22 hornet primers

[686]

I am loading for a 14" tc and a 21" tc barrel. i see one book list using sm pistol primers ans another list sm rifle primers. i am working with lit'gun powder. what primer do most of you use?

[Rocky Raab]

My #1 choice is the Rem 6½ small rifle - precisely because it is a very mild primer originally developed for the Hornet and Bee. If I can't get those, I go to the CCI 500 small PISTOL primer. Next choices include the Fed or Rem small pistol, but I find ANY Winchester primer far too hot for the Hornet.

Why? Well, the Hornet has very small case volume and thin neck walls. A powerful primer will unseat the bullet by itself, before the powder can ignite. The result is like having grossly varying seating depths. That's never good.

Hornet accuracy comes with a mild primer and a firm crimp. I use the Lee Factory Crimp with excellent results. (And 13.0 LilGun is THE load!)

[bobthenailer]

I load sr primers with the slower powders and sp primers with faster powders aka ww 231 for loads between 1600 to 2000 fps in a contender hornet with a 10 and 14 inch barrel
Its been said you can possibly get better accuracy with small pistol primers instead of small rifle primers , even with slow powders ? each firearm is different you will have to test .

[DragoonDrake]

Hey Rocky,

I have been getting vertical stringing in my 22 hornet and could not figure out why. I have been using WIN SR primers b/c my load manual told me to. I think I may have to try a different primer. Thank you for posting that.

Sorry for the cross post.

Adam

[686]

i will try some fed sm pistol. thanks

[Kenny Wasserburger]

Rocky thanks for the info on the Rem 6 1/2 Primers I have a really nice Hornet that loves the rem Facotry 45 gr ammo. It shoots it very well.

KW
The Lunger

[Rocky Raab]

Kenny, that Rem ammo uses their 6½ primer - and a crimp. That's two out of three for my hit parade. Their powder choice can vary - as it does with most factory ammo - but I'd bet it's a spherical powder a lot like Accurate 1680, the non-canister version of Winchester's 680 or something very much like them.

[Wayne S]

i will try some fed sm pistol. thanks

sm = Small Magnum ??
my project this week is to test Fed 100,200,205 & Rem 7 1/2 with the NOE 225 bullets
Ain't it ALWAYS something

[canyon-ghost]

I shoot a TC in 22 hornet, and always use small rifle primers. Never thought about it but, I don't use much of a taper crimp either. I load IMR 4227 to 7.5 grains behind a Lyman 225438.

[Parson]

Hey Rocky,

I have been getting vertical stringing in my 22 hornet and could not figure out why. I have been using WIN SR primers b/c my load manual told me to. I think I may have to try a different primer. Thank you for posting that.

Sorry for the cross post.

Adam

what are you shooting them in?

[telebasher]

My #1 choice is the Rem 6½ small rifle - precisely because it is a very mild primer originally developed for the Hornet and Bee. If I can't get those, I go to the CCI 500 small PISTOL primer. Next choices include the Fed or Rem small pistol, but I find ANY Winchester primer far too hot for the Hornet.

Why? Well, the Hornet has very small case volume and thin neck walls. A powerful primer will unseat the bullet by itself, before the powder can ignite. The result is like having grossly varying seating depths. That's never good.

Hornet accuracy comes with a mild primer and a firm crimp. I use the Lee Factory Crimp with excellent results. (And 13.0 LilGun is THE load!)

This is pretty much the gospel when you're talking about the Hornet. You can try other combinations but Rocky's formula is right on.

[stubshaft]

Hey Rocky,

I have been getting vertical stringing in my 22 hornet and could not figure out why. I have been using WIN SR primers b/c my load manual told me to. I think I may have to try a different primer. Thank you for posting that.

Sorry for the cross post.

Adam

Could also be your lube. I had problems with stringing also using Felix lube as the barrel warmed up. It was too slippery.

