The quest for the perfect 40gr 22 Hornet bullet

1432 as purchased in 1982. Visted the then UK Importer, Frank Dyke, by arrangement with my local RFD to permit going through all the 22 Anschutz hornet rifles they had in stock with a view to choosing one with the nicest walnut figuring. The irony is the 1st one we took down from the shelf was the one I chose and would have been the one shipped to my RFD's order had I not made the trip to Norwood!

My only regret is I didn't look for one in stutzen configuration as I'm convinced they would have had at least one with similar semi-exhibition grade wood.

K
 
In a mis spent youth I used Winchester 45 gr factory for Fallow. Using it for fox and rabbit a couple of years ago it was fill case with Lil gun and drive a Sierra 45gr bullet. 1.5" group at 100 yds 2" at 150 yds. Never tried anything else, it just worked for me
 
some first test results, simple 5 shots at 50yards, just to get velocity data.
Each powder drop carefully weighed.

13grains liligun
Murom KVB-223 primer
PPU new case
Speer Varmint SP 40gr #1017
OAL 1.74”
no crimp

Average velocity 3023 fps
STD 21.7
nice group.

13grains liligun
Murom KVB-223 primer
PPU new case
Sierra blitzking 40gr #1440
OAL 1.80”
light crimp.

Average velocity 3071 fps
STD 35.8
still a nice group.

CZ527

did not try the 36gr varmint grenade only have a few and not looking to really buy anymore as have a few hundred of the above bullets.

To crimp or not? general opinion is no crimp.
 
In Britain I’m using 45 grain Seirra SP I find they are best for accuracy and impact they are also better in wind (not that the hornet is a windy night rifle).

You say RSA when I was out there I used friends with a peregrine bullet I think that was 45grain as well and worked well. Alas I can no longer as him the details of his rounds.
 
some first test results, simple 5 shots at 50yards, just to get velocity data.
Each powder drop carefully weighed.

13grains liligun
Murom KVB-223 primer
PPU new case
Speer Varmint SP 40gr #1017
OAL 1.74”
no crimp

Average velocity 3023 fps
STD 21.7
nice group.

13grains liligun
Murom KVB-223 primer
PPU new case
Sierra blitzking 40gr #1440
OAL 1.80”
light crimp.

Average velocity 3071 fps
STD 35.8
still a nice group.

CZ527

did not try the 36gr varmint grenade only have a few and not looking to really buy anymore as have a few hundred of the above bullets.

To crimp or not? general opinion is no crimp.
Fantastic information - thank you so much for testing the Speer 40gr. I see you are testing these with a CZ527 - assuming 1/16 twist? What kind of group size do you get at 50m for a comparison?
 
I've had best results/groups with 40grain V-Max and Varmageddon in both Hornets I've had. I tend to stick those now. I have a few hundred Blitzkings that I suspect will be very similar.
Just a note on the 36gr Varmint Grenades... they were up there on the accuracy, but were not going fast enough at hornet velocities for decent expansion.
They acted like FMJ in mine (1:12 twist on it).
 
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