22 hornet????

[rainierrifleco]

who has cast bullets for 22 hornet or k hornet and how do they shoot.

[stubshaft]

They shoot great. If you do a search of either one you will find a multitude of threads listing boolits and loads.

[Larry Gibson]

who has cast bullets for 22 hornet or k hornet and how do they shoot.

That's like asking "who has a Chevrolet and how does it run?'

Can you narrow it down a little more specifically? Perhaps with what rifle? What cast Bullet? What twist (the Hornet comes in at least 3 different twists)? What load? Etc........

Larry Gibson

[Wayne S]

That's like asking "who has a Chevrolet and how does it run?'

Can you narrow it down a little more specifically? Perhaps with what rifle? What cast Bullet? What twist (the Hornet comes in at least 3 different twists)? What load? Etc........

Larry Gibson
"" DITTO"" \
Most rifles have a 1-14 twist, a few have a 1-16 for the 40-45 Gn RN bullets, T/C's have a 1-12

[rainierrifleco]

every hornet i have had my hands on has 16 twist i dont have any with the faster twist which the hornet needs at lower vol. i have a 77-22 ruger , a #3 an 1885 winchester with the 223 bore which shoots 224 bullets fine i am building a 12 twist contender barrel with a take of rem barrel.
which cast bullet ? dont know was hoping somone could recomend a goos starting point. all my 16 twist hornets like 33-35 gr bullets driven as fast as the case will allow. i was thinking cast bullet in 45 gr and 12 twist might be the ticket. 33and 35 gr bullets just wont kill anything cleanly that is buch bigger than a rabbit. especially badgers.

[cbrick]

i was thinking cast bullet in 45 gr and 12 twist might be the ticket.

Lyman 438 does well from my Hornet but I've never tried pushing it hard so don't know about that. My 12 twist T/C also does very well with the RCBS 55 FN GC.

Rick

[Dale53]

I use the Lyman 225415 for the .22 Hornet, .221 Fireball, and .222 Remington with excellent results.

3.0 grs of Unique in the Hornet case makes a dandy squirrel load. In the .221 I use 4.0 grs of Unique for the same purpose.

The flat nose does a MUCH better job than the .22 rimfire.

Dale53

[lead chucker]

Not trying to hijack this thread but how many reloads can you get out of the average 22 hornet brass. Is it like the 375 Winchester brass? I would love to get a 22 hornet.

[Dale53]

If you are using low pressure cast loads and neck sizing, brass life in the Hornet is excellent (dern near unlimited). If you try to push jacketed loads, a half grain of powder too much and you open up the primer pockets. If you section the brass you will see that there is almost NO brass between the primer pocket and the "outside".

I MUCH prefer the .221 Remington Fireball brass. It is MUCH stronger.

I have a custom Ruger #3 single shot (with fancy custom wood) in .221 Remington. It was originally chambered in .22 Hornet and the previous owner had it re-chambered to .221. I like it much better simply because of MUCH stronger brass.

Dale53

[Larry Gibson]

every hornet i have had my hands on has 16 twist i dont have any with the faster twist which the hornet needs at lower vol. i have a 77-22 ruger , a #3 an 1885 winchester with the 223 bore which shoots 224 bullets fine i am building a 12 twist contender barrel with a take of rem barrel.
which cast bullet ? dont know was hoping somone could recomend a goos starting point. all my 16 twist hornets like 33-35 gr bullets driven as fast as the case will allow. i was thinking cast bullet in 45 gr and 12 twist might be the ticket. 33and 35 gr bullets just wont kill anything cleanly that is buch bigger than a rabbit. especially badgers.

Now we can talk:D

I've had numerous Hornets over the years with the older ones having 16" twist barrels. I've had a #3 Ruger since '75 that always has been and excellent shooter with it's 16" twist. I've shot a lot of jacketed through it, most 40 gr SPs, but have also shot a lot of 225105s, 225438s and 225415s. I've also shot those in most every 16" twist Hornet I've had over the years. My accuracy expectation for small varmint (the smaller Belding up through California Rock ground squirrel size) shooting with the Hornet is 10 shot 1.5" groups at 100 yards with 7-8 shots inside 1". The 107 in some rifles and 438 do very well up through 2400 - 2500 fps in most Hornets with good barrels. Never could get very good accuracy at 100 yards with the 415 out of the 16s above 2000 fps.

