.22 hornet reloading

[Daveo26]

Iv just got myself a hornet.

I'm really pleased with it, been using Winchester super X ammo.

45gn soft points, to reasonable effect

I got it with the intention of reloading, and would like to use lighter bullets hopefully 35gn v max if I can find them

I'll have 99 empty cases soon

I plan on using a classic lee loader as I don't intend to go through that many

I'm slightly baffled by primers and case prep.

Will recipes specify a primer?

Exactly how much case prep is required with out buying a tumbler?

What's the best way to achieve it?

[wymberley]

Iv just got myself a hornet.

I'm really pleased with it, been using Winchester super X ammo.

45gn soft points, to reasonable effect

I got it with the intention of reloading, and would like to use lighter bullets hopefully 35gn v max if I can find them

I'll have 99 empty cases soon

I plan on using a classic lee loader as I don't intend to go through that many

I'm slightly baffled by primers and case prep.

Will recipes specify a primer?

Exactly how much case prep is required with out buying a tumbler?

What's the best way to achieve it?

I'm the wrong bloke to answer your questions - too old and set in my ways now and just do my own thing which suits my needs.

However, a couple of points:

You might find that whereas the 35g V max is fine at short range but that it goes to pot at greater distances.

Be careful and watch for pressure signs if you try any of the 40g V max or Nosler varieties.

[Daveo26]

What would you consider long range?

I doubt I'll be shooting beyond 100 yrds

[wymberley]

What would you consider long range?

I doubt I'll be shooting beyond 100 yrds

In which case they'll suit. It simply means that you're using the calibre at some 50% of its capability and it would be possible to debate that a 22 WMR would suffice.

[Daveo26]

In which case they'll suit. It simply means that you're using the calibre at some 50% of its capability and it would be possible to debate that a 22 WMR would suffice.

Well I'm glad I didn't get the .338 lap magnum now!

[casts_by_fly]

Do you have a reloading book yet? That will give good instructions and the full process. In terms of what is optional vs mandatory, tumbling is optional. I don't tumble. Just make sure the dirt and grease are off of them. Sizing depends on your gun. You might neck size, you might full length size. At the minimum you need a FL as you will eventually have to.

 

As for bullets, if your gun is shooting the 45's well then stick to them. They will carry more energy at the range your talking with no real trajectory impact. Both will work, but the 45's are classic for the hornet.

 

Rick

[steve_b_wales]

What powder do you intend using?

 

The Hodgdon website has a list of their powders for the .22 Hornet.

 

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

 

At the moment, I'm using Lil'Gun but will move onto H4198 when I've used it up. And I'm using 45gr Sierra Spitzers which are excellent for this calibre.

[Daveo26]

Do you have a reloading book yet? That will give good instructions and the full process. In terms of what is optional vs mandatory, tumbling is optional. I don't tumble. Just make sure the dirt and grease are off of them. Sizing depends on your gun. You might neck size, you might full length size. At the minimum you need a FL as you will eventually have to.

As for bullets, if your gun is shooting the 45's well then stick to them. They will carry more energy at the range your talking with no real trajectory impact. Both will work, but the 45's are classic for the hornet.

Rick

No reloading book yet,

How do you clean you're cases? Specifically what process do you use?

[Daveo26]

What powder do you intend using?

 

The Hodgdon website has a list of their powders for the .22 Hornet.

 

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

 

At the moment, I'm using Lil'Gun but will move onto H4198 when I've used it up. And I'm using 45gr Sierra Spitzers which are excellent for this calibre.

Reading up online....... I don't know.....

Lil gun Iv read up about a lot, supposed to well suited to the hornet but Iv read it "might" work better with heavier bullets?

As I wanted to try a lighter bullet, I'm not sure it would be the most suitable.

But I'm taking advice from the pigeonwatch massive and 45 grainers seem to be the way to go

[Daveo26]

Thanks for the link that great.

Lil gun is low pressure!

[Dougy]

A bit off track but I was out last night either a 17 remington and didn't have any issues with 20 grain vmax out too 250 yds, your 35 grain vmax should be good enough for further.

[wymberley]

A bit off track but I was out last night either a 17 remington and didn't have any issues with 20 grain vmax out too 250 yds, your 35 grain vmax should be good enough for further.

Two entirely different calibres. At the 250 yards both zeroed at 100:

 

17 remington, 4000 ft/sec at the muzzle is 2594 ft/sec, 299 ft/lbs, drop 3.15", wind @ 10mph 8.15".

 

22 Hornet 3000....................................1272...........126...................13.49.........................24.59

 

All figures ish. The biggest single problem is the 35g BC - .109. The 20g being .185

[Daveo26]

I bought the hornet for a specific job.

They will be inside 100 yards 9/10.

[Daveo26]

30p a round. Does that sound about right for reloading a hornet?

Barnes 36g varmint grenades, £17 -100

Small pistol primers £5 -100

Lil gun £42/lb

Should give 583 loads of 12 grn

So 30p a round, or £9 for 50?

How come I'm paying nearly £40 for 50 winchesters?

Edited August 22, 2016 by Daveo26

[wymberley]

30p a round. Does that sound about right for reloading a hornet?

