22 K-Hornet

11 May 2015, 19:06

Newtire

I just started fooling around with my newly reamed K-hornet and came across a very accurate fireform load. I was even surprised that it fireformed the case actually.
Winchester cases
CCI 500 small pistol primers
Lyman 225415 seated out to touch the lands
3.2 gr. Win. 231
1400-1415 fps
1.8" @ 100yds. for 10 shots
Note* The Lee Bator (Midsouth sells the mould) was almost as accurate. Fired 15 shots as back surgery makes it rough to get out to 100 yd. target to change to new target.
I also had great luck using 9.0 gr. 1680 with same Bator bullet in fireformed already cases.
Jacketted=Sierra 45 gr. with IMR 4227 and Lil gun so far=< 1" @ 100.

11 May 2015, 22:42

butchloc

14-14.5 gr lil gun 40 gr vmax or nosler bt or sierra - k hornet is a great little round

12 May 2015, 02:55

Stonecreek

AA 1680 has done well for me in both Hornet and K-Hornet. With a 40 grain bullet it's hard to get too much of it in the case. Velocities are close to Lil Gun and much more consistent for better accuracy.

There's nothing wrong with the K-Hornet, but I don't find enough difference between it and the standard Hornet to justify the trouble. If you want more velocity you shouldn't be depending on the thin, fragile Hornet case. Get a .221 Fireball instead (its available in the same rifle you're going to buy.) It will toss a 40 grain bullet at 3400 fps -- at least 400 fps faster than any form of the Hornet case and with longer case life and better accuracy.

15 May 2015, 21:51

Atkinson

I love the K Hornet, its just a nice gun. Its a good idea to run a K reamer in the Win. mod 43 and that old Savage mod 23?? in that they both tend to get headspace. Opening them to a K will prevent that.

15 May 2015, 22:05

dwheels

I don't shoot the K version, just the standard hornet. I use Lil Gun at 13 grains in a Win Case with a cci small rifle primer and a Barnes 30 Grain Hornet Bullet. This combination shoots under an inch at 100 yards. I don't shoot it over 100 if I can help it as the little 30 grain bullet looses speed quickly. It's deadly out to 100 though. You should see a ground squirrel hit with one at 70-80 yards. Spectacular is all I can say. DW

17 May 2015, 08:28

craigster

I use 12.5grs of H110 and the 40gr Vmax. Works great in my Ruger #1.

18 May 2015, 19:59

DuaneinND

I have a letter written by Lysle D. Kilborn, the designer of the K-hornet, not sure of the age as there is no date, but the cost to rechamber your Hornet to a K-Hornet is $3.00! His powders of choice at the time where 2400 and 4227.
13 grs of 2400 in a WW case at 3280fps for a 40gr bullet.
14 grs of 4227 in a RP case, 3215fps, 40gr.
New FL sizing dies were $2 and a straightline seater was $5.
The good old days.

26 May 2015, 01:45

Newtire

quote:
Originally posted by Stonecreek:
AA 1680 has done well for me in both Hornet and K-Hornet. With a 40 grain bullet it's hard to get too much of it in the case. Velocities are close to Lil Gun and much more consistent for better accuracy.

There's nothing wrong with the K-Hornet, but I don't find enough difference between it and the standard Hornet to justify the trouble. If you want more velocity you shouldn't be depending on the thin, fragile Hornet case. Get a .221 Fireball instead (its available in the same rifle you're going to buy.) It will toss a 40 grain bullet at 3400 fps -- at least 400 fps faster than any form of the Hornet case and with longer case life and better accuracy.

Don't know about the 400 fps difference but with 13.5 gr. lil gun & a 45 gr. Sierra, was getting 3200+. I believe I'll cut that back to 13.0 gr. as it sounds a little hot to me. That was in a Winchester case using a CCI500 small pistol primer and a Lee factory crimp. No loose primer pockets but why take chances. It was about all the lil gun I could pack in there!. Double checked powder measures... Go figure.

26 May 2015, 06:17

Doubless

I will be the outlier here, as I typically am, and talk about the K and heavier bullets. My "pet load" is 10 grains of Accurate Data 2200 powder and a small pistol primer, and a Winchester 55-grain soft point seated within about .010" of the lands. In my lowly NEF, it is almost a one hole round at 100 yards. I never got around to clocking the round, just figured that it would do anything I wanted it to do within the K's range.

01 June 2015, 18:33

Newtire

quote:
Originally posted by Newtire:
I just started fooling around with my newly reamed K-hornet and came across a very accurate fireform load. I was even surprised that it fireformed the case actually.
Winchester cases
CCI 500 small pistol primers
Lyman 225415 seated out to touch the lands
3.2 gr. Win. 231
1400-1415 fps
1.8" @ 100yds. for 10 shots
Note* The Lee Bator (Midsouth sells the mould) was almost as accurate. Fired 15 shots as back surgery makes it rough to get out to 100 yd. target to change to new target.
I also had great luck using 9.0 gr. 1680 with same Bator bullet in fireformed already cases.
Jacketted=Sierra 45 gr. with IMR 4227 and Lil gun so far=< 1" @ 100.

Using 3.2 gr. Win. 231 again but this time with Lyman 225438...4 -shots into <1inch with 5th mandatory spoiler opening to just shy of 2".

29 February 2016, 04:43

wolfhunter 2

I had one fora few years dont any more found some brass the other day 100 + - any one interested the price is any offer + actual shipping Kevin

29 February 2016, 22:28

Atkinson

The price on a K shouldn't be much, you can almost do it with a fingr nail file...I've done a couple in the past with a borrowed hand reamer with perfect results..

05 March 2016, 18:17

Big Wonderful Wyoming

I had a Ruger 22 K-Hornet, it shot ok. Was the stainless laminate model before they got new rifle barrel machines.

A new one or a CZ would be the cats pajammas.

21 May 2018, 20:45

Atkinson

Feeding from a clip can be problematic in some cases, guess depends on gunsmith skill..Ihave a beautiful standard Hornet from yesteryear from Suhl Germany I would like to punch out, but its so damn collectable, and shoots so good I opted to forego that operation..Std. Hornets tend to get headspace in some cases, guess hot loads do that..

23 May 2018, 02:53

Michael Michalski

Agree with Stonecreek.

01 June 2018, 04:36

Atkinson

I like my Griefelt 22 Hornet as is, it beats the 22 WMR by quit a bit, its the perfect turkey gun and I keep the rock chucks thinned around the house and barn...I started to punch it out to a K, but its very collectable and in 99.9 % condition, so opted to leave it be. I shoot the Hornady #2229 .224 BEE, it literally disinagrates a rock chuck at barn and corral distance from my shop, about 40 to 65 yards.Awesome bullet, same bullet comes in the BEE at .223 for the 218 Bee..fits perfect in clip guns.

If I need more in a .22 cal I will go with my all time favorite, the 222 Rem..