Lads,

Bought some 30gr sp bullets for my Hornets. Supposed to be pretty explosive on red squirrels and such.

Looked, and I don't seem to have any reliable data for loading. Will be shooting through a Ruger 77/22H and a Savage 24C. Also have a Hornet barrel for my contender which might get some use depending on accuracy of load.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, and I'll let you know how it turns out in each gun.

Thanks,
Mike

As much Lil Gun as you can get in the case. Seriously. With lighter bullets, Lil Gun gives extremely low pressures. You can't get into trouble with it. Most brass capacity tops out around 13 grains give or take a bit.

I'm running 12.6 grains in mine just because that's what fit comfortably and is giving very good groups with lighter bullets. So far I've gotten the best groups with the Hornady 35 gr V-Max, which you'll find to be a favorite of the Hornet crowd, but I've got some 30 grain Bergers loaded.

LWD

Ahh Yooperland, yes, very nice country

I'm running 13 grains Lil Gun pushing the 35 grain V-max, great load, not sure there is a load that can top it, very good in my Anschutz. Worht your time to try it, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

Yup, Lil Gun and the Hornet were made for each other.

Thanks lads,

Always get good advice on this site.

Dom... we're thinking of ceceding and calling ourselves "Da Duchy of Da Nort, Eh". Pasties will be the national food and the black fly will be the national bird. Along w/deer, bear and small game season, we're also going to have a "tourist" season!!!

Will try to load up some shells today and report back. Have to be out of town for a week, but I'll share what I find.

Thanks again,

Mike

Be sure and try small pistol primers with your Hornet. In many Hornets, they have improved the accuracy significantly.

I also shoot a Model 23-C Delux. It likes as all the other guys have said, 13 grains of Lil Gun and a 35 Grain V-Max. I know this load is getting talked about a lot these days, but Hornet guys have had few loads, if any in the past we could all agree performed well. Start around 13 grains,if it dosen't like that number, it will within a couple 10th's.

Jerry

quote:

Originally posted by Michael A. Glass:
Dom... we're thinking of ceceding and calling ourselves "Da Duchy of Da Nort, Eh". Pasties will be the national food and the black fly will be the national bird. Along w/deer, bear and small game season, we're also going to have a "tourist" season!!!

Can't argue with that, Superior, the 51st State, about time!

I'm using Rem 6 1/2 SR Primers and a Lee Fact Crimp Die; the run 2900 fps & change.

Lil'gun (12.5 - 13 gr) does not give good internal ballistics with bullets lighter than 40 gr in 2 of my 4 Hornets. If you get large extreme spreads of 100+ fps for a 5 -10 shot string then I suggest trying 13 gr H110 or 12 gr H4227. I have pressure tested all the above and they are with in SAAMI PMAP for the 22 hornet.

Larry Gibson

I just finished loading some of the new Barnes 30 grain Varmint Grenades made for the Hornet. I used 30 grains of Lil Gun but there is more data on the Hodgdon website. 5-6 more powder combinations I beleive. DW

quote:

Originally posted by dwheels:
I just finished loading some of the new Barnes 30 grain Varmint Grenades made for the Hornet. I used 30 grains of Lil Gun but there is more data on the Hodgdon website. 5-6 more powder combinations I beleive. DW

My Hornet cases are full at 13 gr Lil Gun.

quote:

Lil'gun (12.5 - 13 gr) does not give good internal ballistics with bullets lighter than 40 gr in 2 of my 4 Hornets. If you get large extreme spreads of 100+ fps for a 5 -10 shot string then I suggest trying 13 gr H110 or 12 gr H4227. I have pressure tested all the above and they are with in SAAMI PMAP for the 22 hornet.

I agree with Larry 100%.

Our experience shows that with the "ultra-lights"; (30, 33 & 35 grainers) in the Hornet; Lil'gun is pretty inconsistant.

Not just 5 or 10 but put 20 or 25 over the screens and you'll notice very large swings (100-150fps) in velocity.

We've had better luck with AA-1680 or VV N-110 with light bullets in the Hornet. You may not get those really exciting high read-outs from your Chrony but the loads will be much more consistant.

Well you guys sure busted my bubble. Now I've got more testing to do. Ignorance truly was bliss.

I have shot a great many rounds of hornet with 35gr Vmax bullets and Lilgun, and there is no doubt that the velocities can be all over the place. But the thing I consider most is where are all of the bullets hitting on the target at 100 yards? Every thing I shoot at gets hit hard and dies. FS

quote:

Originally posted by Fasteel:
I have shot a great many rounds of hornet with 35gr Vmax bullets and Lilgun, and there is no doubt that the velocities can be all over the place. But the thing I consider most is where are all of the bullets hitting on the target at 100 yards? Every thing I shoot at gets hit hard and dies. FS

Absolutely true. Folks get to hung up on velocity spread when it really doesn't matter much inside 150 yds. Bigger cases and long range; sure. But not the Hornet. Leave the Chrony at home and enjoy the practical accuracy of Lil Gun without complicating your life.

If you aren't chasing top velocities, try 2400 (originally designed for the Hornet).

I would echo the other posts that Lil gun gave erratic velocities in my Hornets (10" TC and Savage Rifle).

H110 worked very well.

quote:

Absolutely true. Folks get to hung up on velocity spread when it really doesn't matter much inside 150 yds. Bigger cases and long range; sure. But not the Hornet. Leave the Chrony at home and enjoy the practical accuracy of Lil Gun without complicating your life.

Exactly. I might chrono my loads and see an extreme spread and somehow think that all five weren't going into an .8" group.

LWD