I came across a H&R model 157 in 22 Hornet, really good condition and I can pick it up for $75. Something about the darn thing appeals to me, don't know what though. I'd use it for general plinking and maybe try it out on a varmit or two, what other uses are there for such a small round? How does it rate on the reloading scale of difficulity? Thanks in advance!
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22 Hornet Questions
- Thread starter Sisco
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
The Hornet is okay for coyotes at close range, but quite good for small critters out to around 150 yards. An advantage is the relatively low noise level, particularly when compared to .223 on up.
There's plenty of loading data, and some excellent bullets available.
At $75, you have room to improve the sights, whether a peep sight or scope...
Have fun, Art
There's plenty of loading data, and some excellent bullets available.
At $75, you have room to improve the sights, whether a peep sight or scope...
Have fun, Art
Does H&R have a web site? I've been searching but can't come up with anything. The gun in question has been drilled & tapped, found scope mounts in the Brownells catalog but still unsure of exactly what I need. I was also told that different caliber barrels are available for it.
I have had a .22 Hornet, off and on, since the 1970's. My first ownership was an H&R TOPPER. The little single shot was a good rifle and the only one produced at the time. I later owned a Ruger #3. Now I owne a Ruger 77/22-Hornet. All shoot very accurate.
What can you expect?
At a factory velocity of 2690 it is not overly loud but is only "good" up to 150 yards [I have shot many groups the size of a NICKEL at 150 yards].
If you reload, there are many possibilities and velocities..
It is aa centerfire round, so you do not throw away brass!
I reload 11.3 grains of IMR 4227; 7.3 grains of 4227 and a 25 yard load of 5.6 grains of UNIQUE.
What can you expect?
At a factory velocity of 2690 it is not overly loud but is only "good" up to 150 yards [I have shot many groups the size of a NICKEL at 150 yards].
If you reload, there are many possibilities and velocities..
It is aa centerfire round, so you do not throw away brass!
I reload 11.3 grains of IMR 4227; 7.3 grains of 4227 and a 25 yard load of 5.6 grains of UNIQUE.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
All I can go by is the picture in the "Gun Trader's Guide". It looks like, if the receiver is drilled and tapped, Weaver mounts and rings would do fine; I'd suggest no more than a K-4 or a mid-priced 2X7 scope...
FWIW, Art
FWIW, Art
Tom Matiska
New member
The Hornet can be a lot of fun. I own some "real guns", but the Hornet is what I like to shoot "when I'm not really shooting". I've taken some woodchucks in the 180-200 yard range.
The farm I do most of my chuck hunting on is a dairy farm, and my .243 and .308 are about as polite as a stick of dynamite. The Hornet is easy on the cows, the neighbors, and is ideal for young shooters.
Tom
The farm I do most of my chuck hunting on is a dairy farm, and my .243 and .308 are about as polite as a stick of dynamite. The Hornet is easy on the cows, the neighbors, and is ideal for young shooters.
Tom
Go for it
I shoot a Ruger 77/22 in 22 Hornet. i picked it up this past spring for hunting some of the smaller farms in my area. I was a little wary of the cartridge at first but I'm a believer now!
Using 12 grains of Hodgedon's Lil-Gun under a 40gr. VMax gives me about 2900 fps., .5 moa accuracy and instant kills on groundhogs out to 200 yds.. It's relatively quiet and is pretty cheap to shoot if you reload.
Hodgedon's Lil-Gun, IMHO, is the best powder available for the Hornet. I get consistantly higher velocities and lower pressures with this stuff and accuracy has been phenominal.
I would recommend getting a set of Lee Collet dies. They neck size only and make reloading the Hornet a snap. The Hornet can be a little fussy about reloading but as long as you pay attention to what you are doing you should be fine.
The Hornet is a highly underrated round and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
I shoot a Ruger 77/22 in 22 Hornet. i picked it up this past spring for hunting some of the smaller farms in my area. I was a little wary of the cartridge at first but I'm a believer now!
