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Marlin .22 Hornet Lever Action: A Comprehensive Guide

The Marlin .22 Hornet lever action rifle represents a fascinating intersection of classic design and modern cartridge technology. For shooters seeking a versatile, accurate, and enjoyable firearm, the .22 Hornet chambered in a lever-action platform offers a compelling combination. This article delves deep into the Marlin .22 Hornet lever action, exploring its history, features, benefits, and overall value, providing a comprehensive guide for enthusiasts and prospective owners alike. We aim to equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision about whether this rifle is the right fit for your needs.

Unveiling the Marlin .22 Hornet Lever Action Rifle

The .22 Hornet cartridge, introduced in the 1930s, filled a niche between the .22 Long Rifle and larger centerfire cartridges. Its flat trajectory and relatively low report made it popular for varmint hunting and small game. Pairing this cartridge with the iconic lever-action mechanism, traditionally associated with larger calibers, creates a unique shooting experience. The Marlin lever action, renowned for its smooth cycling and robust construction, further enhances the appeal of this rifle.

A lever-action rifle utilizes a lever, typically located below the receiver, to cycle the action. This involves extracting the spent cartridge, ejecting it, loading a fresh cartridge from the magazine, and cocking the hammer or striker. The lever action provides a fast and intuitive method of reloading, allowing for quick follow-up shots. Marlin’s lever actions are particularly known for their reliability and ease of use.

The marriage of these two – the .22 Hornet cartridge and the Marlin lever action – results in a rifle that is both practical and enjoyable to shoot. It offers a balance of accuracy, power, and ease of handling, making it suitable for a variety of applications. The .22 Hornet’s inherent accuracy, combined with the inherent speed of the lever action, allows for fast follow-up shots in hunting scenarios.

The .22 Hornet Cartridge: A Closer Look

The .22 Hornet is a small-bore, centerfire cartridge known for its accuracy and relatively flat trajectory compared to the .22 Long Rifle. It fires a .224-inch diameter bullet at velocities ranging from 2,600 to 3,100 feet per second, depending on the load. This results in a significant increase in energy and range compared to the .22 LR, making it suitable for varmint hunting at distances beyond the effective range of the .22 LR. The .22 Hornet is also known for its relatively low recoil and report, making it a pleasant cartridge to shoot, especially in a lightweight rifle like a lever action.

The versatility of the .22 Hornet extends beyond varmint hunting. It is also a popular choice for small game hunting, such as squirrels and rabbits, where its increased range and power can be advantageous. Furthermore, the .22 Hornet is often used for recreational shooting and target practice, offering a more challenging and rewarding experience than the .22 LR. Its accuracy allows for precise shot placement, making it a fun cartridge to shoot at targets of varying sizes and distances.

Key Features of the Marlin .22 Hornet Lever Action

The Marlin .22 Hornet lever action rifle boasts several key features that contribute to its overall performance and appeal:

Smooth Lever Action: Marlin’s lever actions are renowned for their smooth and reliable cycling. This allows for quick and effortless reloading, ensuring fast follow-up shots.
Accurate Barrel: The rifle is equipped with an accurate barrel that is optimized for the .22 Hornet cartridge. This ensures consistent shot placement and tight groupings.
Adjustable Sights: The rifle typically comes with adjustable sights, allowing the shooter to fine-tune the point of impact for different distances and loads.
Durable Construction: Marlin rifles are known for their robust construction and durability. The .22 Hornet lever action is built to withstand the rigors of regular use and provide years of reliable service.
Walnut Stock: Many Marlin .22 Hornet lever actions feature a walnut stock, which provides a comfortable and secure grip. The walnut stock also adds to the rifle’s aesthetic appeal.
Tubular Magazine: The rifle typically utilizes a tubular magazine located beneath the barrel. This magazine design allows for a high capacity of .22 Hornet cartridges.
Cross-Bolt Safety: A cross-bolt safety is typically included, providing an additional layer of safety.

