22 Hornet AI

[hammo]

Hello all.

Can anyone with actual experience, tell me if they think the 22 Hornet AI is worth the effort?
I am under the impression that an extra 200fps ish and less case stretch due to the shoulder is to be gained.
I am tempted, possibly if I end up getting my CZ re-barrelled one day.
Will a variation be required? or will the FAC wording of 22 Hornet still cover it?

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Is this a different cartridge to the K Hornet?

 

[Klenchblaize]

The primary benefit of a 'K' Hornet is the case may headspace on the neck rather than the rim.

K

 

[hammo]

Is this a different cartridge to the K Hornet?

No I meant K Hornet, but always thought that was the same as Ackley. I guess not.

 

[Smellydog]

The primary benefit of a 'K' Hornet is the case may headspace on the neck rather than the rim.

K

Really? I always thought it was to get more powder in and extend case life.

 

[MarinePMI]

No I meant K Hornet, but always thought that was the same as Ackley. I guess not.

The "K Hornet" is an Ackley design (IIRC), but "AI"ed Hornets can have several different shoulder angles (30, 35, 40), depending on which variant is used. I believe (IIRC) the K Hornet is a 40* shoulder, but my memory isn't what it used to be.

 

[MarinePMI]

Really? I always thought it was to get more powder in and extend case life.

Headspacing off the shoulder is what extends the case life (you're both saying the same thing in that regard).

 

[the_greenman]

Used to have a .22 K-hornet which I had rechambered from .22 hornet.
The wording re authority to buy on my licence was .22 centrefire (I'd asked for this, and there'd been no quibble about specific calibre) so I could still buy the .22 hornet factory rounds and reload the fire formed cases. If you put a covering letter explaining the 2 calibres then it would probably xome back as ".22 hornet/k-hornet" which I think my renewal showed in the end (some years ago, but cracking little round)

Whether or not it was worth it, well I could squeeze an extra grain or 2 into the case. It killed foxes and bunnies aplenty.

 

[Ratel]

My old retired Colonel used a K Hornet for Roe until he popped off. He loaded his own ammo and considered the laws regarding deer calibres, "Complete Bo.....s". He swore by it using his Westley Richards, drop down, single shot and 4x scope.

 

[jfr_1991]

My old retired Colonel used a K Hornet for Roe until he popped off. He loaded his own ammo and considered the laws regarding deer calibres, "Complete Bo.....s". He swore by it using his Westley Richards, drop down, single shot and 4x scope.

It’s certainly makes a wonderful muntjac cartridge

 

[User00046]

I am very interested in obtaining a .22 hornet to convert to K hornet. I will use it for long range rabbits and foxes. I may have to get rid of my .22 semi auto to get the variation but that's a different subject.
In the past there has been threads where people have asked if they could rechamber for the K version themselves. But there was no conclusion to these threads. So, does anyone out there know, if it would be possible to use a Myford, 31 inch bed Super 7 with the K hornet chambering reamer to achieve the desired result?
Years ago I had a Walther KKJ in .22 hornet and have always fancied shooting the round again. I don't fancy the Walther anymore because I thought it was just a 'pumped up' rimfire, although it was accurate. I would prefer a old Brno or CZ because they are a bit heavier.
Also, is there a more economical way of forming the brass, than shooting off a load of ordinary hornet cartridges. It just doesn't make sense!!!
Warp Toad.

 

[Blaser Ash]

If you are trying to get a bit more range and terminal effect out of a hornet size case, while using a similar amount of powder, then I can thoroughly recommend the .17 Hornet. I had a TCR 87 rifle in .22 hornet and used it on fox and small game. The .17 hornet trounces the standard .22 hornet for range and general effectiveness.
I have used a .17 Remington (the case size is similar to .223) since the early nineties for fox and smaller varmints, but it stays in the gun safe most of the time now. The .17 Hornet is absolutely deadly out to about 250 yards. Beyond that, it is too affected by the wind and it’s running out of puff. For longer range I would want the .17 Remington and on a windy day the .204 ruger.
I’m obviously not suggesting you do this, but when the .17 Remington was released it was used to kill whitetail deer in the US. The hydraulic shock generated by those little bullets is amazing to witness.
As an experiment , I reloaded some .17 hornet cases with 17 grain 17hmr bullet heads which I recovered from cracked 17hmr cases. They were amazingly accurate and effective rounds and would have been travelling at around 4000 ft per second ( so the same speed as a .17 Remington achieves with a 25 grain hollow point).
If you buy 17 grain .17 heads in bulk, it makes for the cheapest of reloads. .17 hornet is most effective on fox with 20 grain heads, but the 17 grain heads knocked them over very well, with no exit wound. My rifle is a cz527 heavy barrel with a set trigger and I’m very pleased with it all round. It will shoot under half inch at 100 yards for five shot groups and has minimal recoil so you can spot your shots.

