22 Hornet

[white eagle]

So what's your favorites for the bug?
personally I like w-296 and 2400 with 35-45 gr bullets and boolits
:Fire:

[marshall623]

For Hunters Pistol , l like 4.5 gr of Unique under the 55gr lee checked , sized .225 lubed with 2500+ lit with a WSP . Shoots right at MOA out of a 10" Contender . EDIT I just noticed that this is in hunting , what I had worked up was 10 gr of H110 under a 45 gr Hornady Hornet bullet , lit with a Fed SR . I've never got to use it on anything .


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[panhed65]

I tried several and ended up with 1680, also use it in the 218 bee and 25-20.
Barry

[rockrat]

I use Lil Gun w/40-50gr bullets

[stubshaft]

Good ole 2400 works for me.

[dale2242]

11.5 gr 296 with 40 gr VMax for approx. 2900 fps in my #3 Ruger.
I have shot thousands of sage rats with this load.

[No_1]

……... EDIT I just noticed that this is in hunting ……..


So did I. It has been moved to “CB Loads, Your Favorite Cartridge”

I have a few hornets so am interested in this thread.

Rob

[ElCheapo]

I love my Hornet. It's even part of my email address. Mine is an older CZ with the funky safety, but it shoots! I don't even know how many groundhogs I killed with that thing over the years. Anyway, it's a good one. Most were taken with 10 grains of AA#9 over a 35 grain Hornady V-max bullet. Velocity is 3000-3100 fps and groups are one hole at 100 yards. I started noticing during the hot summer I would get loose primer pockets after a few firings so I dropped it back to 9.5 grains and case life was longer. No perceptible difference in performance. Hogs are dead with violent expansion to 175 ish yards. After that expansion can be iffy and you better make sure you hit them good.

A couple years ago I got an NOE 37 grain 22 caliber flat point mold off a member here. I was just getting into powder coating at the time and I started off PCing bullets for the Hornet. These are plainbase bullets so I wasn't trying for full velocity, but I thought a 22 magnum equivalent load would be useful here on the farm. I found 5 grains of Herco gave 2200 fps velocity and one inch groups at 100 yards, which was good enough. This load zaps groundhogs with authority and it's fairly quiet, at least compared to full power loads. I've used it on a few squirrels and it really nails them too. The flat points don't tear things up like a hollow point but they still do a good job.

After reading various accounts of folks using small pistol primers in the Hornet I decided to give them a try. They work perfectly! I have no pressure signs with even my hottest loads, and I get better accuracy. I shot some loads with pistol primers over my chronograph to see what was going on and they showed less deviation in velocity than with small rifle primers. I think the Hornet is such a small case that rifle primers are just a little too much for it. For me, pistol primers are the way to go. Velocity is equal to that produced by rifle primers, and you get less shot to shot variation resulting in better accuracy. YMMV and all that, but these loads have worked well for me. As always, use caution and work up to maximum loads slowly while watching for signs of excess pressure.

[uscra112]

Lil'Gun wasn't originally marketed for the Hornet, but it beats all others hands down, no matter the bullet weight.

[brokeasajoke]

1680 and 35gr vmax as well as some 33gr overruns from midway with the same rounded vmax profile ment for 22mag do well in my 77/22 k hornet. Lilgun just plain sucked in my configuration. High pressure even below start charges. Some people have great luck with it. Me, not so much. Too bad cause it is plentiful at my local gun store. 1680 for me right now until some thing else proves better. H110 was ok but 1680 Gave me moa at worst.

[Larry Gibson]

11.5 gr 296 with 40 gr VMax for approx. 2900 fps in my #3 Ruger.
I have shot thousands of sage rats with this load.

Back in the day I used about the same, loading 40 gr Speer or Sierra's over 12.5 H110. Literally have shot the barrel out of my #3 shooting thousands of sage rats, red diggers, rock chucks, bits, crows, magpies and several coyote's. Picked up a 10" contender 22H to shoot sage rats while long range shooting rock chucks with a 6,5-280. I got to where I wouldn't shoot a chuck under 300 yards so used the Contender on the rats as they would pop up from 25 yards out to 200 yards. Same load out of the Contender ran 2500 fps.

