22 Hornet and the 1 in 9 twist

[Default_Required]

Has any one experimented with heavier bullets in Hornet to see what is capable with the 1 in 9 twist ?
 Figure you could walk towards the 60-62gr with little trouble unless lack of velocity plays a role , its more of a curiousity then anything.

[trotterlg]

Velocity is nothing, how fast it spins is everything, so R.P.S. is what you need to calculate to see if it will be stable.  Larry

[topper88]

I've gone up to 60 grains bullet weight in the Hornet with a maximum load of Lil Gun.  Still grouped a minute or under. I have four other .22 chamberings for my Handi's so I never experimented higher.  With the Hornady A-max in 75 grain in .225 Winchester re-chambering, is the heaviest you can load the 1:9 twist from my experience. I used a 24" bull barrel as the donor barrel.

[thejanitor]

I have loaded up to 65 gr with a light trailboss in an effort to go subsonic and it was stabilized even at slower volocity. Therwise I just shoot 50 and 55gr bullets  for regular higher end shooting. I have some 35 or 37 gr Vmax that I have never tried thinking the twist it too fast . . .  but have not tried to know.  thejanitor

[bighunt]

I've gone up to 60 grains bullet weight in the Hornet with a maximum load of Lil Gun.  Still grouped a minute or under. I have four other .22 chamberings for my Handi's so I never experimented higher.  With the Hornady A-max in 75 grain in .225 Winchester re-chambering, is the heaviest you can load the 1:9 twist from my experience. I used a 24" bull barrel as the donor barrel.

I have achieved under 1/2 MOA groups with my 24 inch 1 in 9" twist heavy barrel Savage Tactical in .223 with Sierra 80 grain bullets!
Its on the edge of stabilization I know, but I would assume a .225 Winchester would have no problem with 80 and maybe even 90 grain bullets with a 1 in 9" twist.

[Default_Required]

I've gone up to 60 grains bullet weight in the Hornet with a maximum load of Lil Gun.  Still grouped a minute or under. I have four other .22 chamberings for my Handi's so I never experimented higher.  With the Hornady A-max in 75 grain in .225 Winchester re-chambering, is the heaviest you can load the 1:9 twist from my experience. I used a 24" bull barrel as the donor barrel.

I agree Topper , the old 223 H&R with a HB and 1 in 9 shot a few different 75gr loads very well .. just have not played with the 60+gr .224 projectiles at 22 hornet velocites.  Though these reports are inspiring 

[briannmilewis]

Best thing I ever did with my Hornet was buy some "splat" targets, and load up a variety of bullet weights.


My tests showed the only bullets stable at 100 yards were 50gr. I tried 35, 40 and 45 and they all were tumbling ripping non-circular holes in the targets at 100 yards.


In fact, I was so new to centerfire, I thought the non-circular holes were normal bullet and target behavior, till I shot the 50s...perfectly round holes with a really thin "splat" outline.