.22 K-Hornet (in a CZ 527)

.22 K-Hornet (in a CZ 527)

Handloader Issue #300 examined the .22 K-Hornet installed in a CZ 527 platform to show how the improved Hornet geometry performs in a modern, compact bolt-action rimfire-style rifle. The CZ 527’s short, rigid action and quality factory barrel make it a natural testbed for the K-Hornet concept, which aims to squeeze extra performance from the classic Hornet case by reducing body taper and steepening the shoulder.

In the tests, the CZ 527 chambered for the K-Hornet consistently produced modest but useful velocity gains over standard Hornet loads, while maintaining good accuracy when matched to appropriate bullets (commonly in the 35–45 grain range). The improved case geometry in the CZ helped deliver a slightly flatter trajectory and tighter SD/ES figures in several of the test loads, demonstrating that modern factory rifles can take advantage of the K-Hornet’s efficiency without requiring a custom single-shot action.

As with other improved Hornet reports, the article highlights increased sensitivity to seating depth, neck tension, and component consistency. The CZ 527 showed the best groups when loads were tuned carefully—small changes in OAL or neck tension often produced noticeable shifts in point of impact. The piece stresses methodical load development: start well below published maximums, ladder test for accuracy nodes, and chronograph to verify velocity and consistency.

Overall, the Handloader #300 feature concludes that a CZ 527 chambered as a K-Hornet makes an excellent, practical platform for reloaders who want the improved Hornet’s advantages in a usable, fieldable rifle. The combination gives shooters a balance of factory convenience and wildcat-level performance—provided loads are developed cautiously and matched to the rifle’s specific chamber and barrel.

Source: Handloader Issue #300 – February, 2016