I realise that rechambering to K Hornet is probably a less expensive option, but you could just sell your 22 hornet and buy a CZ527 in .17 hornet. It’s not an expensive rifle, and you see them around second hand from time to time.

 

[User00046]

If you are trying to get a bit more range and terminal effect out of a hornet size case, while using a similar amount of powder, then I can thoroughly recommend the .17 Hornet. I had a TCR 87 rifle in .22 hornet and used it on fox and small game. The .17 hornet trounces the standard .22 hornet for range and general effectiveness.
I have used a .17 Remington (the case size is similar to .223) since the early nineties for fox and smaller varmints, but it stays in the gun safe most of the time now. The .17 Hornet is absolutely deadly out to about 250 yards. Beyond that, it is too affected by the wind and it’s running out of puff. For longer range I would want the .17 Remington and on a windy day the .204 ruger.
I’m obviously not suggesting you do this, but when the .17 Remington was released it was used to kill whitetail deer in the US. The hydraulic shock generated by those little bullets is amazing to witness.
As an experiment , I reloaded some .17 hornet cases with 17 grain 17hmr bullet heads which I recovered from cracked 17hmr cases. They were amazingly accurate and effective rounds and would have been travelling at around 4000 ft per second ( so the same speed as a .17 Remington achieves with a 25 grain hollow point).
If you buy 17 grain .17 heads in bulk, it makes for the cheapest of reloads. .17 hornet is most effective on fox with 20 grain heads, but the 17 grain heads knocked them over very well, with no exit wound. My rifle is a cz527 heavy barrel with a set trigger and I’m very pleased with it all round. It will shoot under half inch at 100 yards for five shot groups and has minimal recoil so you can spot your shots.

I realise that rechambering to K Hornet is probably a less expensive option, but you could just sell your 22 hornet and buy a CZ527 in .17 hornet. It’s not an expensive rifle, and you see them around second hand from time to time.

Hi,
I cannot afford a 17 hornet. I would buy an old Brno or CZ hornet and convert it to K hornet. Please see my enquiry about the Myford Super 7.
Warp Toad.

 

[Smellydog]

Should of kept the oversized rimfire annie buddy!

 

[Blaser Ash]

Hi,
I cannot afford a 17 hornet. I would buy an old Brno or CZ hornet and convert it to K hornet. Please see my enquiry about the Myford Super 7.
Warp Toad.

There are three used .17 hornet rifles on Gun Star now. One is a cz 527 for £375. There is another for £400. That’s about what you would pay for a .22, but I accept experimenting and especially trying less common calibres is half the fun of this hobby.

 

[kenbro]

If you are trying to get a bit more range and terminal effect out of a hornet size case, while using a similar amount of powder, then I can thoroughly recommend the .17 Hornet. I had a TCR 87 rifle in .22 hornet and used it on fox and small game. The .17 hornet trounces the standard .22 hornet for range and general effectiveness.
I have used a .17 Remington (the case size is similar to .223) since the early nineties for fox and smaller varmints, but it stays in the gun safe most of the time now. The .17 Hornet is absolutely deadly out to about 250 yards. Beyond that, it is too affected by the wind and it’s running out of puff. For longer range I would want the .17 Remington and on a windy day the .204 ruger.
I’m obviously not suggesting you do this, but when the .17 Remington was released it was used to kill whitetail deer in the US. The hydraulic shock generated by those little bullets is amazing to witness.
As an experiment , I reloaded some .17 hornet cases with 17 grain 17hmr bullet heads which I recovered from cracked 17hmr cases. They were amazingly accurate and effective rounds and would have been travelling at around 4000 ft per second ( so the same speed as a .17 Remington achieves with a 25 grain hollow point).
If you buy 17 grain .17 heads in bulk, it makes for the cheapest of reloads. .17 hornet is most effective on fox with 20 grain heads, but the 17 grain heads knocked them over very well, with no exit wound. My rifle is a cz527 heavy barrel with a set trigger and I’m very pleased with it all round. It will shoot under half inch at 100 yards for five shot groups and has minimal recoil so you can spot your shots.

