22 hornet 1x9 twist

[oconeeray]

I have a H&R 22 hornet Handi Rifle made in 2007. I believe it has a 1x9 twist. I set out yesterday with 45gr, 40gr, and 50gr reloads using 12.5 gr of Lil Gun in each. I was using WW brass and wsr primers. Only the 50 gr shot worth a flip at 50 yards.  Has anyone had experience with the 1x9 twist 22 hornet and, if so, what would you recommend for reloads. I did shoot some Hornady 35 gr VMax factory loads which seemed fair. I have yet to get any tack driving out of this gun.

[keith44]

I'll have to check the twist rate on my K-Hornet.  Not sure how old it is I bought it used with scope in 2004.  Mine is stainless with synthetic stock.  I get the best groups with Hornady "Hornet" 45 grainers, or Nosler 45 gr roundnose, loaded with 2400 and lit by small pistol primers (win and wolf)

50 grain bullets do not group as well from my rifle.

[wreckhog]

I have 2. They both shoot my 45 grain hp Rem reloads well. Mid-level loads of Lil Gun and SP primers. Honestly, while I have played with other loads, I never saw anything shoot poorly. They both shoot better than my 1/16 twist Savage 219B. Which most people would say ought to be the more accurate gun.

[quickdtoo]

Welcome oconeeray! Read the Handi Basics 101 sticky and spend some time in the FAQs and Help sticky, there are lots of little things you need to know to get the best accuracy from an H&R. 

Using pistol primers in the Hornet can made a big difference in accuracy, even my 12" 12ga insert shoots the 12.5gr Lil'gun/35gr Vmax great, same load in my 1:12" Hornet does well under an inch at 100yds.   

2007 is when H&R switched over to 1:9" Hornets and 223 Rems, although they made some 1:9" 223s earlier,  no one has confirmed a 1:9" twist Hornet prior to 2007.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,26264.msg141263.html#msg141263

[briannmilewis]

Try Winchester White Box 46g Hollow Points...I don't think my handloads did any better and many folks say for factory ammo (and I tried 5 kinds) the 46g HPs out shoot all else.

Good luck.

[gcrank1]

You might want to check the bore/groove dia.s on that barrel to know what dia. bullets to use (.223 or .224).

[Gohon]

My Hornet which is a 2009 is a 1 in 9 twist shoots the Hornady 35, 40, and 50 grain V-Max's ahead of 12 grains of Lil'Gun like a laser.   Groups at 50 yards are clover leaf and less than 3/4 inch at 100 yards.  I'm sure they would be better if I could shoot better.  Other bullets like the Sierra jacketed soft points shoot alright but nothing to write home about and certainly not as well as the V-Max stuff.  I do put a slight, very slight crimp on using the Lee FCD.  Some say you shouldn't crimp at all or to use small pistol primers but personally that hasn't been the case for me.  One thing I have discovered when using Lil'Gun, is it produces a lot more heat than most other powders.  So if you going for accuracy, it pays to allow the barrel to cool a little between shots. 

However, trying to find a load for casts has been very frustrating.  Though I have come up with some squirrel loads ranging from 1200 to 1500 fps, I haven't been successful getting casts of any kind to shoot worth a hoot with any speed to them.  I think a 1 in 12 twist would have been a much better option for the Handi but one has to work with what they have.   As for the bore as far as I know, H&R only produces a .224.

[oconeeray]

Good tips folks.  Thanks for your input.