.22 Hornet Loads

[timboslice]

Hello! Brand new to reloading. My dad bought me a CZ 527 .22 hornet when I was a kid and we reloaded for it but had a hard time getting a good, consistent load. I want to start reloading for it, and wanted to get other peoples opinion on what powder/bullet combinations they like to use.

[Electrod47]

A couple things I'v learned over 48 years tinkering with Hornet loads is "Don't go over 40 grain on the bullets" and "Keep it under 3000fps"
The reasons why are manifold. Enjoy the journey. There are few like it, attempting "getting a good consistent load."

[Tatume]

Loads from Hodgdon are pressure tested and reliable. Use starting loads. Work up from there if you wish. I find starting loads are accurate and powerful, and rarely use more.

https://hodgdonreloading.com/

[timboslice]

A couple things I'v learned over 48 years tinkering with Hornet loads is "Don't go over 40 grain on the bullets" and "Keep it under 3000fps"
The reasons why are manifold. Enjoy the journey. There are few like it, attempting "getting a good consistent load."

Excellent, thank you!

[timboslice]

Loads from Hodgdon are pressure tested and reliable. Use starting loads. Work up from there if you wish. I find starting loads are accurate and powerful, and rarely use more.

https://hodgdonreloading.com/

Perfect, thanks for the link. I will look into that.

[birdshot]

full case of Lilgun with 45 grain hornet bullet lightly crimped with small pistol primers.

[Kosh75287]

I know that, these days, availability dictates our propellant choices more than anything else. Even so, I'd suggest that you steer clear of propellants which list compressed charges in the data. While rarely hazardous (when using published data), compressed charges can become another factor with which to contend, on the road to getting a good, consistent load.
SOMETIMES, a bit of load compression will tighten groups (most often when done with great uniformity), while in other cases, compression will increase group size. Each rifle is something of an "individual response", when loading for it. Don't let this discourage you, but bear it in mind, if things you try do not seem to work as well as you hope.
There is also the matter of propellant utility. If you intend to reload only for .22 Hornet and have no plans to do so for other cartridges, well and good. If you contemplate reloading for other calibers in the future, it will not hurt your budget to use a propellant that works well in those, also. H110/W296 and IMR-4227 are "velocity champs" for the original magnum revolver rounds, so if you buy one of these and wish to reload for it, you need not go in search of a different propellant. H4198, while not useful for the original magnum revolver rounds, is remarkably versatile in small to medium-capacity rifle rounds, ranging from your .22 Hornet, to the voluminous .45-70 Springfield.

These are factors and considerations that might save you some serious money (with propellants above $45/lb. in many place), down the road. Having a good idea of your reloading plans beyond the .22 Hornet (if any) can be very cost-beneficial. I wish you EVERY success in reloading your .22 Hornet, but I suspect that you may wish to "branch out" at some point. Moving to another caliber and having many of the desired components already on hand can greatly simplify your life.

[david s]

I'll second birdshot's recommendation. Mines Winchester brass, Hornady's 45 Hornet bullet and a small rifle or pistol primer (varies by rifle/Contender) and a case full of LIL'GUN.

[brokeasajoke]

My gun hated lilgun but loves 1680

[Kraschenbirn]

My gun hated lilgun but loves 1680

Yup...with a Sierra 45 gr. RNSP!! :drinks:

Bill

[RickinTN]

full case of Lilgun with 45 grain hornet bullet lightly crimped with small pistol primers.
I ended up loading 11.8 grains of Lilgun with the Sierra 45 grain Hornet bullet. Just over half-inch groups first time out with the rifle and about 6 rounds to sight in. I have no idea on velocity as I didn't have the chronograph out that day. I don't think I'm going to change a thing with my load and rifle. I probably could get a little more Lilgun in the case if I used a long drop tube on my Little Dandy measure.
Good Luck, and I hope you find accuracy as easy as I did.
Rick

[15meter]

12.6 grains of 296 with a Sierra 1310 in a Ruger #1 is hard to beat. When I still had decent vision, 3/4", 5 shot, 100 yard groups were pretty common. Embarrassed more than a few guys at our monthly varmint shoot with that load.

"A hornet can't shoot like that!"

Load came from an older Hornady manual that had a separate section on Hornet loads just for Ruger #1's and #3's.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Lil'gun for J-words.
RL-7 for cast boolits.
OR
if you want to try to create 22LR equivalent loads, I use Red Dot. I started at 2 gr and worked down until chrono read about 1000.

[muskeg13]

I have a CZ527 LUX .22 Hornet that has proved accurate with almost everything I've tried, but that's no factory ammo, light-moderate loads, jacketed bullets from 33-45gr using LilGun and 1680 and cast boolits of less than 50 gr. It really likes the Lyman 225438.

