Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 22 Hornet or 22 K-Hornet?

I'm on the verge of picking up a CZ 527 22 Hornet, something I've wanted for quite some time. Specifically, the Hornet, not necessarily the 527, but it seems to be the best bang for the buck and has a good reputation for accuracy.

>>>>>Wondering whether to immediately have it reamed out for K-Hornet?<<<<<

I don't want to get Hornet dies and then later have to turn around and get K-Hornet dies, if the regular Hornet does not meet my accuracy expectations or if case life sucks.

I don't buy factory ammo (I reload only)

I don't need any extra velocity, in fact, I plan to download it to around 2,200 fps with a 45-grain bullet, for rabbits & squirrels.

Seems to me there would be quite a bit less case stretch with the K-Hornet. Also looks like the K-Hornet might be more accurate since it headspaces off of the shoulder, while the regular Hornet case, looks like it probably headspaces off of the rim.


Thoughts by those who have either the 22 Hornet, the K-Hornet, or even the CZ 527 are appreciated.

Thanks,

Jerry

I have two 22 hornets, both Anschutz. Both are very accurate, about 3/4” five shots at 100 yards.
So, non “k” hornets can shoot very accurately.

My old Sav. 219 was very accurate in standard form. I did use a 218 Bee to just size the neck on the Hornet. 46gr Win HP's and Lil,gun. That was a great bullet in my Hornet and Bee.

Dale and Erich,

Thanks for the replies.

Jerry

I've got a standard Hornet in a 527. I will have to trim the next time I load ammo for it, but I got away without trimming for about 8 loads, by only sizing the top of the case (I only sized about 1/8" of the neck with my my FL dies. I didn't lube the cases, either, just barely ran the cases into the die, enough to give the case some grip on the little bullets I load (34gr. Midsouth HPs). I use 1680 powder and 6.5 primers, so they are pretty low pressure loads.

I like the 527s, I have three others in .17 Hornet, .221 Fireball, and .204, they are just plain dandy, and the SST is very helpful, too. Great little rifles, I am saddened that CZ has discontinued the .222, 17 Remington, and .221Fireballs to make room in the schedule for .300 Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, and 7.62x39. Those little cartridges are really fun in such light rifles.

I've only been around a coupla dozen KHorn conversions. the Khorn simply enjoys mechanical advantages,which equate to performance,precision and case life attributes...none of which is "subjective". Hint.

I wouldn't even fhuqk around with a SALAMI Hornet. Hint..................

Kilbourn's were popular here, I used one for a bit but wouldn't get another whilst I have a ZKW in Hornet.

What is a major step up is a 22 Spitfire, I had three reamed on Hornet chambers and all were extremely successful...3400 fps with 40gr BT's with no case issues.
Two on ZKW and one on a Ruger no 3.

Wait and see how it works out, you can always K it later. I've had both, still have a K, the stds went down the road.

I have a 527 in the hornet. Mine shoots excellent. I originally thought I would punch it out to the K, never did. Brass life isn’t a problem.

I've owned a bunch of each, and this is my experience as well. In fact the most accurate .22 Hornet I've owned was a standard, not K.

After much experience I decided the reason K-Hornets often shoot a little better is not "head-spacing on the shoulder instead of the rim," the common theory. Instead it's because the fire-formed, straight-sided case can't tilt as much inside the sizing die, pulling the neck crooked as it's pulled over the expander ball. But if you use dies that don't allow that to matter (such as Lee Collet dies), or regular dies to just partially size the necks, then it doesn't matter.

There also isn't enough case capacity gained in the K-Hornet to make any significant difference in velocity.

My father bought a lightly used 527 from an estate sale that he thought was a standard hornet first round fired and he learned it had been reamed to a K-hornet. It shot well enough that he had his ruger 77 hornet also reamed out and it too shot great

I have a River 77-22 I went with a K chamber. I vote K.

I have had both. An Anschutz in K-Hornet and a custom Winchester 22 Hornet. I like the standard Hornet better than the K-Hornet. The only problem with Hornet cases is in bullet seating as you can gets lots of crushed cases. Get a Forster Bench Rest Seater Die and that problem is solved. Do not own the K-Hornet now.

I own and shoot them both - Hornet in a single shot, and K-Hornet in a Winchester M54 (converted by Lyle Kilbourn himself, the "K" in K-Hornet). They both shoot exceptionally well and both enjoy long trouble free brass life if you don't push them to the ragged edge of performance. (That's why God gave us R2 Lovells and .222/.223's. )

Thanks Everyone for your in-put, appreciate it.

Jerry