![Image](http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/AJMD429/Leverguns%20etc/Projects/22Hornetguns_zpsd2b5d25d.jpg)
Since I'd bought a box of 35 grain factory loads for 22 Hornet, I decided to continue my 'selection' process between the Hornets I got a ways back. I had hoped that I'd be more impressed with these loads than the rather mediocre results (below) at 50 yards last summer with 45 grain factory fodder. (http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=43582)
![Image](http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/AJMD429/Leverguns%20etc/Projects/RugervsSavageHornets.jpg)
I'd planned to shoot them both and then sell the one I liked least - after today I'm tempted to sell both. These three 5-shot groups were all at 50 yards from the bench...
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Image](http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/AJMD429/Leverguns%20etc/Projects/22Hornets_zps13d9ba4e.jpg)
As you can see, the Savage slightly better than the Ruger, but then I shot the 9mm Ruger Carbine, using only a red-dot sight, and five miscellaneous reloads from the 'shoot-em-up' pile. The 9mm was just about as good, though all of them shot to the left today for some reason (probably listening to too much NPR lately).
I guess what irritates me is that I think of the 22 Hornet as a way to "sacrifice a bit of power vs. the 223, in exchange for less muzzle-blast and greater accuracy under 100 yards". Well, I can shoot better than this with my 223(s), and I DO have hearing-protectors; for that matter, it looks like my 9mm Carbine hits as accurately, even though it uses a cheap red-dot scope vs. the 12-16x scopes worn by the Hornets. In fact, the 'beater' Marlin 336 I got a few years ago in 30-30 shoots cloverleafs at the same distance, so I'm not sure what the point of a 22 Hornet is if it can't do far better than either of these guns does.
Maybe I should sell BOTH of them and get a 17 Hornet.
Maybe I should be more patient and work up quality RELOADS that shoot better.
On the other hand, I think a truly good firearm should shoot better than that even with factory ammunition.