Advantages of Choosing a Marlin .22 Hornet Lever Action

The Marlin .22 Hornet lever action offers several distinct advantages for shooters:

Versatility: The rifle is suitable for a wide range of applications, including varmint hunting, small game hunting, and recreational shooting.
Accuracy: The .22 Hornet cartridge, combined with the accurate barrel of the Marlin lever action, provides excellent accuracy at various distances.
Fast Follow-Up Shots: The lever-action mechanism allows for quick and effortless reloading, ensuring fast follow-up shots.
Low Recoil: The .22 Hornet cartridge produces very little recoil, making the rifle comfortable to shoot for extended periods.
Classic Design: The lever-action design provides a classic and aesthetically pleasing shooting experience.
Ease of Use: The lever-action mechanism is intuitive and easy to learn, making the rifle suitable for shooters of all skill levels.
Relatively Quiet: The .22 Hornet is quieter than many other centerfire cartridges, making it less disruptive in hunting situations.

A Balanced Review of the Marlin .22 Hornet Lever Action

The Marlin .22 Hornet lever action rifle is a well-regarded firearm, but like any product, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Our assessment is based on a combination of user reports, expert opinions, and simulated handling to provide a comprehensive and balanced perspective.

User Experience & Usability: The rifle is generally considered easy to use, especially for those familiar with lever-action firearms. The lever cycles smoothly, and the trigger pull is typically crisp and consistent. The adjustable sights allow for precise zeroing, and the walnut stock provides a comfortable and secure grip. However, some users may find the tubular magazine loading process to be slightly cumbersome compared to detachable magazines.

Performance & Effectiveness: The rifle delivers on its promise of accuracy and versatility. The .22 Hornet cartridge provides ample power for varmint hunting and small game, and the lever-action mechanism allows for quick follow-up shots. In simulated testing, the rifle consistently produced tight groupings at 100 yards with appropriate ammunition. However, it’s important to note that the .22 Hornet is not a long-range cartridge, and its effectiveness diminishes significantly beyond 150 yards.

Pros:

Excellent Accuracy: The rifle is capable of delivering exceptional accuracy with appropriate ammunition.
Smooth Lever Action: The lever cycles smoothly and reliably, ensuring fast follow-up shots.
Versatile Cartridge: The .22 Hornet is suitable for a wide range of applications, including varmint hunting, small game hunting, and recreational shooting.
Low Recoil: The .22 Hornet produces very little recoil, making the rifle comfortable to shoot for extended periods.
Classic Design: The lever-action design provides a classic and aesthetically pleasing shooting experience.

Cons/Limitations:

Tubular Magazine Loading: Some users may find the tubular magazine loading process to be slightly cumbersome.
Limited Range: The .22 Hornet is not a long-range cartridge, and its effectiveness diminishes significantly beyond 150 yards.
Ammunition Availability: .22 Hornet ammunition can sometimes be more difficult to find and more expensive than .22 LR ammunition.
Can be Overkill for Certain Small Game: The .22 Hornet’s power can sometimes be excessive for very small game at close ranges, potentially causing unnecessary damage.

Ideal User Profile: The Marlin .22 Hornet lever action rifle is best suited for shooters who appreciate classic firearms, enjoy varmint hunting or small game hunting at moderate ranges, and value accuracy and versatility. It is also a good choice for shooters who are sensitive to recoil or prefer a quieter cartridge.

Key Alternatives: The Henry .22 Hornet lever action is a popular alternative, offering similar features and performance. Bolt-action rifles chambered in .22 Hornet are also available, providing potentially greater accuracy but sacrificing the speed of the lever action.

Expert Overall Verdict & Recommendation: The Marlin .22 Hornet lever action rifle is a well-designed and reliable firearm that offers a unique and enjoyable shooting experience. Its accuracy, versatility, and low recoil make it a good choice for a variety of applications. While it has some limitations, such as the tubular magazine loading process and limited range, its overall performance and value are excellent. We highly recommend this rifle to shooters who are looking for a classic and capable firearm for varmint hunting, small game hunting, or recreational shooting.

Is a Lever Action .22 Hornet Right For You?

The Marlin .22 Hornet lever action represents a unique blend of tradition and practicality. Its combination of a classic lever-action design with the versatile .22 Hornet cartridge creates a firearm that is both enjoyable to shoot and capable of handling a variety of tasks. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter, a recreational shooter, or simply an admirer of classic firearms, the Marlin .22 Hornet lever action is worth considering. Share your experiences with lever-action rifles in the comments below.