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22 Hornet, anyone load for it?

CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
edited January 2008 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
How easy of a round is it to load for and what do you use yours for?

I have a 243 and am thinking about a 22 caliber target gun that I can use for close (100-150yd) coyote and varmint control.

Thinking of the Savage Model 40 or CZ 527 American. Both chambered in the 22 Hornet.

Also just thought of a 22WMR.

What are your thoughts?
Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
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Comments

  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I haven't loaded for the hornet for years. Very fuel efficent but it's no 222. A lyman 310 hand tool can be found to load the ammo. 40 gr super explosive hornady worked great for me on top of imr4198. The speer load book shows AA1680 can get a 40 gr up to 2750fps.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes that and the K Hornet both great cartridges. I like the bevel base bullets as they load easier in the thin walled cases.
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  • PJPJ Member Posts: 1,556 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I load for 2 Hornets, a 527 and a BSA Matrini which started life as a 22 LR. The 527 (which is the most accurate rifle I own) loves 13 grains of Lil'Gun under a 35 grain V-Max ignited by a Rem 1 1/2 small pistol primer. Fun gun to shoot, and very economical to reload for.
    Pete
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  • HandgunHTR52HandgunHTR52 Member Posts: 2,735
    edited November -1
    Cubs, I load the Hornet for 2 different Contender barrels. I use 4227 and 50 and 55 grain bullets for mine. I don't have the actual loads right here. If you want them, just e-mail me.
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  • dtknowlesdtknowles Member Posts: 810 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Ruger #3 used to shoot Speer 45 gr sp with IMR 4227 but I like Hornady 35 gr V-max with lil gun now. Cases are thin but as long as you don't over do the cripping its not a problem.

    Tim
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  • RCrosbyRCrosby Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ditto on PJ's load, right down to the small pistol primers. If you load for a Hornet, you owe it to yourself to try it. I have a Kimber of Oregon Cascade and a Savage 40 and they both shoot that load in the "4's and 5's", though the Savage is easier to make perform from the bench. For the money, a great rifle.
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  • Kari PragerKari Prager Member Posts: 67 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dear Cubslover, I have both the CZ and the Savage Model 40. The CZ is much nicer,
    There are some not-so-obvious things about the Savage that are not so nice, like the way the barrel is fixed in the receiver, the extraction system, (stuck cases) and the very long throat, I sent it back to Savage and they told me it was fine. Also the bore scope showed me some egregious things in the rifling, I ended up shortening by two inches and recrowning. I would get three or four shots in a nice group and then a flyer by an inch to an inch and a half. I've tried every recommended powder and bullets from 36 grain to 50 grain and not found the magic. The CZ is more consistent and the set triggers and mini-mauser action never give trouble. I don't get outstanding groups with it 1.5" but I like it and I think I will get it rebarrelled with a heavier barrel and a tighter chamber as in Forker's article on the internet. If you google .22 Hornet you will find all kinds of interesting things. Hope this is
    useful. ScrmblerKari - Kari@calmoto.com
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  • Kari PragerKari Prager Member Posts: 67 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    PS to Cubslover, I have tried Lil Gun, 1680, win 296, H 110, and !MR 4227,probably others, I would have to go look up my load books, bullets from Berger to Sierra.Sorted cases. small pistol primers and small rifle primers. I have five Hornets and just shot 5 and 10 shot groups at 100 yards on targets. I just like Hornets even though I get pretty frustrated sometimes. Feel free to e-mail or call 650 964 9578 in the evenings.
    scrmbler kari (kari@calmoto.com)
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  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Cubslover,

    It seems to me we loaded 11 gr. of 4198 behind a 45 gr. bullet. for a velocity of about 2500 fps.
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  • lpaalplpaalp Member Posts: 951 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Had one (Ruger) for close in ground hogs (150 yds or less). Tried most of the powders mentioned above and several 35 - 45 gr balls. Couldn't find a load shooting consistently less than MOA which would magazine, and couldn't get killing shots... lot of blood trails into holes. If they were not immediately DOA, the GH had enough steam to get to a hole (and presumably die a slow lingering death deep in the darkness?)

    The lack of accuracy combined with small ball led me to trade it; when I shoot 'em, I want to see 'em. I now use a .223 Tikka Lite for the same purpose, much better results.
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  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    150 yards or less...I was reading a thread in the ask the experts and there was some guy claiming the 22 Hornet was a 300 yard varmint round. I think your 150 yards is much more realistic. By the way my favorite load is 10 grains of 2400 behind a 45 grain Sierra bullet...I don't think the books show this load, because it is a little hot...but it shoots good in my gun 1 inch at 100 yards or a little less.
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