"Off-Label" Primer Use - In my Opinion

[JDinFbg]

I've recently gotten back into handloading after a 40+ year hiatus. I've been redeveloping loads for my 22 Hornet (since powders have changed in the last 40 years), and trying to find a light weight bullet varmint load that will work in my 1917 Enfield 30-06 that had been sporterized (22" barrel).

For the 22 Hornet, I've read a lot of posts where folks have reported good results in that small case by using small pistol primers instead of small rifle primers. I'm using Hercules 2400 (probably from one of the last batches Hercules made before being bought out), have tested both .223" and .224" Sierra 40 gr. Hornet bullets, and both small rifle and small pistol primers. My rifle, a Winchester Hi-Wall in 22 W.C.F. that had the barrel re-lined in the mid-1960's, .223" bullets produced more consistent results than .224". But, small pistol primers produced much more erratic groups over the range of loads I tested than the small rifle primers. So, the experiment with small pistol primers did not work for me.

In the 30-06, I'm using Winchester 748 ball powder given the short barrel and light bullets (110 & 115 gr.) I've focused on using. I've read that magnum primers sometimes work better with ball powders than standard large rifle primers. Although it is evident my 1917 Enfield probably needs some accurizing work done on it, my tests showed worse consistency with the magnum primers than with standard primers.

I don't want to sway anyone away from testing "off-label" primers, but my two tests noted above have not shown positive results. So, I'm sticking with standard rifle primers for the two rifles noted.

 

[jmorris]

My most accurate 22 Hornet load so far (haven’t beat it since Oct/16) is,

35 gn Vmax
13.0 grains of Lilgun
Rem 6 1/2 primer (SRP)
1.775 OAL

With no wind most 5 shot groups are 1/2” at 100 and the bullet is explosive. I wish I had more use for the round because it makes me look good.

I don’t use a lot of Rem primers but that’s all I use for this round now but I tried everything that would fit the pocket.

You are on the right track testing theories, just don’t can ideas completely because they didn’t work once or twice. You never know.

 

[JDinFbg]

jmorris, thanks. I've read a lot of posts where folks like Vmax bullets and Lil' Gun powder. I've slugged my barrel, and it is .223". Looks like Vmax bullets only come in .224" diameter. My tests with 40 gr. Sierra Hornet bullets have shown my rifle likes the .223" bullets better, but maybe using a different powder might make a difference. I'm getting about 0.9" groups at 100 yds. out of my old Hi-Wall with 10.0 gr. of 2400, and that might be as good as that old rifle can do. I'm kind of tempted to try Lil' Gun, but given I've got 2 1/2 pounds or 2400 on hand, will probably stick with it for awhile. I A guy could go broke trying all the different powders made these days.

 

[Walkalong]

My Ruger 77/22 .22 Hornet likes the 40 Gr V-Max, AA 1680, and a WSP primer. It was very picky, but this combo finally gave consistent results. It's no tack driver, but it shoots well.

A great many people like Lil Gun in the Hornet with the 35 or 40 Gr V-Max.

 

[mdi]

I settle "arguments" and research "Internet Wisdom" by checking what my reloading manuals say. I've run into a lot of old wives tales and armature ballisticians' expertise on line and at the range in my 35+ years of reloading so I just smile, say thank you and if the "advice" sounds plausible, I'll check in my reloading manual(s) (if it sounds really good and logical, I'll experiment myself).

I have a Lyman and a new Hornady manual on my desk and they both recommend Small Rifle primers...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I totally agree with your choice of the Remington 6 1/2 primers for the 22 Hornet. They aren't much good for anything else but really shine in that cartridge!

When I did load the 22 Hornet I did try Lil'Gun when I read it was THE powder for it but I now hear there are others a little slower that are as good or better like the above mentioned AA1680.

 

[Walkalong]

SR primers have way more power than the tiny .22 Hornet case needs. A milder primer is a good thing with this little caliber IMHO. All you can do is try both and see if one shoots better for you. The SP primer can more than handle .22 Hornet pressures.

 

[Galil5.56]

Howdy JD. I am a firm believer of more consistent grouping using ball propellants with mag primers, at least the mag primers and ball propellant I use. My HB .243 varmint rifle definitely shows more consistent, tighter groups without fliers using CCI 250's, and my favorite ball propellant for it - H414. I also used CCI 250's in my 06 loads with H335, in my all original M1917. Lots of empty space even at max loads using 147 grain FMJ, and all was well. Wish I could tell you of fantastic on paper results, but I just plinked with it, when I lived out West. Really fun, and even with less than max charges, its long, fast barrel went over 3000 fps.

I too used WW748 with 110 HP and 130 grain SP bullets in my Rem 700, 30/06 to bust up PA woodchucks as a kid when I first started reloading. No chronographs back then, but I never heard any complaints from the whistle pigs about lack of velocity... I can say the fireball was most impressive. Good luck.

 

[FROGO207]

Welcome to the forum and back to reloading OP.
I get best results with Li'l Gun and rifle primers in my .22 Hornet with .224 40 grain sierra Hornet specific bullets. I bought a ton of them years ago and am just now running through my last 1K of them. When I order again I am going to get a couple boxes of the V-Max to try-----we'll see.

 

[frankmako]

for me when i use ball powder i use a mag primers (7-08, 308, 30-06). i have tried both standard and mag primers with ball powder and the mag primers just gave me a better burn and grouping.