The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - reloading the 22 Hornet,,newbie Question??

**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 18, 2006, 03:47 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,833	.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.