As stated twice above, try small PISTOL primers. With my modest loads, SPP groups were 1/2 the size of the same loads with small rifle primers and there's no problems with ignition or blown primers. For the Hornet, pistol primers are good enough (actually better).

[elk hunter]

My Winchester 43 Hornet is sensitive to primer changes. It prefers Federal small rifle over any other.

[timboslice]

I know that, these days, availability dictates our propellant choices more than anything else. Even so, I'd suggest that you steer clear of propellants which list compressed charges in the data. While rarely hazardous (when using published data), compressed charges can become another factor with which to contend, on the road to getting a good, consistent load.
SOMETIMES, a bit of load compression will tighten groups (most often when done with great uniformity), while in other cases, compression will increase group size. Each rifle is something of an "individual response", when loading for it. Don't let this discourage you, but bear it in mind, if things you try do not seem to work as well as you hope.
There is also the matter of propellant utility. If you intend to reload only for .22 Hornet and have no plans to do so for other cartridges, well and good. If you contemplate reloading for other calibers in the future, it will not hurt your budget to use a propellant that works well in those, also. H110/W296 and IMR-4227 are "velocity champs" for the original magnum revolver rounds, so if you buy one of these and wish to reload for it, you need not go in search of a different propellant. H4198, while not useful for the original magnum revolver rounds, is remarkably versatile in small to medium-capacity rifle rounds, ranging from your .22 Hornet, to the voluminous .45-70 Springfield.

These are factors and considerations that might save you some serious money (with propellants above $45/lb. in many place), down the road. Having a good idea of your reloading plans beyond the .22 Hornet (if any) can be very cost-beneficial. I wish you EVERY success in reloading your .22 Hornet, but I suspect that you may wish to "branch out" at some point. Moving to another caliber and having many of the desired components already on hand can greatly simplify your life.

Wow, very thoughtful response. I want to reload for other calibers down the road, namely .30-06, .30-30, and .45 acp so I will try and get powders that will work for most. I know that the hornet can be a bit picky. I was doing a bit of research and found that some folks like loading Lil' gun but then others say it's not great, as seen from a few others in this thread, even. One thing I will agree with, is that every gun is different. I will need to figure it out as I go; it will be a fun journey. Thank you for your insight!

[timboslice]

Lil'gun for J-words.
RL-7 for cast boolits.
OR
if you want to try to create 22LR equivalent loads, I use Red Dot. I started at 2 gr and worked down until chrono read about 1000.

That's really awesome, actually. How did you like those loads?

[timboslice]

I have a CZ527 LUX .22 Hornet that has proved accurate with almost everything I've tried, but that's no factory ammo, light-moderate loads, jacketed bullets from 33-45gr using LilGun and 1680 and cast boolits of less than 50 gr. It really likes the Lyman 225438.

As stated twice above, try small PISTOL primers. With my modest loads, SPP groups were 1/2 the size of the same loads with small rifle primers and there's no problems with ignition or blown primers. For the Hornet, pistol primers are good enough (actually better).

Noted. This is all very good info that get. What distance were you shooting?

[muskeg13]

Noted. This is all very good info that get. What distance were you shooting?

Most of my shooting is in a 50yard backyard range. Several jacketed loads produce one hole groups ~0.3" with most I've tried staying at or below 0.5". Cast boolit loads go about an inch. At 100 yards last summer, using 45gr Hornady jacketed and IMR 4227 and LilGun, I shot 0.75" and 1.00" groups respectively. I use an old Weaver V8 (2.5-8X) with external adjustments (no turrets).

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

That's really awesome, actually. How did you like those loads?

I tried a few other powders. those are the ones, that my gun liked the best.

[birdshot]

I am excited about replicating that 22lr load. Not sure why since I have a healthy abundance of 22lr ammo. Might be because now I have a reason to start casting 40 grain bullets.

[muskeg13]

I am excited about replicating that 22lr load. Not sure why since I have a healthy abundance of 22lr ammo. Might be because now I have a reason to start casting 40 grain bullets.

or easily duplicate .22 Mag performance with a reloadable case

[gc45]

Amung my several Hornet rifles is two cz527's, great rifle. After 1000's and 1000's of rounds shooting ground squirrels I still like 1680 best over all other powders with any 40 grain bullet although I mostly loaded Nosler and Hornady BT's - Load using a mid range starting load in grains then work up in tenths, I think you will find your rifles sweet spot very quickly. Once fired brass should be neck sized for best results watching case OAL between loadings, trimming when needed. My primer of choice has been Win small primers but in todays market use what you have or can afford.

