22 Hornet reloading issues.

2800-2850 fps is easier and will actually fit in all 22 hornet cases . RP cases in .22 hornet are rare in the UK and expensive and the walls are thinner than most . Once supplies of Lil'gun powder have been used , we will be forced onto Vhit ( Do NOT fill the case as most Hornet users do now pressures will reach way past safe if you do ) . RP is also weaker having thinner walls .
RWS cases are very good quality in 22 Hornet but a bit hard to obtain unless you shoot factory and then re load them. I have used PPU for a good long time and i have to say the accuracy and metallurgy of their product is such that I buy nothing else - The prices are also a lot lower than any other - you will loose loots of empties when using hornet ( they are so small )
 
Some load info from a very experienced loader friend in Canada.
Ken.
Do a test with simply filling the case to the brim ( WITH LILGUN and PPU brass ) tip them out and weigh the charges again . What was a fiddly and slow process becomes a dream . Time saved by just setting your std type dropper , though i have heard that some just fill the case and scrape off the excess
THIS IS ONLY WHEN USING LIL'GUN POWDER
 
2800-2850 fps is easier and will actually fit in all 22 hornet cases . RP cases in .22 hornet are rare in the UK and expensive and the walls are thinner than most . Once supplies of Lil'gun powder have been used , we will be forced onto Vhit ( Do NOT fill the case as most Hornet users do now pressures will reach way past safe if you do ) . RP is also weaker having thinner walls .
RWS cases are very good quality in 22 Hornet but a bit hard to obtain unless you shoot factory and then re load them. I have used PPU for a good long time and i have to say the accuracy and metallurgy of their product is such that I buy nothing else - The prices are also a lot lower than any other - you will loose loots of empties when using hornet ( they are so small )
What exactly have you done Metallurgy wise to convince you to buy nothing else?
KB.
Ps. The info I posted that came from a friend was very specific and not just saying fill the case up (Nothing wrong with that) and not knowing what’s happening internal Balistics wise.
 
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What exactly have you done Metallurgy wise to convince you to buy nothing else?
KB.
Ps. The info I posted that came from a friend was very specific and not just saying fill the case up (Nothing wrong with that) and not knowing what’s happening internal Balistics wise.
Shot a stink load of .22 hornet loads over the last 20 years or so ? I have been through the whole deal from using the kit i have from when i shot bench rest to what i now do which is far more basic . The Basic might just matter at 300 yards measuring but only on a perfect day i bet .
I would btw not bother with anything but my L.E Wilson chamber neck sizer because the hornet needs to be straight and the grip i use is just enough using neck bushings . I use a small benchrest arbour press to seat ( cant emphasise the importance of everything needs to be straight , Normal loading presses are tough to perfectly centre with std reloading presses
 
Shot a stink load of .22 hornet loads over the last 20 years or so ? I have been through the whole deal from using the kit i have from when i shot bench rest to what i now do which is far more basic . The Basic might just matter at 300 yards measuring but only on a perfect day i bet .
I would btw not bother with anything but my L.E Wilson chamber neck sizer because the hornet needs to be straight and the grip i use is just enough using neck bushings . I use a small benchrest arbour press to seat ( cant emphasise the importance of everything needs to be straight , Normal loading presses are tough to perfectly centre with std reloading presses
Hi,
I think we differ on our definition of Metallurgy.
KB.
 
I found the Nosler BTs a tad hard at Hornet speeds, the 40g Varmas in BT or hollow point are softer, so expand better and don't whizz off into the unknown. The Sierra 40g hollow point is excellent through mine, but again a bit hard, great for hares though. I've never got 3000fps out of any 40g. 18' HW66.

cjs
 
Don't get you there . You can look it up in a dictionary for the definition of the word , please be precise as to what your saying please
You accuracy and Metallurgy as two reasons to use PPU brass.
I asked you how you’d used Metallurgy and nothing you’ve written since even touches on Metallurgy.
That’s what I was saying.
Thanks, Ken.
 
