22 Hornet Opinions

R

Rhino48

New member
I'm thinking of buying a 22 hornet rifle, and have narrowed my selection down to the new rifles, the CZ American, and the A-Bolt Micro Hunter. Personally I like the looks of the A-Bolt better, but of course, that's a questionable reason to buy a gun. If any of you have any experience with either of these guns, I'd appreciate hearing it.

Thanks in advance
 
I do not own either rifle but I was thinking of getting a CZ in 7.62x39. The responses that I got from CZ owners were mostly negative due to poor quality of the CZ rifles.
 
Rhino, life is too short to have to learn to love an ugly gun. It's relatively easy to make almost any modern rifle shoot well, so appearance and how it fits to the shoulder rank pretty high in the pecking order for me. Next, of course, is the size of my billfold when I get the hot quivers over a new toy...

Regardless, have fun!

Art
 
I am thinking about the hornet also. I have looked at the Ruger Target model and the NEF superlight Handi rifle. htey both seem good , I am leaning towards the NEF due to cost and weight.
 
Huh?

MP-44,

Where did you hear bad reviews of CZ rifles? They surely aren't the finest in the world, but they can hardly be beat for the money. They CZ452 .22 and CZ75 9mm are proven designs that have been around for many years and are classics in their own right(I own both). Their newer offerings aren't as time-tested, but are built to the same quality standards, which in my humble opinion are quite high.
Which forum did you read the negative comments in?
 
Perfessr, your choices are probably wiser than mine, as they are both substantially less cost. I just have heard enough griping about the ruger being hard to get accuracy out of due to the 2 piece bolt, and, well, I told myself in 1981 I was never going to own a break action single shot again after my dad made me use one in 3" 12 gauge for duck hunting....

A friend of mine has a NEF .223 that shoots extremely well, it's just a little clumsy for the purpose he bought it for - prairie doggin'
(always laying down makes it hard to break open without sticking it in the dirt)

Regarding the CZ's, a friend has the 22LR version, and it is quite nice, so I dont doubt their general quality.

Downside to the A-bolts (from a non-owner perspective) is the high cost of spare magazines ($50!) Just cant find anyone who has actually owned one
 
And then there's the single shots!

Repeaters are one thing, but the 'other' rifle factory in the Czeck
Republic has an interesting offering on the US market, a single shot breaktop model called the BRNO ZBK110. Looks vaguely like an NEF or H&R Handi Rifle, but much lighter and better looking. It's styled like the European 'stalking rifle' single shots and chamberd for 22Hornet and .222. Got the Hornet version of this rifle a month ago and after mounting a scope, have a really neat little field gun for varments out to 150yds.
*Heh* No sooner got this one shot in, than I come across a custom BSA Martini Cadet rebarreled for .22Hornet:)
Getting it too!:D Single shots will get to you fer sure!;)
 
Matt, the responses were on the AK47.net forum. It was enough to make me want to stay away from new CZ rifles.
 
RUGER 22/22-H
My experience with the .22 Hornet goes way back.
I had a Savage 219-B, A Topper and a #3 Ruger before what I have now. All of the above shot "nickle" size groups at 100 yards.

I now have the "regular" model of the RUGER 22/22-H. I have had the gun for almost 5 years now. If I do my part, it will shoot a DIME size group at 100 yards.

Needless to say, that at almost $30 a box of 50 rounds, all my shooting was done with reloads.
 
Love the .22Hornet.
It's one of those calibers that's literally been around forever and with good reason. My favorite .22 Hornet rifle is a Browning 1885 Low Wall. These are not cheap but I was fortunate enough to find an excellent used one at a great price a couple of years ago.
Don't believe the launching pad for this caliber makes a huge difference as long as you like it. All the previous mentions will do well I'm sure.
Take Care
 
I also have a 77/22 Ruger Hornet and with a decent load and the 9x scope it will do dime sized groups if I dont mess up. I was shocked at how well it shoots,its a keeper. I dont much care for that rotory detachable mag due to limiting bullet length but I am getting used to that.
 
Wow!

This is actually the first I've heard bad reviews of CZ rifles.

I have a CZ 452 .22 LR that shoots, out of the box, better than many "accurized" rifles from the bench that cost more than 3X the amount.

I have also shot a few 527s and 550's in various calibres and was favorably impressed with their performance. The 550's triggers is one of the best feeling factory triggers I have tried.

BTW...I have no experience with .22 Hornet :p Hope I wasn't too far OT.

Spazz
 
I have a Ruger Target model 22H and a CZ527 American in 22H as well, both are fine rifles. Both only shoot about 3/4-1inch groups at 100yds, and that seems to be as good as 22 Hornet does, for the most part. However, since we're talking about a 175-200yds gun, this is perfectly adequate IMO. The ruger has killed lots of prarie dogs, and the CZ will start next year(if I'm not in some 3rd world S hole). I can honestly recommend either. The CZ has a much better lock up that limits brass strech, and so brass will last longer. It might be more inherantly accurate, but I have not seen it yet, but I've less than 200 rds through that rifle. I'd say you should get the CZ if you want a walk around varminter. The factory trigger on the ruger was pretty bad, and I replaced it with the Volquartsen unit, which is much better. The CZ trigger is pretty good, especially if you like the single set triggers. Semper Fidelis...Ken M
 
I have the CZ Lux 22 Hornet and rimfire 22 Magnum. Both of these rifles are honest to goodness MOA shooters with the right loads. The Hornet can be finicky but with a bit of load development 5 shot MOA groups are easy. I love to shoot this rifle and the quality is great, especially considering the price. Today I got better groups from my hornet than I did with my custom barrelled Sako .223. In the summer gopher hunting with the magnum lux is my favourite past time and the rifle is a much better shooter than my two buddies Rugers which cost more to boot. My next purchase will be a 22LR Varmint and I bet it will go moa on a windless day too!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top