Author Topic: Shot the Low wall 22 hornet today (Read 2676 times)

BruceP · « **on:** March 26, 2003, 10:45:18 AM »

I finally got time to take a few guns to the range today and on was my Browning low wall 22 Hornet. I had 15 rounds loaded for it and decided to see what it would do. The load was 12gr of Lil' Gun and a Speer 40gr bullet. It shot OK but not quite what I hoped for. After using two rounds to get the scope close I shot a 3 shot group at 50yds and that looked good so I used the last 10 rounds for two 100yd groups the first group had 3shots in .75in. but the other two opened the group all the way to 2.5 in. I tried to be more careful both with my trigger pull and the placement of the forend on the sand bags with the last group, and it helped somewhat. That group measured 1.437 counting the one flyer. The other four shots went .668 center to center. Looks like with a little load tuning and a trigger job I might have something here. I'll let you know when I have time to try again.
BruceP

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2003, 05:40:03 AM »

Bruce, one thing to take into consideration when working up your loads is that Browning has used the original barrel dimensions of .223" bore in this rifle. I called and spoke to the folks at Browning and was told they used the original specs for Hornet barrels as opposed to the more modern specs most makers now use. This means the bore is .223" not .224" and I believe the twist rate is 1 in 16" if my memory is correct.

This means that heavy bullets are unlikely to stabilize and that max loads listed in manuals using .224" bullets might be excessive in this rifle. I know I used some old loads given me during my initial testing of my LW Hornet that while safe in the rifle of the person who gave them to me were very much excessive in the LW Hornet. They blew primers and split cases and the bullets were tumbling when they hit the target. Bullets were either 50 or 55 FMJ as I recall.

GB

BruceP · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2003, 03:29:13 PM »

GB thanks for the info. I was unaware that they had use .223 barrel dimentions on the low wall. I thought it would be .224 like other new Hornets. This would explain why I was getting slight primer cratering at 12.5 gr. when most list 13gr as max and even then pressures are supposed to be low. I'll have to remember to always start low and work up. (I do that anyway but not always at the listed starting load) It might be a good idea for me to write down the velocity for a max load with a certain powder and bullet and then use my crono to not excede that velocity. I'll also have to get some .223 diameter bullets to try.
BruceP

quigs13 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2003, 06:26:39 PM »

I called Browning to find out what bore diameter they used on Browning Low Wall .22 Hornets of recent manufacture. Browning informed me they used a .224 bore. I stated I had heard it was .223 and the person double-checked and said it was definitely .224.

If anyone has any further clarification, I'd like to hear it.

Thanks,
John

BruceP · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2003, 05:17:27 PM »

John,
Thats strange, I called the day after Graybeard posted his reply to see what answer I would get. The lady that answered checked with someone and came back and said it was .223. I did not post this because it was the same info that was already posted. Now I guess I'll have to slug it and find out when I get time.
BruceP

quigs13 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2003, 09:17:51 PM »

Bruce,

Thanks for the reply. Now I am really curious to find out the real answer. I will call Browning again on Monday and see if I can get further clarification. I will post whatever info I find out.

quigs13 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2003, 05:09:23 PM »

Just received a reply from Browning to the letter I wrote to them on this topic. Browning said: "Browning .22 Hornet barrels conform to S. A. A. M. I. specifications, which would be
Bore = .217
Groove = .222
RH rate of twist = 1 in 16"

So what bullets should I use in the Browning Low Wall .22 Hornet I just acquired ... .223 only or can one still use .224 bullets?

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2003, 08:31:23 PM »

It would appear the answer you get from Browning depends on who you speak with. Guess that's about par for a company owned by the French Government. Yeah they really do. They own them and Winchester also.

I spoke with the lead engineer on the Model 1885 projects. He was the one who designed and put into production the BPCR. I feel pretty good that he knows as much as anyone does about them. That last answer was for the most part correct but I think the numbers are off. If you'd like I think I can come up with the name fo the guy I spoke with if anyone would like to call and ask for him. He told me that they were SAAMI spec also but SAAMI spec is .223" not .222" I'm pretty sure.

The proper and correct bullet for the LW Hornet is .223" but you can use .224" also BUT be aware pressures go up fast and you cannot use book load data for them and still go to the max. Yup that's the voice of experience speaking.

GB

Ladobe · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2003, 02:00:47 PM »

Sheesh Gents!!! Are your BLW's really that finicky that it really matters?

Getting consistent sub MOA in mine easily with Hornady V-Max 33gr. (not 35) bullets, WC680 powder and WSR primers in R-P brass. Took lots of Beldings at DiggerWars'03 with this combination last May in northern Nevada.

Ladobe

redial · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2003, 04:30:33 PM »

Geez Ladobe, that is one sweet little rig ya got there! (Covet, covet).

Where are you finding 33 grain V-Max's? I'm only familiar with the 35's. Did I miss something?

FWIW, I spent a very pleasant Sunday celebrating Independence Day with my NEF Hornet by walking, spotting and stalking gophers on a neighboring ranch. Such scenery on such a day gives one pause ...

Redial
Thankful American

Ladobe · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2003, 06:24:06 PM »

Quote from: redial

...Where are you finding 33 grain V-Max's? I'm only familiar with the 35's. Did I miss something?...

Redial
Thankful American

When the original deal between Hornady and Remington for them fell apart about 6+ years ago and Hornady sold them outright, I bought 10,000. Just about the perfect pill for a Hornet - very deadly and very precise. I played with them in several .224's - finally pushed them fast enough in a 22-250 to blow them up though. Groups were great about 15' from the muzzle - but looked like a shotgun pattern with only one bullet. :lol:

Here's the 22-250 - 1885 High Wall...

PeterF. · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2003, 05:37:30 AM »

Ladobe: Gotta say, those are nice pictures (nice guns, too ... almost as nice as mine, heh, heh ... my LoWall is a .223 and my .22-250 is a heavy-barrelled B-78). But seriously, about the pictures; they're much nicer than most owner's pic's I've seen ... almost "catalog" quality. How did you set them up? Background, lighting, etc. Thanks for any hints. Peter F.

Ladobe · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2003, 01:53:57 PM »

Quote from: PeterF.

Ladobe: Gotta say, those are nice pictures (nice guns, too ... almost as nice as mine, heh, heh ... my LoWall is a .223 and my .22-250 is a heavy-barrelled B-78). But seriously, about the pictures; they're much nicer than most owner's pic's I've seen ... almost "catalog" quality. How did you set them up? Background, lighting, etc. Thanks for any hints. Peter F.

Peter -
I probably should have bought the Low Wall as a 223 instead of a Hornet myself - now this one will either get rebarreled to 17 Ackley Hornet, or sold - haven't decided which yet. Have 3 17AH's and want more - they blow the 22/22K Hornets away. :wink:

Glad you liked the pics and thanks for the kind words. Wish I could say I worked some dark, deep mysterious magic on the pictures, but I really can't. Simply took them with my digital camera, added custom borders and backgrounds and did a little sprucing up in one of my graphics programs and there they are. Been tinkering with cameras for nearly 50 years - with computer graphics about 15 and have a son that owns 2 companies making a living at it. Best "hint" I can give you is to get clear pictures of the primary subject and then use graphics software that lets you work in layers. My :money: worth.
Ladobe