I would go for the T/C if you can afford it or the Anschutz or maybe the Savage 24F, but have heard some good reports with the NEF also. I shoot the Savage 24 F combo gun for the kind of hunting you described. If you don’t reload then the 223 would probably be a better way to go. I haven’t kept up with 22 Hornet factory offerings. They may have some good ones. I am a handload so I don’t know much about the factory loads. If you do take up hand loading some day then the little 22 Hornet would be great for the type of hunting and pest control you describe. My little Hornet shoots 1/2 inch at 100 yards with a 3x9 scope on it. With the open sights I can shoot 1- 1/12 to 2-inch groups at 100 yards. That would do the trick.

The problem with accuracy with the Hornet is that some years age the hornet was made with a .223 inch diameter barrel and then some with a .224 inch diameter barrel. The SAAMI standard is .222. Go figure. Some bullet manufactures make both .223 and .224! For the most part, .224 is what most bullet manufactures use these days for modern firearms although they do offer .223 bullets for older rifles.

Another problem was that in some older rifles, the twist rate was 1 turn in 16. That turn rate can’t handle the heavier bullets as well as a 1 in 14-twist barrel. My Savage has the 1 in 14 inch twist so I should be able to shoot the heavier 52-grain bullet. I like the 40-grain or 45 grain bullet for my hornet.

I like the little Hornet as it has a light report and is a lot faster then the 22 Magnum. It is a great choice for light duty work around farms where houses might be just over the hill or down the road. The noise level is light also. And yes, I think you would have all the accuracy you needed. Even with factory loads.
Here is a good Hornet web site to look over.

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~bkhornet/22hornet.htm

Hornet Man


Hornet Man