Reloading a 222 to Hornet velocities

paulux

Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I own two CZ527 chambered in the .222 rem, and would like to reload for one of them to duplicate .22 Hornet velocities.
Unfortunatly Hogdon 4895 is not an option here for me, but Vihtavuori powders are.
Have read a SD member here using the cowboy action Tin Star N32C to reduce a 22/250 to 2000 fps (62 gr bullet).
Would Tin Star be an option for me, anyone done it ? If so where do I start with bullet weight/ starting load ? Can I expect good accuracy ?
Any advice welcomed
 
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What would the muzzle report be like at these velocities? Would like do to try some quieter rounds for rabbits etc with the 223
 
What would the muzzle report be like at these velocities? Would like do to try some quieter rounds for rabbits etc with the 223
I'd be more concerned with what accruacy you'll realise from such an experiment. Look forward to seeing the results of yours and the Op's 5-shot group testing.

All the best

K
 
I'd be more concerned with what accruacy you'll realise from such an experiment. Look forward to seeing the results of yours and the Op's 5-shot group testing.

All the best

K

120 gr .25 bullet leaving muzzle at 770 FPS (5.5 gr of trail boss in a necked up .223 case). Most definitely not stable...
 

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Quieter and less damaging rounds for fox and small game is my aim.

For those who are interested, I asked the same questions on another forum and got some helpful answers.
Why would you want to do less damage on a fox?

That said I do like a 35 gr v-max at FPS for foxing, small entry and a bag of soup that’s it. Vihtavuori’s minimum load for N110 gives 3235 FPS, this is very close to top end hornet velocities, will definitely stabilise and will be a ‘clean’ round on foxes.

I think if you have a 1:14 you will have issues stabilising
 
I am loading D073.5 Lovex powder in 223/5.56. They list loads with 55 frain bullets as low as 2150 fps. You might look there extrapolating loads downward by percentage. (222 vs 223)~Muir
 
I am loading D073.5 Lovex powder in 223/5.56. They list loads with 55 frain bullets as low as 2150 fps. You might look there extrapolating loads downward by percentage. (222 vs 223)~Muir

They list loads for 222 with speeds under the 22 hornet max. Just Google Lovex load data. Only 50 grain soft point listed atm though.
 
I hadn't looked at the Lovex data. In the US, Lovex powders are marketed under the brand name "Shooter's World" with that particular powder (and data) listed as "Tactical Rifle". I would try the load listed and edge it downward a bit. In a 223 the load listed for a 55 grain FMJ is 17 grains. That's a lot of space left in that case.~Muir
 
I hadn't looked at the Lovex data. In the US, Lovex powders are marketed under the brand name "Shooter's World" with that particular powder (and data) listed as "Tactical Rifle". I would try the load listed and edge it downward a bit. In a 223 the load listed for a 55 grain FMJ is 17 grains. That's a lot of space left in that case.~Muir

Unless it’s a bulky powder I think the same will apply in 222122080
 
120 gr .25 bullet leaving muzzle at 770 FPS (5.5 gr of trail boss in a necked up .223 case). Most definitely not stable...
Hornet velocity is more around 2000 - 2500 fps. Why do you think 25 Sharps that I'll have issues stabilising in a 1:14 barrel ?

Thanks everyone for your answers and suggestions.

I will probably either try Vectan powders (A0 or AS) which are cheaper than other powders over here, or Reload Swiss 60 which I can also use to reload for my 6.5x55.
Not before this spring when I'll have some time for that, will let you know how it goes.
 
You might like to take a look at DO60 (AA5744) as it is stated in the powder profile to be used in reduced loads for all rifles.
l shall be testing it, along with some other powders in a 6x222rem shortly with 95grn cast bullets.
 
Hornet velocity is more around 2000 - 2500 fps. Why do you think 25 Sharps that I'll have issues stabilising in a 1:14 barrel ?

Thanks everyone for your answers and suggestions.

I will probably either try Vectan powders (A0 or AS) which are cheaper than other powders over here, or Reload Swiss 60 which I can also use to reload for my 6.5x55.
Not before this spring when I'll have some time for that, will let you know how it goes.

'Hornet velocity' depends on what weight bullet you are pushing, so the 35 gr velocity I quoted is close to my 35 gr hornet load.

