On 2009-09-18, Ed Huntress wrote:

"Ignoramus6211" wrote in message
...
On 2009-09-18, Ed Huntress wrote:

"Ignoramus6211" wrote in message
...
I have a Winchester 22 hornet rifle. I still have not figured out what
are the good uses for it. It was kind of a rash garage sale purchase
and I am still deciding whether I should keep it or not. I have
somewhat too many guns and, perhaps, it would be better to swap it for
a regular .22.

i

What model Winchester? The Hornet is a very good cartridge but it's a
short-range varminter, compared to the hotter .22s. If it's legal in your
area for this use, it makes one hell of a fine squirrel gun. g
Personally,
I wouldn't shoot a centerfire rifle at squirrels, but I knew someone who
used his Hornet for that and it was deadly. Head shots, of course.

I cannot recall what model, something like 740 or whatever.

Hmm. 'Don't know that one. Maybe a Model 54 or Model 70? What kind of action
is it?

I think that it is Model 70.


As for squirrels, I had great luck killing them with an air
rifle. (Gamo 1000). This rifle is dead on accurate and drops squirrels
very reliably. I once made 5 shots and hit 4 squirrels. Three died
immediately, and one died under a shed (oops).

Sometimes you're hunting where the squirrels have been shot at, and it's
hard to get within 60 or 70 yards of them. That's when a Hornet would be
nice. However, you'd better be one heck of a good shot to head-shoot a
squirrel at 70 yards or more. You need at least a tree to rest against.

The bullet carries pretty far when you shoot up on an angle like that. I
don't know specifically what the carry distance is for a Hornet, but it must
be close to two miles. Where I hunt, and even in most states with average
population density, that would be dangerous.

I agree. I would be OK with a .22 for this application, but nothing
beyond.


I stopped squirrel hunting because they taste very bad compared to
chickens.

g I think I posted a recipe for Brunswick Stew here once upon a time. The
original is made with squirrel.


That Gamo air rifle is beyond amazing. A lot of fun for just $200
(full retain price at Sports Authority). It does 1,000 fps.

i

sigh In NJ, there are hardly any places you can legally shoot one.

Fortunately, they are relatively quiet rifles.

i