22 Hornet Load & Best Use for IMR 3031?

ryalred · April 23, 2008, 08:35 AM

A friend of mine has a Ruger .22 Hornet but doesn't reload. I had told him I would reload ammo for him if he'd pay for the components and the dies. Well, to make a long story short he went to a gun show and purchased bullets, primers, cases and powder, but the powder is IMR 3031, which is not nearly the best powder to use for the 22 Hornet. I'm going to buy another pound of powder better suited for his .22 Hornet and use the IMR 3031 for reloading for one of my other guns. I shoot a .243, .308, .30-30, and 30-06. I have read that the IMR 3031 is very good in the .308.

What to you feel is the best powder for the .22 Hornet shooting a 45 grain bullet? I'm leaning towards Hodgdon's Lil' Gun. Also, which of my calibers would be the better use of the IMR 3031? (We've already tried to swap the powder, but no one will swap because there's a little rust on the can--powder appears OK--and the guy & the gun show are long gone.)

jmorris · April 23, 2008, 08:40 AM

I’ve used 3031 in .223, 308 and 45-70. I had some problems with bridging with .223 so I only use it for rounds with “bigger holes” now.

Prince55 · April 23, 2008, 11:08 PM

I just bought an old July-August issue of Handloader magazine recently
especially for the article by Layne Simpson on the .22 Hornet.
He had 4 rifles but used a Kimber to fire 222 5 shot groups with various
bullets and powders.
After his tests he said that Winchester 680 and both of the 4227 powders
were best for all around use and accuracy.
He got his best groups by far with those powders and 40 and 45 gr. bullets.
I hope this helps some. It was a Great article as are most from Handloader
Magazine and very detailed.

Prince55 · April 23, 2008, 11:10 PM

By the way it was July-August of 1983 issue # 104

BAD_KARMA · April 24, 2008, 08:13 AM

I really like 3031 in the 45/70.

Ranger61 · April 24, 2008, 12:32 PM

I load a bit of 22 Hornet. 4227 and Lil Gun both work great. Winchester 680 was great but has been dicontinued. Accurate Arms makes a powder very similar to 680 but I think its called AA 1680. In my Kimber, 680 gives the highest velocity followed by Lil Gun and 4227 is a bit slower.

saber9 · April 24, 2008, 12:43 PM

I have reloaded .22 Hornet for over 30 years and started out using 2400, the original powder used for .22 Hornet from its start. I later switched to WW 680 and it seemed to be better than 2400. I have only a little 680 left and when it is gone intend to go to AA1680, which is supposed to be an exact duplicate of WW680.

Scorch · April 24, 2008, 12:47 PM

I loaded 22 Hornet for a few years, and WW296 behind a 40 gr bullet is pure magic.

IMR3031 is a medium burn rate powder. I used to use IMR3031 in 30-30 and 22-250. It will work in 223, 243, 7X57, some 308 and 30-06 loads, 8X57, 35 Rem, and many others. I would say it is NOT for a 22 Hornet.

thallub · April 24, 2008, 12:59 PM

"I have read that the IMR 3031 is very good in the .308."

IMR 3031 is a very good powder for the .308 and bullets to 150 grain. My smallest .308 groups are fired with IMR 3031. My favorite deer rifle is a Remington 700 in .30-06. The load that I use is a higher than recommended quantity of 3031 and a 150 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter or 150 grain Sierra BTSP.

BTW: IMR 3031 is also a very good powder for the .223.

2400 is a very good .22 Hornet powder. Ditto for 4227.

DEDON45 · April 24, 2008, 01:22 PM

3031 is excellent in the .30-30...

gb_in_ga · April 24, 2008, 03:56 PM

Way back when, when I had a Winchester 88 in .308, my hunting load was (DuPont at the time) IMR 3031 behind a 150 gr Nosler Partition. Excellent performer. It also works well with .300 Savage.

crowbeaner · April 24, 2008, 10:24 PM

I'd go with 4227 or 2400 myself. The Hornet can be very fussy and case life can be short if you overwork the cases. Case head seperations are common, and the touchy attitude of the little buzzer is in the league of the .17 Remington. This is why the K hornet was developed; it gives higher velocity and doesn't have as many case problems. Neat little round, though.

zeisloft · April 25, 2008, 12:59 PM

lil gun does good for the hornet too. As for the 3031, it is my only powder for .222. I have tried about everything and 3031 with 52 gn SMKs generally run .3MOA through my CZ. I realize buying a $700 rifle to justift a $20 can of powder is prolly not the answer you want, however I also load it in a .308 and it will usually stay .6MOA or so. Yes, it does need a good tap here and there as do most stick powders in a case that size (.223 dia) but I have not been able to beat it for the .222.

