I didn't know it would be possible to get a 50gr bullet to 2900fps out of a Hornet. I found this recipe on another web-site. Does this look Kosher you you guy's?

Load 7870 in caliber .22 Hornet
LoadID 7870
Bullet Speer TNT
BulletWeight 50 grs
Powder Hodgdon Lil'Gun
PowderWeight 13 grs
Primer CCI BR-4
Brass Make Remington
Barrel Length 22 (inches)
C.O.L (inches)
Velocity 2900 fps
Group 0.5 (inches by 3 shot at 100 yds)
Submitted Date 6/24/2003 8:22:00 AM
Submitted By acpchuck
Comment 1/2" groups in a Ruger #3

Energy 932 ft-lbs
TKO 4.6
OGW 91 lbs

13 grains of Lil Gun is max in most guns with 35 gr bullets. Either that shooter has a really unusal barrel, is pushing pressures way too high for the Hornet or is actually loading a K-Hornet. The latter sounds most likely.

The Ruger #3 can certainly take the pressure, but I dunno about the casing containing it. Seems like 223 territory to me.

Check Hodgdon's load data on this, but I believe that 13.0 gr. is their listed max load for the 45 gr. bullet w/ velocities around 2900-3000. The load may be high for SAAMI specs. but the Ruger will handle that pressure. I'm getting around 3250 with 12.7 gr. and a 40 gr Ballistic Tip out a #1. Have gone as high as 13.3 gr. Li'l Gun with no adverse pressure signs, 3450 fps with the BT, 3500 fps w/ 40 gr. VMAX. Cases eject normally, no case head expansion or loose primer pockets after 10 firings. From other's comments on the Net this is not unusual, nor the the Tech. at Hodgdon seemed concerned. His comment was that you can fill a case with Li'l Gun without hurting anything in the 45 gr bullet weight. It's weird enough for me, but in a nice way.