.22 hornet contender

[pkie44]

Recently picked up a 10" hornet for the contender, looking for a good place to start with boolits. What weight shoots good in these? I'm not looking for a lot of speed just something that shoots good.

[JohnFM]

The Lyman #49 has some Contender specific loads.
Using 225438 and 225415 bullets.
That would be a fun one with a Contender.

[Hamish]

http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=145537&highlight=hornet

http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=139665&highlight=hornet

Not pb, but interesting reading,,,

http://www.lasc.us/rangingshot22hornet.htm

[Nobade]

I have had really good luck with RCBS 22-55-FN over AA#9. Around MOA with a scope mounted if I can hold it right on the bench. 10" barrel BTW.

[bobthenailer]

I have 2 barrels a 10 & 14 inch both are very accurate with jacketed bullets from 40 to 55 gr
My favorite plinking load is with a hornday bulk 55 gr sp with can and 4.5 grs of 231 with a SPP about 1600 fps and under 1/2 inch accuracy @ 50 yards

[**oneshot**]

I've had good luck with 60gr GC boolit from NOE. I load it to 22mag velocity with SR4759. It meters like dogfood but it has been the winner in the velocity I'm seeking.
1.5%tin 3%ant 94.5% lead

[Goatwhiskers]

I don't want to say this too loud, but I've been shooting a 77/22 I acquired in the Hornet. The guy it came from couldn't get inside an inch with it. Shimmed the bolt, then some work with loads and I came up with 13.5gr A1680 and a 40gr jacketed gave me a .226" group. I really want to try some cast but don't have a mold yet. Goat

[canyon-ghost]

I've been using the # 225438 Lyman gas checked mold (45 grains works good in Contender) with 7.5 grains of IMR 4227. Some guys can't stand the powder granules left in the barrel and absolutely require a pistol powder. I'm not that picky, it shoots more accurately with 4227. That's all I want from it. 7.5 grains is somewhere around 1750 to 1800 fps. It's fast enough for knocking down silhouettes at 100 yards, not as fast as my V-Max loads.

The best extra equipment for 22 Hornet: a neck sizing die. I assemble hornet just like small rifle rounds. Mostly Winchester cases and primers. http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx228/3rdshooter/contenders/hornet001.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx228/3rdshooter/contenders/hornet003.jpg

[pkie44]

Thanks for all the info. Going to load some today, I've got to shoot it. I have lots of jwords, 2400, 296, Littlegun and some Power Pro 300MP. Best luck with pistol primers or rifle primers? Canyon Ghost, how does that big rifle scope work on the Contender? I have thought of trying it, most likely on the .22lr barrel first.

[Norbrat]

A couple of bloke here DownUnder use the Hornet and the 270Ren for IHMSA Field Pistol and some have had serious issues with head seperation, even with the brass being fired just once.

It seems T/C was a bit "generous" with running the reamer into the chamber, cutting the rim recess just a little too deep.

If'n it were me, I would try to find some small O'rings to slip down the case to the rim and see if an empty case with the O'ring in position would allow the gun to snap shut.

If so, I'd fireform with the O'ring in place then carefully neck size only to allow the case to headspace on the shoulder, not the rim.

Re-chambering to K-Hornet would also help to headspace on the shoulder.

[pkie44]

Norbrat, thanks for the tip. When I load for Encore, Contender I try to load with bullet just touching lands to fireform to chamber then neck size after that. The 'o' ring should do the trick also. I have looked at the .270 REN, looks like a fine round for field pistol sport, don't see many for sale around here.

[canyon-ghost]

I find that the hornet cases only go about 7 or 8 reloadings before they start getting too thin. I keep a range rod (old cleaning rod) with me in case. I have a small eaze-out to remove the brass from the chamber in the event of a head seperation. It's still worth doing, hornet brass is available by the hundred round sack of Winchester here. When it gets old and brittle, I chunk the whole batch and get new.

I'm using small rifle primers.
http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx228/3rdshooter/contenders/2007079-1.jpg

This illustration is straight from NRA Hunter's Pistol Regulations. That's "any sights"!! Takes some getting used to, you'd be surprised how much movement there really is out at a distance. Your hands have to be steady, even your heartbeat will show up with enough magnification. Otherwise, it works absolutely great.

This works only with lower recoil rounds, otherwise, it would send the scope crashing through your shooting glasses and cap. I've had it rearrange my cap once or twice, nothing serious.

[canyon-ghost]

don't see many for sale around here.

http://edstc.com/

Check out Ed's, he's one of our original contender vendors (as we call 'em).

[pkie44]

I've seen guys at the NRA matches use the big scopes, shooting hornet and .30 carbine. They were also using peep sights on the same calibers. I just went to watch one day, didn't have anything to compete with at the time, now I have the guns, never a day off when they have the matches. Still lots off fun to hit the range in the early morning when not many people are there, knock down a few chickens, turkeys, pigs and rams. I have a .44 mag barrel some of my shooting buddy's call the quigley pistol. They were amazed i was connecting with the long range targets, even more amazed when you hand them the gun, with a little coaching they are hitting them also.