The quest for the perfect 40gr 22 Hornet bullet

[Smellydog]

They will but they are shocking in the wind.

How much by, compared to a 40gn?

 

[25 Sharps]

How much by, compared to a 40gn?

Dunno, if it was windy I'd just take the 0.223!

Love the hornet, all of mine (2x standard & 1x K) were fed a staple diet of 35 gr v-max or varmageddon, I played with 40 gr varmageddon tipped, with a drop tube and very compressed load of Lil gun I got some silly speeds for the little cartridge. I even shot the 40s to 300 yards at Bisley, so its definitely capable of further than 150 yards, but as I had the 0.223, if it was ever windy I used that so didn't push the hornet on live quarry in the wind.

Then I picked up a load of 0.223 powder for £6/lb so the 0.223 became as cheap to load as the hornet, and capable of 300+ yard shots, meaning the latter sat in the cabinet for a year so it it got sold.

A mate has the K hornet now, he shoots foxes in a football stadium so limited range and he is currently playing with 45 gr loads.

 

[Smellydog]

Dunno, if it was windy I'd just take the 0.223!

Love the hornet, all of mine (2x standard & 1x K) were fed a staple diet of 35 gr v-max or varmageddon, I played with 40 gr varmageddon tipped, with a drop tube and very compressed load of Lil gun I got some silly speeds for the little cartridge. I even shot the 40s to 300 yards at Bisley, so its definitely capable of further than 150 yards, but as I had the 0.223, if it was ever windy I used that so didn't push the hornet on live quarry in the wind.

Then I picked up a load of 0.223 powder for £6/lb so the 0.223 became as cheap to load as the hornet, and capable of 300+ yard shots, meaning the latter sat in the cabinet for a year so it it got sold.

A mate has the K hornet now, he shoots foxes in a football stadium so limited range and he is currently playing with 45 gr loads.

Thanks but knowing how "shocking" they are would of been good.

 

[Jagged77]

I just checked back through my old load data from when I had a .22H to check which bullet. I thought it was a 40gr I ended up with but it was actual thr Hornady 50gr soft point, seated far enough back to work in my CZ mag. Accuracy was good - 3/4” MOA groups on load work up and accounted for plenty of rabbits and the occasional fox.

 

[25 Sharps]

Thanks but knowing how "shocking" they are would of been good.

The 35 gr at 3050 fps (BC.109) give just shy of 5" drift in a 15 mph cross wind at 100 yards, enough to miss a rabbit or fox which was my experience, the 40 gr sierras (BC .116) don't perform much better at 3000 fps giving 4.25".

Even dropping the wind to 10 mph, at 100 yards the wind drift for the 35s is just over 14”, 40s won’t be much better.

For comparison, 50 gr v-max (BC .242) from my 0.223 AI at 3600 fps gives 1.5" drift at 100 in a 15 mph wind or 4.27 at 200 in a 10 mph wind.

 

[Heym SR20]

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

I have been getting good accuracy with the little 40gn Fox monolithic bullet. I have also heard very good things about the 35gn Barnes Varmint Grenade.

However given that you are in South Africa I would give Peregrine a call. They do a short dumpy 224 45gn Bushmaster bullet or VRG3 Bullet. Peregrine are South African and make bullets in SA.

In their load data they give a load for 22 Hornet with this bullet. https://peregrinebullets.com/wp-con...Peregrine-Comprehensive-Reload-Data-Rev15.pdf

They might well if you asked nicely make a shorter lighter bullet specifically for the 22 Hornet. They use CNC and CAD so making a slightly different bullet is straightforward.

 

[Liveonce]

I have been getting good accuracy with the little 40gn Fox monolithic bullet. I have also heard very good things about the 35gn Barnes Varmint Grenade.

However given that you are in South Africa I would give Peregrine a call. They do a short dumpy 224 45gn Bushmaster bullet or VRG3 Bullet. Peregrine are South African and make bullets in SA.

In their load data they give a load for 22 Hornet with this bullet. https://peregrinebullets.com/wp-con...Peregrine-Comprehensive-Reload-Data-Rev15.pdf

They might well if you asked nicely make a shorter lighter bullet specifically for the 22 Hornet. They use CNC and CAD so making a slightly different bullet is straightforward.

i have a few 35gn varmint grenades so will give them a try, was wondering if they would stabilise in the 22hornet.

 

[25 Sharps]

i have a few 35gn varmint grenades so will give them a try, was wondering if they would stabilise in the 22hornet.

Lead free ammo!?

The 30 gr will, the 36 gr are for 1:12 .223 so may be marginal or unstable depending on your twist.

I had a play with the 30s, they were ok, less accurate and less explosive than the v-max. Still have 200 sat on the shelf.

Did think about sending them out of the Ackley at 4150 fps!

 

[Heym SR20]

i have a few 35gn varmint grenades so will give them a try, was wondering if they would stabilise in the 22hornet.

They do work very well in the Hornet with 1 in 16” twist.

I am also working up a load in 22 Hornet converted Rook Rifle with the 40gr Tipless Fox Bullet. I am somewhat hampered with just open sights at the moment - they are not as crisp and easy to use as they were back in the 1980’s and 90’s. Must be something to do with the actual sights but I know not what.

This is the bullet

5,6 mm (.224) – 40 gr TPL – Fox Bullets

Technical data: Parameter:Value: Bullet weight in grams:2,6 gBullet weight in grains:40 grBallistic coefficient:N/ASolid density: 0,114Length (mm):15,5 mmLength (inch):0,61 inType:tipless Box content:50 pcs Ideal for: Precision starts with the right data. Find reliable information to create...

foxbullets.eu

 

[Smellydog]

The 35 gr at 3050 fps (BC.109) give just shy of 5" drift in a 15 mph cross wind at 100 yards, enough to miss a rabbit or fox which was my experience, the 40 gr sierras (BC .116) don't perform much better at 3000 fps giving 4.25".

