I'am loading the 22 hornet for my new cz527 american. I have loaded some hornady 40gr v-max bullets but you have to seat them so deep in the case to fit the magazine. I'am begining to think that this bullet wasn't designed for this round. What bullets should i use for this caliber? Do i have to use bullets that say hornet on the box? I'am using 12.3 grs of lil gun and the 40gr v-max.
loading the 22 hornet.Need help
- Thread starter rebrick99
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Generally, bullets with "Hornet" on the box are built to lighter construction than "regular" bullets. This is to help with the slower velocities of the Hornet. They would be fine but other bullets work as well.
Also, some manufacturers make .223 diameter bullets for the folks with old rifles. Modern 22 Hornet rifles have a .224 bore. I don't think anyone makes a .223 bore Hornet anymore, but I could be wrong.
The 40 V-max is pretty long due to the polymer tip. I shoot 22 Hornet in a Contender and do not have a magazine restriction.
You might try a hollow point or soft point bullet. They should be shorter. Flat base bullets would also be a bit shorter than their boat tail cousins. I have good luck with the Speer 40 grain spire point. You also might look at the Hornady 35 grain V-max. It is a shorter, stubbier bullet than the 40 V-max.
Hope this helps.
Also, some manufacturers make .223 diameter bullets for the folks with old rifles. Modern 22 Hornet rifles have a .224 bore. I don't think anyone makes a .223 bore Hornet anymore, but I could be wrong.
The 40 V-max is pretty long due to the polymer tip. I shoot 22 Hornet in a Contender and do not have a magazine restriction.
You might try a hollow point or soft point bullet. They should be shorter. Flat base bullets would also be a bit shorter than their boat tail cousins. I have good luck with the Speer 40 grain spire point. You also might look at the Hornady 35 grain V-max. It is a shorter, stubbier bullet than the 40 V-max.
Hope this helps.
dagger dog
Member
rebrick99,
Don't worry, I have shot the 40 gr V Max with OAL down to 1.760" with 12.5 grs of Lil Gun, velocities in the 2700-2800 fps range (Savage Model 40 Varmint Hunter). Accuracy is
A-1 , 7/8" 10 shot groups @ 100 yds of the rests.
I was shooting 13 grs Lil' Gun with the 40 V-Max at the same OAL but was over working the brass,and it was hard on the Hornet cases,dropped a 1/2grain and found I could seat the bullet a little longer to 1.80" and save powder and brass.
The 12.5 gr load@ 2700-2800 fps is a little slow for explosive expansion of the 40 gr V Max but it will still do the number on ground hogs, feral cats.
You can go to the 35 gr V Max and add that extra .5 gr Lil Gun and that will drive the velocity to 3000 + fps,and it becomes a bomb ,accuracy doesn't suffer much either.
Better yet use the 13 gr load of Lil'Gun behind a Barnes 30 or 36 gr HP Varmint Grenade , the Berger 36 gr HP is impressive too.
Don't worry, I have shot the 40 gr V Max with OAL down to 1.760" with 12.5 grs of Lil Gun, velocities in the 2700-2800 fps range (Savage Model 40 Varmint Hunter). Accuracy is
A-1 , 7/8" 10 shot groups @ 100 yds of the rests.
I was shooting 13 grs Lil' Gun with the 40 V-Max at the same OAL but was over working the brass,and it was hard on the Hornet cases,dropped a 1/2grain and found I could seat the bullet a little longer to 1.80" and save powder and brass.
The 12.5 gr load@ 2700-2800 fps is a little slow for explosive expansion of the 40 gr V Max but it will still do the number on ground hogs, feral cats.
You can go to the 35 gr V Max and add that extra .5 gr Lil Gun and that will drive the velocity to 3000 + fps,and it becomes a bomb ,accuracy doesn't suffer much either.
Better yet use the 13 gr load of Lil'Gun behind a Barnes 30 or 36 gr HP Varmint Grenade , the Berger 36 gr HP is impressive too.
birdshot8's
Member
i don't like the 40 grn v-max as a hornet bullet. I have an older hornet with 1/16 rifling, and i have found the v max does not shoot well for me. I also do not care for lil gun unless i am loading 45 grain bullets. For the lighter bullets i am using WW296.
FROGO207
Member
Yes the Hornet is a hard cartridge to get good velocity out of with heavy bullets. I like the lighter bullets and WW296 myself. I was told years ago that the Hornet bullet was designed for the Hornet velocities and the others would not expand well. IIRC we hand loaders do not have access to propellants the factories use and so our Vel. will be slightly slower than theirs.
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