.22 hornet

S

Stan Pollak

Guest
I've read several posts on this site and others about the improved performance and accuracy of the hornet when switched from Rem7 1/2 rifle primers to small pistol primers. Is there any basis in fact for this? Input please-good, bad, or otherwise! Stan-share your sport:) Happy thanksgiving!
 
I think some are of the opinion that the small primers are more than adequate for 12grs. of powder. The other thought is that with a case of such small capacity just the ignition of the primer is enough to unseat the bullet. Given the looong throats in most hornet chambers, the bullet could always be in a different position as the powder really gets to burning/ or in effect,,, you have a different size functional case every time you fire.

I have always used 6 1/2's and small pistol primers in 22 squirrel and K-hornets. 7 1/2's might work fine.
 
Stan Pollak: Over the last 40+ years I have had a love/hate relationship with several 22 Hornets (Anschutz's, Winchesters (M-70's and M-43's), savages, Rugers (M-77's and #1's) etc etc etc!
My latest "Hornet project" is a Ruger #1-B - this Rifle is SO beautiful and has such beautiful wood on it that its lucky to still be in my arsenal!
And that beauty is the only thing that has kept this Hornet in my gun vault so long!
I have had fits with this Hornet for 10 years now trying to get it to shoot anywhere near respectfully!
Finally after many years of trial and error with every component and seating depth a fellow on the internet mentioned to me that when he switched his "poor shooting Hornet" to nickel plated brass it started shooting noticeably better!
Frankly I laughed at that suggestion - at first!
Indeed the switching to nickel plated brass SOMEHOW improved the accuracy of this lovely Rifle from best load test groups (5 shots at 100 yards) in the 1.300" to 1.800" range down TO a best group (5 shots at 100 yards) of .712"!
Its second best grouping (5 shots at 100 yards) measured .778"!
Anyway I have settled on the nickel plated Remington 22 Hornet brass loading that uses Federal 205M primers and the Hornady 35 gr. V-Max bullets!
Best of luck with YOUR Hornet by the way!
Also on primers I had tried the two sizes of Remington small rifle primers over the years along with CCI and the Federals but never the pistol primers.
Again best of luck.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
 
Stan,

I shoot a .22 Hornet out of a Thompson Center Encore and have had good luck with the following recipe:

Winchester brass, Federal 205M's, and 12.0 grains of Hodgdon Lil Gun and a OAL of 1.88. Neck size only!

This load I have found works great with both 40gr. Sierras and Noslers. Groups are in the low .2s all day long at 50 yds and 1/2" or smaller at 100yds.

Try the Federal 205M and see if they help!

Good Luck!
 
I currently use Federal pistol primers (100?) in my K-Hornet. I am curently burning AA1680 to launch 40 V-Max bullets. I have used Rem 1-1/2 and Winchester SP. Also, I've tried Fed 205, CCI, and Rem 6-1/2 rifle primers. All the pistol primers work just fine. I got better accuracy with the pistol primers in my early tests and stuck with them.

The only surprise with any pistol primers was that the high velocity standard deviations I experienced with Lil' Gun, with all primers, did NOT appear with the Winchester small pistol primers. Niether did the high velocities. Could have been a fluke, but that's what happened. Win SP primers with other powders - same velocities as with othe primers.
 
Harold,

When using Lilgun powder in the Hornet, I was also getting wide deviations in FPS, as much as 100fps, with 40 gr bullets. Switching to 45gr and heavier, the SD's came down significantly. I also only use small pistol primers. With Lilgun powder and small pistol primers I get excellent accuracy and higher velocities.

My coyote load is a 45gr Barnes XLC over 13.0gr Lilgun. Shoots MOA and gets 2900fps+ out of my Ruger M77.
 
There are a few keys to this round:

1. Lee factory crimp die. - just a tiny bit of crimp

2. Lil Gun powder

3. CCI small pistol primers

4. Neck size only.

5. Bullets: Best - 36 grain starke's. Close second - Sierra 40 grain BK's

6. Seated to lands (won't fit in magazine)

s.
 
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