Did I make a mistake getting a model 1885 in 22 Hornet?

I have the same gun. Mine is topped with a Leupold 3-9X40 scope. It's a great gun.

You can find ammo at MidwayUSA and Cabelas for about a buck a round.
 
SG Ammo stocks Privi Partisan ammo for $20 a box of 50.
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Speaking of Privi Partisan 22 Hornet ammo , I did find some at a decent price but have not used it yet ! I've read from one source the the bullets were generally undersize and did not group very well for this individual ! I would think the Miroku made Winchester 1885 low wall has a .224 groove diameter but heard that originally 22 Hornet rifles were .223 groove diameter ! Anyway I guess I'll find out at the range and the brass will come in handy !
 
Them Hornets is expensive to feed!
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Not so. I have an 1885 Hornet and it only needs some small rifle primers, some Li'l Gun powder, some Calhoun bullets (which I stocked-up on a couple of years ago), and the R-P or W-W brass that is mine already. I have said it before, I will say it again: "Hand loading is a no-brainer for anyone who likes or wants to shoot". The answer to the problem of expensive to shoot is the same now as when I started to hand load in the '60's. Hand load!
 
Primers

For 22 Hornet Remington 6 1/2 work the best IMO. Lil Gun and H110 are both good powders. 40 Vmax worked best in mine (I traded it) over Lil Gun and using 6 1/2 Primers. Calhoun and Barnes 30 gr. Varmint Grenades shot fairly tight groups, using H110.
 
I'm always careful and work up my loads but just curious is it even possible to overcharge a case using Lil Gun when handloading the 22 Hornet ? It sounds like the starting load data is near full or slightly compressed already in the small case using Lil Gun and the pressures are plenty below the standard ! I must reload for this caliber the price of most factory ammo is ridiculous for such a little round ! :D
 
Sierra still offers .223 diameter bullets for the hornet. Generally any post WWII rifle should have a .224 groove diameter. The only rifles you would likely encounter with the smaller diameter are the winchester model 43 and the savage 23D, and I haven't seen either one in a long time. I did see a winchester 43 quite a few years ago, chambered for .218 bee. It was in pristine condition and the price was jaw dropping.

The new browning low walls certainly have a .224 groove diameter.
 
Those early pre WWII Hornets used .223 barrels mostly because they utilized rechambered .22 rimfire barrels in those rifles, or so I hear. Modern Hornets all shoot .224 bullets like hammie said.
The original 1 in 16 twist was also a rimfire barrel holdover. My Ruger has a 1 in 14 twist, very likely your Low Wall does also.
 
My absolute favorite round... reloading is really simple.

I use Remington or Winchester brass / small pistol primer / 12.8 gr Lilgun/ Sierra 45gr [#1210] bullets. Light crimp with Lee factory crimp die.

Out of my 1951 Winchester mdl 43 this shoots 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups all day long [100yards].

Mike J
 
That's a nice rifle and chambering. .223 might have been a good choice too. but, your gun is quite fine. Prices of preloaded ammo will eventually come down. And reloading supplies will be more available someday, but it may not be until after the 2014 or even 2016 elections...
 
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