.22 K-hornet and Win. 540/HS6

[Newtire]

Was out the other day testing out some loads in my newest (and ugliest ever) long gun-a Savage 24F in .22 K-hornet/20 gauge.

Forgot my chrono so was just testing for accuracy @ 100 yds. using the Bator .22 "soup can".

I had some Win. 231 and 2400 loads along with a few Win. 540 loads just for the halibut.

Using 6 gr. 2400 and 4.2 gr. 231, the accuracy was around the 2-3" mark.

The real shocker was with the 540 loads. Aside from a few fliers, the majority of 10 shots were in a little group just over an inch. I was using 5.4 gr. 540 as that's what the dipper threw. No sign of flat primers (CCI small pistol). Wondered if anyone else has had any luck with this powder in hornet or k-hornet. Will take the chrono next time and some 5.7 gr. loads. (been sanding down Lee dippers for these charge weights) Would be interested to hear.

[rking22]

That sounds interesting, I got a good bit as I shoot it in 28ga. Never noticed any hornet loads for it in the books I have, need to go look. What does your soupcan weigh , what alloy?

[Newtire]

That sounds interesting, I got a good bit as I shoot it in 28ga. Never noticed any hornet loads for it in the books I have, need to go look. What does your soupcan weigh , what alloy?It weighs right around 52 grains and made from water dropped wheelweights. The lube is just good old Lee Liquid Alox. Was surprised it made it all the way down the 24" barrel and no leading. It's the Bator bullet mould sold by Midsouth in 6 or 2-cavity. I see mostly info on the powders used in .410 shotgun loadings but not much on the powders just a little faster. I see some mention but no details on charge weights. I was seating the bullet to 1.700 OAL.

[rking22]

Thanks Newtire, I will have to try it with my 225438 mould. Should be fun in the CZ :)

[Wayne R. Scott]

What I want to know is how did the 24F get converted to K-Hornet? Did you do it? Or did you buy it that way?

[Newtire]

What I want to know is how did the 24F get converted to K-Hornet? Did you do it? Or did you buy it that way?I rented the reamer from these guys http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/gbo-reamers-available-for-rent/ They are a great group. I just went slow and checked the fit of the " master" case sent with the reamer. When I got close to being done, I took lighter cuts and cleaned out chips, stopping just when the action closed. From what I understand, this cuts a 40 degree shoulder so bought the Redding dies (only a little more $ than competition on amazon). Also bought the Lee factory crimp die for regular hornet (also works fine on K-hornet) and the Hornady .22 neck size die in short version. Now I have to do something about that trigger....

[Newtire]

Thanks Newtire, I will have to try it with my 225438 mould. Should be fun in the CZ :)I just got that mould but haven't loaded any up yet for it. Would be interested to hear about any good loads you've come up with along with seating depth etc. I have a K-hornet so my charges may be a tad heavier. I understand things get real touchy with cartridges this small. I've been using small pistol primers and Remington 6-1/2 small rifle primers (they are supposed to be happy hornet primers and I had a bunch).

[w30wcf]

Years ago I was testing different recipies in the standard Hornet to achieve early .22 W.C.F. ballistics (1,550 f.p.s. 45 gr bullet).
One powder tried was AA7 which is a bit slower burning than HS6. Anyway, 4.5 grs gave 1,543 fps with a 47 gr cast bullet.
Accuracy was sub 1" at 50 yards.

Interestingly, just .3 gr more (4.8) with a 55 gr cast produced 1,696 f.p.s. Apparently the heavier bullet made the powder burn more completely.

I would think that you are pretty close to 2,000 f.p.s. with your HS-6 load.

w30wcf

[Newtire]

Thanks w30wcf. That's about the speed I was after and I have some AA7 so will load around those charges. I have a number of different loads put together for maybe after work tonight or tomorrow. Now will have to cast up a bunch more as I'm low on boolits and my caster ran off with my maid. Thanx again!

[fa38]

Not a Hornet but HS6/Win 540 work very well in my 25-20 WCF and AA #7 does even a bit better in the accuracy department. The bullets are a little over 100 grains. Maybe small cases like those powders.