.22 Hornet?
- Thread starter AndABeer
- Start date
Very nice rifle
22 Hornet is a great rifle for your son to develope shooting skills with. Good for 150 yds, 200yds on a calm day. Good round also to reload or learn reloading with. LEE lists thirteen diffrent bullets for loading & Lyman lists seven. Combine just those two manuals with the powder loads listed & you have a lot of loads. Didn't look in any other manuals but, almost every reloading manual has it's favorites. Small casings teach new reloaders about bullet seating depths & powder load variations. Change a load by as little as 1/10th of a grain of powder will make changes to the bullet point of impact. Kimber rifle? One of the best there is, also very accurate. Your father-n-law obviously likes quality. I would venture to comment he thought about this gift before he acquired it for your son(you did not say if it was new). With basic care you son can give it to his son or grandson in several years. Great choice!
22 Hornet is a great rifle for your son to develope shooting skills with. Good for 150 yds, 200yds on a calm day. Good round also to reload or learn reloading with. LEE lists thirteen diffrent bullets for loading & Lyman lists seven. Combine just those two manuals with the powder loads listed & you have a lot of loads. Didn't look in any other manuals but, almost every reloading manual has it's favorites. Small casings teach new reloaders about bullet seating depths & powder load variations. Change a load by as little as 1/10th of a grain of powder will make changes to the bullet point of impact. Kimber rifle? One of the best there is, also very accurate. Your father-n-law obviously likes quality. I would venture to comment he thought about this gift before he acquired it for your son(you did not say if it was new). With basic care you son can give it to his son or grandson in several years. Great choice!
The .22 Hornet is the granddaddy of all the varmint cartridges being developed in the 1920's and being offered as a commercial round in 1930.
It was sort of a forgotten cartridge for a while but has been rediscovered lately and it's not hard to find modern rifles chambered for it.
It nicely splits the difference between the .22 rimfire magnum and the .223 in power. It's a fun to shoot round that has very little recoil and is not super loud, it's relatively low report made it a favorite for poachers.
Unfortunately, you can't find the ammo bargains that you can for .223 or 7.62X39 ammo, mostly because the Hornet is not a millitary loading, but if you reload, that doesn't matter.
If you reload, you can shoot it for about 25 cents a shot, 15 cents for the slug, 3.5 cents for the primer, about 4 cents for 10 grains of Alliant 2400 powder. Your mileage may vary.
It was sort of a forgotten cartridge for a while but has been rediscovered lately and it's not hard to find modern rifles chambered for it.
It nicely splits the difference between the .22 rimfire magnum and the .223 in power. It's a fun to shoot round that has very little recoil and is not super loud, it's relatively low report made it a favorite for poachers.
Unfortunately, you can't find the ammo bargains that you can for .223 or 7.62X39 ammo, mostly because the Hornet is not a millitary loading, but if you reload, that doesn't matter.
If you reload, you can shoot it for about 25 cents a shot, 15 cents for the slug, 3.5 cents for the primer, about 4 cents for 10 grains of Alliant 2400 powder. Your mileage may vary.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
love the cartridge myself, have many guns that shoot it & it's variations... the Kimber is a nice rifle as well... you'r son should learn to love it & especially since it cam from his grandpa...
factory rounds can be tough to find locally but usually are available from the bigger on line sources, cartridges are usually sold in boxes of 50
early rifles are .223" modern rifles are .224" would need more info on the gun to know which... normal twist rate is 1 in 14", & in my experience... .223" barrels have trouble stabilizing anything more than 45 grain bullets, the .224 barrels can sometimes work to 45 or 50 grain bullets... I built a couple guns with 1 in 9" twist barrels & can load the cartridge to 68 grain bullets...
there are a couple improved versions of the Hornet that will fire form using factory rounds & which can improve case life ( the Hornet case is quite thin compared to any of the modern 22 caliber cartridges ) it's also been the parent case for both necking down ( 17 caliber ) & up ( 270 caliber ) though smaller is more common than larger ( Horaday is standardizing the 17 Hornet right now for release in 2012 )
factory rounds can be tough to find locally but usually are available from the bigger on line sources, cartridges are usually sold in boxes of 50
early rifles are .223" modern rifles are .224" would need more info on the gun to know which... normal twist rate is 1 in 14", & in my experience... .223" barrels have trouble stabilizing anything more than 45 grain bullets, the .224 barrels can sometimes work to 45 or 50 grain bullets... I built a couple guns with 1 in 9" twist barrels & can load the cartridge to 68 grain bullets...