308416

[white eagle]

I am trying cfe-blk now 45 gr bullet at 2500 fps (is what they claim, the load data)
I to am shooting a CZ 527 American, the safety is funky and missed a coyote because of it
it does take some getting used to

[gnoahhh]

Lil Gun is my favorite now in my .22 K-Hornet. 13.0 grains + 45 Speer yields right at 2850fps, with accuracy hovering around 1/2 -3/4 MOA. I found CCI small pistol magnum primers to provide the bit of extra pizazz to narrow SD of velocity. With all other powders I use small pistol primers. Note: the rifle is a cherry Winchester M54 re-chambered by Lyle Killbourn himself, with 8x Lyman Junior Targetspot, 1-16" twist, .223 groove diameter.

I recently bought a pound of 1680 to try but found it to be a miracle worker in my Martini Cadet .357 Maximum (26" barrel) so none has found its way into a Hornet case!

Best cast bullet load that universally works well in all my Hornets, K and Standard, as well as my 5.6x35R kiplauf is the Lee Bator (52 grain out of my mold with my alloy), cast 10-11bhn, and propelled by 6.0 grains 2400. Performance/utility equals .22WMR. (The stubby bullet is short enough to stabilize even in the 1-16" twist of my M54 Winchester.)

Additionally, good old #225438 over 2.5-3.0 grains Bullseye is a close runner-up as a favorite. Used un-sized (well, pushed through a die that doesn't alter as-cast diameter but which serves to seat the GC) it is a sweet performer in the Stevens 44 lined to .22WCF. (Same Hornet dies used for this and 5.6x35R, but substitute a larger expander ball.)

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Lil'Gun for jacketed.
2400 for cast.
Red dot for slow-motion cast.

[Larry Gibson]

Lil'Gun wasn't originally marketed for the Hornet, but it beats all others hands down, no matter the bullet weight.

In older Savage rifles I always favored the 40 or 45 gr jacketed bullets over 11.5 gr H4227. It was always an exceptional load in those rifles. In the older Savage rifles and the Ruger #3 I also found 4.5 gr Unique under the 225415, 225438 and the 225462 cast bullets to be an excellent load.

These days my main Hornet rifle is my Savage M40. With jacketed bullets [most always the Hornady 45 gr Hornet bullet] I load them over 13 gr Lil'Gun in WW cases with WSP primers. Velocity runs 2931 fps with 10 shots consistently into 1 - 1.5" at 200 yards. The measured psi runs only 24,000! The M40 has a 14' twist so I will work with the 225414, 225438 and the 225462 in it one of these days......

308418

My 10" Contender has seen a lot of 225415s over 4.5 gr Unique which killed a lot of sage rats also while I was rock chuck shooting. However, the 10" contender has been threaded for my Gemtech 5.56 suppressor and has a folding arm brace stock on it. I shoot the 45 gr Hornady Hornet w/Lil'Gun for a sonic load. For subsonic I use the 225415 loaded over 1.8 gr of Bullseye for 1050 fps. It is quieter than my 22 cal pellet rifle. Using 2.0 gr runs 1100 fps but the bullet "snaps" as it exits the suppressor.

308420

[yovinny]

Small pistol primers are ok, or use the original hornet primers, the Remmy 6 1/2.
I prefer the Remmy 6 1/2, they were usually always easier to find too, since those reloading higher pressure cartridges that take SR cant use them. They also work very well for 30 carbine, any older, lower pressure rifle cartridges, or in any SP cartridges.
So their actually quite versatile to keep on the shelf..

[GooseGestapo]

OP “which bug”?!

In the Hornet, it’s 12.5gr of Lil’Gun with a small pistol primer under the Sierra 40gr Varminter (spitzer hollow point).3,000fps from Ruger M77/22 KBZ.

In the .218Bee (Marlin M1894CL); its 14.0gr of H4198 under a 45gr Sierra .224” SMP. 2,800fps.

The Bee also likes the 12.5gr of Lil’Gun under a Armscorp 40gr JFP RFN. I bought 1,200 when they were $49/1000.

Both like the Lyman #22415 (my ancient mold) now #224-415 50gr PTD-FNGC over 4.7gr of Unique or 6.2gr of #2400 @.225” COWW+2% 95/5 lead free solder.

[technojock]

I tried Lil'Gun when I first got my Ruger 77-22 Hornet and I found the barrel got scorching hot after 3 rounds loaded with Lil-Gun. Since the rifle came with a just enough of that powder to reload a couple hundred rounds. I had bought another pound but I sold it and pulled down my loaded rounds and dumped the rest of it. I've tried 2400 but I think it's a bit fast and Reloader 7 is too slow but I've been pleased with the results with 4227 with jacketed bullets and I've not yet tried it with cast boolits...

