Another 22 Hornet SL Range report

[LaOtto222]

I got back at it again. This time I was using H110 and CCI 500 primers. I have also install one of Tim's gold hammers. WOW I really like it, probably will be doing another one before too long. I did a bit 'o trigger work on it before I buttoned up completely. I could not get the old trigger to work with the new hammer. It was close, but just would not quite catch. I ordered a new trigger just in case, and I needed it. It is not as light as it was before, but not bad. It is very crisp and I do not have to worry about that dang blame transfer bar staying up. I have pillar bedded the fore end; installed a pressure button between the fore end and the frame, put an inner tube pressure point under the barrel at the fore end tip and now installed a NO transfer bar hammer. Oh - almost forgot I put a standard hammer spur on it. It just clears the release lever. I shot it 70 times + numerous dry fires and the hammer spur stayed put.

Here is a picture of the rifle - I think it is rather hansom



Here is a picture of the trigger - installed



OK how did it shoot? I think I am getting encouraging results. I went with H110 (newer lot), and I found some CCI 500 primers at my local store, so I picked up 1K. I stuck with The Mid South 34 grain bullets, but I also threw in some Hornady 35 grain V Max bullets for this shooting session. I thought I would also try some WW srp while I was at it. I think I have done about as much to the rifle as I can. I am going to concentrate on load development. I think I am getting more consistent results.

The target is four groups, each one a different load. I shot more than this, but it was typical.



                Avg      SD
Group #1   2869    45.64    CCI 500; 12.4 H110; 34 MS

Group #2   2881    24.42    CCI 500; 11.9 H110; 35 V Max

Group #3   2917    66.55    WW srp; 12.0 H110; 34 MS

Group #4   2909    36.60    WW srp; 11.9 H110; 35 V Max

I feel I am getting there. It feels like the CCI 500 primers are performing just a bit better than the WW srp. I am getting lower velocity with more powder. The 12.4 H110 load was straight out of the Speer loading manual; all components are exactly as called out but the bullets - it was a beginning load for their 33 grain bullet. I think I will do some more experimenting with with H110 and CCI 500 primers. Maybe with Hornady 45 grain Hornets. I may try Lil'Gun again with the CCI 500 primers. I have not got good results so far, but it might do better with the different primers. I think the 35 V Max shoots just a touch better than the 34 Mid South bullets, but not a whole lot.

Here is another attempt at 40 V Max with Lil' Gun. I already had these loaded up, so I thought I would give'em another try. I really want them to work!



Horrible - Some of the holes look like the bullet was not stabilized when it went through the target. I guess my rifle does not like boat tailed bullets? I think I will stick to flat base bullets.
 

     

[Troyboy]

Sexy!

[LaOtto222]

 

[quickdtoo]

Nice work!!

Tim

[cwlongshot]

GOOD JOB and NICE report!!

 #4 looks promising!!!

 Any time spent on the forend of these great guns is time well invested!!! Anything you can do to get more consistent results will net you better more consistant groups!!

 CW

[j104wd]

have you tried h110 with the 40gr v max Ive had better luck with 110 than with lilgun. not as much velocity but much better groups.

[LaOtto222]

GOOD JOB and NICE report!!

 #4 looks promising!!!

 Any time spent on the forend of these great guns is time well invested!!! Anything you can do to get more consistent results will net you better more consistant groups!!

 CW

#3 had three shots tight and then 2 shots tight but a little distance away. Notice that the two shots had the same zero as #1, but then 3 shots went high? Not sure what is going on there. that may be me.

have you tried h110 with the 40gr v max Ive had better luck with 110 than with lilgun. not as much velocity but much better groups.

No I have not tried that combination. I have tried the 40 V Max many times and had disappointing results. But not with H 110. I had been using Remington 1 1/2 primers. The CCI 500 primers seem to be doing better. I may give it another go. I really do like the 40 V Max bullet - high BC for the bullet weight and still light enough to get some decent velocity and explosiveness. I am getting low on the H 110 and my local store was out. I may have to break down and make a trip to Sinclair International, but I end up spending lots of money when I go there.

[cwlongshot]

LaOtto222,
 How are you set up at the range? I mean rest wise. I have a suggestion...

 Here is something I have found that works well. Take a couple pairs of old pair of jeans. Cut the legs off and turn inside out. Fill with sand or kitty litter (lighter weight) sew up tops to seal. These make excellent "sand bags" for the range, cheap and easy. On a good solid bench, arrange bags so the rifle sits all by itself in shooting position. be sure the front bag is supporting the gun at or very near the "hinge" at the front of the frame. No excessive pressure on the for-end and nothing touching the barrel itself. This should eliminate or at the very least greatly reduce any shooter initiated flyer's. Hope this helps, it has for me!!!

 Using this on my lighter recoiling calibers (like the 22H) I reach around the gun . Get my self into shooting position. Instead of grasping the "wrist of the stock, I simply "pinch" the trigger/trigger guard. Upon recoil the gun jumps a bit more but the bags keep it form going any where. I have been able to reduce my group size by taking great-or care at the bench.

 Good luck and good shooting!!

 CW

[LaOtto222]

cwlongshot - Thanks for the tips. You are correct about the cheap sand bags. I do have some cut-offs that are filled with sand - I made some years ago and they do work well. I have been resting the fore end on the bags with a "bunny" bag for the stock. I know that Handi's are supposed to shoot better under the hinge, but I will not be doing that if I spot a critter to shoot at, so I am trying to get it as best I can resting on the fore end and get an idea of what I can expect. I have not been "free recoiling" the gun. I assume you do not put your shoulder into it either. I have a feeling that the light gun is very sensitive to how much pressure is put on it. I may give that a try. It will change POI, but probably give me more consistency. I have done that with my bolt guns with good results. By taking the gun off the bags or at least break it open to reload and then reposition does not make for the best consistency, but I really do like the Handi rifle and it's feel. I have a Caldwell Lead sled, the one with adjustable windage and elevation. I have gotten mixed results with that as well. It is really nice for heavy recoiling guns with my sand bags setting in the cradle.