Author Topic: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet  (Read 2152 times)

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Offline ironglow

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Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« on: January 20, 2011, 04:01:35 PM »
  Want to load for coyotes  50 gr V-Max.. /13 gr Lil'gun/ should chrony about 2700 fps..
  Is this a good load considering the twist rate... and that I may want to take an occasional fox as well ? 
  Would this be better than a 35 gr V-Max travelling somewhat faster ?
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline trotterlg

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2011, 04:35:50 PM »
50gr bullets are on the heavy side for a Hornet, but if it works for you things are good.  I use 1680 and the 35 Vmaxes.  Larry
A gun is just like a parachute, if you ever really need one, nothing else will do.

Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2011, 04:37:27 PM »
Whats the twist?  I think 13gr Lil gun is pretty stiff with 50gr. IIRC 12gr was max for 40-45gr. Can you get 13gr in the case? Kurt
Deceased 2/16/24
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/machesney-park-il/kurt-heckman-11671764

Sportster17M2,20"Nickle410Tamer,26"410,
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Offline trotterlg

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2011, 04:59:33 PM »
As I recall I can only get about 12 gr of 1680 in a case and it is ball powder.  Larry
A gun is just like a parachute, if you ever really need one, nothing else will do.

Offline Spanky

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2011, 05:25:59 PM »
You don't need 50gr. bullets for coyotes. I shoot deer with 45gr. soft points in my Hornet. Those 35gr. vmaxes Larry uses are deadly on coyotes.



Spanky

Offline Tommie D

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2011, 05:30:30 PM »
More than likely you have a 1:12 twist ? which is not a problem with the 50gr V-Max. I would start at 12 grains and work up to 13 grains. A old electric tooth brush works great for getting all that powder in the case, Just run it up and down the side of the case as your dropping the powder charge.

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2011, 06:28:46 PM »
Remington Hornet brass has a bit more capacity than Win brass.  ;)

Tim
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Offline Bob A

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2011, 07:14:57 PM »
I've been loading 13.5 grains of LilGun with the 40 Vmax for almost 2 years. It was below the Hornady max at the time. I recently noticed that they lowered their max but 13.5 gets the best accuracy from my Handi Hornet. I have the 1:12 twist.
This load has dropped several coyotes. All one shot kills from 60 to 150 yards. Most of my shooting with the hornet  is ground squirrels. The Vmax seriously blows them up.
Its funny, but I have lost interest in target shooting with the hornet. Its always so good, so I don't mess with the load. I just keep 100 or so loaded up and available for when the squirrels start getting out of hand or we spot a coyote sneaking through one of the pastures.
I used to reach for something in 30 cal for the coyotes, but no more. The handi is it.

Oh, and I use Winchester Cases and CCI SR (400) primers. Getting 13.5 grains of LilGun in the case isn't hard once you work out your technique. I never tried the electric tooth brush, sounds like a good idea. I drop the powder slowly and tap with a pencil to settle the powder as it fills.
The 40 Vmax is really nice because of the boat tail. Makes it easy to seat the bullet, which can be an issue and having the powder so close to the mouth of the case doesn't make it easier. The 35 Vmax is a flat base bullet and can be harder to seat. Its a great bullet, but when loading for the handi we are not limited to the COL that fits in a magazine. So, why not use a longer bullet.
I haven't tried the 50 Vmax. I expect its a great bullet also but I stopped looking after finding success with the 40 grain bullet.


Enjoy

Bob A

Offline ironglow

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2011, 04:29:48 AM »
Thanks guys, you have been very helpful.  According to what you fellows tell me, the 35-40 gr V-max should cover everything for me, from woodchucks to these large northeastern coyotes.  One of the beauties of Lil'gun is the low pressure it creates for a really warm load. I really wanted a universal load for predator calling..coyotes and fox, and you guys have given me the answer.
   Guess I'll save the 50 gr V-maxes for my .223 Savage.

   I got my loadings from Hogdons..just check the low pressures created by Lil'gun.  Keeping pressures down for added case life is of course, critical with the Hornet.  http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline JamesIII

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2011, 05:00:10 AM »
I have loaded my Hornet up with everything from 34 gr-55 gr. bullets. I have finally settled on 34 gr. sp and 40 gr v-max. I also do not try and push it to the max, I have a .223 for that. I use the Hornet more as a .22 mag on steriods. I have loaded up several 34 gr bullets with Trailboss, if the weather gets above 0 maybe I will go see if they clear the barrel!!! JamesIII

Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #10 on: January 21, 2011, 05:14:45 AM »
My Hornet is one of the older M157's with the small bore and a 1-16 twist so I have been using 12.5gr LilGun and Rem 6 1/2 primers 40gr Jet .222 bullets mostly PDogs since most coyote hunting here during the day is a long range afair and calling at night is done with the 32H&R Mag under 75yrds. Kurt
Deceased 2/16/24
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/machesney-park-il/kurt-heckman-11671764

Sportster17M2,20"Nickle410Tamer,26"410,
WTUTI12ga,WTU25-06,M158 22RemJet, 24"Ultra.204Ruger24"UltraFluted.204Ruger
M157Mannliker.22Hornet,24".223UltraFluted,   24".223Ultra,7X64BrenekkeUltra,22-250AIUltraFluted            7.62x39,22"303Britstub.32H&Rmag, .32303BritstubHuntsman,24" SS.50calHuntsman 58calHuntsman 12gaHuntsman
NEF RevolversSSModel73.32H&Rmag                     Blued Model73.32H&R mag The herd is shrinking!!
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Offline ironglow

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2011, 09:46:07 AM »
Kurt;
  I have long wonder but what that .32 mag would be a very handy barrel to have.  Certainly for the night hunt of coyotes, but also for close in woodchucks..loading them a margin under supersonic level.  If you keep them to 1,000 fps or so, are they relatively quiet ?
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2011, 10:58:18 AM »
I agree, the 50G bullets are about as heavy as I would use in the Hornet, IF I expected expansion. Even then it would be range limited. Stabilisation is another story.

