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December 9, 2002
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I thought I’d post this near miss, from earlier today.
I decided not to go past $2,950.00 on my bid earlier, as it hammered @ $3,200.00 Bucks! With all the extra fees, and me driving 40 minutes to pick it up, it would have put me a little the $4,000.00 Grand Mark, so I wasn’t going to pursue it any higher!
A very nice example, but us collectors gotta have a stop point Budget! 
Anthony
November 7, 2015
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Nice rifle, good call. No telling how far the winning bidder would have gone. We’ll understand if you kick yourself a little bit, no telling when you’ll see another…outside of Bert’s gun safe, of course.
Mike
December 9, 2002
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Mike,
I understand what you mean, as I think we’ve all been there before! Yeah, their had to be at least two more, going after it, and maybe a third, for it to get there. I am very much aware of Bert loving that round, and for all the great obvious reasons! It didn’t hurt, that my 1948 model 70, in .220 swift, with a heavy Hart barrel, and Unertl Ultra varmint scope, awaits more trigger time! Kinda takes the sting away from separating the Wants from the Needs! 
I edited my post, as I put down a 7 instead of a 9, and must of not proof read it, before I hit the Send button.
Anthony
November 19, 2006
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Tony –
As has been said, we’ve all been there. I also try to remind myself of the point Mike made when I experience regret over a rifle selling for one bid beyond my last bid: we can’t assume one more bid would take it. There is every possibility the other bidder will keep going.
I was going through the recent final prices from the Morphy auction. I didn’t bid on anything. As I scanned the final bids, there were a few I thought to myself that I would have gone one bid higher. Interestingly enough, the rifle that pained me the most happened to be a M54. It was the .38-55.
December 9, 2002
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Steve,
Relaxing a little this morning, with a cup of Joe, and even doing some reflecting over not bidding higher on the Hornet, as I also viewed the outstanding example that Lou posted on Bill’s thread, “How Sporting is the Winchester Sporting Rifle”?
I can honestly say that I have no regrets on my, stopping point bid. Yeah I really liked the darker toned and aged looking clean specimen, and would have loved to drive and pick it up, and even be rubbing a clean rag over it now, but that just wasn’t in the cards, I guess. I’ve been known to go over on something that I wanted, and like Mike said, it might be a long while before I see another one, or ever run across another. That’s reality!
Heck I might even pull a rifle out of the safe and take a rag to it, as it can sooth any bidders remorse that might be trying to sneak into my feelings! LOL!
I was looking into some past records, and I did trade off a model 43 in the .22 Hornet, years ago, (albeit not a model 70), that I never did shoot, and wasn’t sure I even knew I had it. Terrible when you can’t remember such things, as buying up many collections years ago, almost seem to run together. Notice that I said almost! LOL!
The Hunt continues! 
Anthony
November 19, 2006
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Anthony said
Steve,
Relaxing a little this morning, with a cup of Joe, and even doing some reflecting over not bidding higher on the Hornet, as I also viewed the outstanding example that Lou posted on Bill’s thread, “How Sporting is the Winchester Sporting Rifle”?
I can honestly say that I have no regrets on my, stopping point bid. Yeah I really liked the darker toned and aged looking clean specimen, and would have loved to drive and pick it up, and even be rubbing a clean rag over it now, but that just wasn’t in the cards, I guess. I’ve been known to go over on something that I wanted, and like Mike said, it might be a long while before I see another one, or ever run across another. That’s reality!
Heck I might even pull a rifle out of the safe and take a rag to it, as it can sooth any bidders remorse that might be trying to sneak into my feelings! LOL!
I was looking into some past records, and I did trade off a model 43 in the .22 Hornet, years ago, (albeit not a model 70), that I never did shoot, and wasn’t sure I even knew I had it. Terrible when you can’t remember such things, as buying up many collections years ago, almost seem to run together. Notice that I said almost! LOL!
The Hunt continues!
Anthony
Anthony –
You do very well at keeping regret at bay. That’s a very good thing. I do not do as well at that even though I am well-aware that regret accomplishes nothing.
April 15, 2005
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Anthony said
I was looking into some past records, and I did trade off a model 43 in the .22 Hornet, years ago, (albeit not a model 70), that I never did shoot, and wasn’t sure I even knew I had it. Terrible when you can’t remember such things, as buying up many collections years ago, almost seem to run together. Notice that I said almost! LOL!
The Hunt continues!
Anthony
My opinion of you just dropped several points! 
How could you have not taken that wonderful little rifle out for a session at the range?? If you had, the odds are you would still own it.
