Faster flatter hornet

E

ebognz

Guest
Hi All,

I have a Ruger 77/22H (24 inch stainless laminate model) This is my 3rd Hornet that I have acquired in the quest for accuracy and it looks like a keeper.

My standard Hunting load is 9.5 Grains of 2205 in (once fired) S&B Brass with small pistol match primers (cases trimmed to 2.401) and a sierra 45 Grain hornet varminter. I have had these chronied at 2330 - 2340 fps (a big thanks to the unknown shooter at the range with the chronograph)

The are a consistent 3 shot group at or under 1/2 inch. So all is good... but I would like lighter projectiles to group as well as the 45 grainers.

40 Grain nosler BT string vertically and group at 1.5 inches.
30 Grain Berger projectiles 2 inch group
33 Grain TNTs 2 inch groups

I have tried the factory hornady 35 grainers go to 1 1/2 inches.

What does a vertical string mean? does this mean I need to push the projectiles faster? slower?

Does anyone have any load suggestions for the 77/22H ?

I currently have 2205 and Lilgun Powder. I have winchester S&B and crappy Highland brass.

I switched to Hornady dies from lee dies which helped a lot and the switch to small pistol match primers dropped my 45 grain groups to under the .5 inch range.
 
I shoot the 20" barreled Ruger M77 in the standard Hornet. With 13.0gr of Lilgun under a 45gr sftpt, I get around 2875fps and with the 45gr Barnes XLC, I get around 2900fps. The XLC makes a very good coyote load, within the Hornets boundaries.



If you want more speed in the Hornet, load it with Lilgun.
 
Ebognz, I have the same gun you describe and have found that with 13 + grs of L'il gun under the 40 gr NBT will give you what you are looking for. 3000 plus FPS and pretty good accuracy. The problem is whether you're trying to make them fit in the magazine or shooting single shot. If you try to make the load fit the mag. you need to use a less pointy bullet designed just for the hornet like the 35 gr V-Max.
I shoot mine single shot most of the time so I can seat the bullets out to about .025 off the lands. Also this allows me to get more L'il gun in the case!!My load of 13.8gr L'il Gun--F205M primer--40 NBT gives 3080 FPS and 1/2 to 5/8" groups consistantly and is safe in( MY GUN) with Win. brass.

The most accurate load I've found in my Hornet is 12.5 gr AA 1680 and 40gr Sierra HPs at 2750 fps. Well under 1/2" but too slow and too low a B.C. for the long range varmint shooting we like to do.

These Hornets are a fun little gun that will shoot accurately way further than most would believe!!! ---- RHB
 
Thanks

Thanks for all of your replys. I have ordered some 35g vmax projectiles and hope to give them a try shortly.

I have been reading some info on the ruger 2 piece bolt and shimming it to remove play.

Is this worth doing considering I can get a .5 group out of it?

Any recommendations on trigger work / replacement?
 
Ebognz, I didn't bother with the bolt mods since the Hornet head spaces off the rim. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to try?? The trigger can be made much better by a good Smith(mines 24oz) but now that there are replacement triggers I would go that way instead.

The biggest gain in accuracy was a good bedding job and freefloating the bbl.

Your reloading has to be very precise with this tiny case to get low E.S. The powder charge has to be spot on when 1/10th grain can mean 20 fps !!

The cases grow in length fast so I only size about 1/8th inch of the neck and keep my trim length at 1.393. My cases are 13 years old, have been loaded dozens of times and i've never lost a case due to split neck which is the gripe most people have with the Hornet cases. I never full length size them !!!

The 35 gr V max will shoot well enough to take Varmints out well past 200 yds with the right scope setup. The 40 gr NBT load I described before, will get you double that distance !! Good luck ---- RHB
 
Thanks for the advice

RHB,

thanks for the advise. I will get the barrel floated next. How important is the trim length. Is it important just to be consistent or is it something that should be tuned?

I have pulled back the amount of neck i am sizing and have wondered weather I should get a neck sizing die.

I think I will drop the ruger off at a good gunsmith and have the trigger and bedding done. The problem will be going without it ... I really love shooting it. On the local hares it's bang flop EVERY time and so pleasant to shoot.

I can't seem to find sierra 40 Grain Hollow Points here in New Zealand are they still manufactured?

Thanks again for all the advise.
Cheers Matt
 
Ebognz, the important thing on the trim length, is to not let the case get over max length or fliers start to show up. Just check the length often, they grow fast with the large amount of taper and no shoulder to speak of.

I've never used a neck die on the Hornet because the case has so much taper you can raise the full length die up and it will never touch the case body while neck sizing that 1/8". A neck die would certainly work if you would prefer it. If your dies use an expander button, don't tighten the nut on the rod. This will allow the button to center itself in that thin neck and the necks will come out much more straight but if you have it too loose you can snap off the decapping pin. ( go slow ).

I load the Sierra 40gr hollow points in my 223 Rem. for Jackrabbits and Coyotes so I think they still make them. I've loaded a bunch of them this year!! They won't fit in your Magazine either.

I hope some of this helps ----RHB ---- a7mmrhb@hotmail.com
 
A faster flatter harnet is called a 221 Fireball.. I at times have tried to get a good reload for my hornet. I have tried various primers, cases and powders partial neck, full resizing, trimming the case before each reloading, crimping the bullet, deburring the flash hole and neck.. I have not had it rechambered to a K Hornet..Some day I may find a load I like but untill then I ll use the Fireball.
 
hmmmm .... another gun? Sounds Great

The 221 sounds great. i think I would have big problems gettings dies brass etc here in New Zealand.... and I would need a barrel or a new rifle. I have been looking at the 222 and the 223 and perhaps a 22 250 ... because you can never have enough guns.

The Hornet will always be in my gun rack though.

I like the Hornet.
 
RHB said:
The 35 gr V max will shoot well enough to take Varmints out well past 200 yds with the right scope setup. The 40 gr NBT load I described before, will get you double that distance !! Good luck ---- RHB
Click to expand...


I can vouch for that! The 40 grain NBT is the bullet for the hornet. I saw this little round kill a rockchuck across 6 football fields and then some! Of course, it helped that we were at 11,000 feet!
 
The Fireball........

is a good cartridge, but if brass concerns you, you can get a form & trim die & cut off .223s if they are available. If that is too much labor, go to the .222, it will handle the 55s with out giving up too much, you may not even look back.
 
Hornet

As has been mentiond, the Hornet headspaces on the rim. Rim thickness may well vary. Segregate a bunch of cases and try some groups. It might produce tangible result, it might not. If not the K-hornet headspaces on the shoulder and gives you full control of the variable. With this eliminated load development may give you the results you want. It's quite a game and I find it fun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top