.22 Hornet Reloading

[Overlay]

I love shooting the Hornet, Anschultz make a decent rifle which helps, I can’t find fault with the Rifle or calibre

Reloading I looked at lil gun and 35 grn heads

 

[Muir]

I loved my Hornet, had a 1953 BRNO with double set trigger, 40 grain V-Max, case full of Lil' Gun, small rifle primer and a crimped neck 2800-2900 fps. Fond memories.

John

I've got a photo of that rifle being used by a scruffy teenager hanging in my living room. It was a serious shooter. Wasn't that rifle dated 1949? For some reason that date has always stuck in my head when I think of that little beast killer.~Muir

And FWIW, illustrating the trend in the US towards heavier .224 bullets, the big shop in the city had 35 and 40 grain V-Max at almost give away prices. The kind of prices we were seeing 10 years ago. If I didn't already have a couple thou of each......

 

[JAYB]

I've got a photo of that rifle being used by a scruffy teenager hanging in my living room. It was a serious shooter. Wasn't that rifle dated 1949? For some reason that date has always stuck in my head when I think of that little beast killer.~Muir

And FWIW, illustrating the trend in the US towards heavier .224 bullets, the big shop in the city had 35 and 40 grain V-Max at almost give away prices. The kind of prices we were seeing 10 years ago. If I didn't already have a couple thou of each......

You're right it was a year younger than me! The boy got some use out of that little rifle. I remember he took a shot at a rabbit about 170 yards away, we saw it hit behind, the next day the rabbit was back in position and young Andy nailed it this time. When we recovered it there were two 40 grain V-MAX holes, one in each ear the attempt from the day before having pierced it's ears, todays attempt having pierced it's head! Happy days

Hard to believe that young shooter is now married with a, very well named, youngster of his own.

 

[Muir]

You're right it was a year younger than me! The boy got some use out of that little rifle. I remember he took a shot at a rabbit about 170 yards away, we saw it hit behind, the next day the rabbit was back in position and young Andy nailed it this time. When we recovered it there were two 40 grain V-MAX holes, one in each ear the attempt from the day before having pierced it's ears, todays attempt having pierced it's head! Happy days

Hard to believe that young shooter is now married with a, very well named, youngster of his own.

I'd forgotten about the piercing! He really liked that rifle which was the push to ger him the CZ527 Hornet. I still have a pic of him and his first winter-coat prairiedog. 180 yards in the head. I think that first summer when you were here that CZ hardly left his shoulder. Every photo has that rifle slung in place.
Good times indeed. Cousin. Think we might be getting old??~Muir

 

[JAYB]

I'd forgotten about the piercing! He really liked that rifle which was the push to ger him the CZ527 Hornet. I still have a pic of him and his first winter-coat prairiedog. 180 yards in the head. I think that first summer when you were here that CZ hardly left his shoulder. Every photo has that rifle slung in place.
Good times indeed. Cousin. Think we might be getting old??~Muir

Not old, just that our bodies are way in advance of our minds

 

[aljaz11]

As a result of having too much fun with my Anschutz 1432 and also began reloading. I am using RWS brass, N110 and RWS 46gr MJ. I have noticed that almost full and slighly compressed loads lead to poor concentricity and I wanted to ask for your advice on how to improve my reloading.

I am using Bonanza benchreste die set, my brass is clean trimmed and deburred. I resize my casses (I only resize the lenght of neck that grips the bullet) have 0.001 runout while seated bullets 0.005 - 0.007. When I am reload my 222 I usually finish reloading with much less run-out.

I have been thinking about using expander mandrel to decreasse neck tension but that would mean I would need to finish the reloading with a crimp? Any thoughts suggestions?

 

[Muir]

Get a Lee Universal Expander die and put a slight flare on the case mouth. It's detailed on the first page of this Thread. I use a Collet die, trim to equal length, flare the case mouth, seat and crimp. My CZ 527 is one of my most accurate CF rifles.~Muir

PS: Do yourself a favor: stop measuring concentricity. It's not worthy anything at Hornet distances....

 

[aljaz11]

Hi Muir, many thanks for your reply. Yes, what your are saying makes a lot of sense. I am not familiar with Lee Univ. Exapander but I will try it.

When I started testing different loads, concentricity issue got under my skin I could stop checking it I appreciate your advice (it will save me time and worries) !!

 

[User00025]

I too reload with lil gun, using 13 grains, with a 45 grain bullet. I found it really easy to make accurate rounds, and as others have said, crimping helped a lot.