Even dropping the wind to 10 mph, at 100 yards the wind drift for the 35s is just over 14”, 40s won’t be much better.

For comparison, 50 gr v-max (BC .242) from my 0.223 AI at 3600 fps gives 1.5" drift at 100 in a 15 mph wind or 4.27 at 200 in a 10 mph wind.

Presuming you mean 4" in your second paragraph I am correct in my initial reasonings. To my mind the 35gn compared to a 40 is not a catastrophic decline in performance.

Comparing hornet to a 223 isn't really of value. It's still a dandy little cartridge.
All cartridges have an optional envelope of performance. I embrace them.

 

[Bowland blades]

i have a few 35gn varmint grenades so will give them a try, was wondering if they would stabilise in the 22hornet.

If i remember ( it was a while back ) Varmint grenades really did not work at all in my .22H . CZ Hornet , hitting the target sideways even . Don't run a proper batch at the get go or you might be pulling a load at the get go

 

[thepie]

I just checked back through my old load data from when I had a .22H to check which bullet. I thought it was a 40gr I ended up with but it was actual thr Hornady 50gr soft point, seated far enough back to work in my CZ mag. Accuracy was good - 3/4” MOA groups on load work up and accounted for plenty of rabbits and the occasional fox.

Awesome - thanks for making the effort to check. I have only tested one 4 shot group of 50gr Speer SP Varminter, and it's POI was low and left - on a very reduced load. This was after I zero checked my rifle on the S&B 43.7gr SP. I have a 50gr ladder to test with higher loads when I next get a chance.

 

[thepie]

The 35 gr at 3050 fps (BC.109) give just shy of 5" drift in a 15 mph cross wind at 100 yards, enough to miss a rabbit or fox which was my experience, the 40 gr sierras (BC .116) don't perform much better at 3000 fps giving 4.25".

Even dropping the wind to 10 mph, at 100 yards the wind drift for the 35s is just over 14”, 40s won’t be much better.

For comparison, 50 gr v-max (BC .242) from my 0.223 AI at 3600 fps gives 1.5" drift at 100 in a 15 mph wind or 4.27 at 200 in a 10 mph wind.

Aah - the good stuff - actual data! For this, did you mean 14cm or 1,4inch? "..at 100 yards the wind drift for the 35s is just over 14”, 40s won’t be much better."

 

[thepie]

I have been getting good accuracy with the little 40gn Fox monolithic bullet. I have also heard very good things about the 35gn Barnes Varmint Grenade.

However given that you are in South Africa I would give Peregrine a call. They do a short dumpy 224 45gn Bushmaster bullet or VRG3 Bullet. Peregrine are South African and make bullets in SA.

In their load data they give a load for 22 Hornet with this bullet. https://peregrinebullets.com/wp-con...Peregrine-Comprehensive-Reload-Data-Rev15.pdf

They might well if you asked nicely make a shorter lighter bullet specifically for the 22 Hornet. They use CNC and CAD so making a slightly different bullet is straightforward.

Good to know - That Peregrine in 45gr monolithic I suspect is probably going to be on the longer side - although they do state it's a 22 Hornet bullet. Only real problem is a box of 50 cost twice the price of 100 S&B. Have you used them before?

 

[Jagged77]

Awesome - thanks for making the effort to check. I have only tested one 4 shot group of 50gr Speer SP Varminter, and it's POI was low and left - on a very reduced load. This was after I zero checked my rifle on the S&B 43.7gr SP. I have a 50gr ladder to test with higher loads when I next get a chance.

You’re welcome. I settled with 11.4gr of IMR4227

 

[Heym SR20]

Good to know - That Peregrine in 45gr monolithic I suspect is probably going to be on the longer side - although they do state it's a 22 Hornet bullet. Only real problem is a box of 50 cost twice the price of 100 S&B. Have you used them before?

I have used the 100gn VrG3 in the 243 - they shoot accurately and kill well.

 

[Gameking]

My 527 with Factory Remington 35 gr Accutip. 100 yards witnessed.

Before and after moderator fitted ( Wildcat Panther .22 Hornet dedicated cal. )

Not tried reloads yet ( dies /brass came with gun) but would you bother ???

 

[thepie]

My 527 with Factory Remington 35 gr Accutip. 100 yards witnessed.

Before and after moderator fitted ( Wildcat Panther .22 Hornet dedicated cal. )

Not tried reloads yet ( dies /brass came with gun) but would you bother ???

Sure, why not - those are tight and your rifle loves that combo! If you reload other calibers then it's just more of the same, but I doubt you will get better accuracy. Tried any 40gr box ammo?

 

[Heym SR20]

My 527 with Factory Remington 35 gr Accutip. 100 yards witnessed.

Before and after moderator fitted ( Wildcat Panther .22 Hornet dedicated cal. )

Not tried reloads yet ( dies /brass came with gun) but would you bother ???

Reloading 22 Hornet question. Main reason is that 22 Hornet is getting harder to find and cost of the ammo if you can find is pretty high. I bought a box last year and it was well over £1 a round.

 

[Gameking]

I bought those at £35 per 50 (discount for quantity after I had tried the first box which was more expensive ) difficult to match that I guess when you take powder/primer/brass.

I did buy some S&B 45 gr SP bullets off a gent on here but I do not have any Lil' gun or Vit 110 at the moment, so no suitable powders to try.

Will use these up first then see but as long as I can get for that price then spend time on other cals that reloading is better than factory.