Slugging the bore of a rifle will reveal which of the two bullet diameters should be used in it. But no combination I have found is better suited for easing along eastern hedgerows and picking off varmints without greatly disturbing my neighbors. Using bullets from Hornady V-Max, Hornady Hornet or HP BEE, Hornady V-Max, SP or SP SX, Hornady V-Max, FMJ-BT W/C, SP W/C, SP or SP SX. Custom Mossberg 500 at the Range and Live Turkey!. This isn't your grandpa's muzzleloading system. It had a 23-inch barrel. Joseph Von Benedikt is with Rafe Nielsen of Browning to take a look at a new X-Bolt series rifle. It is possible to shorten the plastic filler that is inside the BRNO clip, allowing it to take longer rounds. Ive heard and read many people lament the difficulty of loading the .22 Hornet over the years. The .22 Hornet: History & Performance - An Official Journal Of The NRA With smokeless powders having more energy-to-weight, the same 45-gr. Winchester, the company that started it all back in the 1930s, now offers the most options: a 34-grain hollowpoint at 3050 fps and a 45-grain softnose and a 46-grain hollowpoint, both at 2690 fps. Winchesters .22 Hornet enjoyed even more widespread popularity, quickly enough that, by 1936, the .22 W.C.F. It is a good idea to keep them trimmed to the same length. Now there are many of the light .224-inch bullets that work well in Hornets. Updated Apr 8, 2022 12:49 PM EDT, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Switching triggers on the test rifle reduced pull weight to a crisp 21 ounces with no creep or overtravel. The .22 K-Hornets increased powder capacitymade by fire-forming the taper out of the case and giving it a sharp 40-degree shoulderoffered a real improvement and increased point-blank-range capability. In my current Hornets, the A-bolt prefers the WSR and the Contender is at its best with the Remington 6.5. The old Model 70 likes the 40-grain Sierra bullet, but this one wants a big dose of W-680 powder instead of the faster W-296. From the same 35gr V-Max as you, through 40gr Sierra BlitzKing, onward through the excellent 45gr Sierra Hornets, and 45gr Sierra Spitzers & 45gr. There is one last part of the Hornet story the improved K Hornet. It had a 23-inch barrel. But do you know how to properly use them? .22 Hornet Rifle (Using Hornady Reloading Data For Bullets) reloading data with 101 loads. 225438 44-grain cast bullet pushed to 1,520 fps by 6.8 grains of IMR 4227. On the slightly slower burning (and more case filling, which often aids accuracy) side of the spectrum are powders like Lil Gun, AA-1680, and CFE BLK. My field experience with the Hornet has been fairly extensive over the last 20 years. Variously characterized as inaccurate, ideal for use around built up areas, difficult to load, providing milquetoast performance, perfect for the starting shooterit is a cartridge filled with contradictions. It has a rimmed case very adaptable to single shot rifles (and pistols). K2 Defense assumes no liability.Follow me on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/K2. Lee reloading equipment was used for the entire process. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Walther's new Performance Duty Pistol is ready for both concealed carry and conventional service situations. The Winchester 34-grain load also has a tendency to exceed its velocity rating; it clocked an average of 3144 fps in the 24-inch barrel of a Savage Model 40 I worked with. The .22 Hornet was touted by Winchester engineers as the most accurate ever tested in their labs at that time. On the other hand, if you like to put some effort into fine-tuned handloads and see real results, the Hornet is for you. Simple 22 hornet reloading tricks that will make you more accurate It remains a favorite, but modern tipped bullets have an edge in some departments. Length of pull is 13.5 inches, and overall length is 37.75 inches. Proudly serving our customers for over 40 years, Midsouth Shooters can supply you with your pistol and rifle ammunition, as well as all of your shooting and reloading supplies. Some 19 years later,Remington would chamber the No. The custom M-84 K Hornet with spectacular wood from Calico Hardwoods and stock by Don Allen is a 12-minute rifle with a Leupold 2-7x. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. Request Flyer. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Come join the discussion about optics, modifications, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Realizing a lead bullet would not handle the velocities they sought, some made 45-grain lead-core bullets with jackets formed from fired .22 Short cases. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Before the tool: MOA at 50 yards but most much worse, 2 to 3 MOA. If you have a bad barrel, crooked chamber, bad crown or bedding problems, there is little or nothing you can do with ammunition to make accuracy better. The production Ruger Model 77/22 I used is the current heavy-barrel version with a stainless-steel barreled action and Green Mountain stock of laminated wood. But this is only the beginning. To fully expand the case, a expander ball should be pushed . The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. Also, Hornet cases will grow as you use them, and often grow at different rates. These .22 Hornet Brass Cases by Winchester can be loaded without alteration using a collet neck turning machine that uses a tool steel forming process. Everything that is wrong with the regular round is instantly erased. Lee 22 Hornet 86 Reloading Die Set Rifle Reload . Home; 22 Hornet . It was originally chambered in the companys then-new Model 1885 single-shot rifle. cartridges like the .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem. All groups are 5 shots at 100 yards. In such places as Australia and New Zealand, the cartridge was not only was popular with small-game and vermin shooters, it was a favorite for cadets in training as well. Buy .22 Hornet Reloading Essentials and More | RCBS I do it, simply because it makes me sleep better and is also the method I use to clean my primer pockets after each resizing. A nightmare or a handloaders dream? Retained energy at that range usually exceeds 300 foot-pounds (ft-lbs). As I mentioned earlier, powder weight is critical in the little case. After the tool: .001 or less runout at the tip. Ok guy, hopefully some of you out there have loaded for a .22 Hornet and can answer this for me. Dies like this get the bullet and case in a die before it starts to push the bullet into the case. Case preparation is essential. 3. ARMSCORs RIA 5.0 ST semi-automatic 9 mm Luger pistol represents the companys first handgun to be designed and manufactured here in the United States. It consists of the Lyman No. Learn More . Always start with reduced loads first and make sure they are safe in each of your guns before proceeding to the high test loads listed. Stoney Points OAL gauge is a must for serious handloaders. The Ruger is about the longest at 1.820 inches, while the CZ/BRNO magnums are shorter at 1.730 inches. Many rifles have a detatchable magazine to aid in the quick reloading of a rifle, such as an M16. 6.8 Western Ammo Options: The Load of Long Yardage, Springfield Armory SA-35 Pistol: Rebirth of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, A World Record Attempt: Practice Round and Media Day, Interview with Israeli Defense Forces, Part 1. This ensures that cases fit the chamber to absolute perfection. I have done this on my old Fox, because it loves ammunition that is wedged into the lands. There is also a very interesting Hornet powder on the market. As a rule, the 1:16 twist is too slow to stabilize bullets heavier than 45 grains, and some slow-twist rifles I have shot would not stabilize anything heavier than 40 grains. For decades, the .22 Hornet factory loads spit out 45-grain bullets at 2,400 to 2,500 f.p.s. Sure, the hotshot .22-cal. Details, details, details. If there is one cartridge that is defined by a split personality it is the unassuming .22 Hornet. There are some .223 inch diameter that are designed for old rifles with small barrels. the shooter hasnt hauled a shooting bench out into the field, he must shoot from position or at least on sticksoccur at less than 200 yards. During spring 1930 Whelen and his two friends headed for the varmint fields with their converted Springfields. Like the rest of Hornet loading, primers can and do make a big difference. The smallest common centerfire rifle cartridge, the .22 Hornet is still a nifty 175 yard varmint and small game cartridge. That still wasnt enough for many, so enter the wildcatters. Make sure to watch till the end. It should come as no small comfort for any patriotic American to know that the countrys firearm industry is vibrant and productive, still faithfully serving the needs of armed citizens, law-enforcement officers and military personneljust as it has for more than two centuries. It can be very irritating to some folks. Powders include IMR, Winchester, Hodgdon Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. That cartridge is the .22 Hornet. Case Sorting The .22 WCF stayed in production until 1935, but when Winchester decided to introduce a new varmint cartridge in 1930, the headstamp on .22 WCF cases was changed to read .22 Hornet, and it was loaded with 0.223-inch jacketed bullets. