Author Topic: .22 Hornet Questions  (Read 2000 times)

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Offline Tobiano

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.22 Hornet Questions
« on: January 27, 2008, 07:11:25 AM »
   Hey All...

    .22 Hornet with the 10" or 12" barrel - anyone regularly using this rig for varmints ?   for silhouette ?

    What kind of accuracy should be expected from the Hornet with the 10" or 12" barrels ?

    What effective range should be expected of the Hornet from those barrels - assuming we're after mostly woodchucks and coyotes ?

    Anyone have any experience with the .22 Hornet "V-max" ammo ?

   Anyone have a favorite factory load for the Hornet in those barrel lengths ?

   Any Hornet reloaders have a favorite powder and/or bullet for varmints ?

   All experiences/information/opinions welcome !


Many Thanks !   
 :)

Offline WayneS

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Re: .22 Hornet Questions
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2008, 03:15:38 AM »
dosen't seam like anyone is home but us, try http://www.ihmsa.net/

Offline Nobade

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Re: .22 Hornet Questions
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2008, 03:32:35 PM »
Since I play with the Hornet quite a bit, I'll chime in. One of my favorite Contender barrels is a 10 inch Hornet that I rechambered to the K version. I got it for IHMSA field pistol matches, but since we're not shooting those anymore around here I mostly use it for NRA Hunter Pistol now. Pretty much the same thing, anyway. Never shot any living thing with it, so can't comment on what it does to them.

As for accuracy, it'll easily do 1 inch at 100 yds, and I can hit the end of a pop can most of the time at 200.

I would probably limit it to 150 yards on groundhogs, and 100 on coyotes. Beyond that it's losing energy pretty fast.

Never tried the V Max ammo or any other factory ammo. Anymore I use only cast bullets in it, but in the past I've used the light Blitzkings, and V max bullets to good effect. The 55gr. FMJBT bullets are great for silhouettes.

The highest velocity comes with Lil' Gun powder, but I use mostly surplus WC820 in mine.

As for experiences, make sure your gun has proper headspace. I've never seen a Contender that was headspaced correctly in 22 Hornet, and if it is excessive the brass will break in half regularly. Other than that, keep in mind you want accuracy over raw power and probably don't need to push the limits. Loaded properly, the Hornet can be extremely accurate but it is quite fussy about how it's fed. .2 grains of powder will sometimes change the groups by a huge amount, so be particular when you're working up loads and use a good quality powder measure.

Enjoy!

"Give me a lever long enough, and a place to stand, and I'll break the lever."

Offline mugs

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Re: .22 Hornet Questions
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2008, 07:22:12 AM »
Before anyone has their 22 hornet rechambered to k hornet for silhouette. The hornet is legal the K hornet is not. Most case head separation is from setting your sizing die wrong. Once hornet cases are fired in your gun neck size only or get a Lee collet die.
Mugs

Offline Nobade

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Re: .22 Hornet Questions
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2008, 03:09:08 PM »
Yes, I forgot to mention that the K version is not legal for silhouette. Thanks for the correction, I would hate to steer anyone wrong on that one. Our local matches don't go into the book and you are allowed to pretty much shoot whatever you want caliber wise, and we no longer have an IHMSA club anywhere around here.

As for the case head seperation, that is another matter. The barrel I have had .012" headspace from the factory. It should be more in the region of .001 to .004 max. Anyone who thinks that neck sizing a hornet case will make it hold proper headspace against the blast of the primer has not actually tried it to find out. It's very simple. Remove the extractor from your TC barrel, prime a case that has been neck sized, and fire the primer. If your gun has too much headspace, the primer will be sticking up out of its pocket. The amount it's sticking out is a close approximation of how much excess headspace you have. The primer blast is sufficiently strong to collapse the shoulder of a hornet case, driving it into the chamber until it stops on the rim cut. Then it backs out until it hits the standing breech (or bolt depending on the action).  Of course if your gun is within spec, and you neck size and load prudently the cases will last a long time. In my Sako rifle and Handi rifle this is the case. But that Contender was way off, and a combination of soldering a ring into the rim cut and rechambering it to correct headspace solved my problems.
"Give me a lever long enough, and a place to stand, and I'll break the lever."

Offline Tobiano

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Re: .22 Hornet Questions
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2008, 02:48:45 AM »



    GREAT STUFF, Gents   !!!!

    Many, many Thanks   !!!

Offline canyon-ghost

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Re: .22 Hornet Questions
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2008, 07:40:57 PM »
 Oh, hey! Here's my two cents. I've been loading 22 hornet (at the prodding of friends for the local Hunter's pistol range.
     The 50 grain V-Max is extremely accurate, to 1/2" at 100 meters=don't get excited yet=but makes a large ugly lead smear on silhouette. The soft core leaves a black mark that will get you scolded.
    http://hunterspistol.spaces.live.com/
 You can try the blog, maybe it works. I load 32-20 WCF and 7mmTCU also.
     I've have had good luck with the old Lyman cast bullet mould #2660438 that pours at 45 grains in wheel weight.  It's really pretty simple to pour 500 of these, gas check and load.  IMR 4227 powder isn't bad.  And it will load with Unique as well.  I use 7.5 grains for distance, 7.4 for the closer racks.
     In the jacketed loads, 7.9 grains of N110 (VihtaVouri Oy) works good although the jacketed loads shoot hotter. Have also loaded Remington PSP bullets to 7.8 of N110. The Finnish powder isn't bad at all.
Can't hit the broad side of a barn with a very big rock!