22 hornet in a single shot

[pastorp]

I have been looking at a browning 1885 in 22 hornet. It's a low wall of course. My other 2 low walls, 243 & 260, are very accurate. I would expect the hornet to be as well.

Anyone have experience with this combination ?

[BruceP]

Nice guns. Mine shoots Remington factory HP loads into about an inch or just under. The 1:16 twist will not stabalize 50 gr bullets, or at least not the Nosler BT's. I really have not worked on loads for it so I dont know how well it might shoot with tayored loads. I have been thinking about selling mine, not because of anything wrong with the gun but I just don't shoot it and it's a shame for a nice gun to just sit in the safe.

Bruce

[OK hunter]

I'm envious of your 260 Low Wall.  Great caliber and a wonderful platform for it.  I'd love to find one.  May have to go about it the old fashioned way, re-barrel 

[Tommie D]

Here is a list of currently available factory ammo if you need to try different one's.



                                           .22 Hornet



Bitteroot Valley Ammo & Components  (BVAC)

BV22H-N1       35gr         V-Max

BV22H-N2       40gr         V-Max



Federal

P22B               45gr         SP

P22D               30gr         Speer TNT Green



Fiocchi

22HORA          40gr         V-Max



Hornady

8302                35gr         V-Max



HS Munitions    (HSM)

22H-4               30gr         Calhoon Double Hollow Point

22H-3               34gr         V-Max

22H-1               37gr         CDHP

22H-2               42gr         CDHP

22H40MVFB     40gr         Match Varmint Flat Base



Prvi Partizan

A-193               45gr         SP



Remington

R22HN1            45gr         PSP

R22HN2            45gr         HP



RWS

2116375            46gr         KTMS  (SP)

2116367            46gr         MJ   (Tombac Jacket)

2116383            46gr         VMS  (FMJ)



Sellier & Bellot

2911                 45gr        SP

2901                 45gr        FMJ



Winchester

X22H2              46gr         HP  Super-X

X22H1              45gr         SP  Super-X

[.22-5-40]

Hello, I can't understand why, at this late a date, the factories still handicap the fine Hornet with that old obsolete 1-16" twist.  This slow twist came about when gunsmiths were converting existing rifles to Hornet..the Ctg. came out before any commercial guns were made for it.  When I had Shillen barrel my panelled action Borchardt,  Mr. Shillen suggested a 1-14" twist.  I can shoot up to 55gr. bullets with accuracy.

[Tommie D]

The Newer H&R HandiRifles in .22 Hornet have a 1-9 twist. The older ones had a 1-12 twist. I'm sure they dropped the 1-12 twist barrels to save some $$$ by using the 1-9 twist barrels for both the .223 and .22 Hornet. I'm not sure the faster twist is needed with such a small case capacity and wish they would have left them at 1-12 twist.

                                               

[AWS]

I shoot an old Savage 219 and it is a real tack driver and the case colour is to die for.  The little cartridge doesn't have enough capacity to push heavies so the 1-16 works pretty good for close in quiet work.  Mine really like Win 46gr HPs over Lil-Gun.



AWS

[1armoured]

Hi Guys,

Single shots are good. Allows seating the bullets out a bit without worrying about Magazine fit,
but a bit of a pain loading singly in my Savage M40, although worth it when you check the results !  .

I don't know what all the fuss is about with twist rates, and bullet weights, though.

The Hornet was designed in the days of 1:16 rimfire twist barrels and 45 grain projectiles.

If you want to shoot heavier bullets, then the .222 or .223 come to mind.

Why you would want to in a Hornet escapes me,
as the modern lighter bullets and Lil'Gun powder are dynamite.

The Savage M40 single shot is 1:14 twist. It will handle the 50gr's OK, but I don't have a need to.
It likes the 40gr Nosler BT's best together with the Hornady factory 35gr V-max.
and,
I also have an Anschutz 1730 5 shot mag fed, 1:16 twist,
which also likes the Noslers in 40gr.

I've tried loading my own 35gr V-Max'x but can't seem to get the same accuracy as the factory.

I Lee crimp all my loads, and use small pistol primers.

Had the two out this last weekend and shot a few groups.

The Savage is easier to shoot weight and stock wise, with it's sleeved heavy barrel and flatter fore-end,
but suffers a bit with the 2.5lb trigger pull weight.
I don't use the Anschutz mag with the Noslers. They are seated out too long, so I just single load over the mag OK.
Hornady 35gr V-Max will fit OK, as do all other factory rounds.
Trigger pull weight is down to 12/14ozs. 20x power Mueller scope fitted.




Got to shoot the Noslers at 200mtrs with the Savage some time ago. 16x power Tasco scope fitted.

They handle the distance fine, although I suspect that there would be a bit more deviation with a stronger wind,
but a bit tighter with a lighter trigger, and a bit more power on the scope for my tired old eyes.
I could lighten the pull with a replacement rear spring, but I haven't bothered as it's shooting good enough for me.
Makes me have to concentrate a bit more on my trigger control !






cheers,
SS