I h
You accuracy and Metallurgy as two reasons to use PPU brass.
I asked you how you’d used Metallurgy and nothing you’ve written since even touches on Metallurgy.
That’s what I was saying.
Thanks, Ken.
I have a suspision your talking about cases and i am as i stated talking metallurgy. . The Case is another matter to the quality of the dies and the packaging / tollerances . The BEST ALL ROUND if we are talking Brass Hornet cases has to be RWS , try getting it loose in the UK though . PPU has poor packaging and sorting but the Brass itself is made with really good Brass and is made in a country that has always supplied Brass stock all over the planet .
Winchester hornet Brass has the highest fill level because of the design of thinner walls and likely has the highest fill ( hence you can often make faster velocities with it , PPU as perhaps the lowest fill level ( because its thicker in the walls ) . You will loose it before you wear it out most times though as it has good ductility in my my experiance.
If i could get new cases in RWS i would likely buy that if i was shooting over say 200 yards on paper. The area around Privi is where most of all Europes brass for far more than just cases and has as such a lot of skill in anything brass component and bar and sheet stock
 
Hi,
I think we differ on our definition of Metallurgy.
KB.
METULURGY IT IS A VERY BIG NET . I am being very specific here , regards times fired , constency over the chrono , etc . etc . I did not do NDT . But that matters little problems such as necks starting cracking will show as you shoot the same cases over and over . The brass is indeed very tough to evenly anneal because its so thin . I am not using NDT scanning , its far less than a quid each to buy PPU in bulk and in fact using Lilgun You will loose the case before you reach more than ten times . If anyone wants to know more ? get some new brass and cut and inspect 1 fire , 2 fire all the way to ten - then chuck it ! Doing this and using minimum will give anyone more than enough to do .
PPU needs a little fettling but the brass is good , RWS is good for those who can search for it but you dont need to do more than fill it and its good to go but it wont last as long as PPU , it has i admit less capacity than RWS but that wont get you any more velocity of use and it will be cracking before PPU
 
So I disagree with the comment of fill the case to the top and squash a bullet in with lil gun and Yourl be fine…. A mate of mine has an old .223 barrelled .22 hornet and with lil gun his load is 10.2gr at 10.8 he’s got pressure signs and flattening of primers !

I am just starting out reloading for my Hornets (both CZ 527’s) and this is my findings so far with my first rifle (Lil Gun & 40gr SBK)

I need to further test 11.6gr & 12.2gr. Groups shot at 100yards.

I can get over 14gr in my cases but it’s wasted with max velocity at 12.6gr. Obviously this will differ between rifles.

And my journey and testing continues with this little calibre but it’s currently working well on fox to 200 yards.
 

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you look to have some large swings of velocity within some of the loads, what is the SD for each load?
what chronograph are you using?
 
Have you tried using pistol primers and crimping?

If you're not simply filling cases to the brim with Li-Gun; I do not recommend it, it's worth being super-careful in the weighing of your chosen charge as small deviations can make a big difference to group sizes.

K
 
So I disagree with the comment of fill the case to the top and squash a bullet in with lil gun and Yourl be fine…. A mate of mine has an old .223 barrelled .22 hornet and with lil gun his load is 10.2gr at 10.8 he’s got pressure signs and flattening of primers !

I am just starting out reloading for my Hornets (both CZ 527’s) and this is my findings so far with my first rifle (Lil Gun & 40gr SBK)

I need to further test 11.6gr & 12.2gr. Groups shot at 100yards.

I can get over 14gr in my cases but it’s wasted with max velocity at 12.6gr. Obviously this will differ between rifles.

And my journey and testing continues with this little calibre but it’s currently working well on fox to 200 yards.
Not with Lilgun powder it wont! Unless you do something really stupid . Do it with vhit or many other powders and yeah expect problems , likewise if you have a pile of junk rifle the wrong primers and never with most powders just LilGun ( though their is a couple of others , i have no personal experience of )
What you should look out for though is not enough powder when seeking light or subsonic rounds as flash over can be nasty
I suggest its the " old 223barreled hornet" that created the issue the modern hornet uses 224
 
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