Do you take a .22 Hornet to Africa??

[dogcat1]

Do you take a .22 Hornet or .22 WMR to Africa when you go? Seems it would be fun and handy.

 

[dchum]

I was going to on my last trip - but then found out the outfitter had a quality one for me. Worked well and I only had to bring one gun instead of lugging two.

It is perfect for tiny antelope and guinea for the pot

(The Ruger 77 that I didn’t take with me / @jnotzon was going to let me borrow it for my safari)

(The old Anschutz I borrowed for the trip)

 

[Green Chile]

I took a K95 22 Hornet last year and had fun taking tiny 10 and night critters. Very effective cartridge.

 

[ActionBob]

Yes! Last trip i wanted to concentrate on tiny 10 and secret 7 type critters. I took a Ruger 77/22 in 22 Hornet with a suppressor, a very nice Swarovski scope, and a clip on Lieca Calinex Thermal. Took a red duiker, Sharps greysbok, civit, side striped jackal, couple black back jackal, genet, couple porcupine.

I've borrowed 22 Hornets in the past. Problem with that is the garbage scopes they typically wear.

 

[ActionBob]

I should add that our Outfitter had a decent 22 Hornet available. But what he didn't have was brass much less ammo!

By taking a rifle we could also take him a lot of ammo. That was when 22 Hornet was rare as hen's teeth. And no brass to be had either. I got lucky and found several boxes at different retailers of Remington ammo, which my gun seems to like and those heavier softs don't blow up like the Hornady type with the plastic tips.

 

[Green Chile]

I've had good luck on the T10 and night critters with this 22 hornet ammo...

 

[Surgeon1]

I've thought many times about taking a 22 Hornet to Africa for predators or Tiny 10 but every time
there was a reason not to (Namibia no Night hunting, Uganda I was already taking 3 rifles for the hunt,
Zim just didn't think I would use it). I shoot Sage Rats and Prairie dogs frequently with 22 Hornets and keep one at the back door for vermin. There are some very versatile bullets available and guns are light and 50 Rds ammo is like four 470NE.

 

[Philip Glass]

I was happy with my Ruger in 5.56 shooting 70g TSX on the little stuff. It gives more power and versatility yet does no more damage than the .22 Hornet. I'll say I am a fan of these little cartridges and used to shoot a .218 Bee a fair bit here at the ranch.

 

[MacJenkins]

I took a K95 22 Hornet last year and had fun taking tiny 10 and night critters. Very effective cartridge.

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Very Nice! Our K95 with the Hornet Barrel has killed hundreds of critters. One of our favorite rifles!

 

[MacJenkins]

Yes! Last trip i wanted to concentrate on tiny 10 and secret 7 type critters. I took a Ruger 77/22 in 22 Hornet with a suppressor, a very nice Swarovski scope, and a clip on Lieca Calinex Thermal. Took a red duiker, Sharps greysbok, civit, side striped jackal, couple black back jackal, genet, couple porcupine.

I've borrowed 22 Hornets in the past. Problem with that is the garbage scopes they typically wear.

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What bullet were you shooting?

 

[TOBY458]

In 2023 when I was in Zim, we used a 22mag daily for shooting guinea fowl, ducks and even three impala for camp meat. The Impala were all heart/lung shots at around 100-125 yds. None ran over 100 yds before falling. Pretty impressive for such a small caliber.

 

[Green Chile]

In 2023 when I was in Zim, we used a 22mag daily for shooting guinea fowl, ducks and even three impala for camp meat. The Impala were all heart/lung shots at around 100-125 yds. None ran over 100 yds before falling. Pretty impressive for such a small caliber.

That is impressive. I wonder if they were FMJs? Otherwise, I would wonder about the penetration at that distance.

 

[TOBY458]

That is impressive. I wonder if they were FMJs? Otherwise, I would wonder about the penetration at that distance.

He had various loads. All were soft points. As I recall, we used 30gr CCI on a couple of the Impala and a 45gr Winchester. You never knew what was coming up next in the magazine. Lol!
When we skinned them, the wound channels were actually fairly decent size.

 

[Brickman301]

I have a Stevens rifle in .22 hornet that belonged to my great uncle. I used that rifle as a kid for shooting groundhogs. Doesn’t get shot much anymore, but I love that cartridge!

Funny thing is just a few moments ago my cousin sent me a picture of some .22 hornet ammo he just bought. I jumped on this site, and seen this post!

 

[Ridge Runner]

I used my 22 Hornet with thermal scope on night hunts using 50gr Hornady SP and FMJ-BT on 3 porcupines, 2 duiker, 1 black back jackal.

Seems the bullet damage on the duikers and jackals were minimal. However, on the porcupines they were devastating.

 

[sureshot375]

In 2023 when I was in Zim, we used a 22mag daily for shooting guinea fowl, ducks and even three impala for camp meat. The Impala were all heart/lung shots at around 100-125 yds. None ran over 100 yds before falling. Pretty impressive for such a small caliber.

I hunted with the same Ph as Toby. I had so much fun with that .22wmr. Impala, duiker, jackal, genet.

I’m not sure I’ll go back to Africa without one.

 

[OldCombatEngr]

Do you take a .22 Hornet or .22 WMR to Africa when you go? Seems it would be fun and handy.

I recall an article (Guns & Ammo?) by Elmer Keith half a century back, whereby he touted the Hornet or another small centerfire .22 for dik-dik. Why would a .22 WMR not work about as well?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Do you take a .22 Hornet or .22 WMR to Africa when you go? Seems it would be fun and handy.

@dogcat1
I do love the little Hornet. Personally I think it would be an ideal cartridge for the tiny 10 with the right projectiles. Would also make a fine and dandy culling cartridge for impala out to 150yards. Great, very accurate little round with more punch than a 22 mag and can be reloaded cheaper than the 22 mag.
Just my opinion as I do love the Hornet.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Yes! Last trip i wanted to concentrate on tiny 10 and secret 7 type critters. I took a Ruger 77/22 in 22 Hornet with a suppressor, a very nice Swarovski scope, and a clip on Lieca Calinex Thermal. Took a red duiker, Sharps greysbok, civit, side striped jackal, couple black back jackal, genet, couple porcupine.

I've borrowed 22 Hornets in the past. Problem with that is the garbage scopes they typically wear.

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@ActionBob
My single shot K Hornet carries a nice (to me) Meopta 3.5-10X44. It's a sub half moa rifle and the scope allows me to see 22cal bullet holes at 100yards with my old eyes.
Bob

 

[deewayne2003]

That is impressive. I wonder if they were FMJs? Otherwise, I would wonder about the penetration at that distance.

Several years ago a bow hunter wounded a mature whitetail buck by striking low and back with a broad head, resulting in the intestines hanging out and dragging the ground.

The only weapon at hand capable of putting it down was a .22wmr with 40gr Fiochi softpoints.

One round to the shoulder at 60yds put it down and fully penetrated, the internal damage was an eye opener.