BRNO Model 2 .22 hornet

[Triggermortis]

I’ve decided to scratch an itch I’ve had for a while, I’ve found what is described as a bit of a sleeper in .22 hornet, it’s a BRNO Fox Model 2, a-tec mod, Brno one piece 30mm mount and it’s only shot a couple of hundred factory rounds, so from those that have had one what are your thoughts on them and what sort of accuracy can I expect at 50-80yds which is what I want it for.
I understand you can get HEADS in .223 or .224, is it a case of try both in homeloads and see what it likes or will I need to slug the bore and choose accordingly ?
If anyone has a spare mag available? I’m on the lookout for one

 

[Ttocs]

I also scratched that itch and I’ve been using a .22 Hornet for the last month or so. It’s an Anschutz 1730. I loaded some 35gr Nosler Varmageddon which gave me 3300f/s and produced 1/4“ groups at 100yards but then decided to go for 40gr V max, 3030f/s, at the muzzle, and again with 1/4“ groups at 100 yards but with a significantly better bc. The better bc pays dividends over 100yards with the 35gr bullets suffering from more drop due to their poor bc. However, for 50-80 yards I can’t see it making a difference and the 35gr bullets, due to their shape, really deliver a hearty whack. I’m a great believer in not throwing more lead than you need to get the job done.
The other issue with the 40gr V Max is the bullet length which may not fit your magazine. I was advised to try 223 and 224 too, as above, it made little/no difference to accuracy or velocity. I’ve used REM cases, LilGun and REM 6 1/2 primers. Love the little hornet, it’s a cheap fun little round, point and shoot out to 150 and relatively quiet too.

 

[Muir]

I’ve decided to scratch an itch I’ve had for a while, I’ve found what is described as a bit of a sleeper in .22 hornet, it’s a BRNO Fox Model 2, a-tec mod, Brno one piece 30mm mount and it’s only shot a couple of hundred factory rounds, so from those that have had one what are your thoughts on them and what sort of accuracy can I expect at 50-80yds which is what I want it for.
I understand you can get HEADS in .223 or .224, is it a case of try both in homeloads and see what it likes or will I need to slug the bore and choose accordingly ?
If anyone has a spare mag available? I’m on the lookout for one

Use .224 bullets.~Muir

 

[Uncle Norm]

As Muir said, use .224 bullets. Your Fox is .224, .223 bullets were for very old, classic, usually European Hornets and often labelled 'Hornet' in 45 grains weight.
They are not suitable for your Fox.
A BRNO Fox in good condition will shoot better than most people can. Use H Lil'gun powder if you can get it, with light bullets (40grains or less) and you will get around 2,900 fps mv. Enjoy

 

[Triggermortis]

Thanks for the info guys, it sounds like lil’gun is the way to go, first stop is I’m gonna try a few factory rounds to get used to the gun then I’ll pick up some lil’gun, Nick a few different heads off me mate to narrow down which homeloads it likes, then just get out and enjoy it !!!

 

[enfieldspares]

It's a fun cartridge. But the old traditional factory loads did rely on accurate shot placement rather than velocity. Hit a rabbit in the wrong place with one and it'll run rather than, as with a .222 Remington or .223 Remington be "dead (or what's left of it) right there". If you can use dedicated Hornet labelled bullets in (as Muir and Uncle Norm says .224") they ought to have thinner jackets. If not use bullets in .224" marketed as being for the Thomson Contender for ditto reason. I had a little BSA Hunter thirty years ago.

 

[Ttocs]

Using 40gr V-max or 35gr Varmageddon I’ve found, hit a rabbit anywhere and it’s dead on the spot. Foxes drop on the spot too but shot placement is more important but no more so than my 204.
It’s not a 222 or 243 but it carries a lot more punch than a 22LR or an 17 HMR. I’ve not had what’s left of a rabbit run off.

22 Hornet 40gr V-Max 3030f/s vs 222 50gr V-Max 3300f/s

4 shot 100y group 12mph 2 o’clock wind (1cm graph paper each square 1mm)

 

[Smellydog]

Shot a lot of hornet. It's a great round. Factory tends to be a little steady catering for some ancient weaker actions.
My first CF was a Brno fox in hornet.
It's a controlled feed. Chamber muzzle up.
If the claw extractor misses a rim and it's muzzle is down you can end up with a stuck round in the chamber, especially with snug reloads. The claw on mine would not ride over the rim. That's is until I bevelled the claw to over come the potential of ceasing shooting as it did on me once!
The other thing is the magazine. It has an insert that limits longer pointy bullets OAL.
It can be removed and sanded down to allow longer OAL's.

 

[Triggermortis]

Cheers fellas, just the sort of advice I’m looking for, I’ve also been told that a CZ527 mag can be adapted to fit, is that correct ?

 

[Smellydog]

Cheers fellas, just the sort of advice I’m looking for, I’ve also been told that a CZ527 mag can be adapted to fit, is that correct ?

Don't know but I would not be surprised if they did fit. Virtually the same rifle.

 

[Hornet]

Use .224 bullets.~Muir

Absolutely agree, the .223 bullets are only suitable for ancient hornets, I love the hornet and wish now I never sold mine, if you handload, and you really should for the hornet to get the best out of it, lil gun or H110 will give superb results, and to really get the group's to close up, get the Lee universal case flare tool and definitely the Lee factory crimp die, enjoy the hornet, it WILL surprise you.

 

[Hornet]

Oh and just to add, mine gave incredible results with Sierra 40 or 45 gr hornet specific bullets, my furthest fox was just over 200 yards, enjoy.

 

[Smellydog]

Oh and just to add, mine gave incredible results with Sierra 40 or 45 gr hornet specific bullets, my furthest fox was just over 200 yards, enjoy.

I used them Sierra bullets too.

 

[Hornet]

Yes I switched to them in preference to 35 GN vmax which were good, but the Sierra's carried a bigger punch out to long range, I never had a single fox run.