Does anybody load the Speer TNT 33 grain bullet in the k-hornet? What powder & load do you use? I'm thinking about using LL' Gun but can't find any data for the k with the 33 grain TNT.

It shouldn't be too different from the 35gr V-MAX. You could get a lot more Lil'Gun into your case than the load shown below. I get more into my standard hornet - but I do compress it (quite a bit).

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35 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon Lil'Gun .224" 1.725" 12.5 2980 29,900 CUP 13.5 3122 35,300 CUP

Thanks for the reply. Speer #14 lists 14.0 gr of LL' Gun for 3093 (max) with the 33 gr TNT in the standard hornet. I was thinking of starting at 13.5 gr and working my way up.

Just one thing. The k-hornet seems to develop higher pressure than the standard hornet with Lil'Gun. That said, it seems that does not apply with the lighter bullets, going by the Speer 14gr and Hodgdon 13.5gr loads given. Anyway, it seems that compressing Lil'Gun reduces the 'expected' pressure somewhat. (My load is 13.6gr Lil'Gun under a 55gr bullet seated to fit the magazine. But apparently, that would go over the top in a k-hornet).

Have you looked up the Hodgdon website?

i tried them in a couple of k's when they came out and couldn't get satisfactory accuracy out of them.

The Speer TNT line are generally great bullets. I've used them in .222 (50 gr.) and .243 (70 gr) with excellent results.

However, the little 33 grainer is a great dissappointment. I've had poor results in both a regular and a K-Hornet. The 35 gr. Hornady V-Max is by far the best Hornet/K-Hornet bullet I've used.

The Hogdon site does not list the k hornet or the Speer 33 gr TNT. But, it sounds like the 33gr TNT might not be worth fooling with. I definately will try the 35 gr V-Max. Thanks for the input guys!

With Lilgun, I've found more consistent velocity with 45gr or heavier bullets in the standard Hornet.

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With Lilgun, I've found more consistent velocity with 45gr or heavier bullets in the standard Hornet.

With my loading technique, I need even heavier bullets and stiff powder charges for consistency with Lil'Gun, but stunning performance! (Standard hornet - my hunting buddies look at that tiny little cartridge and declare quite authoratively that it will never kill a goat, then I have to finish of their goats that are still running, while mine bang flops!)

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Originally posted by k-22hornet:
With Lilgun, I've found more consistent velocity with 45gr or heavier bullets in the standard Hornet.

True. Lilgun seems to yield very inconsistent velocities, particularly with lighter bullets. I've found AA1680 to be a much more consistent performer with all weights. AA1680 may not yield velocities quite as high (on average) as Lilgun, but then I didn't buy a Hornet for high velocity OR to shoot heavy bullets. I have plenty of larger .22 centerfires for those purposes. My Hornets are for moderate velocities, low noise, and stress-free shooting. It's silly to try to "bust a gut" straining the last FPS from a Hornet. You want more? Get one of a dozen larger .22's.

Stonecreek,

+1!

My sentiments exactly.

Funny how the Hornet; in most normal versions of rifles & factroy ammo delivers it's best accruacy at about 2550 fps?

Also our expereinces with Lil'Gun and AA1680, AA1680 was more consistant across the board, especially with the 46. gr. RWS Jagd/Match but Lil'Gun delivered the highest velecities (and spreads, means & averages) with 35 gr. Hornady V-Max bullets.

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It's silly to try to "bust a gut" straining the last FPS from a Hornet. You want more? Get one of a dozen larger .22's.

For me it was about making use of the rifle I had and getting it to shoot straight. I have found the heavier bullets shoot better and allow me to use the rifle for the 'game' I hunt, which includes feral goat. I just cannot take long shots at goat (I think - I won't try anyway) but at 100m it is deadly on them, which also happens to be a very reasonable reach. Hares and magpies out to 180m are in trouble (at which point trajectory becomes an issue). Shooting 55gr SP's is also the cheapest option.