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Author Topic: 22 hornet performance  (Read 2058 times)

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Offline tc scout

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22 hornet performance
« on: March 07, 2009, 12:52:24 AM »
A short note on the barrel I bought from 30 Herret.  ;D

Yesterday was my first time out with the hornet, this is my first experience with the 22 hornet
and I was simply amazed at the accuracy of this little gem.

Was shooting all handloads in the medium range with H110 and 2400, 35,40 and 45 gr bullets.
Loaded about 15 of each just for trial purposes.

Since I was also sighting in a new scope I was only shooting at 50 yds and getting 1" groups with all bullet weights and powders.
As expected, point of impact was slightly different for each bullet weight and powder, but held a tight group.
Accuracy was much more than I expected first time out with trial loads.
                                                                                                                 

Can't wait to see what this barrel  is capable of when I find the most accurate bullet and powder.
For me it is just a fun caliber to shoot and load for.
I have a lot to learn about reloading for this caliber, but I am sure the journey will be fun and the rewards worth the effort.

Thanks 30 Herret for the great barrel.
                                             TC
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Offline David D.

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2009, 01:51:23 AM »
Give LiLGun and 40gr. bullets a try. My 15" Encore in 22Hornet is capable of 1/2" and less from the bench at 100yds. LiLGun with Hornady 40gr VMax are my favorite Turkey round.
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Offline OLDHandgunner

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2009, 02:43:44 AM »
Amazing how accurate that 22 Hornet can be in the T/C.  My 9" Custom tapered barrel in 22 Hornet for my Contender with a 5x Burris scope will shoot ragged hole groups at ( 50yrds ) as long as I do my part.
I had great luck with H 110 & 296 powder and 40 to 45 gr bullets for years with it.
But like TC Dave 1 said "give LilGun a try". After I got my Contender 21" Custom 22k Hornet barrel I've swithched too LilGun powder with 35gr & 40gr V-Max bullets.  SUPER ACCURATE!!!!!  As soon as I shoot up all my old ammo for my 9" barrel, I'll be working up some loads with LilGun for it.
Best time of year also, cause all them little varmints will be peeking out their little heads pretty soon.
Good Luck with this great little caliber.
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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2009, 03:44:03 AM »
The Hornet IS really a fun round for me too.  Mine has to share time with my .218Bee's. I'm currently on the Bee kick right now.  I've had good luck in both of them with Lil'Gun and V max bullets too.  Another thing that I think has helped my Hornet considerably is the use of a Lee collet size die.  It eliminates all the pushing and pulling on the brass during sizing.  I'm thinking seriously about getting Lee to make one for my Bee.  Good luck with yours and GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt  ;D
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Offline tc scout

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2009, 03:45:03 AM »
Thanks Guys for your insight on the Hornet, much appreciated.

Would like to try Lil'Gun, if I could FIND some. This supply situation is
really getting crazy. Have one place left to try, almost a 100 mi round trip, maybe next week.

Went to Cabelas yesterday, did manage to pick up a box of 250, 40 gr. V-Max bullets. NO powder.
Have plenty of primers and brass and H110, low on 2400. Bullet situation is fairly good for now in all calibers that I reload.

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The strongest reason for the
people to retain the right to keep and bear arms
is, as a last resort, to protect themselves
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Thomas Jefferson

Offline mugs

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2009, 06:32:57 AM »
I'll second the Lee collet dies. Very easy on brass.
Mugs
IHMSA 5940L
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Offline doc-and

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2009, 07:19:07 AM »
Those Hornets will suprise you, I was fireforming brass for my K-Hornet and was able to get these groups at 100yds

 
Still need to work up a final load for it though.


docand 8)
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Offline hunterspistol

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2009, 11:55:50 AM »
   My Hornet likes Vhita Vouri Oy N110, 8.0 grains with 50 grain V-Max #22261 for a group under .90" at 100 meters.  I load the Lyman 438 roundnose lead bullet to 7.5 grains of IMR 4227 (some folks don't like the unburnt powder it leaves in the barrel) shoots great!
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Offline Slowpoke Slim

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2009, 04:47:11 PM »
My 14" factory Contender Hornet barrel loves Lil Gun, Rem 6 1/2 primers, and Hornady 40 gr Vmax bullets.  Ragged hole groups are very consistent when I can concentrate and do my part.

Oh, and I seat them long, not to book length as those are for those silly magazine fed guns. Seat them long.
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Offline bulletstuffer

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2009, 05:22:48 PM »
12 grains of H110 behind a 35 grain vmax make me :D :D :D  Makes the little critters go :o

Bulletstuffer
 
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Offline VARMONTER

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2009, 10:40:51 PM »
mY 2 CENTS...
i have been shooting the hornet for about 10 years  now.
i don't have it in a contender. a ruger 77/22 .
I had accuracy issues for awhile and just figured it was the stock 77/22.
I tried lil gun and went to calhoon 37gr dbbl hp..with his slick silver coating.
Went from 2 inch groups down to 1/2 inch groups after tweaking the load.
The dbbl hp are incredibly explosive at the sub 3000 fps that i am getting out of this.
Bangflopped every varmint shot so far .Including coyote.luv my hornet
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Offline tc scout

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Re: 22 hornet performance- more questions
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2009, 03:25:57 AM »
I have another question for you hornet gurus.
 
Managed to find some LiL'Gun yesterday. Started loading some 40 Gr. V-Max bullets
with 12.0 grs of LiL'Gun. Really fills the case up. No mention in the Hornady or Hodgdon books about compressed loads.

