Hornet Unicorn

[Skipper]

I'm guessing 1:12, but I'll run a jag down it.

Recent manufacture H&R's have a 1 in 12" twist.

[blixen]

Recent manufacture H&R's have a 1 in 12" twist.

Yep. Confirmed it with a rod.

i got a second-hand Lee collet die & seater. Cast a bunch of 56 gr. Lee flat points (I guess that's the latest version of the Bator). I ordered brass through my local Cabela's, but it has yet to arrive.
If if they don't, I'll load the 25 I have on hand and head to the range (probably take 10 of them to get the scope on).

Once-shot or used Hornet brass is hard to come by and usually costs more than new Winchester! I don't know what people are thinking they've got.

[Skipper]

Yep. Confirmed it with a rod.

i got a second-hand Lee collet die & seater. Cast a bunch of 56 gr. Lee flat points (I guess that's the latest version of the Bator). I ordered brass through my local Cabela's, but it has yet to arrive.
If if they don't, I'll load the 25 I have on hand and head to the range (probably take 10 of them to get the scope on).

Once-shot or used Hornet brass is hard to come by and usually costs more than new Winchester! I don't know what people are thinking they've got.

I don't shoot 22 hornet so I don't know about price, but here's some:

https://www.diamondkbrass.com/.22-HORNET-100.html

[dtknowles]

I don't shoot 22 hornet so I don't know about price, but here's some:

https://www.diamondkbrass.com/.22-HORNET-100.html

Like the man said new and in stock at this site for a lot less than that mixed headstamp used brass.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/s...3755/cat100137

Tim

[blixen]

Thanks. I stopped at the local gun shop, which never has brass beyond .223, and they had Winchester Hornet! Bought 100 for $0.27 a case including tax. That's the best I've seen..

I'll do some shooting this weekend.

[blixen]

Loaded 75 rounds. I used the NOE neck expander and the 55 gr. Lee boolits went in easy-peasy.

[blixen]

Range day was extremely gusty, ranging from 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock. But I figured I could check function and fire form the new cases.

The trigger is great, 2-3 pounds and crisp.

the groups were ok but too many fliers-- a couple in every 10 shot group. The wind makes it hard to nail down the problem, but the groups were circular.

two grains of Red Dot under the 55 Lee did well, 2 inches at 50, with fliers.

3 grains of RD gave a cluster of 1 1/4" at 75 yards. W/flyers. Guesstimate based on my old Lyman=1500fps.

I've got quite a bit of H4227, so I tried it-- best group--7 gr.-- was 2" at75yds. With fliers. Guesstimate =1600 fps.
but at 8 gr. And 8.5 gr. The groups opened up to almost 4".

Finally, I shot some 1.3 gr. red Dot groups at 25yrd, and got nice touching clover leaves. Sounded like a standard vel. .22. Great squirrel load. Guesstimate = under 900 fps. Through the scope, I could see the boolits flying down range.

[rhouser]

I think the lee collet die in 22 Hornet was the best investment I have made for reloading my hornet. That and LIL GUN take all the challange out of reloading for the hornet.

Blixen, could you give a little more info on the NOE neck expander? I have NOE Molds, but, didn't know they made a neck expander for hornet. Does this go into a press? Sorry, but, would love more info.

thanks rch

[blixen]

I think the lee collet die in 22 Hornet was the best investment I have made for reloading my hornet. That and LIL GUN take all the challange out of reloading for the hornet.

Blixen, could you give a little more info on the NOE neck expander? I have NOE Molds, but, didn't know they made a neck expander for hornet. Does this go into a press? Sorry, but, would love more info.

thanks rch

Look here: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.p...3ieu991tc8idm7
In goes in the Lee expander die that just bells the opening of the case. Putting the NOE expander plug into the Lee Universal Expander body makes it a two-step opening.
http://www.titanreloading.com/univer...arch=expanding

[Texas by God]

I want one to rechamber to .218 Bee. Just because I like it better than the Hornet.

[rking22]

I was going to do the Bee once upon a time, if memory serves, the Bee is shorter than the Hornet so would not cleanup the chamber. I was looking at a Ruger #3 an was told it would not shoot well. Now I'm a Hornet fan, but still would like a Bee sometime!