Load data for .22 Hornet

pete5409 · October 17, 2022, 01:36 PM

I don´t have any of the recommended powders for the .22 Hornet listed in any of the manuals like Lyman, Hodgdon or Alliant. What I do have is IMR 4350, IMR 3031, lots of red and blue dot. I have 40 and 45 grain bullets. Does anyone have experience using any of these powders?

**44 AMP** · October 17, 2022, 08:09 PM

IMR 4350 & 3031 are unsuitable, totally too slow for the tiny Hornet case.

Red and Blue Dot loads are possible, though top end loads with those powders are doubtful. I have no data for those powders in the Hornet, sorry.

2400, H110, IMR 4198 and 4227 are the more commonly listed for the Hornet.

Generally I use 2400. The Hornet takes some care to load, as the brass is VERY thin at the case mouth and very easy to damage. I find a generous chamfer of the case mouth helps. Also working SLOWLY and carefully seating bullets.

gwpercle · October 18, 2022, 11:05 AM

Lyman 50th edition has a little data ... Red Dot with a 55 gr. cast bullet .
But that's it !
H110 or 2400 or imr 4227 seem to be "the" powders for the Hornet in just about every weight bullet cast or jacketed .
Gary

ligonierbill · October 18, 2022, 11:13 AM

Add Lil' Gun to the powder list. But my go to is H110. These powders are available if you search.

pete5409 · October 18, 2022, 12:37 PM

Thank you all for the prompt answer to my query.I´ll try to get some 4227 or H 110 for my loads. Also thanks for the tip on reloading these thin cases. I´ll certainly take more time and care.

**44 AMP** · October 18, 2022, 09:53 PM

One thing that I've found helps me in seating bullets in the Hornet is to work slowly and just barely "kiss" the bullet with the seating stem, then lower the ram and check to be sure the bullet is not tipped at all.

Some cartridges seating will allow a very slightly tipped bullet, the die and seating stem lining it up then seating it.

My experience with the Hornet is that doesn't always work, and sometimes instead of things getting lined up and seating properly the case mouth buckles. Generally this results in a "lost case" that can no longer be used.

So I try to just barely seat the bullet, then check it to be sure its ok, then finish seating it.

I still lose a case or two over a couple hundred rounds loaded, despite being as careful as I can. However, that is way better than the half dozen+ I would wreck (every time) seating them the same way I do .308s.

pain in the butt, but it can be done, and considering the cost of Hornets, its well worth taking pains and doing it right.

Geezerbiker · October 18, 2022, 10:00 PM

I like #2400 Rifle powder and IMR4227 for my K-Hornet and .17 Hornet. I use Red Dot with a lot of cast bullet loads but I've yet to try cast bullets in the Hornet...

Tony

pete5409 · October 19, 2022, 09:55 AM

I just purchased a .22 mould and have a lot of linotype stored so I´m thinking that I just might try that mould and reload a few to see how they go. Thanks for the advice

Scorch · October 19, 2022, 07:33 PM

My favorite powders for the Hornet with jacketed bullets are H110/W296, 2400 and IMR 4227. For cast/gas checked bullets, Unique is a great powder but velocity is lower.

Geezerbiker · October 19, 2022, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete5409

I just purchased a .22 mould and have a lot of linotype stored so I´m thinking that I just might try that mould and reload a few to see how they go. Thanks for the advice

What mold did you get?

Tony

October 17, 2022, 01:36 PM	#1
pete5409 Member Join Date: March 26, 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 37	Load data for .22 Hornet I don´t have any of the recommended powders for the .22 Hornet listed in any of the manuals like Lyman, Hodgdon or Alliant. What I do have is IMR 4350, IMR 3031, lots of red and blue dot. I have 40 and 45 grain bullets. Does anyone have experience using any of these powders?

October 18, 2022, 12:37 PM	#5
pete5409 Member Join Date: March 26, 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 37	22 Hornet loads Thank you all for the prompt answer to my query.I´ll try to get some 4227 or H 110 for my loads. Also thanks for the tip on reloading these thin cases. I´ll certainly take more time and care.

October 18, 2022, 09:53 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 29,011	One thing that I've found helps me in seating bullets in the Hornet is to work slowly and just barely "kiss" the bullet with the seating stem, then lower the ram and check to be sure the bullet is not tipped at all. Some cartridges seating will allow a very slightly tipped bullet, the die and seating stem lining it up then seating it. My experience with the Hornet is that doesn't always work, and sometimes instead of things getting lined up and seating properly the case mouth buckles. Generally this results in a "lost case" that can no longer be used. So I try to just barely seat the bullet, then check it to be sure its ok, then finish seating it. I still lose a case or two over a couple hundred rounds loaded, despite being as careful as I can. However, that is way better than the half dozen+ I would wreck (every time) seating them the same way I do .308s. pain in the butt, but it can be done, and considering the cost of Hornets, its well worth taking pains and doing it right. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 19, 2022, 09:55 AM	#8
pete5409 Member Join Date: March 26, 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 37	cast bullets I just purchased a .22 mould and have a lot of linotype stored so I´m thinking that I just might try that mould and reload a few to see how they go. Thanks for the advice

October 19, 2022, 07:33 PM	#9
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	My favorite powders for the Hornet with jacketed bullets are H110/W296, 2400 and IMR 4227. For cast/gas checked bullets, Unique is a great powder but velocity is lower. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 17, 2022, 08:09 PM	#2
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 29,011	IMR 4350 & 3031 are unsuitable, totally too slow for the tiny Hornet case. Red and Blue Dot loads are possible, though top end loads with those powders are doubtful. I have no data for those powders in the Hornet, sorry. 2400, H110, IMR 4198 and 4227 are the more commonly listed for the Hornet. Generally I use 2400. The Hornet takes some care to load, as the brass is VERY thin at the case mouth and very easy to damage. I find a generous chamfer of the case mouth helps. Also working SLOWLY and carefully seating bullets. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 18, 2022, 11:05 AM	#3
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,766	Lyman 50th edition has a little data ... Red Dot with a 55 gr. cast bullet . But that's it ! H110 or 2400 or imr 4227 seem to be "the" powders for the Hornet in just about every weight bullet cast or jacketed . Gary

October 18, 2022, 11:13 AM	#4
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,477	Add Lil' Gun to the powder list. But my go to is H110. These powders are available if you search.

October 18, 2022, 10:00 PM	#7
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I like #2400 Rifle powder and IMR4227 for my K-Hornet and .17 Hornet. I use Red Dot with a lot of cast bullet loads but I've yet to try cast bullets in the Hornet... Tony