In 14" twist rifles the 415 does well up through 2300 fps but flyers get very prevailent above that. The 432 and the 225462 did very well up to 2300+ fps with 4227, 4759 and 2400. I'm hoping Lil'gun will boostthe useable accuracy of those 2 bullets, particularly the 462, up to 2500+ fps.

In 12" twist barrels (Contender 21" barrels) the 225462 is the top choice for accuracy and velocity with the 428 sneaking up on it quite often Both push 2200+ fps with very good useable accuracy. Perhaps Lil'gun will boost that a bit also.

Were I to suggest the best all around cast bullet for the 22 Hornet it would be the 225462 because it is compatable with all twists available. The Forster 1/16th HP tool can be used to lightly HP some of the loaded rounds for much better terminal ballistics on larger animals such as rock chucks, badgers and coyotes. My #3 is about shot out:( and will be rebarreled with a 14" twist. I've some serious testing to do with Lil'gun also but haven't got to it yet.

Larry Gibson

[JeffinNZ]

I used to have a BRNO Hornet that was particularly fond of the 225415 (old style 48gr).

[stubshaft]

My K-Hornet likes the 225415 also it is the newer one and weighs in at 52gr. another one that does real well for me is the RD bullet lubed with Lotak. My mgm barrel does have a 14" twist though. I tried Lil Gun after reading about the phenomenal velocities attained with it but my barrel doesn't like it. It seems to peak too rapidly and seriously shortens case life. Still have a bunch of 680BR (5+lbs.) so I'm good for a while yet.

[uscra112]

Just to remind everyone - Hornet case life is poor until you ream out to the "K" chamber and headspace on the shoulder.

Lil'Gun actually peaks more slowly than other powders in it's speed range. And it has a "fat tail" on the pressure curve, which some shooters say causes the barrel to get too hot. I've never complained of this, but I don't shoot 40 rounds at a sitting. It's my go-to powder for J-words, for chucks on the farm here, (14" Contender Gen 1).

Don't cast for my Hornet. I have neighbours, so ricochets have to be considered.

[beagle]

I have a M77 Ruger Hornet and use a "bunch" of 225438HPs in the .22 WMR velocity range for farm work on BBs and feral cats. Can't beat it. Stingy on lead and powder and quiet.

Case life is pretty good as long as neck sizing is used and loads are kept to lower velocitoies. I use SP primers and this seems to aid in accuracy.

I got a mint Lyman 310 tool (one of the older marked steel sets) for the Hornet from KYwoodwrkr and it makes great, neck sized loads and they are enjoyable to load./beagle

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

what, no one mentioned the Bator ?
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000622BATOR
the current one Lee makes has a short fat nose,
that is not the original specs...but works well in the hornet for me.
and is about 53 gr. with a GC and lube.

I load them with about 7 gr. of lil gun.
and are accurate in my two rugers, a 77/22 and a #3

I have a couple other molds too, but prefer the short nosed
bator, especially because it fits in the 77/22 rotory mag.
Jon

[Larry Gibson]

I neck size the cases for my Hornets use a Redding Bushing die and the appropriate bushing to give .002" neck tension. The necks are sized just to the seating depth of the bullets. Thus my Horntet cases last as long as any other NS'd cases. I occasionally lose one to a split neck but most I scrunch the case mouths:-| Otherwise case life is exceeding long....I've some I've been loding for 35+ years.

Larry Gibson

[303Guy]

My 1-in-16 twist hornet stabilizes 60gr j-word spire points just fine. I've tried 55gr RCBS castings in it and although they were all stable, the accuracy was poor but so was the quality of the castings. I've made a 62gr smooth side mold for it but have never range tested those. Too hard to cast those tiny little boolits!

[Pigslayer]

Back in the late 60's I bought a used Savage bolt action .22 Hornet for $40.00. What an accurate rifle it was. And yes, it will take down a whitetail. I so much wish I hadn't sold it!