Tony

[Rockindaddy]

My Ruger 1V Hornet likes a 45gr Hornady hollow point and 12.5 grs. Winchester 680 ball powder. 680 Win powder hit the surplus market a few years back. I think it might be marketed now as 1680 powder??? maybe someone out there would know? Its real fine ball powder that meters well. Bought 60 lbs of it @ $3.00/lb Am down to 40lbs Gave a lot away to shooting buddies. It works good in other cartridges too. 357 mag and 44mag The 44mag likes 300gr cast boolits. Shoots terrific in my Marlin 44 Mag.

[jmorris]

I played with just about everything and lilgun and 35-45’s are what my hornets like.

[gc45]

HARD TO BEAT 1680 but everyone has a favorite.

[hornetguy]

Another vote for 1680/T680 as the #1 powder for me.
When I was shooting my K-Hornet, I would use Lil Gun just for maximum velocity. I was close to 3100 with a 40gr V Max, IIRC....
I seemed to get better consistency, and slightly better case life with 1680.... it meters very well, and works like it was made for 40gr bullets and Rem 6 1/2 primers.
I've used pistol primers, as well...
Out of my regular hornet Handi Rifle, I am getting around 2500-2600 fps, IIRC... I'll have to check.
It's the only powder I load in the hornet now... it's that good.

[almar]

Double post

[almar]

309105

I like lil gun for the power so far in my k hornet but it seems to burn dirty. I have some n110 and n120 on the way to try. This is a 26 inch barrel 1:12 from pac nor on my cz527.

[gc45]

Second what Hornetguy said. My R-77 K-Hornet is just about a one hole gun with 1680 and 40 vmax bullets. My CZ 19 Hornet shooting 32 grain bullets is a huge step up in long range shooting; so much so I seldom shoot the 22 verison now. This little gun has killed PD's out to 400 yrds but is really best at 300 yds.

[mac60]

40 gr. Nosler BT over aa 1680 with a small pistol primer. That last item made an enormous improvement in accuracy. Rifle is an H&R handi-rifle.

[Rockindaddy]

Ruger No 1 Varmint HB likes Winchester 680 ball. 12 grs with a 45 gr Hornady SP Shoots raggety 5-shot holes @ 100 yds. Killed a nice 8 pt shot through the neck at 200 yds. Dropped like a stone. Wacked plenty of varmints out to 300 yds. Stacks up Prairie Dogs. No recoil not much noise.

[TD1886]

Back in the day I used about the same, loading 40 gr Speer or Sierra's over 12.5 H110. Literally have shot the barrel out of my #3 shooting thousands of sage rats, red diggers, rock chucks, bits, crows, magpies and several coyote's. Picked up a 10" contender 22H to shoot sage rats while long range shooting rock chucks with a 6,5-280. I got to where I wouldn't shoot a chuck under 300 yards so used the Contender on the rats as they would pop up from 25 yards out to 200 yards. Same load out of the Contender ran 2500 fps.

308416

I gotta go with Larry on the Hornet. My favorite for my CZ is the 40 VMAX Hornady over 12.0 grains of Win 296. It's a one holer in my rifle.

[Larry Gibson]

Should mention in my Savage M40 [24" barrel w/14" twist] 12.5 gr H110 in WW cases and WSPs topped with a Hornady 45 gr Hornet SP runs 2890 fps [psi runs 29,400 in Contender test barrel] and gives sub moa 10 shot groups at 100 yards. Same but with 13 gr Lil'Gun the last chronographed 10 shots ran 2950 fps [psi runs 20,000 with 12.5 gr in Contender test barrel] giving a .62" group at 100 yards.

[TD1886]

Should mention in my Savage M40 [24" barrel w/14" twist] 12.5 gr H110 in WW cases and WSPs topped with a Hornady 45 gr Hornet SP runs 2890 fps [psi runs 29,400 in Contender test barrel] and gives sub moa 10 shot groups at 100 yards. Same but with 13 gr Lil'Gun the last chronographed 10 shots ran 2950 fps [psi runs 20,000 with 12.5 gr in Contender test barrel] giving a .62" group at 100 yards.

I got my load off of Bob Forker when he use to put those pages in Guns & Ammo and they have the circles on them where you use a paper punch to put holes in them for your note book. Yup that's about the only load I use.