I like the looks and the way the 35G shoot. But haven't shot any game with them. Sierra and Speer "hornet" bullets have worked perfectly for me for many years. When Marlin came out with a Bee in the 1894, Speer brought out a 46G FP bullet. I VERY MUCH like this bullet and it worked perfectly at Hornet velocities. (The Bee is just a little quicker then the Hornet.)

Every manufacturer makes part of there line of 22 cal bullets for lower velocities and most make one or two for the hornet velocity ranges. BUT BEWARE, some hornet bullets are .223 diameter!! You want .224's.

Good luck,
 CW
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Offline ironglow

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2011, 12:23:48 AM »
CW;
  Know what you mean... I have about a half box of the .223 diameter Speer bullets and they are just helping to hold my reloading cabinet down.  ;) :D
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline dovehunter

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2011, 04:50:55 AM »
Though I mostly use my Handi Hornet barrel with (greatly) reduced loads of Unique and 45 gr. lead gas check bullets for squirrel hunting, it has done well with heavier loads and 45 gr. jacketed bullets.  A while back I tried 20 rounds loaded with Sierra 45 gr. Varminters with (as I recall) 12-13 gr. of Lil'Gun in Winchester cases with CCI-SR primers.  I was surprised how good it grouped at 100 yds.: 5-shot groups at just at or under an inch at 100 yds.  My barrel is one of the newer ones with the faster twist.

Offline Daman

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #15 on: January 22, 2011, 05:13:36 AM »
In the old Topper 158 my wife shoots, we run Winchester SP 46gr for store bought. We run 45 and 55 grains in handloads that I won't list here cause they are pushing it a little over max --- especially with the 55's.

I find I actually prefer the Win factory loads for deer and yotes though. The wife has shot a few (plans to shoot another maybe two today) with those --- 9 out of 10 leave exit wounds on lung shots and hardly ever go over 50 yards. She generally sticks em right behind the ear and the expected dirt nap takes effect so fast it is amazing.

I would say I totally prefer heavy as you can stabilize in the Hornet. To me that is where it really shines. I wish I could stabilize the 62's in the 158, but the 55's are pushing it.

Daman
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Offline ssjohnnie

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #16 on: January 22, 2011, 06:44:23 AM »
Seeing that patch as your avatar reminded my of how my love of the hornet began my uncle was in the army and when he would come home on leave he had this pair of savages in 22 hornet with scopes well the only thing me and my little bouther ever saw on the farm was bb guns and a old winchester 22 ss well the first time i got to shoot that hornet MAN O MAN i fell in love this thing went bang zoom pop very fast notting on the farm was safe from then on as long as he was there with the hornets that was a long time ago still love that little cartage and the patch he wore was one call seven steps to hell he was in Germany thats for letting me rambel just brougth back alot of good old times..........Johnnie :) :) :)

Offline ironglow

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #17 on: January 22, 2011, 03:03:05 PM »
ssjohnnie;
     During the 2&1/2 years I was stationed in Germany, I wore the 7th Army patch for about 2 months.  The 7th army was running the Non-Commissioned officer's School, which I attended at Bad Toelz.  My regular patch while serving there was the USAREUR (US Army in Europe) patch...with it's 'flaming Sword.
     Incidently, I bought my first .22 Hornet while stationed over there..which my grandson (a Marine) now has.
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #18 on: January 22, 2011, 04:50:37 PM »
Yes they are very quiet. I still haven't taken the time to load some heavy bullets Larry sent with the bbl should just be a "whisper" with those. Kurt
Deceased 2/16/24
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/machesney-park-il/kurt-heckman-11671764

Sportster17M2,20"Nickle410Tamer,26"410,
WTUTI12ga,WTU25-06,M158 22RemJet, 24"Ultra.204Ruger24"UltraFluted.204Ruger
M157Mannliker.22Hornet,24".223UltraFluted,   24".223Ultra,7X64BrenekkeUltra,22-250AIUltraFluted            7.62x39,22"303Britstub.32H&Rmag, .32303BritstubHuntsman,24" SS.50calHuntsman 58calHuntsman 12gaHuntsman
NEF RevolversSSModel73.32H&Rmag                     Blued Model73.32H&R mag The herd is shrinking!!
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Offline Gohon

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #19 on: January 22, 2011, 06:01:31 PM »
My H&R Hornet doesn't like the 35 grain V-Max as much as I thought it would.  It does okay but nothing to brag about.  The gun  loves the 40 and 50 grain V-Max's though.  Bought it last year and from what I'm told it is a 1-9 twist and as with most H&R's it has a generous chamber which allows you to load the heavier bullets pretty far out.  12 grains of Lil'Gun behind the 40 grain V-Max gives me 2641 fps.  I've got the RD 50 grain TLC-225-RF mold and I'm working up loads for it now.  I've found a decent subsonic squirrel load using these bullets but it doesn't seem to shoot accurately with middle of the road loads.  I think I'm going to have to drive these at the top end.  Not sure why H&R went to the 1 in 9 twist but it sure doesn't seem to serve the Hornet very well.

Offline briannmilewis

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Re: Loading for NEF .22 Hornet
« Reply #20 on: January 23, 2011, 08:20:30 PM »
A compressed load of L'il Gun in the Hornet is just fine...just remember to wipe off a tiny bit with your finger so flat based bullets don't crush the case when seated. Have fun.