Author Topic: 22 Hornet - Handloads and chrony figures - questions (Read 691 times)

Slash5 · « **on:** April 13, 2004, 03:33:57 PM »

I'm starting out with my first handloads.
Got out on the weekend with my reloads and some factory ammo.
I have a chronograph for my airguns - a Shooting Chrony.

Shot a few .22 rimfire over the chrony to test.
Eley shot at 986,989,1001,1006,1021
factory says 1085
Lapua shot 924,962,962,986,956,994
factory says 1050

.22 Hornet
Shot Remington 45gr. PSP - 2805,2846,2748,2820,2820
factory says 2690 but found a rifle test that said they got high of 2908, low of 2707

Shot Remington 45 gr. HP - 2896,2869,2900,2834,2849
factory says 2690 but rifle test that said they got high of 2917, low of 2803

Shot Winchester Supreme 34 gr. HP - 3183,3278,3197,3285,3241
factory says 3050

Shot Winchester 45 gr. SP - 2572,2568,2610,2633,2643
factory says 2690, rifle test says high 2631, low 2525

So, while my Chrono may be reading high, it is more likely right on.

I'm trying Lil'Gun. Hodgdon says:
Win brass
LIL'GUN 13.0 2842 24,000 CUP with 35 gr. Vmax
LIL'GUN 13.0 2787 31,600 CUP with 45 gr. SP
13 gr. is a compressed load.
Their manual lists 12 gr. as the minimum load, no minimum on the web site.

So, since I hadn't seen their manual, I used the 10% under as a start - started with 11.5 gr.
So first bunch was 11.5 gr. Lil'Gun, Remington brass, Winchester small rifle primers, and 35gr. Vmax
3168,3236,3186,3235,3249,3188,3204

12 gr.
3318,3305,3220,3333,3302,3309,3325,3319,3313

12.2 gr
3253,3346,3305,3207,3341,3335,3236,3276,3270

So velocities are quite a bit higher than spec. Also, with the light Vmax bullet, velocities are a bit inconsistent (Although the 12 gr. look pretty good).

Same setup with Hornet 45 gr.
11.5 gr.
2962,3043,2884,2824,2904,2834,2862,2843,2862,2992

12 gr.
2864,2832,2864,2889,2937,2866,2796

12.2 gr.
2854,2876,2845,2860,2883,2900,2876,2860,2870,2938

Velocities are much more consistent and only a bit high for the load.

Accuracy was inconclusive - had some good groups, some not so good. Was a bit windy but I think the main problem was the gun, a Brno Fox model 2, has a factory scope that is only 4 power. Not enough for target shooting at 100 yards. Groups with all loads were better than all factory except for the Winchester Supreme, some under an inch.

I can't be weighing the powder wrong and getting over max. as it wouldn't fit in the case. I don't see pressure getting too high but I'm worried with my inexperience I might be missing any indicators.

I'm looking for some comment on the velocities I'm seeing. Should I stop at the 12 gr.? I was intending to slowly work up to the 13 gr.

The Shrink · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:21:32 AM »

Slash

You don't mention barrel length, and that will have a siginficant effect on velocity. Check the test barrel used by Hodgdon and compare it with yours. Check the barrel lenght of the factory velocity figures, it should be published.

If your barrel is longer you are likely to get higher velocities with the same pressure.

Do you have any pressure signs on your cases? Your rifle should be plenty strong, it's the case that will give.

Wayne the Shrink

mulerider · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2004, 03:28:03 AM »

Some have found the solution to velocity spread and accuracy inconsistencies is to use the Lee crimping die. Apparently LiLGun in particular benefits from a relatively heavy crimp, to give consistent ignition.
I have never crimped any of my bazillion reloads of various cartridges and calibers, but the Hornet has been frustrating at times to a point of procuring the crimp die.
Might give it a try!
Another consistent powder in the Hornet is H4227, but velocities won't get near those from LiLGun!

Loader 3009 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2004, 11:34:05 PM »

Try 12.0 Li'l Gun, a small pistol primer, a Lee factory crimp die and fire-formed brass. Seat your bullet as close to the lands as it's length will allow.

Iowegan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2004, 08:12:54 AM »

I've chronographed a lot of loads over the years. I've shot the same exact loads in different rifles and got substantially different velocities, even with the same barrel length. There are some good explanations for this. The chamber and throat depth is one thing that varies in rifles. Bore diameter and the rifling depth vary in all guns. With revolvers, the cylinder gap has a great effect. These differences in dimensions can make the velocity change quite a bit.

Advertised factory velocities are usually over stated however, I have found some guns that exceeded factory specs. I suspect your chronograph is giving accurate readings, it's just the variations in manufacturing tolerances that make your readings different from theirs.

rodgervich · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2004, 01:22:37 PM »

Your handload velocity readings are close to what I get in my Savage 340 in .22Hornet for the same loads. In MY RIFLE 12.0-12.5 gr Lil'Gun with 35,40 and 45gr bullets result in the best groups. I can barely get 13gr Lil'Gun in a FL sized case, note for yourself that Rem brass is thinner and holds more powder, if you want to try larger powder charges use REmington .22 Hornet brass. Interesting that the powder charge remains the same while bullet weight varies and the accuracy remains the same, usually around 3/4". I have never shot factory ammo in my Hornet.