[brokeasajoke]

I got 200 Remington 6 1/2 to try. These low pressure primers may not do a bit better than small pistol but it's worth trying.

[barrabruce]

I got stellar accuracy out of my ‘58 model Brno khornet using I think 11.2 grns 2205 and any srp.
40 grn rn flat base worked well, but as the gun shops dried up of hornet gear from lack of sales I ended up using noslier 40 grn boatail orange plastic tipped things.
Mine had worn that much I could just hold them in the neck and reach the lands.
Still shot 1/2 to mostly 3/4" groups at 100 yrds.
I only ever partially neck sided enough to hold a bullet.

I found working up 2 tenths of a grain till I found a sweet spot or three.
Usually one just above staring loads. Another 3/4 say loads and another full noise or maybe more.
I usually shot the softer load which kept things ticking along for ever.

I would usually clean after 20 or so shots which kept it in good condition.

That’s plenty of rabbits etc for a break anyway. And a cuppa and a chew on something.
Ha.

If you want to load it to 222 velocities,buy a 222.

[Chill Wills]

I got 200 Remington 6 1/2 to try. These low pressure primers may not do a bit better than small pistol but it's worth trying.

Please remind me what the difference is between Remington 6-1/2 and Rem 7-1/2 primers.

[square butte]

The 6-1/2 was designed specifically for the 22 hornet ( according to remington ) Also good for other low pressure rounds like 218 bee, 25-20, and 32-20
The 7 -1/2 is for higher pressure small rifle rounds

[racepres]

Please remind me what the difference is between Remington 6-1/2 and Rem 7-1/2 primers.

Do Not use 6-1/2's in anything making high pressure...the cup will puncture!!! Ruined the firing pin bushing on a Contender!! They make a Great, small pistol, 22 Hornet, etc Primer..

[Chill Wills]

Thanks for the answer.
Some irony, ...when I first got my Ruger 77-22 Hornet sometime in the early 1990's maybe, I had a house in Leadville, CO and in the Coast to Coast hardware store, they had two dusty old boxes of 22 Hornet ammo. They had not sold for years and I was able to get both for a song. One was Remington and the other, Winchester, the standard 46 grain load. The Winchester shot fine and the Remington wouldn't hit the side of the barn.

Not sure if Remington used the 6-1/2 primer in those or not. Do any of you find the softer 6-1/2 primer an advantage?

[RAD57]

I like LilGun with 45 & 50 grain bullets out of my CZ. My chronograph data indicates the CCI500 SP primers give me the best/consistent velocities, and I've tried every US small pistol and small rifle primer in my tests (including magnums). My rifle really seems to like the Hornady 50 SP/SX with 12.6 of LilGun. The accuracy champ at 100 yards was with Nosler 40 grain Varmageddon HP bullets with 10 grains of N110 lit by the CCi 500 SP primer. I didn't think I'd ever see single digit standard deviation velocities in my Hornet until I tried N110. The velocities hover around 2700 fps with the 40 grain bullets, which suits me fine with the accuracy I get.

[barrabruce]

40 grns were the preferred in my cz with the 1:16 inch twist.223 bore which was probably 224 nearer the chamber in the end.

[RickinTN]

I like LilGun with 45 & 50 grain bullets out of my CZ. My chronograph data indicates the CCI500 SP primers give me the best/consistent velocities, and I've tried every US small pistol and small rifle primer in my tests (including magnums). My rifle really seems to like the Hornady 50 SP/SX with 12.6 of LilGun. The accuracy champ at 100 yards was with Nosler 40 grain Varmageddon HP bullets with 10 grains of N110 lit by the CCi 500 SP primer. I didn't think I'd ever see single digit standard deviation velocities in my Hornet until I tried N110. The velocities hover around 2700 fps with the 40 grain bullets, which suits me fine with the accuracy I get.
Would you please , if it's not too much trouble, share the velocity of that 12.8 Lilgun/50 Hornady SP SX load? Do you have any experience with it on Coyotes and such? I'm wondering if it's fast enough to make the bullets expand?
Thanks for your help,
Rick

[StrawHat]

No experience with Remington 6 1/2 but my 22 Hornet and my 22 WCF both prefer small pistol primers.

Kevin

[jmorris]

13.0 grains of lilgun with a remington 6 1/2 primer, in a case with just portion of the neck that holds onto the 35 grain v-max, sized. Generally shoots ~ .3's for me.

