22 Hornet pressure?

[mazo kid]

I am wanting to use up some 22 Hornet ammo in my Stevens 044-1/2 and a Low Wall in 22WCF. Would 10 gr. of IMR 4227 under a 40gr. boolit be acceptable as far as pressure? Velocity is about 2400fps in a Ruger 77.

[DLCTEX]

My Speer manual #9 lists 11.5gr as a max charge of 4227 for 2778 fps. And Speer #10 has it at 12 gr. for 2884. This is for the 40 gr. jacketed. If you are loading cast boolits Lyman's 45th edition lists 9.5 gr. 4227 for the 45 gr. 225438 for2267 fps.

[Dale53]

The Stevens 044½ will take any reasonable pressure for a .22 Hornet if it is in good condition. However, the original Winchester Low-Wall is a bit tender for the Hornet. I had one when just a lad (a hundred years or so ago:mrgreen:) and cracked the breechblock with published loads (with jacketed bullets). Since then I have learned that the original low-wall is a bit tender for any modern pressure center fire. You are right to be concerned about that action.

I would suggest that you make a phone call to Hodgdon and ask one of their techs what he thinks. They have pressure tested data and they can help you. I have found them very helpful.

Dale53

[mazo kid]

Thanks to both Dales...I had loaded some mild loads for the Low Wall a few years ago. I know it is not identical to the 22 Hornet, but I always thought it close enough to use low end data. Emery

[Dale53]

mazo kid;
I have used a .22 Hornet with cast bullets for squirrel hunting. I used 3.0 grs of Unique with a 225415 Lyman gas checked bullet (linotype). This should give you about 1320 fps. That shoots well to and including 100 yards and should give you about all you need with a .22 WCF (very close to the same cartridge case as the Hornet). The Unique load will be safe in the low-wall (in fact, I would not be afraid to go to 4.0 grs if the rifle is accurate at that level. I believe that 4.0 grs will exceed the black powder limit (without looking in my reference material) and if the rifle shoots well, it should be enough for most any purpose for that .22 WCF.

My Hornet made a FINE squirrel rifle and was considerably better than a .22 rimfire simply because of the flat nose. It killed considerably better and was pretty quiet, also.

Keep in mind that the .22 WCF was designed for a larger bullet than the Hornet (barrel groove diameter is considerably larger in diameter, if this is an original barrel). That will definitely affect your choice of a proper bullet diameter for your rifle.

Dale53

[mazo kid]

Thanks for sharing, Dale. Yes I do know about the bore differences between the 22WCF and the 22 Hornet. Glad to see you are watching out over us.

[leadman]

Never hurts to mention potential safety issues and ither items that may or may not be common knowledge.
Keeps us all safe. We certainly don't need any guns made into scrap metal or personal injuries.
Thanks to all that keep us safe.

[Larry Gibson]

Recent pressure testing of the .22 Hornet with a M43 Oehler using a 21" TC Contender barrel provided the following;

Winchester 46 gr HP factory;
Velocity; 2514 fps
PSI; 24,900

Sierra 40 gr .224 Hornet
RP cases
WSP primer
11.5 gr H4227
velocity; 2532 fps
PSI; 24,500

Hornady 45 gr .224 Hornet
WW cases
WSP primer
12.5 gr LilGun
Velocity; 2704 fps
PSI; 20,000

I used to use the 11.5 gr load of H4227 as my standard load for the Hornet in older rifles as well as newer ones. iIt was always a very good performing load. However, I find the LilGun load to be far superior as to accuracy, velocity and lower pressure. I would suggest you work up to that load (it is pretty much at 100% loading density). Any of the above loads should be quite safe in your rifle as would be your load also.

Larry Gibson

[leftiye]

Thanks Larry, I've been wondering about using Lil Gun with small pistol primers. Everything I've seen says that even with small rifle primers this powder is in a class all it's own in the Hornet. Pressures are unbelieveably low, velocity is unmatched, and accuracy the best. Beagle uses as little as 7.5 grains with a Lyman 225438 for 1 moa accuracy still.

[StarMetal]

Recent pressure testing of the .22 Hornet with a M43 Oehler using a 21" TC Contender barrel provided the following;

Winchester 46 gr HP factory;
Velocity; 2514 fps
PSI; 24,900

Sierra 40 gr .224 Hornet
RP cases
WSP primer
11.5 gr H4227
velocity; 2532 fps
PSI; 24,500

Hornady 45 gr .224 Hornet
WW cases
WSP primer
12.5 gr LilGun
Velocity; 2704 fps
PSI; 20,000

I used to use the 11.5 gr load of H4227 as my standard load for the Hornet in older rifles as well as newer ones. iIt was always a very good performing load. However, I find the LilGun load to be far superior as to accuracy, velocity and lower pressure. I would suggest you work up to that load (it is pretty much at 100% loading density). Any of the above loads should be quite safe in your rifle as would be your load also.

Larry Gibson

You're correct about that 4227 load, used it myself, but my CZ really really loves a particular load of 4198. I want to try that LilGun powder. I also want to try some Varget in other calibers.

Joe