Author Topic: .22 Hornet (Read 9880 times)

Gregory · « **Reply #30 on:** October 27, 2006, 02:42:28 PM »

Larry,

I just bought some LIL'GUN and will see what it does. My best load so far has been with W296 and the Hornady 40 gr Vmax.

Do you have a link to load data for WC820?

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #31 on:** October 29, 2006, 10:18:59 AM »

Quote from: Gregory on October 27, 2006, 02:42:28 PM

Larry,

I just bought some LIL'GUN and will see what it does. My best load so far has been with W296 and the Hornady 40 gr Vmax.

Do you have a link to load data for WC820?

Sorry enough, no. It is closely related to AA#9. It is also the forerunner of H110 or what Hodgdon calls H108. I called up Hodgdon and they sent me some data on the .45 LC and .44 mag. When using the H110 I use their numbers and start by lowering it by two grains and work it up from there.

For the Hornet you will have to work up your own numbers, but I was working in the 9.0 to 10.5 grains range. Take a look at the numbers for the H110 and go from there. If you have done this in the past, I mean working up loads from scratch, you will know what to do. Use caution with any worked up loads and don't count on my stuff. It may not work for you.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #32 on:** November 01, 2006, 02:27:22 AM »

Made a mistake on the powder, it was supposed to be AA#9 not RL9.

LL

Gregory · « **Reply #33 on:** November 10, 2006, 10:03:42 AM »

Well made it to the range today (took a vacation day) and tried some new loads for my Browning Micro Hunter. Slight breeze today, but steady. Results are one five shot group at 108 yds for each load.

Thanks to all who recommended LIL'GUN and the pistol primer preference. I found my 296 load prefers a rifle primer but LIL'GUN likes the pistol primers best.

13.0 LIL'GUN with a Hornady 40 gr Vmax bullet
Rem 7/1/2 Rifle Primer   1.57"
WW Pistol Primer 0.97"
Rem 1 1/2 Pistol Primer0.80"

11.0 296 with a Hornady 40 gr Vmax bullet
Rem 7 1/2 Rifle Primer   0.85"

The LIL'GUN loads are 2900-3000 fps (primer dependant) and the 296 load is 2800 fps.

edwennink · « **Reply #34 on:** November 15, 2006, 11:30:21 PM »

I have an old tried and true Australian-made Sportco .22 Hornet, topped with a Bushnell Banner II 3-9x32mm scope...

My experiences with this rifle have shown me it is it a considerably more capable little cartridge than I originally thought...to the point where I am currently waiting to receive my 'Permit to Acquire a Firearm', to buy a Brno Mod.2 .22 Hornet double-set trigger model...but much quieter and milder to shoot.

I will put my Leupold VX1 3-9x40 on it, I think...

tuxdad · « **Reply #35 on:** November 23, 2006, 04:48:28 PM »

I've got a handi rifle that with reloads, I can a group of a little over 1/4 inch at 100 yds, with a 50 grn soft point... I love mine!!

Tux

tuxdad · « **Reply #36 on:** December 06, 2006, 03:15:32 AM »

Forgot to add that its an H&R, with a barska 6-24x50..

My last group with reloads(using Lil gun) was .386 @ 100 yds, off a good rest of course..

Tux

KENTDEP · « **Reply #37 on:** December 10, 2006, 02:20:00 PM »

I have a Browning 1885 that shoots under an inch at 100 yards with its pet load. That would be 40Grain V-Max over 12.5 grains of Lil-gun, lit with the Remington 7 1/2 primer. I am quite happy with that.

Previous to this Hornet I had a Ruger 77/22 Hornet blued model. I had a load that would do 3/4 inch but I had to seat the bullet out a ways to do that. Then it would not work with the magazine. So I sold it and started over again.

Jay

1armoured · « **Reply #38 on:** January 09, 2007, 11:40:12 AM »

Hi Guys and Gals,

I managed to get out over the holidays and do some load testing in my Savage Model 40 in .22H.
It just seems to get better and better.

So far Lil'Gun 13.0gr with Nosler 40gr BallisticTip and Winchester small pistol primers was the best.
(doing around 2,900fps) using unfired Remington brass.
I also did the same load with the 35gr Hornady V-Max, but not quite as tight grouping on the day.

Here's the pics of the 5 shot groups at 100mtrs. .35, and .475 (with one a bit right on both, must be my trigger control, (or lack of it !))

