.22 Hornet question
- Thread starter azmark
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I had a lot of experience loading for the Hornet. That's why I don't own one any more. lol
However ....... several friends of mine who retained theirs after the 35 grain VMax became available have had very good luck with theirs. I used the 45 grain Hornady Hornet at the time I had mine, and it expanded on groundhogs just like a 150 grain 30 cal. bullet would on a deer. A nice mushroom, but it wasn't a particularly effective bullet at those velocities, and a .22 Mag killed as efficiently out to about 100 yards. It worked great in a .222 Rem. and in a 1 in 12 twist .223 Rem., however. It blew up prematurely in my 1 in 9 twist Savage .223, though.
But, if I had a Hornet ...... and could resist the strong temptation to palm it off on some unsuspecting hunter, I would try that 35 grain VMax first, as it seems to shoot accurately in many of them and terminal effects on the groundhogs are reported to be better than I got with the 45 grain softnose Hornet bullets.
However ....... several friends of mine who retained theirs after the 35 grain VMax became available have had very good luck with theirs. I used the 45 grain Hornady Hornet at the time I had mine, and it expanded on groundhogs just like a 150 grain 30 cal. bullet would on a deer. A nice mushroom, but it wasn't a particularly effective bullet at those velocities, and a .22 Mag killed as efficiently out to about 100 yards. It worked great in a .222 Rem. and in a 1 in 12 twist .223 Rem., however. It blew up prematurely in my 1 in 9 twist Savage .223, though.
But, if I had a Hornet ...... and could resist the strong temptation to palm it off on some unsuspecting hunter, I would try that 35 grain VMax first, as it seems to shoot accurately in many of them and terminal effects on the groundhogs are reported to be better than I got with the 45 grain softnose Hornet bullets.
There were some issues gun related and some ammo related. I had two TC Contenders. One was a pistol and the other a carbine. Had to send one carbine barrel back as it had a tapered bore .... the wrong way..... larger at the muzzle than at the breach. The cases were prone to case head separation. The 1 in 12 twist was supposed to stabilize heavier bullets, but some 50 grain bullets I shot would hit the target sideways at 50 yards. The small case was very sensitive to changes in powder weight, so I had to weigh each separate charge. The throat in the barrels was long, I had to seat the bullets out so far that only about 3/16" of an inch of the bullet's base was in the case, and still there was a long jump into the rifling. Because so little of the bullet was in the case, I had to roll the loaded cartidges around on a glass sheet to see which ones had their bullets in straight. I didn't want to seat them out that far, but, this is the way I had to do it so the gun would shoot decently.
About the best accuracy I could get at the time was 1 to 1 1/2" three shot groups at 100 yards. If I tried to fire more than 3 shots, at a rate of 1 per minute the gun would shoot patterns not groups, growing larger the more was shot. My friend's .22Mag killed groundhogs as effectively and shot as accurately for less cost and less hassle.
However, another friend later purchased a Browning low wall replica in .22Hornet that was a tack driver (for a Hornet) using that 35 grain VMax bullet. He could shoot pretty consistently under 3/4" at 100 yards for three shots with that gun and bullet.
I sold the Hornet and bought a .222 Remington and it was a heck of a lot easier to load for, killed groundhogs better at longer ranges and was more accurate, to boot.
About the best accuracy I could get at the time was 1 to 1 1/2" three shot groups at 100 yards. If I tried to fire more than 3 shots, at a rate of 1 per minute the gun would shoot patterns not groups, growing larger the more was shot. My friend's .22Mag killed groundhogs as effectively and shot as accurately for less cost and less hassle.
However, another friend later purchased a Browning low wall replica in .22Hornet that was a tack driver (for a Hornet) using that 35 grain VMax bullet. He could shoot pretty consistently under 3/4" at 100 yards for three shots with that gun and bullet.
I sold the Hornet and bought a .222 Remington and it was a heck of a lot easier to load for, killed groundhogs better at longer ranges and was more accurate, to boot.
