Model 25 22 Horneet

[GaCop]

I'm surprised there's not a lot of talk about this rifle here. I was considering getting one but I'm hesitant as I've heard about ejection problems. Came here to research any flaws but this is a bust for sure. Bummer....

[space44]

I just Bought the Savage Model 25 Camo Stock .22 Hornet and have converted it to the K Hornet. After doing so, it would only accept 2 rounds in the magazine. I took the magazine apart and filed off the back end of the feeder just a couple thousands and now it holds all four and feeds perfectly. I bough 2 more magazines and done the same to each one in less than 5 minutes. This gun is a tack driver. At 50 yards on a rest with 50 rounds fired, all 50 are within less than a half inch. A guy at the range asked to buy my gun at any cost but I have no intentions of selling. Hope this helps some of you out there with this feeding problem as It is an easy fix. If your looking to make a K Hornet, this gun shoots sweet.

[J.Baker]

The Model 25 line as a whole never really gained much traction with consumers. Initially it was supposed to be the Model 40 based on the 93R rimfire actions and be a much cheaper option for a centerfire varmint rifle compared to a Model 12FV. Then Savage realized the rimfire action couldn't hold up to modern centerfire pressures so they had to go back to the drawing board and came up with the Model 25 we know today.

Unfortunately that drove the price way up as the all new action required new tooling, etc. and the whole point behind the new model was lost as the Model 25's ended up being more expensive than a Model 12FV. Price alone is what killed it's public appeal IMO as most would rather buy the more robust 12FV with tons of aftermarket support than spend more for the Model 25 that has little to no aftermarket support.

The only thing to attract people to the Model 25 is that certain cartridges are available in it that aren't available in anything else Savage offers (.17 Hornet, 22 Hornet, 222 Rem.), but they're somewhat obscure or obsolete cartridges that only attract a small number of shooters.

To be completely honest I'm amazed the Model 25's have survived this long and weren't discontinued 6-8 years ago. Maybe there's a bigger market for them in Europe or Australia that's keeping them alive, but from what I've seen N. American sales can't be all that great.

[GaCop]

The Model 25 line as a whole never really gained much traction with consumers. Initially it was supposed to be the Model 40 based on the 93R rimfire actions and be a much cheaper option for a centerfire varmint rifle compared to a Model 12FV. Then Savage realized the rimfire action couldn't hold up to modern centerfire pressures so they had to go back to the drawing board and came up with the Model 25 we know today.

Unfortunately that drove the price way up as the all new action required new tooling, etc. and the whole point behind the new model was lost as the Model 25's ended up being more expensive than a Model 12FV. Price alone is what killed it's public appeal IMO as most would rather buy the more robust 12FV with tons of aftermarket support than spend more for the Model 25 that has little to no aftermarket support.

The only thing to attract people to the Model 25 is that certain cartridges are available in it that aren't available in anything else Savage offers (.17 Hornet, 22 Hornet, 222 Rem.), but they're somewhat obscure or obsolete cartridges that only attract a small number of shooters.

To be completely honest I'm amazed the Model 25's have survived this long and weren't discontinued 6-8 years ago. Maybe there's a bigger market for them in Europe or Australia that's keeping them alive, but from what I've seen N. American sales can't be all that great.

Good info Jim, thanks. I have lost all interest in a Model 25. Maybe I can find and old Handi rifle in Hornet.

[Miocene]

There's an opportunity here. Take advantage of it's 'challenging' disposition, the fact that during it's dwindling interest, prices for this model in the US market are falling. UK does have a very strong interest in the varmint calibers. .17 Hornet appears to have continued interest across the pond and is no exception.
I needed another challenge like I needed polio but I could not resist it's $325.00USD tag. In .17 Hornady Hornet.
Trajectory with 20 grn Vmaxs' generally reflect .223 in a 55 grn of the same Vmax series out to about 200 yds or so. Recoil of a .22 mag, call each shot as easily as a rim fire. Not a boomer in regards to how loud it is but does certainly have a piercing crack.
The interesting pro about my little Pandora's Box: 10.7 grains (not quite compressed) will push the little pill to a mild 3500 fps or so. Yep. 1 lb goes a looong way. Very economical. 4000 fps is quite common but I tend to stay around 3400 for my best accuracy and throat life.
The model 25, especially in the .17 Hornet, have been plagued with feeding and extraction problems. It's a tiny cartridge and it demands perfection to feed and eject properly regardless of who manufactures it. Savage did no favors for themselves, this little caliber needs special attention that Savage is paying for to this day. It head spaces off the rim so you have to rewire your head to focus on additional aspects during load work-ups.
I whole-heartily agree with the above comments, I'm surprised to see the M25 each year in their new catalog.
My thumb-hole version with factory heavy varmint barrel is really a fun shooter. After all the aggravation and over twelve months of load tweaking, I'm pleased to see fairly consistent half MOA (100 & 200 yds) groups with the occasional 1/3 MOA . I'm not that good/consistent of a shooter, just fortunate that I can shoot daily so this naturally improves my groups.

So, is it really just pull a gun from the store shelf, buy it, shoot it, put it away, then do it again? Like many, there is this nagging impulse side in some of us that just cannot leave it alone.
We can make it shoot better.

[scooterf79]

I'm a little surprised it's still around...as much as things seem to go by the wayside. I have one in 17H and love it. It's a pretty consistent 1/2moa to 3/4 moa shooter. It took me a bit to get it there. At least the consistency part. It's one of the most fun rifles I've ever had in a PD town. I have one kill out to 361. Obviously the wind wasn't blowing...lol. As far as feeding/ejection problems are concerned.... ejection, I've had no issues. Feeding....I have some from time to time. The problems I've had don't seem to be as bad as some other people's. I'm not sure if this helps your decision any or not....lol
All in all, I really like mine.
Scooter