Barnes 36g varmint grenades, £17 -100

Small pistol primers £5 -100

Lil gun £42/lb

Should give 583 loads of 12 grn

So 30p a round, or £9 for 50?

How come I'm paying nearly £40 for 50 winchesters?

I make that £15 for 50. Add on 35p for the brass makes that £32.50 so £40 doesn't now sound too bad. Obviously where you clean up is using the same cases 'x' times.

 

Edit:

PS One of the reasons many recommended the Hornet type bullet is because they're on the 'dumpy' side. I'm not certain of the following (covering my backside) but check out the length of those bullets including the base to ogive length. Then think CoL and magazine unless yours is single shot.

Edited August 22, 2016 by wymberley

[casts_by_fly]

Why do you want to consider the VG bullets? They are reported to be unreliable at slower speeds (which your hornet would be) and tricker to get shooting well given their extra length for their weight. If you want them for fragmentation, then you might not get what you want. If 90% of your work is inside 100 yards, a standard soft point will give good expansion at hornet speeds. If you really want to try to push the velocity up and get expansion then the 35gr vmax will work, just know that you're not getting that much more speed (not enough to change the trajectory) and you're going to loose out if you start pushing the range out past 150 or so. That 35gr vmax is like shooting a ping pong ball.

 

What exactly is the specific job you bought the gun for? If you give that detail then people who have done that job can help with specifics.

 

thanks,

rick

[Daveo26]

Thanks for the info re. VG bullets, Rick.

I just listed them as they were the first .224 bullets on the local gunshots website for a price really.

I'm open to suggestions regarding everything.

I shoot in some smallish fields near houses.

And also some other places near roads

I would like a quietish fox legal round with as little chance of ricochet as possible.

My thinking is a light frangible bullet would be the best way to go.

Iv shot lots of rabbits with my .17 HMR on these permissions and never had a problem and taken the odd fox.

I don't want to get into a debate about wether the .17 HMR can kill foxes.

I want something fox legal.

Edited August 22, 2016 by Daveo26

[Daveo26]

I make that £15 for 50. Add on 35p for the brass makes that £32.50 so £40 doesn't now sound too bad. Obviously where you clean up is using the same cases 'x' times.

 

Edit:

PS One of the reasons many recommended the Hornet type bullet is because they're on the 'dumpy' side. I'm not certain of the following (covering my backside) but check out the length of those bullets including the base to ogive length. Then think CoL and magazine unless yours is single shot.

Quite right I never factored in the brass and Iv no idea where I got £9 from 🤔 Edited August 22, 2016 by Daveo26

[wymberley]

Thanks for the info re. VG bullets, Rick.

I just listed them as they were the first .224 bullets on the local gunshots website for a price really.

I'm open to suggestions regarding everything.

I shoot in some smallish fields near houses.

And also some other places near roads

I would like a quietish fox legal round with as little chance of ricochet as possible.

My thinking is a light frangible bullet would be the best way to go.

Iv shot lots of rabbits with my .17 HMR on these permissions and never had a problem and taken the odd fox.

I don't want to get into a debate about wether the .17 HMR can kill foxes.

I want something fox legal.

Sometimes when you have an itch, the best thing to do is scratch it. From what you've said, why not try the 30g version. OK, it has the BC of a ping pong ball with a big dent in it, but in view of your proposed range all might be well. There are other choices, but I would try it over Li'l Gun on the grounds that with a 22 Hornet and more often than not with bullets of 40g+, that is always the best option and will not be wasted. The makers will have called it the 'Hornet' for a reason and will (should) have designed it to perform at Hornet speeds. 3000 ft/sec at the muzzle is on the cards.

[Dougy]

Two entirely different calibres. At the 250 yards both zeroed at 100:

 

17 remington, 4000 ft/sec at the muzzle is 2594 ft/sec, 299 ft/lbs, drop 3.15", wind @ 10mph 8.15".

 

22 Hornet 3000....................................1272...........126...................13.49.........................24.59

 

All figures ish. The biggest single problem is the 35g BC - .109. The 20g being .185

 

Sorry wymberley I did wonder a bit of track with that post.

[casts_by_fly]

Thanks for the info re. VG bullets, Rick.

I just listed them as they were the first .224 bullets on the local gunshots website for a price really.

I'm open to suggestions regarding everything.

I shoot in some smallish fields near houses.

And also some other places near roads

I would like a quietish fox legal round with as little chance of ricochet as possible.

My thinking is a light frangible bullet would be the best way to go.

Iv shot lots of rabbits with my .17 HMR on these permissions and never had a problem and taken the odd fox.

I don't want to get into a debate about wether the .17 HMR can kill foxes.

I want something fox legal.

 

 

Use what strikes your fancy, but in the end there isn't much in it between the 35's, 40's and 45's when it comes to ricochet. All are going to bounce if you don't have a decent back stop and all will stop the same in a half decent back stop. Once you get above an air rifle pellet in weight you will get ricochets on bad surfaces. I would worry more about noise if you're shooting in back yard fields that close to houses. In that case, lil gun and a moderate load behind a good moderator are going to be your friends. If you are planning for foxes, I would want more bullet weight for that scenario so I'd still go 45's (or vmax 40's if your gun likes them). The 22 WMR would have been a good option as well, but you've already got the hornet so you might as well use it.

 

thanks

rick