I realise that rechambering to K Hornet is probably a less expensive option, but you could just sell your 22 hornet and buy a CZ527 in .17 hornet. It’s not an expensive rifle, and you see them around second hand from time to time.

How can a 17 Hornet trounce a 22 Hornet for range and general effectiveness?
17 H can’t get out of the 500 range of ft Lbs ME. with any bullet weight.
22 H starts around 700+ ft Lbs with 35 grain bullets and maxes out over 850 ft Lbs with 55 grain bullets, with 45 grain bullets being the sweet spot.
Out to 250 yds?
17H, just over 300 ft Lbs x 20 grain bullet.
22H, just short of 470 ft Lbs x 45 grain bullet.
I rest my case
Kb.

 

[hammo]

I owned a 17 hornet in the past, great little chambering! 22 hornet definately a step higher in punch though.

 

[Blaser Ash]

How can a 17 Hornet trounce a 22 Hornet for range and general effectiveness?
17 H can’t get out of the 500 range of ft Lbs ME. with any bullet weight.
22 H starts around 700+ ft Lbs with 35 grain bullets and maxes out over 850 ft Lbs with 55 grain bullets, with 45 grain bullets being the sweet spot.
Out to 250 yds?
17H, just over 300 ft Lbs x 20 grain bullet.
22H, just short of 470 ft Lbs x 45 grain bullet.
I rest my case
Kb.

The big advantage of the 17 hornet as a hunting round is the flat trajectory. It’s very similar to a .223 55 grain out to 300 yards or so, so you can use scopes with .223 specific reticle with it. Also out to 200 yards there is no dicking about with range finders needed to cope with the .22 hornet’s more rainbow like trajectory when trying to connect with smaller varmints. The extra ftlbs do little good if you miss or shoot through the target.
The 17 hornet dumps all of its energy into what it hits reliably out to 200 yards plus. And is a very effective killer.
I never got very excited about my .22 hornet rifles, and moved over to a .223 pretty quickly so I accept that I don’t have the experience you guys have of the .22 hornet’s performance. I had a TCR87 single shot rifle and then a BRNO bolt action in .22 hornet. It was a long time ago and neither rifle was threaded for a moderator. They were certainly accurate though if you keep away from the round nose 45 grain hornet ammo. I shot a few foxes with .22 Hornet and a fair few rabbits, but was a bit underwhelmed. With a decent moderator on it, I guess it’s a decent walk around rifle and quieter than a larger .22 centre fire. The .17 hornet moderates well too, with a .17 specific moderator, and so I’d rather walk around with that if I’m after varmints, but each to their own.

 

[User00046]

Should of kept the oversized rimfire annie buddy!

I was 21 years old in 1975 when I bought it. It cost £45 from Leonards of Brigg. I couldn't reload to my liking. One shop in Doncaster fobbed me off with small pistol primers and 50 grain bullets. I was using IMI (British) powders I had a Lyman 310 tool at the time. The only reloading supplies came from Thomas Bland and they were very intermittent in supply. I sold it and got a Krico semi-auto.
I then went to Zambia working in a lead zinc mine. I hunted once with a guy and got an impala with a 9.3x62 Brno.
I could have bought a genuine 375 H&H magnum for over 100 Kwatas (£650), but decided to come home after 2 years working there, because your remittance was restricted and I wanted to save more money. Probably a big mistake on my part, because the hunting was quite cheap to have. Although ammunition would have been expensive.
Nobody seems know if I could use a Myford Super 7 to ream to K Hornet?
Also, answering another person's comment. I heard that .17 Hornets need to be cleaned more regularly than most rifles. And I would probably be using the rifle up to 150 yards.
Warp Toad.

 

[Blaser Ash]

I should have said of course that as a target round the .22 hornet is definitely better than .17 hornet, because you can actually see the bullet holes! It is also better for the range of loaded rounds and reloading components available for it. The K hornet will have these advantages, more power and longer case life.

Sorry I don’t know whether you can use your lathe in the way you want to. I guess it depends how easy the rifle is to disassemble and whether you can put the barrel in the chuck and spin that or whether you would have to have the barrel stationary and spin the reamer.