Hornet load data: What powders are you all using?

[JB Weld]

Well, I have been trying to find some Lil'Gun (locally) to no avail. As a matter of fact, I cannot find any of the Hornet powders listed in my Hornady manual (8th edition).  I have read a bunch of stuff on the web about loading for the Hornet, but I would really like to stick to published loads or at least first hand knowledge from our members.

I did read a very interesting article where the author got some of his best groups with Scotts 4100, but it was out of a silhouette pistol with a 10" barrel. I know I cannot use his load data. It is a good read though, so here is the link: http://www.lasc.us/rangingshot22hornet.htm


I am shooting a NEF Handi Rifle and I want to load 40gr Vmax and 50gr Vmax (those are the bullets I can find).

So...what powders are you guys using to load your Hornets?
 

[okie44]

Check Hodgdon's site, H4198 is listed. I have only used Lil Gun
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

[Ranger99]

i don't have or load a hornet,
but i do use a lot of 2400 powder
and know it was originated for
the hornet. you might try it

[Larry L]

I load for 4 Hornets. I use H110 in all of them. If you are loading for a Ruger #1-3, you can exceed max loads by quite a lot before you'll start seeing any primer issues. Any other rifle, you need to stay with the lower pressure data. There should be a lot of H110 data on the net and in almost any manual.

[JB Weld]

Yes. H110 is in my manual.
The problem is I cannot find it on the shelf.

[twoshooter]

2400 will work OK, but for my money, IMR 4227 works best. I use 11 gr under 34 gr HP, and 9.5 gr under 50 gr PSP. I find for my purposes small rifle primers are more accurate for me.

[Lloyd Smale]

aa1680 was allways my favorite hornet powder

[geezerbiker]

I used to always use 2400 but it's a bit sensitive and you have to work up slowly.  I had bad experiences with H110 in my revolvers so I don't buy it any more.  I've been using Lil'gun but I don't like how fast my rifles heat up and how hot they get.  It's not at all acceptable for a varmint rifle.

After I use up all the rounds I have loaded with Lil'gun, I'm going back to 2400.  I can live with the level of performance I get with it.  I've also tried RL7 and it's way to slow for the Hornet or K-Hornet.

Tony

[cwlongshot]

4198 is a LONG time favorite, but 2400, H110, 296 and Lil'Gun all can work very well too.

CW

[JB Weld]

Thanks for all the info guys!

Do any of you load "plinking loads" with cast boolits in your Hornets? If so, what powders are you using in those loads?
 
I shoot cast out of my Marlin 336s using Trail Boss, but I cannot see myself stuffing a Hornet case with Trail Boss.