From the Creator of the .22 Creedmoor: Horizon Firearms Dark Vandal II

.22 Creedmoor, a brainchild of Horizon Firearms, has been growing in popularity for varminting and small game hunting. I’ve built two .22 Creedmoor rifles built around Stiller Actions, a sister company of Horizon Firearms. One rifle utilized a heavier Stiller Predator and the other a lighter Stiller Wombat. If you’re looking for a ready-to-go varminting rifle made by the .22 Creedmoor’s creator, check out Horizon’s Vandal Dark II!

Disclaimer

Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.

About the Vandal Dark II

Horizon Firearms worked with Hornady to get the .22 Creedmoor SAAMI certified. (Read the full history here.)

This cartridge pushes .22 caliber bullets to their limit and is particularly well-suited for varminting.

The Vandal Dark II has a 1:8 18” Benchmark spiral-fluted barrel and comes with a iota SIM muzzle brake, 0 MOA Picatinny rail, and ARCA rail.

It is centered around a Stiller Action with a detachable box magazine, TriggerTech trigger, and textured carbon iota EKO stock.

The entire rifle weighs 7 lb. 5 ounces from the factory.

Another feature I appreciate on the Vandal Dark II is the gap in the triggerguard that allows easy access to the trigger adjustment screw.

From Horizon Firearms:

The Vandal Dark 2 represents the evolution of the acclaimed Vandal Dark rifle. Purpose-built for the 22 Creedmoor caliber, it’s available exclusively in this setup. Tailored for dedicated predator hunters, day or night, it’s equipped with features to thrive in any environment. From its texture-painted iota EKO stock to the 18” 416R stainless Benchmark barrel with a 1:8 twist rate, every detail is honed for optimal performance. Additionally, with a 0 MOA Pic rail and a full-length Arca rail, this rifle stands out for its unparalleled versatility in its class.

Rifle Set-Up and Zero

I mounted an Athlon Optics Cronus BTR Gen2 4.5-29×56 scope on the rifle in Athlon rings and added a Lone Star bubble level.

This Japanese-made scope is designed for performance in challenging conditions out to great distances.

I boresighted the rifle at the 100-yard mid-mountain range off the bench and shot two different types of Hornady ammunition: Hornady Precision Hunter .22 Caliber 80 Grain ELD-X and Hornady Match .22 Caliber 80 Grain ELD-M.

Shooting the Stiller Wombat .22 Creedmoor Rifle

I encountered the same accuracy woes I had previously experienced with my Stiller Predator build.

SAAMI-spec says 1:8” twist, but Hornady ammunition is recommended for use with a minimum 1:7” twist barrel.

Sierra Bullet’s 77 Grain MatchKing stabilizes in a 1:8” with no issue. I loaded these over Ramshot Hunter, achieving consistent ½ MOA results at 100 yards.

With more time and load development, I could likely achieve even tighter groups.

Another factor to consider is whether you will run your rifle with a bare muzzle, brake, or suppressor. I tested the Horizon Dark Vandal II suppressed and with a brake with no notable differences.

Given this, I decided to utilize the brake to keep the rifle short and handy to use.

Taming Squirrels and Steel Targets

Five years ago, we hardly saw squirrels at Ultimate Reloader.

Now we are fighting them on a daily basis as they’ve made their way into our buildings and vehicles. With the rifle sighted in, I set out on a mission, finding and engaging squirrels from a variety of positions and distances.

While on the lookout for squirrels, some rockchucks also made an untimely appearance. (They usually go into hibernation by mid-June.)

While most touted for varminting and predator hunting, the .22 Creedmoor is also capable of taking a deer at certain distances. I set up over a bag on a tree branch, aiming for a D-M Targets’ steel rock chuck 200 yards away.

At this distance, this target is a good size representation of deer vitals. I was able to easily hit it consistently.

Conclusion

Overall, I was very happy with this gun and would only change one thing. If I were to use this rifle with a tripod, I would add a second ARCA rail to put the tripod right at the gun’s balance point. Tripods are handy for shooting over brush and high grass.