The quest for the perfect 40gr 22 Hornet bullet

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thepie

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Hornet lovers unite! So many 22 Hornet shooters report that the 35-40gr is the absolute sweet spot, and I'm hoping to share information on your best 40gr 224 bullet. My own Hornet journey has just begun, and as a South African shooter and hunter we are fairly limited to whatever is being imported

My rifle is a 1949 BRNO ZKW 465, handed down by my father to me earlier this year and I have really enjoyed sourcing LilGun, SPP and RCBS dies. Currently I have access to the cheapest S&B 45gr SP similar to Sierra 45gr, which is also available at a more premium price point. I found a box of Speer 50gr Varmints, and whilst a bit long, they do fit in my magazine if I seat them a bit deeper - and they stabilize in my 1/16 twist. Then we have Hornady Vmax in 35gr and 40gr - but this is the only 40gr I can source locally - and as you probably guessed, they are just too long to fit in my magazine.

For whatever reason, the 40gr bullets are far and few - but I'm curious if anyone has tried the Speer 40gr Varmint Soft Point Bullet .224 (Part #1017)? They look like they would be the perfect 22 Hornet bullet, but no-one has ever imported them to South Africa, at least none that I can find. As mentoined, I found Speer in 50gr (and 155gr HotCor for my .308) so if any SA shooters know of other options available, please let me know how they perform and availability.

Looking forward to hearing from your personal experiences with 40gr 224?

#22Hornet, #40gr, #224
 
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It's been a while but yes the little Sierra and s&b range where some of my favourites.
I did use some speer 40gn that looked like a spire point . Speer did or do make a 50gn hp that I got to work. Their TNT was a bit long iirc but you never know.
I never came across their 45gn offerings.
The v max may work if you pull the tip out .
The 40gn v max is a favourite in my 222.

I never tried lilgun, before my hornet time. I just used h110 and 2400.
Try not to get sucked into making it something it isn't. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for maxing out a cartridge but the 22 hornet delivers withing it's envelope at standard speeds over and extra 100fps anyway.
 
Look no further than Sierra 40gr sp #1200 Hornet.
Someone was selling off a few on here a week or two ago. I was tempted, but have several hundred of those, and several hundred 35gr Vmax.
 
Thanks Smelly - appreciate your response. I'm not too concerned with speed, but more interested in accuracy up to 150m - maybe 200m. I chrono'd my 35gr loads with Lilgun from 12.4-12.7gr and they were mostly 3025fps - which is plenty fast for me. If I can improve the accuracy out to 200m then I have won. I'm told the 35gr just don't have the reach past 150m - hence my 40gr quest!

Interestingly, my S&B 45gr are actually 43.7gr on my RCBS digital scale. quite consistently - though I'm yet to chrono these. I did find 2 accuracy nodes at 12.4 & 12.8gr of LilGun - Fiocchi SPP.
 
I have shot most things that i can fit into my CZ Hornet . For price, use and availability I think you cant beat the PPU 40 grain . Paying for really expensive stuff is no better . I have had my Hornet about 20 years or more and its a great little gun from Rabbit to Fox indeed it was once the go to Roe in the past
 
Bo Diddley said:
Look no further than Sierra 40gr sp #1200 Hornet.
Someone was selling off a few on here a week or two ago. I was tempted, but have several hundred of those, and several hundred 35gr Vmax.
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Oh - I live in darkest Africa - not easily available anywhere here at an affordable price. I have seen 1 online shop but they are almost triple the price of the S&B 45gr and look identical! But good to know...
 
you can modify the magazine on a CZ527 to take the 40grain vmax, it not that difficult a diy job, detail via google, or use a single shot sledge? magazine. I download and 3d printed one. You may be able to do likewise for the BRNO.

currently using the 40grain vmax and the speer 40grain soft point. Both with lilgun. Still work in progress to decide on best option as not had the rifle long or much opportunity for load development, hoping that will change very soon.

The BC for the 35grain vmax is not as good as the 40grain, so would not be my first choice.
 
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I know it's possible to hack away at the magazine, but the ZKW's magazines are hard to find and expensive to replace. I know of a local manufacturer who still makes aftermarket steel magazines, but at over £100 for a single magazine, I'm not going to mess with it! Can probably load single shots - but something about this just feels wrong when I have a magazine capable of handling 5 rounds. Just fussy...

