Anybody have any good Blue Dot loads for the Hornet or K-Hornet?

I'll have to check my loading data when I get home, but the best I recall I've been using about 6.5 grains under a Hornady 35 grain V-Max for around 2500 fps. You could probably push it faster, but the little V-max will separate a prairie dog into multiple small pieces at this speed, anyway. The report is about like a .22 Magnum and accuracy at 100 yards is easily minute of ground squirrel.

I've also used about a half grain more in a K-Hornet.

Thanks for the help.

I rechecked my data and the actual load is 6.7 grains of Blue Dot. I ran some additional rounds through the chronograph and they came in right on 2500 fps with a fairly low standard deviation.

You can probably load more powder before running into pressure problems, but remember, this is a Hornet, not a .220 Swift, and the whole point of using Blue Dot is to achieve good accuracy with less than a full house load.

Actually Stoney, that is pretty darn impressive!

sure beats a 17 HMR....

Don't have any BLUE DOT but noticed in Ken Waters Pet Loads he had used UNIQUE with cast bullets. Well, didn't have any cast bullets either; so pulled up a coupla combinations on Quick Load.

Ended up with 5.0 grains of UNIQUE, a 46 grain RWS Jagd/Match Hollow Point at 1.70 OAL.

Not really a super quiet load - actually has a pretty good bark to it but plunked 5 into way less than an inch at 100 meters - actualy about 3/4". Didn't Chrony the load (will next time) but according to Quick Load is supposed to get around 2050 fps.

Stonecreek,
Thanks for the info. I haven't put any across the chrony yet but I've tried two loads so far using Remington pistol primers which seem to be very mild. I tried 6.7grs behind a 37gr Calhoon bullet and 6grs behind the Winchester 46gr HP. Both showed very mild pressure signs and grouped under 1.5inches at 100yds. This is out of a 10inch Bullberry 22LR Contender barrel Mike Bellm converted to 22K Hornet. It will put its favorite loads inside a half inch at 100 as long as I do my part. I've made up some more loads in increments of .2 grains each with 6.8-7.4grs for the 37gr Calhoon and 6.3-6.7 for the 46gr WW. I know that sounds hot compared to your load for the 35gr V-Max but I truly believe the mild Remington SPP requires more powder to get pressures near what I get even with Winchesters SPP. I'm looking for the best accuracy, not hot rod loads. Something to slightly better the 22WMR. By the way, the loads were very quiet in that barrel compared to my 296 loads. 296 creates muzzle flash and blast that makes the little Hornet sound like a monster out of that short barrel.
I will post my results when I get a chance to shoot this latest batch. Probably won't be until Sunday.

Let us know how your loads turn out.

I've had a lot more fun lately messing with Blue Dot and Hornets than with all of my "big blasters". You can shoot all day and not worry about burning up either your barrels or your bank account.

Now for the "good old days" when you could buy .224" bullets for 4 cents apiece!

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
....I've had a lot more fun lately messing with Blue Dot and Hornets than with all of my "big blasters". You can shoot all day and not worry about burning up either your barrels or your bank account.....

Funny you should say that Stonecreek. I used to look at those tiny little cases and wonder how I would even pick them up with my stiff and clumsy hands. Now I have no desire to load or shoot anything else! I even hunt with it. (Small game, using 55gr bullets on top of Lil'Gun - not a 'quiet' load).

Stonecreek-

Last week, while cleaning my mess of a gun room, I noticed I have a couple hundred pieces of new Hornet brass, dies and plenty appropriate projectiles...but no Hornet rifle at the moment (still have a 10" Contender barrel, though).

Your post reminded me how much fun they were and how badly I "need" another. And those Blue Dot loads will save me the cost of the rifle in no time -- or at least that's how I plan to justify another purchase.

So do you mind very much if my wife looks you up when I tell her: "Honey, it was all Stonecreek's fault?"

If not, I'll just have her call Seafire...

quote:

I'll just have her call Seafire...

Seafire said Bobbie T. needed a new gun....

I use WSF ( Winchester Super Field ) in my Contender 22 Hornet pistol barrels for Hunter Pistol Silhouette competition. 5.2 gr with a 55 gr bullet gives me 1750 fps out of a 10 inch barrel, so I would think that you could get well over 2000 with the 40 gr bullets. This load makes one hole at 50 meters and opens up to about 3/4 inch at 100 meters. I have a Contender rifle barrel in 22 Hornet that I plan to run a K Hornet reamer in sometime this year and use on p dogs. I have not loaded for the K Hornet but was thinking something in the WSF, Blue Dot, Unique burning range would work in the 21 in barrel. If you have a good load for a K Hornet with a 40 gr V Max let me know.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby Tomek:
Stonecreek-

Last week, while cleaning my mess of a gun room, I noticed I have a couple hundred pieces of new Hornet brass, dies and plenty appropriate projectiles...but no Hornet rifle at the moment (still have a 10" Contender barrel, though).

Your post reminded me how much fun they were and how badly I "need" another. And those Blue Dot loads will save me the cost of the rifle in no time -- or at least that's how I plan to justify another purchase.

So do you mind very much if my wife looks you up when I tell her: "Honey, it was all Stonecreek's fault?"

If not, I'll just have her call Seafire...

Bobby,

I was hoping your wife would put her foot down at the thought of a new rifle and you would just give up and send all of your Hornet brass and bullets to me.

Years ago, I worked up some Blue Dot loads for my own Hornet. Maximum was right at 7 grains of BD under a 45-gr bullet, but between 6 and 7 gave right at 2400 fps and very good accuracy. Just a bit stronger than a 22 Mag, more accurate and as pleasant to shoot. Good load.

Today, I'd cap it with a 37 Calhoon DHP or the 36 Barnes Varmint Grenade, but leave the rest unchanged. I use WW brass and rem 6 1/2 or the CCI SP primer in all my Hornet loads. Using the Lee Factory Crimp Die most definitely adds to the accuracy and consistency of my Hornet, btw, likely because it prevents the bullet from being partially unseated by the primer.

OK guys, I'm a country boy and as such, I'm a bit slow. Now I understand BD in 223's, etc. However, its use in the 22H escapes me. I've been using 12.0 gr. of Lil Gun with a 37 gr. Calhoon for a long time and I have a nice light, accurate load. What is the BD doing that my Lil Gun load is not?

I have two squib loads to share with you:
.22 Hornet [45 gr. bullet] 4.1 grains of UNIQUE
.223 Remmington [55 gr. bullet] 5.6 grains of UNIQUE.
LEE has a cute little $12+ program that will allow you to take your regular powder and doownsize it to the velocity you desire. I have been warned that it MAY be dangerous in calibers above 22.