[Byron]

Of the two powders listed, which proves more accurate in 22 Hornet with 40 to 50 grain bullets? What other powders may be accurate? Thanks, Byron

[Brian Williams]

I've heard great things about Lil gun

[GooseGestapo]

Ditto what B-W said about Lil-Gun.

But, what your question asked, is: It depends.

Your rifle will likely have its preference. I've read a lot about the accuracy of both H and Imr4227 in the Hornet, but I've never seen it.

For accuracy with velocity, it's Hodgdon Lil'gun, hands down.

Of the two you listed, I've gotten best results with the H-110/Win296.

For bullets 35gr and lighter, I still use H-110, especially with the 35gr Hornady V-Max. Accuracy is decent, and speed is 3,150-3,200fps with 11.0gr.

But, for bullets 40gr and heavier, best accuacy is with Lil-gun, with exception of AA-1680.

AA-1680 gives superlative accuracy, but velocities are way LOW.

I've gotten sub-1/2" groups with my Ruger 77/22 KBZ with 10.8gr of AA-1680 under the Hornady 50gr SX, and Winchester SP primers (small pistol). But, this load only gets 2,380-2,450fps depending on powder lot. I get 2,650fps with 10.5gr of Hod. Lil-gun and 50gr bullets.

But, my GO-TOO load for the Hornet is the Sierra 40gr HP under 12.5gr of Hod. Lil-gun. Velocities are 3,000fps and groups run 7/8" routinely. Accuracy, and down range ballistics make this about as good as it gets for any Hornet use. Pressures are very low, making case life very long.

[ThreadKiller]

I got my Hornet about the time the Lil' Gun express got rolling for the Hornet. So I started loading it and have never looked back. I use it for all bullet weights I load, 35 to 45 grains and all group very well.

The little Hornady 35 gr V-Max is a great little prairie dog popper.

Tim

[deciple-of-keith]

One of the best combernations I've found in the Hornet. Is 10.3gns of H4198/AR2207
Pushing a 40gn jhp .I was using 9gns ofAR2205 /H4227. With the same pill .My groups went from 1 1/4 in to 3/4 in at 150mtrs out of the same rifle (on a good day I'm getting 1/2 in groups)

[Byron]

Thanks for all the help. I have a Ruger 77 Hornet on order at my old gun store in N GA. I'll get a can of Lil' Gun and start there. Thanks, Byron

[Vern Humphrey]

If you want accuracy and velocity from the Hornet, here's the receipe:

1. Fire form your cases. Hornet SAAMI chamber dimensions are "generous" to say the least. Coupled with the tapered case and almost non-existant shoulder, that makes for an inaccurate cartridge. Fireforming solves the problem.

2. Disturb the brass as little as possible. Ordinary dies can bulge or stretch Hornet cases. Use the Lee Collet Die, which applies pressure radially.

3. Put two washers on the shell holder. The Lee Collet Die works when it bottoms out on the shell holder. Because it is designed to size the entire neck, using washers to make it bottom out early results in sizing only about 0.2" of the neck -- leaving the unsized portion as a "pilot" to center the bullet in the chamber.

4. Use Hodgdon's Li'l Gun -- I now use it exclusively in the Hornet. Simply use the case as a dipper and fill it to the mouth, and strike with a credit card.

5. Seat the bullet as close to the start of the rifling as possible. In some cases, this may result in an OAL that will not feed through your magazine, so:

6. Use the 35 grain Hornady V-Max bullet. This bullet has the same shank as heavier bullets, but a shorter nose. It allows seating out to the rifling with an OAL that will feed through magazines.

This formula gives 0.5" groups in my Kimber M82, with a muzzle velocity of slightly over 3,000 fps.

[JNewell]

Wow -- great advice here! -- Vern, a question:

Put two washers on the shell holder

You mean a washer that fits over the case when it's in the shell holder and sits on the rim of the holder, making a spacer that prevents the die from contacting the holder? I'm pretty sure I understand you correctly, but want to make sure.

Thanks!

[Vern Humphrey]

You mean a washer that fits over the case when it's in the shell holder and sits on the rim of the holder, making a spacer that prevents the die from contacting the holder? I'm pretty sure I understand you correctly, but want to make sure.

Correct -- the washers are simply slipped over the case when it's inserted into the shell holder and lie on the shellholder -- making it higher and causing the collet to activate earlier.

[JNewell]

Super, thanks. This is a timely thread, since I'm just getting set to start loading the Hornet. Bought a can of Lil Gun yesterday (had IMR 4227 on hand, but the advice above is un-ignorable) and will make a trip to the hardware store for a couple of washers. The result of my deliberations about what die set to buy led me to buy a Lee set that included both FL and collet sizing dies and the collet-type factory crimp die.

Any comments from you all on crimping the Hornet?

[Vern Humphrey]

Any comments from you all on crimping the Hornet?

I only crimp rifle cartridges if they are to be used in tubular magazines. If you have a problem with erratic ignitionm, you might polish the collet mandrill (the decapping rod) to increase neck tension.