Jon Pieratt · October 12, 2009, 04:43 PM

I recentlt traded for a .22 hornet Savage this paticular model breaks open and one round at a time is loaded directly into the barrel. I reload for my .45 glock 21sf. I started by taking all my brass to 1.393 because I discovered that it was measuring in at 1.420 + or -.010. I am taking so info off of the hodgon site and I plan to use a .45gn hdy sp with hodgon lilgun in the amount of 12 low to 13 high gr. I would like to be informed before i start with purchases so if this sounds unwise to anyone I would like to hear from you or if you have a rock solid proven method that would be good to here too. Primers are the last question what to use? My brass is Lapua. My goal is to key hole at 100 yards with 80% or 8 out of ten.

hammie · October 12, 2009, 05:08 PM

Accurate Arms 1680 and small PISTOL primers. And don't try to make the hornet into a .220 swift.

jimkim · October 12, 2009, 05:11 PM

2400, 4227, or Accurate 1680 should work just fine.

Saguaro Firearms · October 12, 2009, 08:39 PM

i use the lil gun, so far i get the best results with it than any other powder

Crankylove · October 13, 2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

WW296 behind a 40 gr bullet is pure magic

+1

Most of my Hornet loads get W296 or H110 (every now and then I throw in some IMR4227). I find my gun shoots the best, for accuracy, with 40 grain bullets and W296, but for max velocity, the H110 is my go to powder.

Jon Pieratt · October 13, 2009, 07:35 AM

I am not fam w/ the .220, I have read about Khornet conversions but I dont convert stuff I'd just buy a k hornet. What is the .220?

Ok next question the T/C Encore w 15 in barrel 40 gr jsp H110 10.5 to 11.0 2265 fps Layman third edition pistol & revolver
May savage w/ 24 in barrel 40 gr jsp h110 10. to 11.2 2795 fps Hadgon reload data
What about pressure and can this load be used in both weapons

p3cwst · October 13, 2009, 04:43 PM

Either H4227 or IMR 4227 is the ticket for the 22 Hornet - about 10 grains with the appropriate 45 grain bullet .223 or .224. WW 680 works well also. My experience is 2400 is good also but dirty. 3031 is excellent in my 38-55, and 308.

hammie · October 13, 2009, 10:00 PM

I was joking and was not suggesting trying to reform hornet brass. The .220 swift was based on the 6mm lee navy cartridge. The swift was commercialized in 1935 and winchester claimed about 4050 ft/sec with a 46 grain bullet. The hornet's performance is modest (which is a large part of it's charm) but some reloaders will push it beyond the SAAMI max pressures. I was trying to caution against doing that. If you need more performance, then that is why god invented the .223 rem and .22-250. The attached picture shows (from left to right) the.22 hornet, the .220 swift, the .221 fireball, the .222 remington, and the .223 remington.

April 23, 2008, 08:35 AM	#1
ryalred Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Location: SE Oklahoma Posts: 491	22 Hornet Load & Best Use for IMR 3031? A friend of mine has a Ruger .22 Hornet but doesn't reload. I had told him I would reload ammo for him if he'd pay for the components and the dies. Well, to make a long story short he went to a gun show and purchased bullets, primers, cases and powder, but the powder is IMR 3031, which is not nearly the best powder to use for the 22 Hornet. I'm going to buy another pound of powder better suited for his .22 Hornet and use the IMR 3031 for reloading for one of my other guns. I shoot a .243, .308, .30-30, and 30-06. I have read that the IMR 3031 is very good in the .308. What to you feel is the best powder for the .22 Hornet shooting a 45 grain bullet? I'm leaning towards Hodgdon's Lil' Gun. Also, which of my calibers would be the better use of the IMR 3031? (We've already tried to swap the powder, but no one will swap because there's a little rust on the can--powder appears OK--and the guy & the gun show are long gone.)

April 23, 2008, 11:08 PM	#3
Prince55 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2007 Posts: 472	.22 Hornet--- I just bought an old July-August issue of Handloader magazine recently especially for the article by Layne Simpson on the .22 Hornet. He had 4 rifles but used a Kimber to fire 222 5 shot groups with various bullets and powders. After his tests he said that Winchester 680 and both of the 4227 powders were best for all around use and accuracy. He got his best groups by far with those powders and 40 and 45 gr. bullets. I hope this helps some. It was a Great article as are most from Handloader Magazine and very detailed.

April 23, 2008, 11:10 PM	#4
Prince55 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2007 Posts: 472	.22 Hornet--- By the way it was July-August of 1983 issue # 104

April 24, 2008, 12:47 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I loaded 22 Hornet for a few years, and WW296 behind a 40 gr bullet is pure magic. IMR3031 is a medium burn rate powder. I used to use IMR3031 in 30-30 and 22-250. It will work in 223, 243, 7X57, some 308 and 30-06 loads, 8X57, 35 Rem, and many others. I would say it is NOT for a 22 Hornet. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 24, 2008, 03:56 PM	#11
gb_in_ga Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2005 Location: Pensacola, Fl Posts: 3,092	Way back when, when I had a Winchester 88 in .308, my hunting load was (DuPont at the time) IMR 3031 behind a 150 gr Nosler Partition. Excellent performer. It also works well with .300 Savage. __________________ COME AND TAKE IT http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batgon.htm Formerly lived in Ga, but now I'm back in Tx! Aaaand, now I'm off to Fla...

April 23, 2008, 08:40 AM	#2
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	I’ve used 3031 in .223, 308 and 45-70. I had some problems with bridging with .223 so I only use it for rounds with “bigger holes” now.