[MIBULLETS]

I have tried small pistol primers of all flavors and the Remington 6.5s but the best yet with Lil' Gun in my Ruger is a Magtec small pistol primer. I will never use another primer for that Hornet if I don't have to. I am assuming like the others have mentioned here that it is a very mild primer and doesn't dislodge the bullet from the case when it goes off but allows the powder to start burning first.

[hornsurgeon]

question for all here, are you shooting cast or jacketed with lilgun?

[Gunsmoke4570]

In my Hornet, I have the best luck with CCI BR4 small rifle bench rest primers. I'm using 2400 and a 40gr Sierra Blitz.

[Kenny Wasserburger]

Rocky again thanks for the Info,

My CZ drives tacks with that Rem factory stuff I have taken large Jack Rabbits at 265 yards witht that rifle and head shots. I love that rifle.

KW
The Lunger

[686]

i think i will be trying some fed sm pistol primers. i am loading jacketed bullets. trying 40-55 gr. i only loades win sm rifle and was only getting 1 1/2" groups with both my 14" tc and 21" tc barrels. i think i should be getting 1" or better. this is off a rest and at 100 yrds .

[DragoonDrake]

Lube: Cali Saeco Green (homemade)
Firearm: 10'' TC, w/ & w/o scope. It looks a lot like Canyon Ghosts avatar.

I have tried various powders, the best shooter has been 9grs. IMR 4227 and the BRP 226-47-RF. I get vertical stringing after about 20 rds or so. I did not think about the barrel warming up as I follow the IHMSA shooting routine.

I have had problems with Felix and anything smaller than 35cal. I switched to saeco and solved all of my problems in my TC 223 and savage 223.

Thanks

[DragoonDrake]

Hornsurgeon

I use Lil'gun with cast. I found IMR 4227 to be a little more accurate.

[1Shirt]

I have been using sp primers in my #3 K-hornet now for the past year. Used both Win and Rem, (have not tried feds yet), and have been able it increase group reduction over sr, but as much as 50%. Have been using dH-110 and 2400.
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[Ramslammer]

G'Day All
My first C/F was a hornet built on a SMLE .303 action (many of these in AUS) and that was many years ago. I've own at least one hornet continually since. They have range from martini conversions right through to a nice Sako.
They have all shot better with small pistol primers. I have also use them in 218, 32/20, 25/20 and 357 in rifles.
Currently using Federals by the bucketfull.
10grns 4227 with a 40grnbullet.
Juddy

[chickenstripe]

This thread is interesting to me. I've used Rem 5-1/2's (small pistol) with no luck. I would get about 50% of the loads piercing and setting back the primers (lil'gun 12.1-12.3 grains, behind 35gr or 40gr V-max). I even called Hodgon to see if my can of lil'gun was on the recall list.

Rem 7-1/2's (small rifle benchrest) however, give me good accuracy, and I can push a 40gr V-max with 12.8gr lil'gun and no issues.

The problem with Remington Primers in my area, is the lack of availability. CCI's are much easier to find.

[jsizemore]

686,
If your having trouble knowing which primer to use, try your loads shot over a chronograph and how they perform on target.

[NHlever]

I've tried the full range of primers in my problem Ruger 22 Hornet, and have had the best luck with Federal small rifle match, and most of the small pistol primers. As Rocky mentioned the Winchester primers seem hot as do the CCI small rifle primers. I've been shooting 95% cast over AA-1680, IMR-4227, and Lil Gun. Unique works very well for .22LR duplication loads.

[hornsurgeon]

have you done the mod to shim the bolt? i've heard it makes all the difference on the rugers.

[Four Fingers of Death]

have you done the mod to shim the bolt? i've heard it makes all the difference on the rugers.

What is that modification? My friend is thinking about buying on and I don't mind them either. I have a Martini K Hornet and don't like it much.

[hornsurgeon]

do some digging on the web, but i has to do with installing a bushing washer between the front and rear section of the 2 piece bolt body i beleive. from what i heard, it makes a difference.