Thread: Brno 22 hornet

Got my hand on one in fairly good nick. It's got a stamp with 58 next to it( I take it it's yr of manufacture). Then same stamp on chamber with zkw465 and then a tiny scroll which I can't decipher. On top of barrel 22 hornet. On other side of chamber the number 22341. Then made in Czechoslovakia at the back
Any words of wisdom welcome. A very quick sight in today and I think about 3/4 inch.l

It's a later manufacture, the first ones (1949) were marked in the euro designation for the Hornet (I recall something like 5.6x??Ho - can't recall the case length). The earlier ones had a slightly tighter chamber, which meant the odd case got sticky after a few reloads and needed to be popped out. Effectively needed small base dies... Very nice rifles, lovely to shoot. Reloading is the go, ammo at factory prices is quite eye watering.

Made in 58. Serial no is 22xxx.
Not much more to add except use a Lee mandrel size die and give a very light crimp with a Lee crimped. Lill gun is the very best hornet powder. Accurate and fast. Us
E short stubby 40 gn pills as mag length is tight.


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Originally Posted by Dicko

Made in 58. Serial no is 22xxx.
Not much more to add except use a Lee mandrel size die and give a very light crimp with a Lee crimped. Lill gun is the very best hornet powder. Accurate and fast. Us
E short stubby 40 gn pills as mag length is tight.


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I intend to use 33 gr hammers and trying to find a lee kit to hand reload without press, old style.

Those 465s are the real McCoy. The later Fox models were a pale shadow in comparison. I had one briefly and felt misled as to their quality, compared to the 465, Not on the same planet

The 465 is such a cool little rifle


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Originally Posted by MSL

The 465 is such a cool little rifle


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just a heads up for you chaps that like early BRNOS was in H and F New Plymouth yesterday they have a 1967 601 in 308 with same era Zeiss scope on it for sale - mint is not the way to describe it apparently has not even had a packet of rounds thru it - nice wood and not a mark on it collectors item

I have 3 Hornets. An immaculate ZKM465 1949, a Walther, and a modern Savage Model 40 single shot.

Can't say I've noticed the BRNO has a tighter chamber than the other 2 ie a fired case from the Savage will fit the BRNO and vice versa.

Because the BRNO is most likely a .223 I initially used 223 projectiles but gave up on that and just used 224. There seemed to be no accuracy difference or perceivable pressure issues.

Have used a range of weights up to 55 gr but my best results thru all my Hornets is the Hornady 35gr VM.

Powders - after all the ravings about Lil'Gun I started out with that. Accuracy was only so so, ES not great. The main feature with LG is the increased velocity available at lower pressures compared to other powders. Plus it is virtually impossible to overload a case.

Next I went with ADI2205. Accuracy much improved. I finally ended up using VVN110, in all my Hornets. Projectile again is the 35gr VM although I have a quantity of 40gr VM to use up. They are also good.

The Hornet, as well documented is a most frustrating chambering. My BRNO has reasonable accuracy but never better than just under 1 MOA and then not consistantly with each range visit.
The Savage M40 is a 1 MOA and less rifle but like the BRNO on one range outing it shoots stunningly, the next outing not so good. That of course may be the shooter.

I run the Savage with a Bushnell 24x scope. The BRNO had a petite scope which meant I didn't need to remove (and lose) the rear iron sight.

The Walther I still have to explore its potential, or non potential.

I could comment on different brands of brass I have tried but I've babbled on long enough.

Only other comment is I bought a lot of factory Remington off tardme. The Rem is HOT.

there are articles about it..and iVE HEARD FROM GUYS WHO DO IT..... try running small pistol primers..... from all I have read it improves accuracy quite a lot...dont know how or why..possibly smaller spark/bang to ignite tiny powder charge upsets things less???
but its a thing worth trying.... up to you.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

there are articles about it..and iVE HEARD FROM GUYS WHO DO IT..... try running small pistol primers..... from all I have read it improves accuracy quite a lot...dont know how or why..possibly smaller spark/bang to ignite tiny powder charge upsets things less???
but its a thing worth trying.... up to you.

Yep, I changed to CCI pistol primers early on and they did improve accuracy. I also wear safety glasses when shooting as there is a greater chance of popping a primer, supposedly...

Originally Posted by MSL

The 465 is such a cool little rifle


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What's the wee scope @MSL

Originally Posted by zimmer

What's the wee scope @MSL

The original meopta 3x scope and windage adjustable mount.


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I burnt my hand badly this afternoon while attending a fire, so it made me think, about the magazine and how the little hornet round has trouble sliding into the mag. Now I also have a Stirling 22 and it has a cut halfway along the top so you can feed further into the mag instead of from the front. This way the pressure is awkward and hence a bit of a pain loading. Out with the bolt cutters and see if lateral thinking is the answer.

You might end up with a single shot. I would find another mag before I attacked the original. I soon got used to mine.

It works, how wonderful, it works well, flawless feeding now and it stacks better.