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. In general, I would offer the same advice with the .22 Hornet as I would with any small cartridge. If you change lots of powder, test a load (preferably over a chronograph) to be sure that velocity (and by extension, pressure) has stayed the same. The difference is easily felt when closing the bolt on a chambered round. Originally it was throwing its shots all over the place. Once upon a time I had a Ruger No. The .22 Hornet is a small cartridge where charge variations, neck tension, seating depth, and many other factors are more important because of the very small volume of powder consumed and the need for shot-to-shot consistency. In the slightly heavier realm, both Speer and Hornady make excellent 45-grain pointed soft points with thin jackets that will expand reliably, shoot fairly flat, and penetrate more deeply for larger varmintssuch as eastern Groundhogs, western Rockchucks, and predators. 22 Caliber Short Neck Sizer Die With Zip Spindle, 22 Hornet Full Length Series I 2 Die Set With Zip Spindle, 22 K Hornet Full Length Series 2 Die Set With Zip Spindle, 22 Hornet Full Length Pacesetter 3 Die Set With Shellholder, 22 Hornet Collet 2 Die Set With Shellholder, 22 Hornet Full Length Sizing Die & Bench Rest Seater Set, 22 Hornet Bench Rest Ultra Micrometer Seater Die, 22 Hornet/218 Bee Decapping Rod Assembly For Bottleneck Case, 22 Hornet Type S Match Bushing Neck Die Set, 22 Hornet Neck Sizing Die For Bottleneck Case, 22 Hornet Neck Sizer Die Set For Bottleneck Case, 22 Hornet Deluxe Die Set For Bottleneck Cases, 22 Hornet Full Length Sizing Die For Bottleneck Cases. A quick stab with a K reamer, with no other changes, turned it into a super-accurate rifle. Mikey Hartman, Lt. Col. It has a 16.5-inch detachable barrel, a retracting wire stock, and a detachable magazine that holds three cartridges. I was so enamored with the performance of the A-Bolt that I ventured into my first centerfire single shot handgun not long afterwards, with the purchase of a T/C Contender. We show you how. The first powder that was really used for the cartridge was Hercules 2400. Some 1-16 CZ Hornets wont stabilize 40gr Vmax well, but shoot 45gr Hornet bullets well. Averaging 6.5 pounds, trigger pull is a bit heavy for a varmint rifle. Another tool on my bench is the RCBS 2000 Progressive machine. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. With the cases barely sized and the bullets seated in the rifling it would not equal its fine performance with factory loads. Going lighter does not always mean getting shorter. Ive had very good luck with 40-grain bullets and IMR-4227 paired with the Federal Gold Medal Match Small pistol primer, for example. A forum community dedicated to Sharpshooters and Sniper enthusiasts. .22 Hornet Reloading Data (Using Sierra bullets) The RCBS 2000 Progressive press offers high speed and accuracy. Iwould also bring the bullet out just past the ogive and seat it there.40 grain is a bit more that the factory usually uses, so it may need a bit more COL. Second Media Corp., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Then, we will neck size only. There is a surprising variety of Hornet bullets. | This is Hodgdon LilGun. It also had a magazine that allowed a seating depth of around 1.9 inches. If you have time and want to have the most consistent internal case volume that you can, weigh them and segregate them into batches of similar weights. When browning designed the A-Bolt in .22 Hornet, they did a lot of things right. of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for Shotgun News. On the lighter side, there are Barnes, Speer and Calhoon hollow points ranging from 30-37 grains. Probably due to the small charge of powder burned, rifles in .22 Hornet sometimes indicate a preference in primers. Varmint shooters across our great land and in other countries have been celebrating the .22 Hornets 90th birthday. Known for small game hunting the .22 hornet came to market in 1930. When we think about it, this makes perfect sense. The 18.5-inch barrel measures 0.750 inch at its muzzle, and it has a 1:14 twist. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Test this accuracy, then try some that are .020 inch away, followed by some that have zero clearance. The Hornady load sends a 20-grain V-Max bullet out of a 24" barrel at 3,650 fps with a trajectory of just over plus-or-minus 3" over 300 yards. Reloading the 22 Hornet | Outdoor Life This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. Years ago, Remington developed the 6 primer for the .