.22 Hornet, Liking It Already.

[Elk hunter]

Been looking for another addition to my collection and I already own a Single shot Oscar Greger hunting rifle in K Hornet. But have always fancied a hornet bolt action and a dealer friend had a S/H one for sale. So Leicestershire police did a variation in 2 days and I went to collect.

I bought a Ruger 77 in excellent shape with a crisp bore. I gave it a good strip and clean, it came with 60 rounds of factory ammo. But I loaded up 10 rounds of my own. 5 with standard hornet length and 5 a little longer. Friday lunch I'd finished and had to set up some gongs for a social day and took the hornet for a spin.

 

 

Set a bench and a 100 target board plus a quick bore sight before starting. 3 shots with factory ammo and I was on the target. But 3 separate targets with 3 rounds apiece and the best group was 2 plus inches. Not the best start.

 

 

So moved on to home loads.

3 shots with using lilgun and a standard factory length with a 40gr SHP nice group of 0.425 inch.

 

 

3 shots same load just seating depth longer and a group of 0.3 inch.

 

 

A calibre I've wanted for some time shows promise.... looking forward to having a serious play on Monday

 

[kernel gadaffi]

Nice little rifle, I'd be more than happy with those groupings. Keep it going.

 

Alan.

[pork chop]

Andrew thats a cracking hornet had one myself a few years ago very well made rifles.

looks like you've got one that shoots well too (there not known for their accuracy )

always regretted selling mine.pitty i cant make it Monday we could have had a hornet off

[David Hancock]

Very nice looking rifle there Mr Elk.

[ChrisF]

Looks good , put can on it , either a 22mag or 223 model muzzle can from MAE , they are all SS , I have the 22mag model on mine and its great ( its rated up to 223 ) .

[ChrisF]

Can you measure the amount of room you have in the Ruger magazine , in terms of max OAL ? , interesting to know .

[Andrew]

Ruger must have changed it's QC with the Hornet. My Ruger 77/Hornet was the worst shooting factory rifle I'd ever owned. Three inch groups at 50M was the best it gave with any loads -hand loads or factory. When I contacted Ruger they inferred I was the problem with the accuracy.

 

Glad you have a good one. ~Andrew

[v-max]

Hi I have a cz527 cut down to 18" with an SL5 on it. I use it a lot with 13g lil gun & 40g-45g Speer sp with cci pistol primers. I can get all 5 shots within a 5p coin it's unreal for accuracy. The 35g v-max with same load was same unreal. Love my hornet but would like to restock it & scope it but it's a joy to have. I use it at hound days for a rifle at the foxes

[Andrew]

I have the CZ American Hornet. Not only is it the most accurate Hornet I've ever shot, but it is one of the most consistently accurate CF rifles I have shot. Never a regret.~Andrew