Using 12 grains of Hodgedon's Lil-Gun under a 40gr. VMax gives me about 2900 fps., .5 moa accuracy and instant kills on groundhogs out to 200 yds.. It's relatively quiet and is pretty cheap to shoot if you reload.
Hodgedon's Lil-Gun, IMHO, is the best powder available for the Hornet. I get consistantly higher velocities and lower pressures with this stuff and accuracy has been phenominal.
I would recommend getting a set of Lee Collet dies. They neck size only and make reloading the Hornet a snap. The Hornet can be a little fussy about reloading but as long as you pay attention to what you are doing you should be fine.
The Hornet is a highly underrated round and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Unkel Gilbey
New member
The Hornet is probably one of the most under-rated CF 22's out there today, and yet one of the most user friendly ones that I can personally think of.
My Hornet is a H&R Topper. Had iron sights for the longest time - and yet accounted for numerous crows, squirrels and even a few woodchucks. (I got good at cover and concealment in the process...!) I soon horded enough milk money so that I could get a used K3 Weaver that my friend (a Gunsmith) mounted for me. I soon added Partridge and rabbit's to the mix. It also taught me handloading, since I was shooting too much to be able to afford the factory stuff. I love that rifle, know it like the back of my hand, and wouldn't trade it for anything.
I am currently saving my lunch money for another Hornet, only this time I wish to have it rechambered in 22 K-Hornet. Since I've been playing around with 'Improved' cartridges and chambering, it only makes sense to explore this route. It particularly appeals to me since factory ammo can be fired in an "Improved" chamber with no ill effect, AND that process fireforms the brass for the KHornet chamber. Perhaps one of the bolt action Brno rifles?
Definitely, you have to handload in order to realize the full potential of the Hornet. Good Luck!
Unkel Gilbey
My Hornet is a H&R Topper. Had iron sights for the longest time - and yet accounted for numerous crows, squirrels and even a few woodchucks. (I got good at cover and concealment in the process...!) I soon horded enough milk money so that I could get a used K3 Weaver that my friend (a Gunsmith) mounted for me. I soon added Partridge and rabbit's to the mix. It also taught me handloading, since I was shooting too much to be able to afford the factory stuff. I love that rifle, know it like the back of my hand, and wouldn't trade it for anything.
I am currently saving my lunch money for another Hornet, only this time I wish to have it rechambered in 22 K-Hornet. Since I've been playing around with 'Improved' cartridges and chambering, it only makes sense to explore this route. It particularly appeals to me since factory ammo can be fired in an "Improved" chamber with no ill effect, AND that process fireforms the brass for the KHornet chamber. Perhaps one of the bolt action Brno rifles?
Definitely, you have to handload in order to realize the full potential of the Hornet. Good Luck!
Unkel Gilbey
I'd love to hear all about your K-Hornet experiences if you get one Unkle.
I think every true hunter/rifleman should own a 22 Hornet. With it you will learn all the basic principles of rifle shooting and cartridge reloading. Your range/power limitation will assure that you sharpen your fieldcraft/hunting skills. Any benchrest shooter can turn varmints into red mist at outrageous distances with a 15 lb. heavy barrel, hyper velocity .22, but is that hunting? No, it's target practice. Not to knock it, mind you! It's pretty satisfying when you turn a groundhog inside out at 600 yds. but there's a lot to be said for stalking your game to an up close and personal range and taking it out with one precisely placed shot! For hunting, the Hornet takes a backseat to noone.
I think every true hunter/rifleman should own a 22 Hornet. With it you will learn all the basic principles of rifle shooting and cartridge reloading. Your range/power limitation will assure that you sharpen your fieldcraft/hunting skills. Any benchrest shooter can turn varmints into red mist at outrageous distances with a 15 lb. heavy barrel, hyper velocity .22, but is that hunting? No, it's target practice. Not to knock it, mind you! It's pretty satisfying when you turn a groundhog inside out at 600 yds. but there's a lot to be said for stalking your game to an up close and personal range and taking it out with one precisely placed shot! For hunting, the Hornet takes a backseat to noone.