I would guess a 62 gr bullet at 2000 fps would be unstable from a 1:14, don't know which bullet you are using but I just plugged the data into the JBM stability calculator on line for the honady spire point flat based (so short) bullet and it shows it as being unstable
 
l believe 25 Sharps is correct here, and bullet stability will be the final determining factor.
There are several programs (l too like the JBM program) on the net that data can be inputted to which will let you know if your twist rate will allow you to use a curtain bullet.
The shorter the bullet by weight the easier it can be to stabilise, up to a point.
 
I got 45 grain soft point Hornet Hornady ones iirc down to about 2000fps out of my 222
I went with the thin jacketed Hornet bullet thinking it would expand at that speed. Accuracy was fine at 1/2moa but they ricochet for fun. I didn’t test further than that.
I was using H4895, but don’t see why you can’t duplicate the speed and accuracy with an available powder.
 
Back on this thread after some load development to share my findings.

In the end I tried Vectan pistol powder A0 with 45 gr Speer soft points (# 1023) and found exactly what I was looking for : 7,8 grains give a MV of 670 m/s (2200 fps), good accuracy and the sound level of a 22 Hornet (through a 60 cm barrel).

What has also been very satisfying is that with the same rifle and bullet, I also developt a faster load using Viht N135, getting an MV of 920 m/s (3020 fps) and a POI at 100 m exactly 2,5 cm above the slower load.

So with the POIs at 100 m of the slower and faster load set respectively at 1 cm and 3,5 cm above the point of aim, I've been able to hunt fox this summer with the one rifle and the two loads. The slower and quieter « 22 Hornet » rounds for shots up to approx 110 m, and the hotter 222 rounds for shots further away. (I've marked the case bases of the hot loads with a red marker to recognize them)

I've noticed the POI of the fast load is the same as factory Norma 62 gr SP ammo also accurate in that rifle, so I could also hunt roe with that set up.

For those interested in the topic, I was also inspired for my choices by this article : To Bee or 223, That is the Question

The icing on the cake for me is that the burnt A0 powder has a delicious smell of shotgun powder that reminds me of my small game hunts with a ,410 !
 
Back on this thread after some load development to share my findings.

In the end I tried Vectan pistol powder A0 with 45 gr Speer soft points (# 1023) and found exactly what I was looking for : 7,8 grains give a MV of 670 m/s (2200 fps), good accuracy and the sound level of a 22 Hornet (through a 60 cm barrel).

What has also been very satisfying is that with the same rifle and bullet, I also developt a faster load using Viht N135, getting an MV of 920 m/s (3020 fps) and a POI at 100 m exactly 2,5 cm above the slower load.

So with the POIs at 100 m of the slower and faster load set respectively at 1 cm and 3,5 cm above the point of aim, I've been able to hunt fox this summer with the one rifle and the two loads. The slower and quieter « 22 Hornet » rounds for shots up to approx 110 m, and the hotter 222 rounds for shots further away. (I've marked the case bases of the hot loads with a red marker to recognize them)

I've noticed the POI of the fast load is the same as factory Norma 62 gr SP ammo also accurate in that rifle, so I could also hunt roe with that set up.

For those interested in the topic, I was also inspired for my choices by this article : To Bee or 223, That is the Question

The icing on the cake for me is that the burnt A0 powder has a delicious smell of shotgun powder that reminds me of my small game hunts with a ,410 !

I still don’t get why you can’t just shoot the 100 yard fox with the ‘hot’ load, particularly if the fox was at 150 you’d use the hot load any way!

Each to their own though
 
I still don’t get why you can’t just shoot the 100 yard fox with the ‘hot’ load, particularly if the fox was at 150 you’d use the hot load any way!
The reasons for me to prefer the reduced load when possible (shorter range) are the same as why I would prefer using a 22 Hornet over a 222.

I find the report of a 22 Hornet far less disturbing, especially when close to houses or farm buildings. I’ve often in the past avoided shots because of the blast of the unmoderated 222, which I don’t anymore with the reduced load.

Even if I don’t eat fox, I like the fact that the reduced load doesn’t turn them inside out at short range.

A 22 Hornet is a rabbit/hare gun, a 222 isn’t. Both are perfect fox guns, and the 222 is also good for roe. It’s just so nice with the two loads to have the two guns in one.

By the way it also makes reloading simpler, with 222 cases and dies only. Just much less powder (and ££/€€) for the reduced load.
 
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