[rainierrifleco]

great info all.......thanks sounds like i will proceed. next what alloy lead works best for hornet vol, do i need a harder bullet? all i need out of a hornet is 1-1.5 at 100 for the odd head shots on critters. the bullets in 40 gr and above have never done that. usually 3 to 6 inches.

[303Guy]

the bullets in 40 gr and above have never done that. usually 3 to 6 inches.Interesting. Mine is deadly accurate out 160m with 55gr swear words. Then again I'm not fooling around with velocity - I'm getting 2740fps with mine.:Fire: More to do with consistant powder burn than the velocity but I'm not complaining - it's very effective on goat sized critters and pretty flat shooting too.

[frnkeore]

Hmmmmm, I find it odd that the RCBS 055 FN didn't come up but once and that only with poor quality bullets. It would seem to be the ideal bullet for the Hornet if it will stablize well.

I only have two molds in 22, that one and the 225450. I would expect poor results from the 450 but, the 450 mold sells very well ($100+) so, I really don't understand that unless it's a pure colletor thing.

I have a Hornet in a High Wall but, I've never shot it. It only has open sights and the barrel hasn't been drilled for a scope so, it's been on the very last burner to try (trying to get the nerve or motivation to drill the barrel).

I'm guessing that the 462 would be of similar length so, I would have guessed that the 055 would do as good or better than the 462.

Does any one have any good results with the 055 FN or the 450?

Frank

[mainiac]

Not trying to hijack this thread but how many reloads can you get out of the average 22 hornet brass. Is it like the 375 Winchester brass? I would love to get a 22 hornet.

I back the f/l die way off the shellholder,and i shoot the 225438 @ about 2400f.p.s.,and my cases seem to last forever.I anneal them every 4-5 loadings,and dont have split necks,as a result.

[mainiac]

every hornet i have had my hands on has 16 twist i dont have any with the faster twist which the hornet needs at lower vol. i have a 77-22 ruger , a #3 an 1885 winchester with the 223 bore which shoots 224 bullets fine i am building a 12 twist contender barrel with a take of rem barrel.
which cast bullet ? dont know was hoping somone could recomend a goos starting point. all my 16 twist hornets like 33-35 gr bullets driven as fast as the case will allow. i was thinking cast bullet in 45 gr and 12 twist might be the ticket. 33and 35 gr bullets just wont kill anything cleanly that is buch bigger than a rabbit. especially badgers.

The 225438 is the most accurate boolit in the hornet,in my rifle. It dont shoot well for me,if i go over about 2400 f.p.s.But that is plenty fast enough for me,the hornet is a sweet round....

[303Guy]

(trying to get the nerve or motivation to drill the barrel).Use glue. JB Weld works. The trick is a large curved surface. My pig gun has glued on scope bases and that handles full power loads on a flexi-action! My 22 has glued on bases that have stayed put for 30 years and I recently did my great nephew's 22 with JB Weld.

[frnkeore]

Thanks 303Guy, I'll have to try that. Did you use steel or aluminum bases?

Frank

[canyon-ghost]

22 hornet for silhouette, just like the avatar. 10" Contender barrel, weaver base and steel top rings, 4-12 VXII Leupold rifle scope.

I loaded 22 Hornet several ways for the short barrel. 8.0 grains of VV N110 for 50 grain V-max and Remington PSP bullets.

#225438 45 grain gas checked Lyman mold, 7.5 grains of IMR 4227.
While accuracy was best with the V-Max, I'd not pay $14 a box for them!

[DLCTEX]

I load the Hornet for a Ruger 77/22 and a Tarus Raging Hornet pistol. Both like the 225438 best and I neck size with a Lee collet size die and get good brass life. I am considering reaming both to K Hornet as the Tarus will back out the case and bind the cylinder a little with anything but a mild load. The Bator works well in the Ruger, but I haven't done much workup for the pistol.

[303Guy]

Aluminium bases. The youngsters rifle wasn't the way I wanted to do it but I was short of time and materials. I like a 180° mating curve if I can get it.

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo327/303Guy/CalebsRiflesmall.jpg

I increased the curve by filling in with JB Weld. Not the smoothest finish but the youngster hasn't noticed. I notice though.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Thats interesting, I have a Savage bolt 32/20 that I want to make into a cast boolit gun. That might be a better way of attaching the old scope I want to put on it, I can't get the gunsmith motivated to do it.

