reloading the 22 Hornet,,newbie Question??

turkey45 · October 17, 2006, 08:58 PM

..ok im a newbie,,what size bullet do i need??
whats a good load???any-type of info will be read.
..thanks gang..

OneInTheChamber · October 17, 2006, 09:12 PM

You need a good reloading book. Try Lee's Modern Reloading.

Reloading from information given on the internet is a recipe for disaster. Always, always, always get your information from a reputable reloading book or directly from the powder companies website.

That's my advice. The book will tell you exactly what size, weight, and type of bullet will go with what kind and what amount of powder over the right kind/size of primer.

Dave Haven · October 17, 2006, 10:20 PM

Some of the early ones used a .223" diameter bullet. Later ones use a .224" diameter bullet. If in doubt, slug your barrel and measure the groove diameter. (or have your gunsmith do it for you)

rnovi · October 18, 2006, 01:36 AM

Go to Midwayusa.com and look for "Loadbooks USA". Buy the one marked for .22 Hornet.

Loadbooks basically compiles ALL commercial load data for one caliber into one resource for quick and easy reference all for around $8.

T. O'Heir · October 18, 2006, 02:21 AM

Start with buying a manual. The Hornet usually uses a .224" bullet, but a .223" bullet will do.

**44 AMP** · October 18, 2006, 03:47 PM

If your .22 Hornet rifle was made in the last 40 years it uses .224 in bullets, the dame as all the other modern .22 centerfires.

Hornets don't do well with bullets over 55gr, and are usually shot with 40 or 45gr bullets. The case is very small, and the brass is very thin in the neck. You have to be very careful loading the Hornet, when seating the bullet. It is very easy to mangle the case.

Only the very fastest rifle powder is suitable, the majority of loads are pistol powders. The Hornet is usually the first cartridge in the reloading books, being the smallest of standard commercial rifle ammo. Newest books may put the .17s ahead, but even the centerfire 17s have bigger case capacities.

It is a great round, just don't expect it to be something it isn't. With handloading, you can make ammo from about .22lr levels up to quite a ways beyond .22Mag. It is intended for small game and pests 150yds and under.

Bulklets in the 40-45 grane range are intended for the Hornet, and will perform well. 50+gr bullets are intended for the faster .22s, and while they may be accurate, they don't expand as well at the slower speed of the Hornet.

October 17, 2006, 08:58 PM	#1
turkey45 Junior member Join Date: August 29, 2006 Posts: 39	reloading the 22 Hornet,,newbie Question?? ..ok im a newbie,,what size bullet do i need?? whats a good load???any-type of info will be read. ..thanks gang..

October 17, 2006, 09:12 PM	#2
OneInTheChamber Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2005 Posts: 789	You need a good reloading book. Try Lee's Modern Reloading. Reloading from information given on the internet is a recipe for disaster. Always, always, always get your information from a reputable reloading book or directly from the powder companies website. That's my advice. The book will tell you exactly what size, weight, and type of bullet will go with what kind and what amount of powder over the right kind/size of primer. __________________ Insert witty, comical, and/or significant quote here.

October 18, 2006, 01:36 AM	#4
rnovi Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2005 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 401	Go to Midwayusa.com and look for "Loadbooks USA". Buy the one marked for .22 Hornet. Loadbooks basically compiles ALL commercial load data for one caliber into one resource for quick and easy reference all for around $8. __________________ Robert N. "Remember, Eagles may soar but Weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!"

October 18, 2006, 03:47 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,832	.22 Hornet If your .22 Hornet rifle was made in the last 40 years it uses .224 in bullets, the dame as all the other modern .22 centerfires. Hornets don't do well with bullets over 55gr, and are usually shot with 40 or 45gr bullets. The case is very small, and the brass is very thin in the neck. You have to be very careful loading the Hornet, when seating the bullet. It is very easy to mangle the case. Only the very fastest rifle powder is suitable, the majority of loads are pistol powders. The Hornet is usually the first cartridge in the reloading books, being the smallest of standard commercial rifle ammo. Newest books may put the .17s ahead, but even the centerfire 17s have bigger case capacities. It is a great round, just don't expect it to be something it isn't. With handloading, you can make ammo from about .22lr levels up to quite a ways beyond .22Mag. It is intended for small game and pests 150yds and under. Bulklets in the 40-45 grane range are intended for the Hornet, and will perform well. 50+gr bullets are intended for the faster .22s, and while they may be accurate, they don't expand as well at the slower speed of the Hornet. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 17, 2006, 10:20 PM	#3
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	Some of the early ones used a .223" diameter bullet. Later ones use a .224" diameter bullet. If in doubt, slug your barrel and measure the groove diameter. (or have your gunsmith do it for you)

October 18, 2006, 02:21 AM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Start with buying a manual. The Hornet usually uses a .224" bullet, but a .223" bullet will do.