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, .25-20, and other small-capacity cartridges, and through the years I have used many thousands of them. Lyman 22 Hornet 2 Die Set + Custom Made Powder Drop Funnel - 7452277. The .22 Hornet is a small yet powerful rifle cartridge developed in the early 1930s by Winchester. More than a few other wildcats were made, but Killborns has kept most of its legs. My Griffin & Howe Krag shoots the relatively short Nosler and Sierra 45-grain bullets quite accurately, but it scatters the longer Hornady 45-grain Spirepoint all over the paper. Improved Military Rifle IMR 4227. The center pair show the Encores clear preference for full-length sizing, an opposite result to most rifles. Bullet technology being what it was in the 1950s, the .17 Hornet was mildly successful. In addition to being a 90-year survivor in the varmint fields, the .22 Hornet is also a military veteran. A Dillon 550 has been my standby for a long time. However, I am sure there would be some benefit. 3 reamed out to .22 K-Hornet. On the other hand, my Winchester Model 54 also has a 1:16 twist, yet it shoots the Hornady bullet like a house afire. It is actually a bit older. It left the factory around 1934 and was later restocked. While 2400 can still be used, and works well in some guns, we have a more varied and capable selection of propellants today. Even with forend modifications it was mediocre, rarely breaking an inch. On the other hand, many accurate rifles will be inaccurate, even with handloads that would appear to be very good ones. Flash hole deburring. I also included my favorite load for plinking and shooting small game for the pot. The .22 Hornet is extremely versatile and is favored among many. 22 K-Hornet Reloading Dies for sale at Midsouth Prices. Find the right 81102 REDDING BOTTLENECK NECK SIZING DIE - 22 HORNET - NEW - FREE SHIP. more than the standard Hornet. With H-110, W-296, 680 or 1680 pistol primers are almost always the most accurate. Suddenly there was a rifle on the scene that allowed shooters to take advantage of longer seating depths, placing bullets closer to the lands for increased accuracy, and with the right twist to take advantage of more modern bullets. The small powder charges used in the .22 Hornet call for relatively mild primers, such as the Winchester WSR, Remington 6 1/2, CCI 400, and Federal 205M. One of the rifles I used to shoot data for this report is a Ruger 77/22H customized in 1995 by the late Jim Clark Jr. of Clark Custom. (Ret.) The shape and design of the ogive have a lot to do with where the bullet actually hits the rifling. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/1G7xXag. The brass Hornet adapter allows it to work with the little cases. This length varies surprisingly, even with bullets of the same weight. With properly adjusted dies and ball powder, this machine will produce ammunition that will shoot right up to the rifles ability. The tighter the ammunition was in the Encore, the more it wanted to string vertically. Originally it was throwing its shots all over the place. The result is often a straighter round. He convinced his friends at Hercules Powder Co. to develop a new propellant. The following loads were developed in an Anschutz Exemplar You can use special neck-size-only dies, or do as I do and run a normal full-length sizer that is backed well away from the shellholder. Woodworth was first to bag a woodchuck with the new cartridge at 150 yards. When we talk about lots of shells, I mean pockets full that come off a progressive reloading press. Depending on the load used, the bullet will strike a 200-yard target anywhere from dead-on point of aim to an inch or two low. As an asidetake a little extra care to make sure the bullet is started straight in the case during the seating operation. I found a bullet depth (1.888") that let me get a good crimp below the ogive yet the bullet wasn't too long to fit in the chamber. NOTE: All load data should be used with caution. .22 Hornet | Handloader Magazine This was the smallest available cartridge until the introduction of the FN 5.7 x 28mm. While in most rifles I usually worry in full-grain increments, or at worst .5 grain the Hornet will notice .10-grain changes. Pistol, with a 14 barrel. Again, this is a time-consuming process but one that is only necessary once in the life of the case. The Nosler and Hornady are 45 grains, while Sierra has 40- and 45-grain Hornet bullets. Okay, I thought, if it doesnt like the snug treatment, lets see what happens if we full-length size the cases and give the bullets just a little clearance. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .22 Hornet Among Whelen's circle of friends was Winchester executive Edwin Pugsley who gave orders to build a special test rifle on the Model 54 action for the "22 Hornet," as Whelen decided it should be called.