Quiet load for the 22 Hornet.

[Len the dog]

35gn Vmax are maybe not the best choice for achieving a subsonic load, there are heavier stubby SPs that are no longer than the Vmax that should stabilise. After all, a 22LR comfortably launches a 40gn projectile at subsonic speeds with the same 1:16 twist.

 

[Smellydog]

35gn Vmax are maybe not the best choice for achieving a subsonic load, there are heavier stubby SPs that are no longer than the Vmax that should stabilise. After all, a 22LR comfortably launches a 40gn projectile at subsonic speeds with the same 1:16 twist.

I use to load a 45 gn S&B fmj in hornet at reduced velocity but I can not remember what powder... anyway it was like a wmr.
Shooting the bullet backwards made it more effective!

 

[Bo Diddley]

Just to my tuppence worth, I've shot a lot of foxes with the .22 Hornet, and the 35Vmax even loaded up with 13 grains of Lil'gun needs to be placed perfectly for good clean kills, I have had some "Splashy" hits that have needed a double tap, I don't think you will have much success with a 35Vmax going slowly.
Atb
BD.

 

[Smellydog]

Just to my tuppence worth, I've shot a lot of foxes with the .22 Hornet, and the 35Vmax even loaded up with 13 grains of Lil'gun needs to be placed perfectly for good clean kills, I have had some "Splashy" hits that have needed a double tap, I don't think you will have much success with a 35Vmax going slowly.
Atb
BD.

Absolutely except it might actually penetrate better!
I always liked the sierra hornet range of bullets. They seemed an ideal of expansion and penetration. I wasn't fussed about a death run, they don't go far and I always had a dog with me.

 

[Len the dog]

I don't think you will have much success with a 35Vmax going slowly.

Agree. All ballistic tipped bullets are designed to be driven as fast as possible in order to get them to do their thing, a soft point with soft lead will work at lower speeds.

 

[Len the dog]

Shooting the bullet backwards made it more effective!

Did you learn that skill during your time in a travelling circus?

 

[Smellydog]

Did you learn that skill during your time in a travelling circus?

Huh, as in clown?

 

[Len the dog]

Huh, as in clown?

As in trick shooting, but clown maybe works too.

 

[FT3CrowCall]

Sound like a 22 Wmr is not bad = less sound and still capabe of killing a fox.

 

[Len the dog]

Sound like a 22 Wmr is not bad = less sound and still capabe of killing a fox.

I thought you said rimfires were banned?

 

[FT3CrowCall]

I thought you said rimfires were banned?

They are but I know the calibre and its capabilities.

 

[MilesW]

The .22 Hornet isn't exactly loud to start with. The 35gr v-max is probably not the best choice for the job at hand, but since that is what you have, and LilGun is the powder you have, try loading loading below max for a velocity around 2800. This should be just over 10gr. Check reloading manual.
This will be a lot quieter than your .222 while still enough soot to cleanly kill a fox at your indicated ranges, with appropriate shot placement of course. Fast powder all burnt before the pill exits the muzzle is the key to low muzzle pressure and hence noise. This is not sub-sonic and you will still get the crack, but going sub-sonic with a 35 -45 gr pill is marginal on fox.
Contrary to popular belief, the v-max's work very well on thin skinned game if slowed down, and 2800 seems to be the sweet spot. Penetrate rather than splash.
To better help you it would be useful to know what powders and projectiles you have available to you.

 

[Heym SR20]

Keep barrels long. I am converting a Rook rifle to Hornet. Its a 26” long barrel. Even with Hornady superformance its not noisy. And no its not got, nor ever will have a moderator on it.

 

[FT3CrowCall]

The .22 Hornet isn't exactly loud to start with. The 35gr v-max is probably not the best choice for the job at hand, but since that is what you have, and LilGun is the powder you have, try loading loading below max for a velocity around 2800. This should be just over 10gr. Check reloading manual.
This will be a lot quieter than your .222 while still enough soot to cleanly kill a fox at your indicated ranges, with appropriate shot placement of course. Fast powder all burnt before the pill exits the muzzle is the key to low muzzle pressure and hence noise. This is not sub-sonic and you will still get the crack, but going sub-sonic with a 35 -45 gr pill is marginal on fox.
Contrary to popular belief, the v-max's work very well on thin skinned game if slowed down, and 2800 seems to be the sweet spot. Penetrate rather than splash.
To better help you it would be useful to know what powders and projectiles you have available to you.

There is a specialised shop in my country where I can order most commercial available powders and projectiles.
Do you think I could get the sound much lower with a heavier bullet and another powder compared to the 10gn Lil gun and 35 gn Vmax?
Any idea of how less noisy this would be?

 

[angusb1]

You can use the jbm stability calculator to get a good idea of whether your rifle will stabilise a given bullet at a given velocity if you know your twist rate and the length and weight of the bullet. JBM - Calculations - Stability

 

[MilesW]

Gotta ask, did the OP have a good outcome with the Hornet?

 

[Smellydog]

We will probably never know. Often folk have these notions then realise it's just not worth the hassle.

 

[25 Sharps]

Hi Sam, I have no experience with the hornet however, it is possible to create a subsonic load with 50 or 55gn projectiles. I would personally be using these at the near end of your range especially for fox.

Once you break the sound barrier, you might as well revert to your 222.

unlikely to stabilise in a hornet at that speed due to the slow twist.

 

[Wink]

Just to my tuppence worth, I've shot a lot of foxes with the .22 Hornet, and the 35Vmax even loaded up with 13 grains of Lil'gun needs to be placed perfectly for good clean kills, I have had some "Splashy" hits that have needed a double tap, I don't think you will have much success with a 35Vmax going slowly.
Atb
BD.

 

[Wink]

I would like to think that I’m pretty experienced when it come to the .22 hornet, 13gr lilgun with a 35gr vmax is super capable and for me and has accounted for many…many foxes that have dropped on the spot with a front half shot I’ve tried 40gr vmax and at 100m can’t say I can tell the difference, dead is dead. Way to get a quiet shot with a hornet is to use the best moderator you can get hold of. It’s still a crack but it’s not like your gallery shooting and especially in the winter when people are tucked up inside it’s no more noticeable than a bad episode of Eastenders.