My Hornady book states a range of 10.5 to 13.6 of LiL'Gun for the 40 gr. V-Max. The Hodgdon book states a starting load
of 12.0 grs and a max load of 13.0 grs for the 35 gr V-Max.

12.0 grains of LiLgun is not quite compressed but any more would be.

Is this normal for this powder and proper(safe).

                                 Thanks for your help,  TC



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The strongest reason for the
people to retain the right to keep and bear arms
is, as a last resort, to protect themselves
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Thomas Jefferson

Offline Hopalong7

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2009, 04:57:39 AM »
tc scout,  I had the very same problem.  13.0gr overfilled the complete case.  12.0 was the best I could do and I think 12.0 was compressed slightly.  In general I have not had a problem compressing loads.  I actually prefer a  slightly compressed load in most cases and powders(emphasis is on "slightly" here).  In this particular case I did have a few issues with pressure at 12.0gr.  Accuracy was wonderful(best I've gotten in my hornet, period), BUT, some cases showed loose primer pockets and some other pressure signs, while some exact same cases did not. ??? ??? ???  I temporarily solved the problem by switching to my .218Bee which is singing a sweet song with Lil' Gun. 
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt  :D
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Offline Slowpoke Slim

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2009, 04:24:20 PM »
It depends on what brand brass you are using. I use winchester brass, and like you, I can only get 12.0 gr under a 40 gr bullet without heavy compression, and there's no way I can get 13.0 grs in the case. I have been told by folks loading Remington brass, that they can, as the brass has more internal capacity. I can neither confirm nor deny this, as I've never had any remington brand brass to try.

I don't think it's an issue at all. I get fantastic accuracy with my load in the Winchester brass, so I'm DONE with load development and don't care if another guy can load 13 grs!
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Offline tc scout

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #14 on: March 13, 2009, 12:36:40 AM »
Thanks Guys,

I tried 12 grs in Winchester and Hornady(Frontier) cases and they were about equal. Don't have any Remington brass.

Was  reading one article on hornet loads, this person stated he was getting the best accuracy with 11.5 grs of LIL'Gun with 35 and 40 gr V-Max bullets.

Will also have to try that load also. It would seem that anything past 12 grs is not possible and maybe a waste of powder anyhow, may be wrong, but kind of how it looks to me with my limited experience dealing with the hornet.

Never having used LIL'GUN, my main concern was compressing that powder.
Thanks to those in the know, I am getting on the right track.

The next range session will be a real test of powders,bullets and charge weights.
3 different powders in several weights, 4 different bullets in 35,40 and 45 grs. 2 different cases.
Should be interesting to say the least, hopefully I will come away with the most accurate load for my barrel.

Best of all I am having a blast working up an accurate load for this caliber. 
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The strongest reason for the
people to retain the right to keep and bear arms
is, as a last resort, to protect themselves
against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Offline Hopalong7

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #15 on: March 13, 2009, 01:51:06 AM »
   I have used both Winchester brass and Remington brass and see little to no difference ???.  Maybe there is variation from one lot to another in the same brand. One grain or more of volume in a case the size of the Hornet seems like a lot to me.  I'm perfectly happy with the accuracy at 12.0 and my only concern is the variation I've seen in pressure signs.  Has anybody else seen this?  The load is performing so well that I hate to back away from it.  I have not chrono'ed this load (don't know why)yet, but will soon and let you know.  I am using a Hodgdon listed max load of Lil Gun in a .218Bee in Winchester brass and it fits in that small case just right(almost to the base of the neck) and also shoots like a charm(accurate and 3000fps+/- out of a 10" barrel with absolutely no pressure signs).
   BTW, I just checked the latest(2009) Hodgdon Annual Manual and it still shows the same loads for the Hornet as the past few years. ???
   Another BTW, Before you think the Ol' Man has completely lost it that 3000fps was with a 33gr bullet ;)  Still "smokin' though! :D
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Offline tree rat

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #16 on: March 13, 2009, 06:57:56 AM »
my experience with lil-gun has been great with 45g, good with 40g v-max and poor with any lighter bullet,
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Offline Slowpoke Slim

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #17 on: March 13, 2009, 05:38:29 PM »
Your variations in pressure may go away with a different primer?

I'm using Rem 6 1/2's and I'm not seeing pressure differences in the same load.

Just taking a pot shot at it, but it may be worth a try?
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Offline VARMONTER

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #18 on: March 15, 2009, 05:46:33 PM »
Lil gun is a very low pressure powder.
If you go to hodgdons website and look at the load data.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

you will have to enter load type(rifle) and then the cartridge(22hornet)

you can see that, just for instance, 11gr of h110 will yield 41,000cup
where as 12 gr of lil gun yields 24,000cup.
i use mostly win brass and my best load is 12.5 gr lil gun under a 37 gr dbl hp.(calhoon slick silver  ;D)
no pressure signs as of yet.Your mileage may of course vary and i would
always start low and work up ..you know common sense type stuf... 8)
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Offline hunterspistol

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Re: 22 hornet performance
« Reply #19 on: March 20, 2009, 05:17:38 PM »
 :) I always thought that using a bulky powder was to keep from double-charging cases when you first start.  But, a guy can get a little faster burning powder from the charts, just don't get something REALLY faster burning! Maybe, go up two steps or so. Although, that always puts me back to the beginning again, I have done exactly that.  I use the Lyman #438 roundnose and load IMR 4227 or Unique for it.
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"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
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