[azhunter12]

Didn't NOE put out a mold specifically for the hornet? It looked to be a very promising design.

[stubshaft]

Didn't NOE put out a mold specifically for the hornet? It looked to be a very promising design.

It was a copy of the 225107 and it shoots pretty good.

[johnly]

The 22 Bator sized .225" with 2.4 gr. of Trail Boss is one of my favorite quiet loads.

John



what, no one mentioned the Bator ?
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000622BATOR
the current one Lee makes has a short fat nose,
that is not the original specs...but works well in the hornet for me.
and is about 53 gr. with a GC and lube.

I load them with about 7 gr. of lil gun.
and are accurate in my two rugers, a 77/22 and a #3

I have a couple other molds too, but prefer the short nosed
bator, especially because it fits in the 77/22 rotory mag.
Jon

[303Guy]

Any idea of velocity, johnly?

[johnly]

I haven't chronographed them, but I'm pretty sure they are sub-sonic.

[rainierrifleco]

ok i got my mould today---225438 now what alloy which lube and sizer die???

[1Shirt]

All hornets are female and tempermental. Have a K-in a #3 Ruger, and a straight hornet in a M-40 Sav. Ya just gotta find the right combination and go with it.
1Shirt:coffeecom

[.22-10-45]

Hello, rainierrifleco. I use an alloy of steriotype diluted with soft lead..much softer than lyno..and no leading. As far as having to run a K reamer in for longer case life..it depends on chambering & action lock-up. in my Shillen brl. Borchardt..chambered by Shillen (14"twist)..am using same RWS brass now for over 15 years. Best commercial cast bullet moulds are the Lyman 225415 ..older 1970's era @47grs. and Eagan MX.
I purchased an old original Ideal 22636..60gr. designed for the .22-15-60 Stevens.
Chucked these up in a bench lathe & faced them to 52grs. on some, I cut a g.c. shank.
These prooved to be the most accurate .22 bullets to date..sent off samples to Fred Leeth for nose-pour copies.
Next biggest accuracy improvement was making tapered die for use in my Lyman 45 sizer, for tapering 1st. band to match throat leade angle & dia. it's adjustable for length of taper.
It took nearly 5 years..but now I can equal the best match jacketed bullet accuracy at 100yds.

[303Guy]

Interesting post, .22-10-45. What was the motivation for a nose pour, if I may ask?

I make basic nose pour molds for myself and taper them too but mine are one piece without lube grooves. I do the nose pour so as to get a 'perfect' base. It's also easier (until getting into adjustable molds). Rebated and chamfered bases also become simple with one piece molds.

[.22-10-45]

Hello, 303Guy. I have always heard that the nose-pour resulted in perfect base. Probably on the gas-check version it's questionable..but at least I know one variable is gone.
How do you put lube-grooves (if any) on your smooth bullets?
I decided to go for broke one year, and had Corbin make up reloading-press type bullet swage, with various shaped nose-punches.
I re-shape lubed & g.c'd Saeco 221 & Eagan MX. I use these in a Ruger No.1 .222 Rem.
Using a tapered flat-nose punch..Saeco comes out looking something like the Lyman 225415,
The Eagan MX with a long roundnose punch comes out looking for all the world like a Remington YellowJacket .22 l.r.
The Eagan never shot well in .222, but after swaging they now group in 7/16" at 100yds...about the best average for match jacketed loads in this rifle.
One thing..after swaging, the gas check is perfectly flat & square to bullet sides.

[303Guy]

I paper patch so the smooth side suites me fine. I did start out with a smooth sided plain cast and coated them in 'waxy-lube' and these shot fine. I used a mild load of varget under them. I actually 'glued' them into the necks with the 'waxy-lube'.

[Littlewolf]

nobody mentioned the ideal lyman 225450 mould boolits any knowledge of these pointy buggers ie in a 22" barreled handi rifle i plan on 2400 powder

[Littlewolf]

nobody mentioned the ideal lyman 225450 mould boolits any knowledge of these pointy buggers ie in a 22" barreled handi rifle i plan on 2400 powder