I truly enjoy shooting my Model 43 22 Hornet rifle (it shoots dime-sized 100-yd groups when I do my part). Even thoug it is a repeater, I single load each cartridge when at the range, or when exterminating varmints.
Bert
p.s. You can atone your standing with me by immediately finding and purchasing a Model 43 Hornet
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Anthony-
Seems after a “swing and a miss” something really special comes along. Trust me on this one, it happens! Odd thing is I’m typing this in the dark after a possible tornado passed about seven miles south of here less than two hours ago. Much closer to Jeremy P’s place. He’s OK, packing for a road trip. And he HAS power. Not much on near misses but better than direct hits.
Mike
December 9, 2002
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Bert,
I was hoping that I’d get to you on that one! LOL! The Plan worked!
No, in all seriousness, it was one of those things, where my whole life being a workaholic and hitting it hard pretty much 24/7, and raising two very active boys along the way, and all that brings, it kinda got wiped down and stuck in a sock and into the safe, along with 110 other Winchesters, mostly .22 caliber rifles that came from a local shop, and as usual in the middle of running a business and everything else that life deals. I wonder myself, to this day, why I never took that thing out for a go around, or two? I guess we always grabbed the other shooters we had and just headed out, and did what we did.
According to my notes, it was a second year, #9088, mfg. 1949, and it was D.T, with scope mount bases on it.(I wasn’t sure that was factory D’/T) I’m pretty sure the early ones weren’t Factory D/T’d !
Mike,
You’re absolutely right as something always shows up, or comes along. Glad both of you guys are okay down there!
Anthony
December 9, 2002
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Bert,
Did you grab this one?
I did think about this one, as the numbers were very affording. A 1950 rifle, with a furniture, lacquer stick repair on the wood stock , into the forearm checkering, it looked like a nice representative to make a good shooter.
Correct me if I’m wrong. The model 43 mfg. from 1948-1953, with a total of 62,617 mfg. was dubbed, “The Poor Man’s model 70”!
I think I’ll keep looking for a model 70, in the .22 Hornet!
Anthony
April 15, 2005
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Anthony said
Bert,
Did you grab this one?
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-43/winchester-model-43-deluxe-22-hornet.cfm?gun_id=103230310
I did think about this one, as the numbers were very affording. A 1950 rifle, with a furniture, lacquer stick repair on the wood stock , into the forearm checkering, it looked like a nice representative to make a good shooter.
Correct me if I’m wrong. The model 43 mfg. from 1948-1953, with a total of 62,617 mfg. was dubbed, “The Poor Man’s model 70”!
I think I’ll keep looking for a model 70, in the .22 Hornet!
Anthony
No, I did not, as it is not up to my collection standards. I do not like that it has been drilled & tapped (barrel and receiver) for the scope, and the stock has been abused. I do not need another “shooter” grade rifle at this point.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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Bert,
As a fellow collector, I can certainly understand you not going after this one, as I wouldn’t have been afraid to take it out and shoot it, as a fine representative, with the grand kids, as it’s easy to add a scratch or two by accident with the youngsters as I’m afraid to admit with my own boys when they we’re young!
Great memories, and I wouldn’t change a thing, as they both are proficient shooters and Hunters.
If I do run across, a nice honest model 43 in the Hornet, I will try to grab it! In all honesty.
The ballistics impress me on it.
Anthony
April 15, 2005
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Anthony said
Bert,
As a fellow collector, I can certainly understand you not going after this one, as I wouldn’t have been afraid to take it out and shoot it, as a fine representative, with the grand kids, as it’s easy to add a scratch or two by accident with the youngsters as I’m afraid to admit with my own boys when they we’re young!
Great memories, and I wouldn’t change a thing, as they both are proficient shooters and Hunters.
If I do run across, a nice honest model 43 in the Hornet, I will try to grab it! In all honesty.
The ballistics impress me on it.
Anthony
When it was originally introduced (in the early 1930s), it set the world record for accuracy in the small bore category. The 22 Hornet is an inherently accurate cartridge, especially in a quality rifle. The case (while relatively small) is extremely efficient. With the proper powder choice, it can easily propel a 45-gr JSP bullet to 2,800 – 2,900 fps. I have been loading 35-gr V-Max bullets in my Hornet, and it is shooting them at 3,250 fps. My M70 K-Hornet load with the same bullet is slightly over 3,500 fps. You don’t need a 22-250 or 220 Swift and all the powder they consume!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Yes, the 22 Hornet is a marvel of a cartridge but I don’t need any more new loading projects or “shooter” grade Winchesters. I’ll admit to being tempted by both and quite honestly this rifle would probably get my attention. The Hornet struck me as a very efficient cartridge and the K-Hornet is almost mind-boggling. My manual dexterity is best focused on cartridges larger than 380 ACP and occasionally .223. I feel pretty sure I’d cry if I crushed a 22 Hornet or 25-20 WCF case.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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TXGunNut said
Yes, the 22 Hornet is a marvel of a cartridge but I don’t need any more new loading projects or “shooter” grade Winchesters. I’ll admit to being tempted by both and quite honestly this rifle would probably get my attention. The Hornet struck me as a very efficient cartridge and the K-Hornet is almost mind-boggling. My manual dexterity is best focused on cartridges larger than 380 ACP and occasionally .223. I feel pretty sure I’d cry if I crushed a 22 Hornet or 25-20 WCF case.