I'll post the couple with the 35gr Hornady separately. (one of them 4 shots into .2" and unfortunately one out wide)

Never seen a Hornet shoot so good in this neck of the woods, so well done Savage,
and nothing wrong with the cartridge/calibre that a good handload won't fix.

cheers,
Sean in 'Godzone'

1armoured · « **Reply #39 on:** January 09, 2007, 11:47:54 AM »

And a couple more 100mtr 5 shot groups from the Savage Model 40 in .22H.

Hornady 35gr V-Max 13.0gr Lil'Gun, Wnchester small pistol primers, unfired Remington Brass.

The factory 35gr Hornady V-Max shoot well too. Consistently under a minute.

I'm well pleased with the results. I know it can do better as well.
Just up to the nut behind the trigger !!!

cheers,
Sean in Godzone

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #40 on:** January 24, 2007, 03:25:45 AM »

Thought I would show off my little buddy:

I put a Leupold 4x12 scope on it.

steve · « **Reply #41 on:** February 15, 2007, 04:43:04 AM »

I have a New England single shot in the 22 Hornet just love it. Mounted a 3x9x40 sniper scope on it. At 100 yards I am putting three rounds inside a dime. When I load my ammo I am using H110, 11 gr. with a 40 grain hollow point. Does wonders to varmints and small game. Also a great deer cartridge just head shots.

muskeg13 · « **Reply #42 on:** February 18, 2007, 08:26:41 PM »

AA1680 12.7gr Sierra 40gr Hornet (.223) has proven very accurate in my CZ527 Lux. I get the same results with 35gr Hornady VMax bullets.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #43 on:** February 19, 2007, 05:09:48 AM »

Quote from: muskeg13 on February 18, 2007, 08:26:41 PM

AA1680 12.7gr Sierra 40gr Hornet (.223) has proven very accurate in my CZ527 Lux. I get the same results with 35gr Hornady VMax bullets.

Hey Muskeg13,
Is your CZ and older model? I checked on my 527 and the website says it should be a .224 bore. I don't know why this model has so many problems with the bore size. Some are .223 and some .224. Though I have not had any problem with grouping shots!

As to bullets I just picked up some Hornaday 35 gr Vmax bullets and will be loading up some test loads. The only problem is it is too cold to go to the range. Hopefully it will warm up soon and I can have some fun again.

As far as the Savage Model 40, not much more can be said about that fine little rifle. My friend has one and he is always rubbing his targets in my face. They are shooters for sure!!

muskeg13 · « **Reply #44 on:** February 19, 2007, 01:03:38 PM »

I bought mine new about a year ago. I e-mailed cz-usa about the bore size, and they replied that it should be .223. You reminded me that I've never slugged the bore, so I did. It seems that my rifle's bore is .2235, right in between. So far, I've gotten good results with .223 40gr Sierra Hornet SPs and both 35 and 40gr Hornady VMax bullets. which are supposed to be .224. I only have a 50 yd range, but here's what I've found to be promising in my 527 Lux. I'm still trying loads.
5 shot groups:
40gr VMax, AA1680 12.7gr, Rem cases, WSR primer .451"
40gr VMax, Lil'Gun 13.4gr, Rem Cases, WSR primer, .298"
35gr VMax, AA1680 12.7gr, Win Cases, WSR primer, .312"
Sierra 40gr Hornet (.223), AA1680 12.7gr, Win Cases, WSR primer .412" (4 shots in .243")

I'm trying to work up a 45grain lead gas check load that clocks about 2000fps. This would duplicate, or do a little better than .22 mag loads. I'd like to hunt small edible game and not tear up too much meat. So far the best I've managed is .941 at 50 yd. Do you know of an accurate lead bullet load?

I know what you mean about waiting until it warms up a bit to do more shooting. It was -11F this morning and eventually only got up to +15. The groups in the attachment were shot last Saturday when it briefly got up a degree or two above freezing.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #45 on:** February 20, 2007, 02:12:04 AM »

Quote from: muskeg13 on February 19, 2007, 01:03:38 PM

I'm trying to work up a 45grain lead gas check load that clocks about 2000fps. This would duplicate, or do a little better than .22 mag loads. I'd like to hunt small edible game and not tear up too much meat. So far the best I've managed is .941 at 50 yd. Do you know of an accurate lead bullet load?