Quote:
CDR
Follow you friend's lead and buy a New Browning Micro Hunter A Bolt in 22 Hornet. You will never have another bad thing to say about the Hornet. Don't even reload for it, just purchase the Hornady's Factory ammo in the 35 gr V-Max. It is a whole new world.
I already purchased a .17HMR in a CZ452 Varmint. It will shoot 3 shots a little over 1/4" at 50 yards (haven't shot it at 100 yet). But it fills in the gap between the .22 Long Rifle and the .22 cal. centerfires nicely, out to about 125 yards on groundhogs. For bigger varmints I will either use my .223 Rem., which will shoot under .3" at 100 yards, or my .243 walking rifle which does about 5/8" at 100 yards.
The Hornet is for the guys who love to tinker with their guns and loads and want something a bit different from what the other guys have. I am a pragmatist and have grown a bit lazy as I have gotten older. lol I want to fuss over my equipment the least amt. as necessary to get it to shoot well.
CDR
Follow you friend's lead and buy a New Browning Micro Hunter A Bolt in 22 Hornet. You will never have another bad thing to say about the Hornet. Don't even reload for it, just purchase the Hornady's Factory ammo in the 35 gr V-Max. It is a whole new world.
I already purchased a .17HMR in a CZ452 Varmint. It will shoot 3 shots a little over 1/4" at 50 yards (haven't shot it at 100 yet). But it fills in the gap between the .22 Long Rifle and the .22 cal. centerfires nicely, out to about 125 yards on groundhogs. For bigger varmints I will either use my .223 Rem., which will shoot under .3" at 100 yards, or my .243 walking rifle which does about 5/8" at 100 yards.
The Hornet is for the guys who love to tinker with their guns and loads and want something a bit different from what the other guys have. I am a pragmatist and have grown a bit lazy as I have gotten older. lol I want to fuss over my equipment the least amt. as necessary to get it to shoot well.
Furhunter
New member
Bullets that are labeled "Hornet" sometimes means the old 223 dia, but now I have noticed they have a more blunt nose on them, shorter over all lenght.
I have two Hornets, and load all my ammo for them, they do like the 35 v-max. I think I am using 10.5 gr. of win 296 in mine, and you can get 650 rounds or so from a pound of powder. I wouldnt trade them for anything. I am going to give you a little seceret....shhhh dont tell anyone else OK!
You will never have a problem with case life on your hornet if you remember one thing, just one! Its a hornet, load it like a hornet, dont expect too much, I get about 2600 fps out of a 35gr vmax, that flat out preforms any 22 mag, but its not a 222, or a 223, keep the pressures down where they should be, dont expect too much and enjoy it.
I have two Hornets, and load all my ammo for them, they do like the 35 v-max. I think I am using 10.5 gr. of win 296 in mine, and you can get 650 rounds or so from a pound of powder. I wouldnt trade them for anything. I am going to give you a little seceret....shhhh dont tell anyone else OK!
You will never have a problem with case life on your hornet if you remember one thing, just one! Its a hornet, load it like a hornet, dont expect too much, I get about 2600 fps out of a 35gr vmax, that flat out preforms any 22 mag, but its not a 222, or a 223, keep the pressures down where they should be, dont expect too much and enjoy it.
I belive both Browning and CZ use .223 bores though they will shoot .224 bullets. The hornet bullets tend to be stubby because lots of rifles had a 1/16 twist and the limited COL of most rifles.
Furhunter you need to try some lil'gun 3000+ with the 35's and still low pressures. I added a hornet to my collection this last fall It's a neat little round I was able to take jackrabits out to 150 without too much trouble.
I have since converted it to k-hornet but I wanted that little better performance with 50 grain bullets, I wanted a little more punch for coyote's and the little superlight handi is the perfect size for my boys to handle and initial testing is looking good. Gophers are starting to make an apperance plan to give it a workout soon.
