I would like to start reloading my .22 hornet shells. I am shooting factory Hornady’s with 35gr v-maxs. I am getting 3175 fps with the factory shells, the box rates these at 3100 fps. I would like to maintain these speeds, but most of the loads that I have looked at say 2950-3000 fps as the max.

What are some of you getting with your reloads?

Check James Calhoon 30 GR. bullets. I have been using them in a K Hornet with IMR 4227. I am fixing to try Accurate powder 1680 with this bullet. If you are going for longest range with a Hornet then 35 gr Hor. may be the best. The Calhoons will unwind a squirrell.

I am loading the 35 grain VMAX using 13 grains of Lil'Gun and a Rem 1 1/2 small pistol primer for my CZ 527. I don't know the velocity, but this load is capable of sub quarter inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards.
Pete

Lil Gun and a light crimp seems to be the combo with about bullet with the hornet. I liked those Hornady 35 factory loads. Real accurate out of my Browning. It was reborn as a 17Ackley Hornet.

Without any doubt buy and use the Lil Gun powder for the Hornet. I have been a AA 1680 proponent for several years and got the willy to try Lil Gun. The accuracy and velocity gains are beyond your hope! I currently load for a friends New England Arms break open and 13 grains behing a 50 Hornady SX does 2850 and 1/2 MOA! 45 grain Hornadys do 2940 and same in my BRNO, the 35 grain bullet should have no trouble reaching the speeds you wnt with Lil Gun.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Without any doubt buy and use the Lil Gun powder for the Hornet. I have been a AA 1680 proponent for several years and got the willy to try Lil Gun. The accuracy and velocity gains are beyond your hope! I currently load for a friends New England Arms break open and 13 grains behing a 50 Hornady SX does 2850 and 1/2 MOA! 45 grain Hornadys do 2940 and same in my BRNO, the 35 grain bullet should have no trouble reaching the speeds you wnt with Lil Gun.

What primer are you using?

Thanks

I load 13.0grs Lilgun under a 45gr Barnes XLC and get around 2900fps, out of a Ruger M77 w/20" barrel. I only use small pistol primers.

Lilgun is the way to go in the Hornet.

I had pressure spikes with small rifle primers and am now using the CCI 550 small pistol magnum primer exclusively. This is an important point, sorry I did not include it previousily.

Thanks for the replys.

Buck,

I've had poor luck with the much-touted Lil Gun in both a Hornet and K-Hornet, but as they say, your mileage may vary. Obviously a lot of people feel they are doing well with it.

My preference is WW 296. It yields excellent velocity, and is much more consistent (in my experience) than Lil Gun. Used with 35 grain Hornadys it is a devastating combination on small rodents.

A "cute" load that shoots amazingly well is 6 to 7 grains of Blue Dot. This makes about a .22 Magnum "Magnum" and is easy on the ears and the cases. Velocity is around 2800-2900 fps.