22 Hornet with IMR 4227 and 4198

[CRM284]

So I picked up a Savage Model 340 E in 22 Hornet. I shot up some factory loads with 45gr pills and was highly disappointed in accuracy and velocity. I scrounged around and was able to pick up dies, Sierra 40gr SP and Nosler Varmegeddon 50 gr pills, IMR 4227, and I had IMR 4198 on hand. I’m out of small rifle primers but have a couple
thousand small magnum pistol primers. I was hoping to find some 40gr VMax’s, but had zero luck with that.

Since my powder and bullet choices are limited to what I currently have (I’m not paying $70 or $80 for 1 lb of Lil Gun or H-110), what are you guys loading with 4227 and 4198 with 40 and 50 gr projectiles? Also, how is velocity and accuracy?

I didn’t want to go up to 50gr bullets, but my selection, as you know is currently very slim. I simply don’t understand why or how production is so slow. Grrrrrrr

 

[Walkalong]

AA 1680 & 40 Gr V-Max bullets is what finally made my picky little Ruger 77/22 sing. A lot of people say their Hornets like the 35 Gr V-Max and Lil Gun.

 

[CRM284]

Well as I said I’m limited to the two powders I have, and the two different bullets. The way the market is right now I’m not going to find anything else. So load data on my options are what I’m looking for.
Thanks though

 

[cfullgraf]

My 22 Hornet Contender shoots best with Speer 40 grain SP (Spire point) bullets.

 

[Barbaroja]

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

They list loads your looking for

 

[BBarn]

I've used IMR 4227, but not IMR 4198. I think the latter is too slow. 4227 won't give top velocities, but does produce good accuracy in some guns. I understand current selection is very limited, but some guns won't give good accuracy with bullets over 45grs due to the slower twist barrels of many Hornets.

 

[joneb]

I would try to find some H-110 or 300 MP these powders do well for me with 35-50gr jacketed bullets.

 

[Howland937]

Here's what Sierra shows for the 40gr with IMR4198.
Doesn't look awe-inspiring but at least there is some data for it.
Single orange star is minimum load, double red star is max load.

 

[CRM284]

Thanks a bunch guys. I have 4 load manuals from different manufacturers but as we know, they don’t list everything. For example I knew 4198 would work with the Hornet but couldn’t find much in my manuals.
With all the BS that’s going on, making due with you have is a necessity. I’d love to be able to buy a pound of Lil Gun, and I still could if I was willing to pay $75. I literally checked every single web based source out there and the only place any decent kind of powder was available was on GunBroker. And the prices are JAKCED UP! I saw a pound of BL-C2 for over a hundred dollars. I have lots of extra Alliant Reloader powders I could part with, but I couldn’t bring myself to charge someone $100 right now. It’s outrageous.

Again, thanks for the help, and if I can ever return the favor I’d be glad to do so.

Stay safe and shoot straight.
Craig

 

[CRM284]

I would try to find some H-110 or 300 MP these powders do well for me with 35-50gr jacketed bullets.

If I could find those powders for under $40 a pound I’d get some. It’s impossible to get powder around here or anywhere online for that matter. Everyone is sold out of everything. GunBroker is really the only option and they’re charging $70-$110 a pound. F That!!

 

[joneb]

It’s impossible to get powder around here

What is around here?

 

[stringnut]

Hornet can be a finicky little bastard. I have had 3. Lil gun wasn’t around when I had mine. Both powders you mentioned were decent in all 3. The best groups were with 296. Lighter bullets worked best. 50 gr were hopeless in my H and R and Ruger. Shot ok in my CZ. Velocity was pretty low and expansion was not great. A friend had a Ruger No1 in hornet and it was unbelievable accurate with 3or 4 different loads. I believe he used 4227 exclusively.

 

[iShoot17]

I’m soon to start working with a CZ 22 Hornet and have tried to source a few powders and bullets. At this point, I have a few option of where to take loading.

Where are you located? I may be able to help out with some H110 or Lil’ Gun (if local).

 

[FROGO207]

OP and others looking at auctions be aware that the average poster on GB does not have a HasMat shipping license. So either local pickup or some illegal shipping might happen. One here complains of being scammed out of money for being so trusting.

 

[CRM284]

I’m soon to start working with a CZ 22 Hornet and have tried to source a few powders and bullets. At this point, I have a few option of where to take loading.

Where are you located? I may be able to help out with some H110 or Lil’ Gun (if local).

I live about 30 miles south of State College, Pa. I went to one store and picked up the last pound of 4227 leaving them only with 4198 which I all ready had. I then stopped at a different store and they had no powder at all left on the shelves. I’ve tried everywhere online with no luck besides gunbroker where they want $70+ a pound.

 

[CRM284]

What is around here?

Central Pa. State College area

 

[HowieG]

AA 1680 & 40 Gr V-Max bullets is what finally made my picky little Ruger 77/22 sing. A lot of people say their Hornets like the 35 Gr V-Max and Lil Gun.

Ditto except I use Nosler 40 flat base HP Varmaggedons mostly. 35 Vmax some.

 

[Austin Albright]

I used to load IMR4227 with 40 and 45 grain Speer soft points in Ruger #3. Load was pretty accurate then I switched to WW296 to pick up some speed. Accuracy was a little better with 296 also.
A little over a year ago I got a Thompson Contender with 10 inch barrel. My accuracy load for it was 12.0 gr of 296 and the Hornady 35 gr V-Max. That load has been fantastic but also had luck with
10.2 gr of IMR4227 and Hornady 45 gr (218) bullet.
Tried Lil Gun and got from great accuracy to poor depending on powder charge. Lil Gun makes me nervous. Seems to be all over the board.

 

[Austin Albright]

I should have said that all my later testing has been with Federal #100 small pistol primers. Might make some difference.

 

[CRM284]

I should have said that all my later testing has been with Federal #100 small pistol primers. Might make some difference.

All I have are Federal small magnum pistol primers. Figured they’d work fine.

 

[HowieG]

All I have are Federal small magnum pistol primers. Figured they’d work fine.

Yep, that's fine. The rifle section of your reloading manual will call for small rifle primers. Lyman used Winchester Small Rifle primers in their rifle tests.

 

[Weflyfast]

Good ole' 2400 works wonders in mine - also 4227 and Lil' gun is exceptional-
Shooting a Win 43 and. CZ - both shoot 1/2inch groups at 100 yrds-
Trickle carefully- a little mistake makes a huge difference with that little case.

 

[HowieG]

The best powder I have tried was W680. Of course they don't make it anymore.

 

[3Crows]

AA 1680 & 40 Gr V-Max bullets is what finally made my picky little Ruger 77/22 sing. A lot of people say their Hornets like the 35 Gr V-Max and Lil Gun.

That is what my varmint barrel Ruger 7722 Hornet likes. It does pretty good with that recipe.

 

[CRM284]

Good ole' 2400 works wonders in mine - also 4227 and Lil' gun is exceptional-
Shooting a Win 43 and. CZ - both shoot 1/2inch groups at 100 yrds-
Trickle carefully- a little mistake makes a huge difference with that little case.

I shoot quite a bit of long range target with other rifles I reload for. My scale is tuned up pretty good. I can read deflection with one kernel of an extruded powder like 4350. Heck I even load my hunting rounds to that kind of precision. Call me picky, call me whatever ya want lol, but if I miss, I want to know it was me and not the ammo.