You don't need to convert to the k to solve the loading problems. you can reduce/eliminate head separation by neck sizing or at least not pushing back what shoulder there is too far and work hardening the brass. and because the case is so small you do have to assemble your reloads with care but nothing to earth shattering. And like furhunter said it's not a hot rod, know it's limitations and everything will be fine.
If you want a quieter gun with more power than the rimfire magnums 22 hornet is the way to go.
Furhunter you need to try some lil'gun 3000+ with the 35's and still low pressures. I added a hornet to my collection this last fall It's a neat little round I was able to take jackrabits out to 150 without too much trouble.
I have since converted it to k-hornet but I wanted that little better performance with 50 grain bullets, I wanted a little more punch for coyote's and the little superlight handi is the perfect size for my boys to handle and initial testing is looking good. Gophers are starting to make an apperance plan to give it a workout soon.
You don't need to convert to the k to solve the loading problems. you can reduce/eliminate head separation by neck sizing or at least not pushing back what shoulder there is too far and work hardening the brass. and because the case is so small you do have to assemble your reloads with care but nothing to earth shattering. And like furhunter said it's not a hot rod, know it's limitations and everything will be fine.
If you want a quieter gun with more power than the rimfire magnums 22 hornet is the way to go.
Furhunter
New member
Quote:
Furhunter you need to try some lil'gun 3000+ with the 35's and still low pressures.
I did and was not impressed with the groups I got out of it. I have a bunch of it left over, nothing else to shoot it in. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif The 296 seems to shoot great, about 1 to 1 1/4 at 100, I really dont know how fast they are with the 296, its published vel with that charge, next time I get out with the chrony I plan on checking it out.
I have the CZ hornet....I havnt had a chance to get out to shoot it yet, had it almost a year now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif see I am kind of saving the cz for my sons first hornet.
The one I shoot is the Ruger 77/22H I have noticed also accuracy goes down after 20 or so rounds thru the tube, a quick swab and its right there again.
Furhunter you need to try some lil'gun 3000+ with the 35's and still low pressures.
I did and was not impressed with the groups I got out of it. I have a bunch of it left over, nothing else to shoot it in. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif The 296 seems to shoot great, about 1 to 1 1/4 at 100, I really dont know how fast they are with the 296, its published vel with that charge, next time I get out with the chrony I plan on checking it out.
I have the CZ hornet....I havnt had a chance to get out to shoot it yet, had it almost a year now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif see I am kind of saving the cz for my sons first hornet.
The one I shoot is the Ruger 77/22H I have noticed also accuracy goes down after 20 or so rounds thru the tube, a quick swab and its right there again.
Quote:
Quote:
Furhunter you need to try some lil'gun 3000+ with the 35's and still low pressures.
I did and was not impressed with the groups I got out of it. I have a bunch of it left over, nothing else to shoot it in. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif The 296 seems to shoot great, about 1 to 1 1/4 at 100, I really dont know how fast they are with the 296, its published vel with that charge, next time I get out with the chrony I plan on checking it out.
I have the CZ hornet....I havnt had a chance to get out to shoot it yet, had it almost a year now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif see I am kind of saving the cz for my sons first hornet.
The one I shoot is the Ruger 77/22H I have noticed also accuracy goes down after 20 or so rounds thru the tube, a quick swab and its right there again.
Don't know if this your problem with your Ruger, but several years back there was an article, in Varmint Hunter, I believe where the writer was detailing the problems he had with a couple of Ruger Hornets, bad barrels, locking lugs and bolt face out of square. From what I read later, there were quite a few people having accuracy problems with their Ruger Hornets.
I remember the writer describing the factory barrel as so rough internally, that when he ran cleaning patches through it, he would see fuzz in the bore. lol
Quote:
Furhunter you need to try some lil'gun 3000+ with the 35's and still low pressures.
I did and was not impressed with the groups I got out of it. I have a bunch of it left over, nothing else to shoot it in. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif The 296 seems to shoot great, about 1 to 1 1/4 at 100, I really dont know how fast they are with the 296, its published vel with that charge, next time I get out with the chrony I plan on checking it out.