I load exactly the same after trying from 12gr up.
13 grains of Lil gun pushing Sierra 45gr soft point. I don't crimp but very accurate at up to 150 yds. I only neck size and use CCI small rifle primers and PPU cases.

 

[Muir]

Hi Muir, many thanks for your reply. Yes, what your are saying makes a lot of sense. I am not familiar with Lee Univ. Exapander but I will try it.

When I started testing different loads, concentricity issue got under my skin I could stop checking it I appreciate your advice (it will save me time and worries) !!

I have been loading Hornet for decades. This is what I finally came up with:
Collet neck size
Trim all cartridges to same length
Flare just enough with the universal expander to get the parallel side of the bullet in the case mouth.
Use small pistol primers.
13.5 of Lil Gun measured by volume. (not weighed)
Seat to chosen OAL
Crimp with Lee Factory Crimp Die.

This is a winner in the three CZ 527's I load for. With good bullets, sub half MOA for three shots, consistently. I fired a ten shot group measuring .66" in a cross wind. Seven rounds made a ragged hole, the other three were on the down wind side of the hole.~Muir

 

[jb7x57]

Can you use the lee 22 hornet factory crimp die on a khornet as well ??

 

[Klenchblaize]

Can you use the lee 22 hornet factory crimp die on a khornet as well ??

It will depend on the variance from standard Hornet OCL. If shorter you will need to modify (reduce) either the shell holder thickness or die base to permit the required lowering and engagement of the crimping petals. I had to do this with my standard Hornet as my RWS cases now have very short necks. But they are "worth it"!

K

 

[BigBuff1959]

I have an Anschutz 1700 left hand and I’ve had headspace issue with the Hornady 35gr ammo an can’t close the bolt ?!?!? The rifle is a tack driver and has hardly been used and shoots every other brand fine - anyone find A similar issue with the Hornady ammo ?

 

[Ttocs]

I’ve a Anschutz 1730 and no problem with the Hornady 35s. I don’t use them because they don’t shoot well from my rifle. However, I load 40gr Vmax over Lilgun and REM 61/2 primers 3050f/s and it very accurate. 1/2” at 180 yards with 7cm drop from a 100y zero.

 

[crow juice]

I know the prevailing wisdom for 22 Hornet loading is to use small pistol primers but both my Savage 40 and my Contender Carbine have pierced small pistol primers . These were specifically Remington 51/2's , Winchester Brass , 12.7 grs. Lil-Gun. Might just be the Remington primers . I have recently been using Remington 61/2 and CCI 400 Small rifle primers with good results and no issues.

 

[Muir]

Can you use the lee 22 hornet factory crimp die on a khornet as well ??

Lee will make you one if you send them 3 dummy (I would drill a hole through the cases to emphasize that they are inert) rounds. I'm sure that have made dozens of them for people. In fact, they might be able to make you one without the inert cartridges. Send them an email.~Muir

PS: I went to a site that is Lee's main distributor to see if they offered the 22K as a specialty item. I didn't find it, but noted that Lee now makes 70 different Collet dies.

 

[Muir]

I know the prevailing wisdom for 22 Hornet loading is to use small pistol primers but both my Savage 40 and my Contender Carbine have pierced small pistol primers . These were specifically Remington 51/2's , Winchester Brass , 12.7 grs. Lil-Gun. Might just be the Remington primers . I have recently been using Remington 61/2 and CCI 400 Small rifle primers with good results and no issues.

I use CCI and had one pierced primer in the last 20 years. I just noted that there was a small black spot at the base of the firing pin indentation and that was it. No outward signs.~Muir

 

[User00025]

I'm a novice at Hornet loading. I use CCI small rifle, 13grns Lilgun and 45 gr Sierra soft point.
Accurate enough for me, seems fast, kills things and no problems.

 

[crow juice]

When I converted over to small rifle primers I didn't see any change in group size. Just in case anybody was wondering.
Also AA1680 is a good powder for the hornet if you haven't tried it . In west Tennessee where I live it is easier to find than Lil-Gun or H110/296 right now.

 

[Foxyboy43]

I've got a photo of that rifle being used by a scruffy teenager hanging in my living room. It was a serious shooter. Wasn't that rifle dated 1949? For some reason that date has always stuck in my head when I think of that little beast killer.~Muir

And FWIW, illustrating the trend in the US towards heavier .224 bullets, the big shop in the city had 35 and 40 grain V-Max at almost give away prices. The kind of prices we were seeing 10 years ago. If I didn't already have a couple thou of each......

Why had you hung a scruffy teenager in your room - some trophy??