Mike
As a retired fellow on a budget, loading for the 22 Hornet is even more efficient than your 32 WCF! Plus, it is more fun to shoot. 22 Hornet brass is cheap & plentiful… I will even offer you (200) once fired cases to practice on (so you can crush a few and not feel bad about it). Seriously, I have not crushed a Hornet case in more than 20-years, but I only neck size them. Powder choices are easy for the Hornet… 4227, 2400, or my go to these days, Hornady Lil’Gun.
I very nice Model 43 can be found for $750 (or less).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
TXGunNut said
Yes, the 22 Hornet is a marvel of a cartridge but I don’t need any more new loading projects or “shooter” grade Winchesters. I’ll admit to being tempted by both and quite honestly this rifle would probably get my attention. The Hornet struck me as a very efficient cartridge and the K-Hornet is almost mind-boggling. My manual dexterity is best focused on cartridges larger than 380 ACP and occasionally .223. I feel pretty sure I’d cry if I crushed a 22 Hornet or 25-20 WCF case.
Mike
As a retired fellow on a budget, loading for the 22 Hornet is even more efficient than your 32 WCF! Plus, it is more fun to shoot. 22 Hornet brass is cheap & plentiful… I will even offer you (200) once fired cases to practice on (so you can crush a few and not feel bad about it). Seriously, I have not crushed a Hornet case in more than 20-years, but I only neck size them. Powder choices are easy for the Hornet… 4227, 2400, or my go to these days, Hornady Lil’Gun.
I very nice Model 43 can be found for $750 (or less).
Bert
Bert-
Actually this old tightwad loads a 32WCF with less than 5 grains of 231 and about 90 grains of recycled wheelweight lead. Primers are a moot point as I have both cartridges covered with primers purchased in the previous decade, maybe millennium. Last time I checked components for me to reload a 32WCF were about eight cents. I’m pretty sure I can’t load the Hornet for that and I’m equally sure I don’t have loading dies, bullet moulds or sizing dies for the Hornet. But yes, if I can scare up a few more spare Benjamins a nice 43 would probably make a comfortable home on my little spot on the prairie. I doubt I would bother to cast for the little hotrod as I have a decent assortment of J-word .22 projectiles and no gas checks. IIRC we saw a nice enough 43 last year at Cody. Didn’t see any I liked this year but I was looking for something that oddly, wasn’t there.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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Mike,
Like you, I have mounds of supplies to keep my Hornet fetish going strong. Several thousand primers bought 30-years ago (when they were really cheap), and at last count, at least 2,000 Hornet cases, and 1,000 K-Hornet cases. I also have close to 1,000 of the older 45-grain Hornet bullets (Hornady, Speer, Sierra, Sisk, etc.). The only items I have purchased in recent times have been the 35-gr V-Max bullets (750), and 2 lbs of Hogden Lil’Gun powder. At just 12.5 grains for the Hornet, and 14.0 grains for the K-hornet, the 2 lbs. of powder goes a long way
I will keep my eyes open for a decent M43 Hornet rifle… If you don’t take it, Anthony most likely will!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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Bert H. said
I will keep my eyes open for a decent M43 Hornet rifle… If you don’t take it, Anthony most likely will!
Now we’re talking!
Anthony
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, Bert-
Acquisitions and new projects are on hold for the foreseeable future, find Anthony a nice one! I’ve enjoyed exploring the Hornet on paper for nearly two years now but have no plans to do anything hands-on at this time. I’ll admit my small pistol primers and 231 powder may date to the last millennium and that definitely has a bearing on my component costs. I have several hundred .22 bullets on hand from past projects involving the .223 and 22-250 so I’ll be able to ease into it when/if the time comes. My loading room inventory has reminded me of some unfinished projects and inspired a few new ones. I have components, tools and guns for these projects so will be busy for awhile with minimal additional expense.
Mike