April 24, 2008, 08:13 AM	#5
BAD_KARMA Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2000 Posts: 171	I really like 3031 in the 45/70.

April 24, 2008, 12:32 PM	#6
Ranger61 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2004 Posts: 213	I load a bit of 22 Hornet. 4227 and Lil Gun both work great. Winchester 680 was great but has been dicontinued. Accurate Arms makes a powder very similar to 680 but I think its called AA 1680. In my Kimber, 680 gives the highest velocity followed by Lil Gun and 4227 is a bit slower.

April 24, 2008, 12:43 PM	#7
saber9 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Location: West Texas Posts: 165	I have reloaded .22 Hornet for over 30 years and started out using 2400, the original powder used for .22 Hornet from its start. I later switched to WW 680 and it seemed to be better than 2400. I have only a little 680 left and when it is gone intend to go to AA1680, which is supposed to be an exact duplicate of WW680.

April 24, 2008, 12:59 PM	#9
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,112	"I have read that the IMR 3031 is very good in the .308." IMR 3031 is a very good powder for the .308 and bullets to 150 grain. My smallest .308 groups are fired with IMR 3031. My favorite deer rifle is a Remington 700 in .30-06. The load that I use is a higher than recommended quantity of 3031 and a 150 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter or 150 grain Sierra BTSP. BTW: IMR 3031 is also a very good powder for the .223. 2400 is a very good .22 Hornet powder. Ditto for 4227.

April 24, 2008, 01:22 PM	#10
DEDON45 Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Posts: 278	3031 is excellent in the .30-30...

April 24, 2008, 10:24 PM	#12
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I'd go with 4227 or 2400 myself. The Hornet can be very fussy and case life can be short if you overwork the cases. Case head seperations are common, and the touchy attitude of the little buzzer is in the league of the .17 Remington. This is why the K hornet was developed; it gives higher velocity and doesn't have as many case problems. Neat little round, though. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

April 25, 2008, 12:59 PM	#13
zeisloft Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2005 Location: Amarillo TX Posts: 419	lil gun does good for the hornet too. As for the 3031, it is my only powder for .222. I have tried about everything and 3031 with 52 gn SMKs generally run .3MOA through my CZ. I realize buying a $700 rifle to justift a $20 can of powder is prolly not the answer you want, however I also load it in a .308 and it will usually stay .6MOA or so. Yes, it does need a good tap here and there as do most stick powders in a case that size (.223 dia) but I have not been able to beat it for the .222. __________________ A scalpel can be just as effective as a broadsword Obviously, Occam was not a reloader

October 12, 2009, 04:43 PM	#14
Jon Pieratt Junior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Posts: 3	.22 Hornet I recentlt traded for a .22 hornet Savage this paticular model breaks open and one round at a time is loaded directly into the barrel. I reload for my .45 glock 21sf. I started by taking all my brass to 1.393 because I discovered that it was measuring in at 1.420 + or -.010. I am taking so info off of the hodgon site and I plan to use a .45gn hdy sp with hodgon lilgun in the amount of 12 low to 13 high gr. I would like to be informed before i start with purchases so if this sounds unwise to anyone I would like to hear from you or if you have a rock solid proven method that would be good to here too. Primers are the last question what to use? My brass is Lapua. My goal is to key hole at 100 yards with 80% or 8 out of ten.

October 12, 2009, 05:08 PM	#15
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	Accurate Arms 1680 and small PISTOL primers. And don't try to make the hornet into a .220 swift.

October 12, 2009, 05:11 PM	#16
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2008 Location: middle GA Posts: 326	2400, 4227, or Accurate 1680 should work just fine. __________________ Jan. 4, 2007 gasoline $2.10 gal....HMMM?

October 12, 2009, 08:39 PM	#17
Saguaro Firearms Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: southern arizona Posts: 66	i use the lil gun, so far i get the best results with it than any other powder

October 13, 2009, 07:35 AM	#19
Jon Pieratt Junior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Posts: 3	Thank-You for posts I am not fam w/ the .220, I have read about Khornet conversions but I dont convert stuff I'd just buy a k hornet. What is the .220? Ok next question the T/C Encore w 15 in barrel 40 gr jsp H110 10.5 to 11.0 2265 fps Layman third edition pistol & revolver May savage w/ 24 in barrel 40 gr jsp h110 10. to 11.2 2795 fps Hadgon reload data What about pressure and can this load be used in both weapons Last edited by Jon Pieratt; October 13, 2009 at 10:39 AM. Reason: ad on to question

October 13, 2009, 04:43 PM	#20
p3cwst Junior Member Join Date: September 29, 2009 Location: KSLC Posts: 9	3031 too slow Either H4227 or IMR 4227 is the ticket for the 22 Hornet - about 10 grains with the appropriate 45 grain bullet .223 or .224. WW 680 works well also. My experience is 2400 is good also but dirty. 3031 is excellent in my 38-55, and 308. __________________ "...with firm reliance on the protection of devine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." T. Jefferson, B. Franklin, J. Adams 1776