Oh BTW Larry I tried Lil Gun in the Hornet and it was normal as could be, in fact maybe a tad less pressure and velocity. Go figure because 12.5 and 13 grains are an overload for the 22 Spitfire. I have more to tell you about that Spitfire I'll pm you.

[tejano]

Have two Hornets, a Ruger 77/22H and a Browning Micro Medallion. Larry’s Lil’Gun works well in both with zero over-pressure signs.

[hornetguy]

That's one of the big selling points for LilGun.... top velocities, with considerably lower pressure.
In my gun, I didn't seem to get the consistency, shot to shot, that I got with 1680/680. It wasn't bad, just didn't seem quite as good somehow. I definitely got higher velocities, though.

[TD1886]

Nobody said Lil Gun showed over pressure in the Hornet. It sure is one squirrely powder in the 22 Johnson Spitfire. Eve just 11 grains of it in that cartridge exhibits high pressure and the case has a larger capacity then the Hornet. Might be because it's bottlenecked. Thirteen grains of blew the case is what started a discussion between Larry and I. Now 13 grains of it in the Hornet doesn't leave much room to seat a bullet without compressing it. I've shot 12 to 12.5 grains of it in the Hornet and there wasn't anything abnormal with it.

[tejano]

You’re right. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.

[TD1886]

You’re right. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.

No problem. Larry and I have pm discussion about Lil Gun in another cartridge that is just doing weird things. I use the same Lil Gun in my 350 Win Legend and also in the 450 Bushmaster with no problems at all, in fact it's a great powder in them. The only differences I can see between the 350 Legend, 450 Bushmaster, 22 Hornet, and 22 Johnson Spitfire is the only one that really has a bottleneck the the 22 Spitfire. Maybe that makes some sort of difference.

[hornetguy]

I used Lil Gun some in my K-Hornet. IIRC, 13.5 gr was lightly compressed.
I heard online (MUST be true, then) that some guys basically filled up the case and compressed a bullet into it. THEY claimed that you could not get enough Lil Gun in the case to be over pressure.
Personally, I never tried that, and would not now.
I settled on 1680, and still use that in my regular hornet in the Handi Rifle.
I still have a couple pounds of Lil Gun, and may try it again, but I have so much of the 1680/680, that I likely won't get around to it.
A pound of powder lasts for a while, 13 gr at a shot....

[TD1886]

I used Lil Gun some in my K-Hornet. IIRC, 13.5 gr was lightly compressed.
I heard online (MUST be true, then) that some guys basically filled up the case and compressed a bullet into it. THEY claimed that you could not get enough Lil Gun in the case to be over pressure.
Personally, I never tried that, and would not now.
I settled on 1680, and still use that in my regular hornet in the Handi Rifle.
I still have a couple pounds of Lil Gun, and may try it again, but I have so much of the 1680/680, that I likely won't get around to it.
A pound of powder lasts for a while, 13 gr at a shot....

Work up your loads. The 22 Spitfire is close to the case capacity of the K Hornet, a little more. It's a lost less then the 221 fireball and even the beginning loads for the 221 Fireball are proof loads for the Spitfire. Even 11.0 grains of Lil Gun is over pressure for the Spitfire. Just found out for a 50 bullet in the Spitfire the max load of Lil Gun is 8.9!!!!! You be care with your reloading and you'll be safe.

[Intel6]

I like and use LiL'Gun in all my .22 hornets, it gives me great velocities and accuracy. I have had zero issues in my pistols (T/C & Anschutz) and rifles (Multiple Anschutz's and a Ruger #1B). I know it can cause issues in other chamberings, but it works great in my Hornets and keeps thing simple for loading all my different hornets.

[nanuk]

...Bought 60 lbs of it @ $3.00/lb...

this is the stuff that a Canadian Boy DREAMS of.....

[brokeasajoke]

I wish lilgun worked for me but I was tired of knocking the bolt open. It quit blowing primers around 10gr thought the start load is way way more. Just created too much pressure in my rifle.

[gc45]

Lil gun can be very cranky and why I sold it at the range. After literally 1000's and 1000's of rounds on ground squirrels 1680 is supreme in my book and it fills the case nicely. I use standard small win primers as well and never an issue with either. Case life is beyond what I expected using the neck sizing method. I shoot both the K Hornet and standard Hornet with equal accuracy from a CZ and Ruger 77. My little Ruger has over 7000 rds now and still shoots tight groups..