For some reason, I never thought about a lead bullet for the Hornet. Now you got me thinking I have to research this new bullet. I didn't know they made a bullet that small for varmint hunting. Where did you get your bullets. What are their shapes, RNFP's?

muskeg13 · « **Reply #46 on:** February 20, 2007, 08:07:22 PM »

You will have to cast your own. Since Hornet barrels are almost all 1:16 twists, I restricted myself to a mold that casts bullets less than 50grains. There are several 50-55 grain FPGC moulds from Lyman and RCBS, but I thought bullets from these may not stabilize. The Lyman #2660438, a 44gr RNGC is readily available, so that's what I got. I'd rather of had a RNFP gas check design, so I made a die to file the round nose tips to give me flat points if I want them.

I've tried several loads with Unique, 4227, RL7 and XMP5744, with the best loads grouping just under an inch (at 50yds), 5.0gr Unique and 9.0gr of 5744. I'm going to try 10.4gr of AA1680 tomorrow, if the temperature gets up into the +20s. I had no problem with leading with the earlier loads, using Alox lube and heat treated bullets. The loads tomorrow will be with bullets that haven't been heat treated. These will also be round nose bullets, as cast, not modified flat points.

303Guy · « **Reply #47 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:29:29 PM »

Quote from: 1armoured on May 22, 2006, 03:17:21 PM

....shooting mostly feral goats,.....

Did you use head shots or chest shots? I have been advised to use my 303 on feral goats but really want to use my Anschutz hornet. I don't like head shots, so....

Love my Anschutz 22 hornet - great little cartridge.

303Guy

303Guy · « **Reply #48 on:** June 15, 2007, 11:12:55 PM »

Quote from: muskeg13 on February 20, 2007, 08:07:22 PM

....almost all 1:16 twists, . There are several 50-55 grain FPGC moulds from Lyman and RCBS, but I thought bullets from these may not stabilize....

I fired some left over 56gr RCBS cast bullets at 100m. Not great groups on a windy day but they did land nose first. The faster ones shot better (1.4 MOA). Nothing definative here 'though. I used 10.8gr AR2205 (H4227).

The following is an extract found on the web. Seems pretty hot?

WARNING: THESE LOADS ARE NOT MINE - PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE THEM!

Lyman 225462/56 gr 11.6/2400 2728 fps 1.3 inch 100 yr.
Lyman 225462/56 gr 13.6/WW680 2820 fps 0.75 inch 100 yr.

303Guy

303Guy · « **Reply #49 on:** June 22, 2007, 10:26:00 AM »

Quote from: smokepolehall on March 18, 2006, 01:22:23 PM

Have 2 of them both H&R model 158 & 157,sweet shooting single shots. Groups avg. 1 1/4" at 100 yds. Use 10.5gr. IMR 4227 Nosler 45gr. bullets.

Smokepolehall

Out of interest, have you tried increasing your loads? I'm NOT suggesting anyone should do as I do but I load 11.6grs H4227 equivalent (AR2207) without pressure signs, giving me about 2750fps with Speer 45 grainers. Please be warned that this is an overload in most rifles. (My chamber and bore is oversize). I was wondering whether your accuracy would improve with more velocity & spin?

303Guy

Ramjet · « **Reply #50 on:** July 03, 2007, 06:19:45 AM »

Contender Carbine 21" standard barrel ,4X12 Bushnell Elite 3200 , Weaver 4X4 Rings and bases . Currently loading 12.5 gr AA1680 and 40gr Nosler Ballistic tip . Crono's at about 2500 . Not too hot but very accurate .Yotes don't seem to mind the low velocity .Great gun and great fun .

Reloading the Hornet is challenging and we should have a thread regarding it's fickle nature .

Ramjet

Chuck White · « **Reply #51 on:** July 04, 2007, 04:43:15 AM »

Quote from: 303Guy on June 15, 2007, 10:29:29 PM

Quote from: 1armoured on May 22, 2006, 03:17:21 PM
....shooting mostly feral goats,.....

Did you use head shots or chest shots? I have been advised to use my 303 on feral goats but really want to use my Anschutz hornet. I don't like head shots, so....

Love my Anschutz 22 hornet - great little cartridge.

303Guy

FWIW: I've shot and/or seen shot, several whitetail deer that were shot in the ribs, just tucked in behind the front leg. Distance ranged from 50 to 125 yards.
I never saw one move more than about 40 yards, and most just dropped right where they were standing.
These were shot with 45 grain Remington spire points or Winchester 46 grain hollow points.

SO, I would guess that, if the hornet will work on whitetails, it should work on feral goats within reasonable distances.

NOTE: With the above statement, I'm not saying that the 22 Hornet is the best round for whitetails, I'm just saying it works.