Please do give me feedback on the speer 40grain soft points - if you have a chrono for both bullets and loads then bonus points!!
 
thepie said:
Oh - I live in darkest Africa - not easily available anywhere here at an affordable price. I have seen 1 online shop but they are almost triple the price of the S&B 45gr and look identical! But good to know...
Click to expand...
I did not realise your location.
I have cut the tips off 40gr Vmax to enable them to feed from my Anschutz magazine; good accuracy. My rifle is a 1986 vintage.
 
thepie said:
I know it's possible to hack away at the magazine, but the ZKW's magazines are hard to find and expensive to replace. I know of a local manufacturer who still makes aftermarket steel magazines, but at over £100 for a single magazine, I'm not going to mess with it! Can probably load single shots - but something about this just feels wrong when I have a magazine capable of handling 5 rounds. Just fussy...

Please do give me feedback on the speer 40grain soft points - if you have a chrono for both bullets and loads then bonus points!!
Click to expand...

being a tight bugger, I actually prefer the single shot method than the magazine, as I find it easier to retain the brass.

i am using 13grains of lilgun, just got a radar type chronograph so will have the velocities soon.
 
The Sierra 40 gr HP bullet and a case full of Lil Gun are very accurate in mine, but they're a tad hard, penciling through and ricocheting. I've had good results with H110 powder, too. My go-to bullet is the Nosler 40gr Varmageddon with the black tips, although the same bullet in hollow point is good too. These are very accurate and no problem expanding at hornet speeds. Mine are usually about 2800/2900 fps.

cjs
 
thepie said:
I know it's possible to hack away at the magazine, but the ZKW's magazines are hard to find and expensive to replace. I know of a local manufacturer who still makes aftermarket steel magazines, but at over £100 for a single magazine, I'm not going to mess with it! Can probably load single shots - but something about this just feels wrong when I have a magazine capable of handling 5 rounds. Just fussy...

Please do give me feedback on the speer 40grain soft points - if you have a chrono for both bullets and loads then bonus points!!
Click to expand...
Pushing the .22 hornet ends up to absolute nothing once the pot is stirred . It is what it is , fill 'em full of LilGun and get at 'em !
The reason the Hornet has lasted all this time is it does something that no other round can match go to a .223rem or similar if you more speed and more weight in the projectile .
40 grain cup and core bullet and around half the powder of a .223rem , with all the extra noise and yeah cost . Those are the main reason I pick it out the safe when its Rabbit time etc
I have shot a fair few speer 40grain soft point , its OK as are the RWS ( if you are ok with the price and poor availability ) But buying a bag in from Henry Kranks 40 grain cup and core Suits the pocket and the purpose very well. The PRIVI Brass they sell are ideal for my CZ Hornet .
 
thepie said:
hot damn! (if that's a 5 hole group at 100m?) Show me your 150m & 200m if you got em? I would be very happy with that kind of accuracy too! Assuming 35gr Vmax?
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Yes, 5-shot 100-yard witnessed group using 35g crimped V-Max, 13grns of Lil-Gun and small pistol primers.

I see the Hornet as a 100-yard rifle so have never concerned myself with groups at 150 or 200.


K
 
Klenchblaize said:
Yes, 5-shot 100-yard witnessed group using 35g crimped V-Max, 13grns of Lil-Gun and small pistol primers.

I see the Hornet as a 100-yard rifle so have never concerned myself with groups at 150 or 200.


K
Click to expand...
It is I agree a 100 yard gun unless you have the perfect conditions . I have shot a fair amount further but its a " should have brought a bigger gun thing" IMHO but on targets its great fun training though
 
Bowland blades said:
Pushing the .22 hornet ends up to absolute nothing once the pot is stirred . It is what it is , fill 'em full of LilGun and get at 'em !
The reason the Hornet has lasted all this time is it does something that no other round can match go to a .223rem or similar if you more speed and more weight in the projectile .
40 grain cup and core bullet and around half the powder of a .223rem , with all the extra noise and yeah cost . Those are the main reason I pick it out the safe when its Rabbit time etc
I have shot a fair few speer 40grain soft point , its OK as are the RWS ( if you are ok with the price and poor availability ) But buying a bag in from Henry Kranks 40 grain cup and core Suits the pocket and the purpose very well. The PRIVI Brass they sell are ideal for my CZ Hornet .
Click to expand...
Not chasing speed, just accuracy and optimal weight for hunting. I would not bother with a 223, if I was going up it would be 6 Dasher or 6 ARC for close to .243 hunting performance.

I think you agree that 40gr SP offers the sweet spot for the 22 Hornet?
 
thepie said:
Not chasing speed, just accuracy and optimal weight for hunting. I would not bother with a 223, if I was going up it would be 6 Dasher or 6 ARC for close to .243 hunting performance.

I think you agree that 40gr SP offers the sweet spot for the 22 Hornet?
Click to expand...
Ah there are so many reasons i step up to 223 at times at times , been burned when the less used disapear from the shelves
 
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