22 Hornet reloading

[Benchguy]

Just recently I decided to pick up where I left off reloading for my 22Hornet. I received this gun Savage 340 Series E for Christmas in 1978 when I was 14. I shot it for a while but in 1981 I bought my 22-250 and the Hornet took the back seat. I always took very good care of my guns so as it is, it is in pristine condition aside from a few scuffs on the stock. I began reloading for it about 10 years ago but dropped off that venture after I had some bullets tumble and slap keyholes in my target. Also a busy time of my life. Last week I freed up a 3x9 scope a couple months ago so decided it could replace the 7x and it rekindled my quest. Right after I rescoped I cleaned up around 115 pieces of Remington and Winchester brass. I loaded 10 rounds with Lil’Gun, 5 at 11.7 and 5 at 12.2, Federal gold medal primers, and Hornady 40gr V-Max bullets. Trimmed cases at 1.394-1.395. COL is irrelevant since it is a Magazine feed but they just clear the mag end.

The groups were 1.24 with the 11.7 and 1.43 with 12.2. Both were circle patterns.

Is anybody out there reloading for the 340, in 22 Hornet?
What does the Series E mean? I’ve read that it might be the barrel length??
Also read that the Federal primers may be a little hot for the Hornet. I have some REM 6-1/2 I will try next, but will keep tinkering with the Federals.
What’s best, floating or bedding the barrel. Does the barrel band influence this?

Thanks for any help!
James

[Unclenick]

You may find this thread useful. I don't know the 340 letter variant differences without looking them up, but I can tell you the Hornet, in any gun, is famous for the small case capacity and the modest bullet grip by the thin neck walls causing it to be easy for the primer pressure to unseat the bullet before the powder burn starts contributing much to the total pressure. As a result, the bullet is often in different positions when the pressure peaks, changing the peak pressure and causing a lot of velocity variation. To address this, a lot of folks go to pistol primers. If you have velocity irregularity with the 6 1/2, give pistol primers a try.

The rifling twist is slow in the Hornet, with one turn in 16 inches being SAAMI standard, so short-for-weight bullets will stabilize best, such as flat base designs.

[Benchguy]

Thanks, Unclenick! I did check my twist and it is 1:16. I’ll see where the 6-1/2’s take me. It’s been a while and I don’t have any notes from my first go around. I’m not super disappointed with the results out of the first attempts. I’m anxious to keep the testing going and will report back with the results. Hopefully there’s some shooters here with the 340 who have done some work with them. The barrel is pretty thick so I’m wondering if the Hornet rounds are enough to heat the barrel up and force me to float or bed.


Thanks again!
James

[44 AMP]

The groups were 1.24 with the 11.7 and 1.43 with 12.2. Both were circle patterns

Range?? field positions? or off the bench??

The Savage 340 was a budget rifle, not a benchrest tack driver. Factory trigger, and bedding?? I'd say inch and a quarter /inch and a half is pretty good for a start.

I haven't loaded any Hornets in some years, have a Ruger No.3 and a 10" T/C barrel, best I recall I was using Win 40gr slugs and 2400. Worked well enough.

One "trick" helped loading, I use a generous chamfer on the case mouths, and just barely seat the bullet, then check it to make sure its straight in the case, then slowly finish seating if it is. Still lose a case or two every few hundred rounds, but less than if you just load it like a .223 or .308

[Benchguy]

I did forget to mention it was off bipod out the basement window. Not quite a bench but close enough. The range was probably 90 yards. I didn’t range though. I wasn’t disappointed in the results so I’ll just do some tinkering and see how it goes. My father wasn’t really into seeking out tack driving accuracy so the local Coast To Coast store was our go to gun shop.

I’ll keep an eye on the bullet seating. Didn’t really consider that being an issue but thank you for your experience!

Thank you!
James

[ligonierbill]

I had never heard Unclenick's explanation of the why, but I use CCI 500 primers, as recommended by Speer. Either Lil' Gun or H110. Sierra 40 or 45 grain "Hornet" bullets. These have done well (1" or better at 100) from several Savage 23Ds, including the 'K' I still have. I am currently working with a new Savage 25 and some 50s that look promising. I has a 1:14 twist, however.

[Pumpkin]

I think the E stood for economy. I have a birch stock 110E and I remember the 99E was also a birch stock, at least the latter variant’s.

[Benchguy]

I’m not exactly sure what the stock is made of but I don’t believe it is birch. A couple of the advertised matches to this rifle clams the stock is Walnut and look very similar to mine. There’s a Savage Shooters forum, but, for some reason they don’t have anything listed for the 340.������

As far as the reloading goes for this rifle, it hasn’t shot below 1.25” @ 100yds. Using WW Super brass, federal Gold Match primers, LIL’GUN, and 40gr V-MAX bullets. Seems to do best, so far, at 11.6 Gr. Have tested at 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.7, and 12.2Gr. The gun also hates a cold bore! Leaves a 3” vertical, slightly angled string. Has taken about 10 rounds for it to begin to shoot a circular pattern. Next test is 4 different seating depths below max COL. I have some Win 296 powder to try and some 50Gr V-MAX bullets that I will begin to use. So far the brass has held up well. No signs of stress. I have trimmed each firing and I’m on test #6. It has been a blast and looking forward to taking it on a coyote hunt in the future. I never have shot a coyote with it.