Cottonseed Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 I've read a lot about Hornet rifles on here and see there's a good few enthisiasts. I've just bought a Thompsn Center 87 'Hunter' rifle. It looks and is built like a single barrelled shotgun and has a 23 inch barrel. It has Leupold base and scope rings. Can anyone suggest which rounds I should try in it? 35gn V-Max, or heavier stuff? If I decide to keep it I'm going to start reloading, which I've never tried. Also, how loud is it likely to be? It's quite a graceful, nicely balanced rifle and I don't particularly want to hang a bloody great moderator on it. All ideas gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 I have a rimmy moddy on my 17 Hornet, works well. I would use either factory ammo or if you reload the lightish 22 bullets designed for Hornet, Sierra do 3 or 4. Lighter weight should be fine, just dont push it much over 150 yards on foxes, you dont have the energy. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 a friend of mine bought a .22 hornet for foxes, even with a moderator it was load, he ended up selling it before even getting a fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 He he, now the fun starts. With single shot you're obviously not restricted by magazine length so you can fill your boots - probably with L'il Gun. Yep, 35 gr for bunnies (probably not L'il Gun (LG) though, H110 is better; LG comes in at 40gr plus, which you should get to approach 3000ft/sec - should you wish. However, reason for post is, how old is your rifle? Check to see whether you have a 223 or 224 barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet 6 Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Check the twist rate, newer ones are 1 in 12 so you can use heavier bullets than normall for calibre. As you have no magazine to worry about I would try Nosler 40 grain ballisit tips, they out perform every other bullet I have tried in my Hornet. Neil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 He he, now the fun starts. With single shot you're obviously not restricted by magazine length so you can fill your boots - probably with L'il Gun. Yep, 35 gr for bunnies (probably not L'il Gun (LG) though, H110 is better; LG comes in at 40gr plus, which you should get to approach 3000ft/sec - should you wish. However, reason for post is, how old is your rifle? Check to see whether you have a 223 or 224 barrel. Thanks for the replies. Wymberley: The rifle was made between 1987 and 1995. I've measured with calipers--my first reloading buy--and it's .224. Are you saying not to use LG unless the bullet weight is 40grains, or more? Three thousand fps is attractive, but my main concern is muzzle-blast and noise. Has anyone any thoughts on reducing the barrel length from 23 inches before screw-cutting for a moderator? I've decided to test it with factory ammo. Should I buy 35 grain V-Max and 45 grain soft points? I'm more likely to be using it for crows and hares than foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet 6 Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 a friend of mine bought a .22 hornet for foxes, even with a moderator it was load, he ended up selling it before even getting a fox Loud, well if all you are used to is a .22lr I suppose it is loud. Against any other C/F it is quiet, mine with a Sac on it is no louder than my HMR with the same mod. Neil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 cottonseed, I wouldn't reduce the barrel length at first. The contenders (and encores) are short guns already because there is no length to the receiver (unlike a bolt which will add 4" to the length of the barrel). Your 23" barrel will handle like a CZ with a 19" barrel or so which is pretty handy. Also, the shorter barrels mean less powder burns in the barrel (or at least more change of incomplete combustion in the barrel) which will increase muzzle blast. I'd think that the original barrel with a light load should be pretty tame. If you want to put a moderator on it, then by all means do and that will take all of the blast out almost regardless of barrel length. You'll want to measure the twist. I think the original contenders had a 14 twist for the hornet barrels. In that case you'll want to stick to shorter bullets. The 40 gr BT is my favorite in the 223 and should be a good one. The 45 gr and 35 gr hornet specific bullets would also work for you. You might get a short 50 gr bullet to stabilize if you're pushing it hard and it is a short bullet. I think a 50 gr BT would be too long, but there is only one way to know for sure. Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Thanks for the replies. Wymberley: The rifle was made between 1987 and 1995. I've measured with calipers--my first reloading buy--and it's .224. Are you saying not to use LG unless the bullet weight is 40grains, or more? Three thousand fps is attractive, but my main concern is muzzle-blast and noise. Has anyone any thoughts on reducing the barrel length from 23 inches before screw-cutting for a moderator? I've decided to test it with factory ammo. Should I buy 35 grain V-Max and 45 grain soft points? I'm more likely to be using it for crows and hares than foxes. Hi, You've cracked it - it's just that the calibre started life as 223 and there are still guns of that calibre kicking about. Not really a problem as you can still get the bullets although the range is not as extensive as 224. My remark was more of a safety issue. No, nowt wrong with LG at the lower bullet weight but if you are looking at max. velocity then H110 is better. I go along with the consensus regarding the 40 Nosler. My mod. is a MAE 22WMSTS (bit of a mistake there as the last letter should be B for black which mine is and not S for stainless) which are for 22 WMR and 17 HMR but it's good for me. Listen to Rick about barrel length. One final point, I'm quite new to this calibre and what I've learnt has, in the main, come from members who have more experience. For some reason the calibre seems to encourage bonhommie amongst its users so you'll get a load of help without all the all too frequent bickering other bores can generate. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Loud, well if all you are used to is a .22lr I suppose it is loud. Against any other C/F it is quiet, mine with a Sac on it is no louder than my HMR with the same mod. Neil. Thanks, Neil. No, I've used louder rifles--270, 45/70, .222. My concern is my hearing, already damaged by years of game shooting., as well as the fact most of my shooting land has houses and public footways. I've found that walkers a few hundred yards away--and NIMBY incomers--don't notice the .17HMR. I'd like to stay close to that sound level if poss. Is the Sac you mention the rimfire one? How long do they last on a Hornet? cottonseed, I wouldn't reduce the barrel length at first. The contenders (and encores) are short guns already because there is no length to the receiver (unlike a bolt which will add 4" to the length of the barrel). Your 23" barrel will handle like a CZ with a 19" barrel or so which is pretty handy. Also, the shorter barrels mean less powder burns in the barrel (or at least more change of incomplete combustion in the barrel) which will increase muzzle blast. I'd think that the original barrel with a light load should be pretty tame. If you want to put a moderator on it, then by all means do and that will take all of the blast out almost regardless of barrel length. You'll want to measure the twist. I think the original contenders had a 14 twist for the hornet barrels. In that case you'll want to stick to shorter bullets. The 40 gr BT is my favorite in the 223 and should be a good one. The 45 gr and 35 gr hornet specific bullets would also work for you. You might get a short 50 gr bullet to stabilize if you're pushing it hard and it is a short bullet. I think a 50 gr BT would be too long, but there is only one way to know for sure. Thanks, Rick Thanks, Rick. I'll have to find out the barrel twist. I suspect it will be 14", but the rifle isn't a Contender. It's a TCR 87, discontinued when part of the Thompson Center factory burnt down! The more I read it seems I should be looking at as heavy a bullet as possible. I won't be starting reloading just yet, so could you recommend a factory load to start with? Cheers, Baz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 i didn't get on to well with 35's good at short range only 45's take rabbits and hares with head shots no-issues. energy is well sufficient for 200yds foxes if you can shoot well enough and select a decent bullet it beats std muzzle enegies for the .22 wmr at 200yds out. i fancy this route myself one day but might go for a falling block action if and when. as regards reducing the barrel acording to pistol data you loose very little- i might be tempted to do an inch at a time with the hacksaw checking it over the crono though then get it crowned and threaded. i have a t12 scout mae from jms arms on mine its quieter than my hmr was with a sak. sak are not realy suitable as the pressures are too high jms arms thought the mini T ideal having had clients fit them on .223 but for maximum sound the t12 scout i selected is better and its far from heavy on my cz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Thanks again. I now know the barrel twist is one in 14 ". Thanks also for the information about moderators. Last time I was involved with centre fires there weren't many about and the variety of different models on offer is bewildering. The only ammunition I could find in Lancashire today was RWS 46 grain soft points and some Hornady 35 grain V-Max. I'll let you know how I get on. No doubt there'll be more questions... Baz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Thanks again. I now know the barrel twist is one in 14 ". Thanks also for the information about moderators. Last time I was involved with centre fires there weren't many about and the variety of different models on offer is bewildering. The only ammunition I could find in Lancashire today was RWS 46 grain soft points and some Hornady 35 grain V-Max. I'll let you know how I get on. No doubt there'll be more questions... Baz The RWS are great in mine On another note if you don't want the brass i can give it a home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted October 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 The RWS are great in mine On another note if you don't want the brass i can give it a home In times past I would've done, but I think I'll be starting to reload! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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