[white eagle]

what I use is 1680 and w296
I like 35 gr v-max and 42 gr Calhoon but have used Nosler b-tips and Speer 45 gr's as well
I have also tired srp and spp in mine as well jury still out on those

[Rockindaddy]

My Ruger No. 1 Varmint 22 Hornet shoots like it has eyes! Dime size 100 yard groups with 45gr Hornady HP's with 11grs WW680 surplus ball. Winchester 680 ball and commercial 1680 propellant is the same. Only thing is surplus WW680 was $3 per pound. Still have about 60 pounds left in the keg. This WW680 was the propellant used in 30 US carbine ammo. The powder was sold off as surplus about 20 years ago. Mike McPhearson wrote a great reloader manual. He was quite an experimenter. His load data lists many different and unusual propellants and successful loadings. My ole Ruger No 1 has alot of blood on it. Even a nice 8 point buck shot at 200 yards. Just a tiny 45 gr boolit!!! Your CZ527 in 22 Hornet is a great rifle. Have fun tuning up a good load. If you can't find any 1680 powder I will send you some WW680 to try.

[timboslice]

Amung my several Hornet rifles is two cz527's, great rifle. After 1000's and 1000's of rounds shooting ground squirrels I still like 1680 best over all other powders with any 40 grain bullet although I mostly loaded Nosler and Hornady BT's - Load using a mid range starting load in grains then work up in tenths, I think you will find your rifles sweet spot very quickly. Once fired brass should be neck sized for best results watching case OAL between loadings, trimming when needed. My primer of choice has been Win small primers but in todays market use what you have or can afford.

I agree, they are stellar rifles, absolutely beautiful. I was planning on using mine for coyotes, but more than likely it will be a target rifle for a while before I get it out in the woods. I can't wait to start reloading for it but I have to get a membership to my gun club first so I can test my loads. I am getting reloading supplies together, and I was debating whether or not I needed a case trimmer. How often do you use yours and do you feel like it is critical? In any case, I have a neck resizing die so I'm not working the brass too hard.

I did not get a chance to shoot it very often just because my dad was the one leading the charge on reloading, etc and it was a big time commitment; my rifle ended up sitting around for several years and I want to get it back out again. I love seeing all the replies though...shooting is very subjective especially based on the rifle, but some folks say to use 40 grain bullets, others say to avoid it. I really need to sit down and compare powder types to see what I can use for other calibers first and go from there. This thread has been a really good wealth of info that I will be drawing from for some time.

Can I ask what powder charge you are using with the bullets you are using? I intend to sight my rifle to 100 yards, if that makes any difference.

[timboslice]

My Ruger No. 1 Varmint 22 Hornet shoots like it has eyes! Dime size 100 yard groups with 45gr Hornady HP's with 11grs WW680 surplus ball. Winchester 680 ball and commercial 1680 propellant is the same. Only thing is surplus WW680 was $3 per pound. Still have about 60 pounds left in the keg. This WW680 was the propellant used in 30 US carbine ammo. The powder was sold off as surplus about 20 years ago. Mike McPhearson wrote a great reloader manual. He was quite an experimenter. His load data lists many different and unusual propellants and successful loadings. My ole Ruger No 1 has alot of blood on it. Even a nice 8 point buck shot at 200 yards. Just a tiny 45 gr boolit!!! Your CZ527 in 22 Hornet is a great rifle. Have fun tuning up a good load. If you can't find any 1680 powder I will send you some WW680 to try.

Wow, that is very generous! I will send you a PM once I get my ducks in a row; sounds like good powder especially in todays market. Thank you very much!

[timboslice]

I like LilGun with 45 & 50 grain bullets out of my CZ. My chronograph data indicates the CCI500 SP primers give me the best/consistent velocities, and I've tried every US small pistol and small rifle primer in my tests (including magnums). My rifle really seems to like the Hornady 50 SP/SX with 12.6 of LilGun. The accuracy champ at 100 yards was with Nosler 40 grain Varmageddon HP bullets with 10 grains of N110 lit by the CCi 500 SP primer. I didn't think I'd ever see single digit standard deviation velocities in my Hornet until I tried N110. The velocities hover around 2700 fps with the 40 grain bullets, which suits me fine with the accuracy I get.

Great info, I'll use this data to compile some starting loads for myself. Thanks a bunch!

[cherokeetracker]

I am not trying to stir up a Hornets nest,,, Pun intended,,,, But I finally went with a Jword bullet. The Sierra Blitzking in 40 gr with Vhitavouri N110 powder and pistol primers has been a stellar load for my Thompson 10" octagon pistol. I will take some photos to show the results at 100yds. I had tried Lil Gun and H110 but preferred this N110 powder to all else. Oh and yes I did try the 6 1/2 primers of Remington. Not sure if they affected the load that was with Lil Gun and H110 or not. But I did switch to pistol primers when I went to the hitavouri powder.

[maddog13]

My KHornet likes the 34gr Midway Dogtown HP, Winchester small pistol primer, and 13 grs Lil Gun.