CZ 22 Hornet

[Pa Goosehntr]

I sent a question to CZ as to what the barrel is .223 or .224 as far as what bullets I would use to reload with. Here is my answer from CZ:

Jim,

Factory ammunition in that caliber is .224 diameter, and is what we recommend.

Thanks,
Dereck

CZ-USA
800-955-4486 x 334
fax: 913-321-2251
 

[coyotejohn]

I think all 22 (CF) bullets are in fact .224 and not .223, look on your Sierra or Nosler bullet box it will read 22 CAL .224 DIA.

Likewise with the .243 it will read .243CAL 6mmDIA

[Pa Goosehntr]

  That's correct ...but you can still find 22 Hornet bullets in .223...and it specify' s Hornet bullets..and I heard that CZ had a tighter barrel tolerance, so I ask the question... Now I know!! I'll keep rollin with what stock I have on hand til it dials in where it should....Sierra 40 gr. HPs  I really like that lil pill.. that's what comes out of my Ruger 223 very accurately..

[TrappinJohn]

I sent CZ an email years ago when I got mine and was told it was 223.
Several years later there was discussion about this.  I emailed them again and got the answer that they were always 224.  Never tried slugging the barrel to find out, but I do know it shoots 223s scary accurate

[TrappinJohn]

Email from 2007

.223

Brian Welch
Sales
CZ-USA
800-955-4486
brian@cz-usa.com


-----Original Message-----
From: CZ-USA Webserver [mailto:info@cz-usa.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 8:33 PM
To: CZ-USA@lsh157.siteprotect.com; Inc.
Subject: FROM CZ-USA WWW - bore of the 527 American 22 hornet


From   : John
E-mail :
Phone  :
--------------------------------------------------------------
Does CZ use a .223 or .224 bore in the 527 American 22 hornet?

Thanks

Email from 2013

From: info <info@cz-usa.com>
To: John G
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2013 9:00 AM
Subject: RE: CZ527 bore question
 
John,
 
.22 Hornet was standardized to.224 in the 50’s and our guns are designed to shoot .224 bullets. Our bores are a bit tighter than some, which is why our .22 Hornets are known for their accuracy.
 
Thanks!
 
Zach Hein
800 955 4486
fax: 913 321 2251
CZ-USA
 
From: John G
Sent: Friday, October 04, 2013 9:51 PM
To: info
Subject: CZ527 bore question
 
I emailed you a few years back and questioned the bore CZ used on their 22 Hornet rifle barrels.  I was informed these are .223
Has this changed?  Are they .223 or .224 bore?
 
Thank you

[Pa Goosehntr]

  Thanx for sharing these TJ....makes one wonder a little  so I will be doing some experimenting with both sizes and a bunch of Lil Gun..

[Pa Goosehntr]

  Got two loads ready for testing...one with 12 grs the other 13 grs..both of Lil Gun and 40 gr Sierra HPs..

[Dale]

I'll be waiting to see how these turn out...

 remember you're working with a small case here and a few .10th's of a grain can make a big difference in both accuracy and velocity/pressure...

back around the time of the last North Central hunt I called CZ and asked one of the engineers about the bore diameter they were using on the Hornets... I was told they bored them at .223, but it was ok to shoot .224 bullets in them... so there you go if you have one that won't shoot .224 drop down to the .223Hornet bullets and try them...

[Pa Goosehntr]

OK here is this mornings shots...my .223 Hornet bullets are to arrive today and I'll be loading some of them to try....the target on the left was 12 Gr Lil Gun and the one on the right was 13 Gr Lil Gun both with .224 40 Gr Sierra HPs at 100 meters.

[Pa Goosehntr]

  They came and now I have Sierra .223 SPs loaded in 40Gr and 45Gr each with 13 Gr of Lil Gun Now just got to git to the range again..

[Misterjake23]

That's a big difference in groups

[Pa Goosehntr]

  Yea and you would have though I was in the vino with the one on the left, off a Caldwell sled I'll see what the story looks like with the Sierra .223 Hornet bullets being pushed with 13 grs of Lil Gun 

[Misterjake23]

I Haven found a 22 hornet that grouped tight enough for my liking.  Still looking though.

[Pa Goosehntr]

  That's why I reload, you develop the shell for the gun  it just takes awhile sometimes  These .223 bullets may be the answer to the CZ based on what the techs said..

[Buckwheat]

Interesting information
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

The 22 Hornet is an older cartridge that was originally adapted from the 22 WCF. Most of the early firearms (and even some modern guns) chambered for the Hornet have barrels with 1-16” twist rates and/or .223” groove diameters. All of our .22 caliber bullets are .224” diameter, so be sure the groove diameter of your gun is proper for the bullet you intend to use. Additionally, our 40 grain Ballistic Tip® bullets require 14” twist barrels to properly stabilize when fired at Hornet velocities. 50 grain and heavier bullets are not recommended for this cartridge.