Advice needed Hornet or 223

[Farmersboy]

Hello all Im new to your forum and after looking through a few of the topics realised that you all seem to know what you are talking about!

 

To put you in the picture, I live on a farm near the Peak District in North Derbyshire and I have had a Shotgun Certificate for about 10 years. When the renewal of the Shotgun Certificate was due I received a visit from the Firearms Officer to inspect the cabinet and guns. As we have recently had problems with foxes I asked him about the posibility of a Firearms Certificate.

 

We only have 150 acres of land but he seemed to think that I could get a 22 Hornet, so I sent off for the forms. However since his visit I searched the internet for some information about the Hornet and came across this forum.

 

My question is that after reading through some of the topics, is the Hornet a good enough rifle to do the job or should I put on the application form that I wish to apply for 223 as well? What Im really asking is what do you think are my chances of the 223 with this amount of land and is there alot of difference performance wise when shooting foxes?

 

Hopefully you can give me some advice. Thanks in advance!

[Graham M]

150 acres…………22 Hornet is all you will need; lovely rifle if you can get decent ammo.

Failing that go for a .222.

G.M.

[JohnGalway]

Plenty of foxes been shot with Hornets. .223 will be better if you can get it, sorry I don't know about UK law. Federal has ballistic information listed for both .223 and Hornet (other sites such as Remington and Hornady may also have it) at this link. Lets you compare both calibres side by side giving wind, drop, energy, velocity etc. info, both in text and handy graphs.

 

If I were you and had the choice I'd get the .223, but the Hornet will do the job. Hope that helps.

[Oly]

Ammo availability of hornets??

[dunganick]

.223

 

gives you more range, cheaper to buy and run, easier to handload if you get into it

 

.22hornet is lovely, but its something to buy a few years down the line for a messing about gun.

 

as G. says, .222 over all of them.

[tikkamark]

.223 all the way super foxing round If i were you i would have it as my first choice

[Frank]

Iv shot many a fox with the .22 Hornet, fantastic wee fox rifle to start with and up to 200 yds max accurate enough.

 

The .223, is good for 300yds, all depends on the lie of your land experince ect, from what you have discribed, the .22 Hornet, would be a good choice.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

Frank.

[Graham M]

Ammo availability of hornets??

PPU ammo is easily available for .22Hornet although it isn’t very accurate and would restrict shots to below 130yds.

I picked up an old Hornet earlier this year which shot poorly with this ammo. Nick gave me some info on a re-loading powder (Lil’Gun) and it made a hell of a difference and makes it quite accurate out to @ 175 yds. I must admit it’s only sighted in at 125yds at the moment due to not being able to get out much this year (illness/hospital etc). Hopefully this bloody rain will ease and I will be able to have a little outing one evening with it for some serious foxing.

G.M.