. And it's so cheap, it's worth buying just for the brass. You can do a whole lot more with a .223 than with the hornet. E

If you want shots over 175yds, get the 223. If you want less noise get a hornet. I think the hornet,fine as it is,is a niche cartridge. That being low noise and 175 yd range.

I am not too familiar with either one but I know that the old man got a Hornet and he had it re-chambered to a K-hornet and that is what he uses on the squirrels, and loves it.

What are you intended uses? this would kinda help.<BR>otherwise...<BR>If you like reloading, I'd go for the Hornet.

Get the 223 first,it is much more versatile and cheaper to shoot. Then if you still have an itch,get a 22 K-Hornet,they are superb.......

The Hornet is a favorite of mine I have 3. One thing to look out for is really old hornets have a .223 bore. One of mine has this. There were bullets made just for the hornet. I shoot Hornaday 35 gr balistic tips in my Anshutz and in my Sako 222 they are great varmit destroyers. I also have a 223 that gets used a lot because it is cheap to shoot but for out and out accuracy it's the 222 followed by the hornet. I find the hornet a little difficult to load due to it's diminutive size and my large fingers, but not impossible. Hornet brass is fragile, it's thin and has a limited life time, If the 222 were still as popular as they once were I would say go with it. However the 223 is the best all round choise in a good bolt gun it will shoot with the 222 on varmits and give you a few extra yards.<P>Bullwnkl.

I think you really have to ask yourself what your going to do with the rifle before you can make a decision. If your going to be shooting in volume and have the possibility to need a medium range cartridge, the .223 would be my choice. However, if you're looking for a short range rifle with minimal noise you could do far worse than the Hornet.<P> I shoot both a .22-250 Remington and a .223 Remington for ground hogs and reserve my recently acquired Kimber 82 Hornet for fox. I've had a few years experience with another Kimber 82 Hornet that really sparked my desire for the little cartridge. Honestly don't know how to explain it, however, the Hornet has a charm that can't be explained by its modest ballistics. You simply have to shoot one at game to appreciate it.<P> I found one of the early S series "1 of 500" Kimber of Oregon .22 Hornets a few months back. The same rifle that Frank de Haas wrote about in his book BOLT ACTION RIFLES. Could'nt happier. Though I would admit the .223 might make a better first rifle. Especially if you find a decent Remington 700 VS. fwiw. Best, Matt.

Unless noise, or the knowledge that all of your shooting will be under 200 yards is a major factor, then the .223 wins this question hands down for the greater versatility and cost/availability of ammo and components. I love hornets and have several, but if I could only have one of the two calibers, then there would be no question that it would be the .223.