Fireforming .22 Hornet Brass Question

[Scarlet Pumpernickel]

I want to fireform some Hornet brass by loading some .223 dia. bullets for this purpose.  I have had these bullets for years and they are useless for serious shooting, so I thought I would use them for fireforming.  I will shoot them into an old stump I keep in my shop for this purpose.  What powder charge should I use?  I was thinking od 2 or 3 gr. of Unique or AA #5.

[stimpylu32]

SP

I think you would be better off to use 8 grains of H4227 with a bullet , if you were going to form with Cream- o -wheat the low dose of Unique would be fine BUT NOT with a bullet , even if it is a .223

stimpy

[Scarlet Pumpernickel]

This site lists loads for both 4 gr. and 5 gr. of Unique.  http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/22hornet.htm

Unique is fairly slow compared to 231 and Red Dot and I use both of those for "silent" loads in my .308 with a 220 gr. lead bullet.

I don't want to use COW in a $1500 gun.

[stimpylu32]

SP

Are the .223 bullets cast or jacketed ? This will make a big diffrence as what will happen with a given powder charge , as you will see from the link you posted ALL the Unique charges are with CAST bullets .

stimpy

[Scarlet Pumpernickel]

SP

Are the .223 bullets cast or jacketed ? This will make a big diffrence as what will happen with a given powder charge , as you will see from the link you posted ALL the Unique charges are with CAST bullets .

stimpy

Here's one that says 8.0 gr. Unique w/ a jacketed bullet.  I have used 7.0 gr. many times but they aren't as accurate as Lil Gun.  http://www.reloadersnest.com/detail_handgun.asp?CaliberID=29&Powder=Alliant+Unique&LoadID=615