I have the CZ hornet....I havnt had a chance to get out to shoot it yet, had it almost a year now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif see I am kind of saving the cz for my sons first hornet.
The one I shoot is the Ruger 77/22H I have noticed also accuracy goes down after 20 or so rounds thru the tube, a quick swab and its right there again.
Don't know if this your problem with your Ruger, but several years back there was an article, in Varmint Hunter, I believe where the writer was detailing the problems he had with a couple of Ruger Hornets, bad barrels, locking lugs and bolt face out of square. From what I read later, there were quite a few people having accuracy problems with their Ruger Hornets.
I remember the writer describing the factory barrel as so rough internally, that when he ran cleaning patches through it, he would see fuzz in the bore. lol
Furhunter
New member
Quote:
Pistol primers, 2400 pistol powder, and Nosler 45 grain "solid base" bullets have got the 2 Hornets I loaded for shooting well.
Have you tried buying those Nosler solid base bullets lately? Midway no longer has them, I think they where discontinued? you may have to sub the Sierra 45 gr. Hornet #1210
I have got the little rifle to shoot good with a few different bullets, always with the 296 though. Barrel is nice and smooth, cleans very easy, its just a little picky on the powder. I found the above load for 296 after a few runs of lil'gun, since it shot better I just stuck with it. I dont expect to much, and its shooting pretty good, so I left it alone. I can tell you that there are some crows, rabbits, beaver, a few PD's and a cat! that didnt like how well it did shoot!
Pistol primers, 2400 pistol powder, and Nosler 45 grain "solid base" bullets have got the 2 Hornets I loaded for shooting well.
Have you tried buying those Nosler solid base bullets lately? Midway no longer has them, I think they where discontinued? you may have to sub the Sierra 45 gr. Hornet #1210
I have got the little rifle to shoot good with a few different bullets, always with the 296 though. Barrel is nice and smooth, cleans very easy, its just a little picky on the powder. I found the above load for 296 after a few runs of lil'gun, since it shot better I just stuck with it. I dont expect to much, and its shooting pretty good, so I left it alone. I can tell you that there are some crows, rabbits, beaver, a few PD's and a cat! that didnt like how well it did shoot!
K-22hornet.
New member
I have had about a Ruger 77/22H with a 20" barrel for about 10 years now. Fantastic shooter!
If I may, some obversations about loading for it:
Lilgun powder is THE powder for it, up to 10,000psi less
than others and 200fps faster;
Lilgun appears to work much better with 45gr bullets and
heavier;
Use small pistol primers;
Explore a crimp die, I do not use one. I use a Lee collet
die and only neck size;
Due to the small case capacity, I work up in 0.2grs
increments in powder charges;
Don't try to get 10 loadings out of each case. Remington
cases are pretty thin, Winchester's a bit thicker;
My coyote load is 13.0grs Lilgun, small pistol primer and a 45gr Barnes XLC. I get about 2925fps over the chrono with this load, and it shoots around 3/4".
With a 52gr Sierra HPBTM over 11.7gr Lilgun, I get around 2650fps and it will shoot 1/2".
If I may, some obversations about loading for it:
Lilgun powder is THE powder for it, up to 10,000psi less
than others and 200fps faster;
Lilgun appears to work much better with 45gr bullets and
heavier;
Use small pistol primers;
Explore a crimp die, I do not use one. I use a Lee collet
die and only neck size;
Due to the small case capacity, I work up in 0.2grs
increments in powder charges;
Don't try to get 10 loadings out of each case. Remington
cases are pretty thin, Winchester's a bit thicker;
My coyote load is 13.0grs Lilgun, small pistol primer and a 45gr Barnes XLC. I get about 2925fps over the chrono with this load, and it shoots around 3/4".
With a 52gr Sierra HPBTM over 11.7gr Lilgun, I get around 2650fps and it will shoot 1/2".