Hi bigcountry,

I have a Ruger 77/22 Hornet topped with a 1.5 X 6 Bauch & Lomb...and really like the little rifle. It is a great medium range varminter...and without peer in locations where the "loud report of a bigger gun" might cause problems. The .22 Hornet is "soft-spoken", very accurate, and clobbers varmints with authority....within its range. I've successfully used it on chucks to over 200 yards, (one approaching 300....but I won't do that again. It was a clean kill at the base of the neck but the little 45gr. Remington bullet did not expand at that range.) Though I have some Hornady V-Max loads at 3100 I want to give a try for chucks. It is also a very nice "turkey rifle" (with the 45gr. softpoints) where the big birds can be rifle hunted. I would absolutely recommend the Hornet....and have no intentions of getting rid of mine!

Good luck!