Triggermortis
Well-Known Member
From memory I seem to recall a post that stated the .224cal 50g spsx’s can disintegrate if pushed too fast, anyone had this happen ?
.22 Hornet Reloading
- Thread starter aljaz11
- Start date
From what I read on the SD we would do well to find non lead alternatives and ASAP.
Is there such a thing as a fast expanding (explosive) all copper 35g bullet to replace the lead based V-Max?
K
Is there such a thing as a fast expanding (explosive) all copper 35g bullet to replace the lead based V-Max?
K
8x57
Distinguished Member
Not personally as I've only used the SXSP in .222 rem and velocities were well down on the maximum recommended on the slip of paper included in each box of bullets. They certainly lived up to the Super Explosive name when used on crows and magpies.
A friend who had a .220 swift claimed that he had experienced bullets blowing up though.
Hairysausagefingers
Well-Known Member
Thanks Blobbs, I have a box and a half of Sierra 40gr soft points to go at when I feel ready for some more frustration, but nice to know that stubby 50gr bullets stabilise in your 1:16.
As a point of interest my BSA has the following stamped on the barrel "45 GRS BULLET"
I imagine that's what BSA thought it would handle as a max (or perhaps they thought that was the optimum bullet weight at the time).
It also has ".22 HORNET 1.43"" stamped just above. This can't be anýthing other than the max case trim length. I'm trimming 40 thousandths shorter (Lee handheld case trimmer) and I wonder if I've missed a trick here by going too short?
You would have to be pushing those 50gr Hornady SPSXs at some lick before they disintegrate on their way to one's target methinks!!???. They ARE 'quite' soft (a relative statement) but due to that are a good fragmentary projectile at .223 velocities (and MY loading for said - which I use for foxing) gets them up into the 3350->3400fps range and NO problems whatsoever, so any fears of them breaking up when fired from the wee .22 Hornet are truly unfounded... I think that kind of reaction might happen only at really top-end 22-250 velocities or faster yet cartridges, with the type, number of, depth and rate of twist of the rifling playing a part in this possible reaction. Never had it ACTUALLY happen myself though and never heard of it happening to any others I know using them, so fear not using them. They are 'old-style' lead softpoint bullets, but within reasonable ranges they are really excellent, efficient fox finishers, believe me!!
I might NOT use them at Max. Velocities in my .22 Swift if I ever bought one though, just in case!!
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And if NOT driven FAST most of those monolithic built bullets will also tend not to expand quickly, and for the small, living targets readers to this thread shoot at, very quick expansion/break-up is a very important consideration! Little cartridges like our much loved .22 Hornet and .22 Bees (and other little Wlidcat cartridges of relatively moderate velocities) will suffer greatly if/when lead core projectiles are banned or totally replaced!.. Have to admit I rue the day anything like this happens, and hope this change takes several more decades yet.. Then I WON'T have to worry at all... Ha!
I think it might well be as per your second thought here Chirs, that BSA imprinted "45 GRS BULLET" on the barrel of your (and other) of their .22 Hornet rifles cos it was considered by many to be "the optimum" projectile for this wee calibre. You can get higher velocities with lighter bullets, but not by much, and the energy those lighter projectiles carry with them tends to decrease faster with distance, so there comes a point in the bullet trajectory where the 45gr bullet will likely be going as fast as the faster slowing, lighter weight one, and thus carrying more bullet energy too... I don't know if that STILL hold water quite to well as it did "back in the day" with our better shaped projectiles in lighter weigts - though not many to choose from! - but that certainly was the sense of the time.
If one looks for factory ammo - and I have only bought and used Winchester and Remington .22 Hornet Cartridges (and a very few RWS!) I seem to recall only ever seeing 45gr softpoints and 46gr HP options available. There MAY have been others, but I never ever saw any on gunshop shelves, and I have shot this fine cartridge now for something approaching 40 years (owch!)... I only shot 2 x 20 round boxes of the RWS fodder cos it was hard to find, as expensive as HELL, and had a really wimpy velocity, about that of a 40gr. .22 Magnum rimfire!!, around 2250fps I seem to recall..
Barnes Varmint grenades aren't monolithic
Varmint Grenade®
www.barnesbullets.com
Based on a design Barnes developed for military applications, the hollow-cavity, flat-base bullet features a copper-tin powdered metal core surrounded by a guilding metal jacket.
The bullet remains intact at ultra-high velocities in fast twist barrels, while its highly frangible core fragments violently on impact. Produces instant fragmentation, virtually vaporizing ground squirrels and prairie dogs, even at long range. Varmint Grenades instantly expend their energy, seldom exiting large predators like bobcats and coyotes, leaving valuable pelts virtually undamaged.
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Varmint Grenade®
Based on a design Barnes developed for military applications, the hollow-cavity, flat-base bullet features a copper-tin powdered metal core surrounded by a guilding metal jacket.
The bullet remains intact at ultra-high velocities in fast twist barrels, while its highly frangible core fragments violently on impact. Produces instant fragmentation, virtually vaporizing ground squirrels and prairie dogs, even at long range. Varmint Grenades instantly expend their energy, seldom exiting large predators like bobcats and coyotes, leaving valuable pelts virtually undamaged.
Like I said, the Varmint Grenades are not monolithic.
The 30s are also not very explosive at hornet velocities, circa 3150 fps.
I imported 800 via an RFD and sold the bulk of them on as they were far less explosive than my normal 35 gr v-max and not as accurate
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Fox Red
Well-Known Member
You need to get that 22 Hornet rebarelled and rejoin the club. You convinced me to get one and it was a great decision!
You need one back in your life.. Got to be my favourite rifle in the cabinet. Very underrated.
I've still got one BRNO fox 2, its a lovely little rifle but has a smaller ejection port than the 527, not a massive issue but i shoot off of quad sticks mainly and catch the brass with my left hand, this doesn't work too well with the BRNO because of the small port some don't quite get clear and its costing me rabbits.
Since CZ has discontinued the .22 Hornet in 2021, now would be the time to pick up another if you are able to....
I'm still wondering if there is just a 527 replacement model coming down the pipe, or if they really are doing away with, what has been several popular cartridge offerings....
I'm still wondering if there is just a 527 replacement model coming down the pipe, or if they really are doing away with, what has been several popular cartridge offerings....
Just don’t bother trying these as they won’t staberlise in my Anschutz:
K
K
Fox Red
Well-Known Member
Shame. Glad I found mine when I did.
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If they’re anything like the 30s they’ll be hard as hell too
I still think you should sell me your stock!
Good job someone talked you into the calibre......
Fox Red
Well-Known Member
It's still in the shed. I'm tempted to oil it up and stick it back on the CZ527.
Still grateful you suggested the 22H
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