there are a couple improved versions of the Hornet that will fire form using factory rounds & which can improve case life ( the Hornet case is quite thin compared to any of the modern 22 caliber cartridges ) it's also been the parent case for both necking down ( 17 caliber ) & up ( 270 caliber ) though smaller is more common than larger ( Horaday is standardizing the 17 Hornet right now for release in 2012 )
My understanding is that the only .223 barrels were found on very early rifles that used rechambered .22 rimfire barrels. This also meant they had the .22 rimfire 1 in 16 inch twist which limited them to 45 grain bullets.
Anything of recent manufacture will have a .224 barrel. My Ruger #1 .22 Hornet has a 1 in 14 twist, I haven't explored how heavy a bullet that will stabilize mostly because I feel a Hornet needs all the velocity it can get.
Anything of recent manufacture will have a .224 barrel. My Ruger #1 .22 Hornet has a 1 in 14 twist, I haven't explored how heavy a bullet that will stabilize mostly because I feel a Hornet needs all the velocity it can get.
I will add that this is one of my all time favorites and still #1 for me for pure enjoyment.
Favorite load is Remington Brass, Win Sm Pistol Primer, Sierra #1210 45gr SP over 12.8 grains of Lil-Gun. Super accurate in my 60 year old Winchester model 43, so that Kimber ought to be a tack driver with the right load.
Lucky son.
Mike J
Favorite load is Remington Brass, Win Sm Pistol Primer, Sierra #1210 45gr SP over 12.8 grains of Lil-Gun. Super accurate in my 60 year old Winchester model 43, so that Kimber ought to be a tack driver with the right load.
Lucky son.
Mike J
What is the twist rate? I guess there are 2 common ones, one is the original, I think slower and worked for the weight of bullets when the cartridge was developed, now there are heavier bullets for it and like a faster twist to stabilize, looking at getting one myself, a classic round, maybe someone can chime in here on the twist rates I am talking about.
Bob
Bob
Love my Ruger 77/22 Hornet. Have it threaded for my can.
AIMSurplus has Prvi Partizan 22 Hornet for $18.95 for a box of 50. brass is high quality and reloadable. 22 Hornet cases are thin and don't last long when full-length sized. Neck sized they last a long time.
Small rifle primer + Lil'Gun powder + Speer 40 grain =
Lil'Gun gives high velocity at low pressure so cases last even longer.
AIMSurplus has Prvi Partizan 22 Hornet for $18.95 for a box of 50. brass is high quality and reloadable. 22 Hornet cases are thin and don't last long when full-length sized. Neck sized they last a long time.
Small rifle primer + Lil'Gun powder + Speer 40 grain =
Lil'Gun gives high velocity at low pressure so cases last even longer.
Colorado Redneck
New member
22 Hornet hand loading tips
I have messed around quite a bit with 22 Hornet. Here are some things I learned, a lot of them the hard way:
Remington 6 1/2 primers work the best. By far. I have made identical loads and used various other primers and then compared them at the range. Remington 6 1/2 is the best.
Remington brass is good too.
Depending on your firearm, you may find that it is finicky about bullets or other factors. I have ended up liking 40 gr. Hornady V-max over 13.2 gr. Lil Gun, and Remington brass and 6 1/2 primer. The Hornady book calls for a longer COL than the SAAMI specs, but that can be too long to run through some rifles. You have to figure that out. Compressed loads don't seem to be an issue.
For some reason the brass seems like it wants to crunch easily. If you load this caliber, the first few rounds may disappoint you. Don't give up. I hated it! But now, I can run through a 100 rounds in an evening and never waste a case. Can't even remember why the beginning was so tough, just that it was.
Hornady "New Dimension" seater die is best. And after the first time of sizing, you only need to neck size. The brass will last longer.
I love this caliber! Use it more all the time.
I have messed around quite a bit with 22 Hornet. Here are some things I learned, a lot of them the hard way:
Remington 6 1/2 primers work the best. By far. I have made identical loads and used various other primers and then compared them at the range. Remington 6 1/2 is the best.
Remington brass is good too.
Depending on your firearm, you may find that it is finicky about bullets or other factors. I have ended up liking 40 gr. Hornady V-max over 13.2 gr. Lil Gun, and Remington brass and 6 1/2 primer. The Hornady book calls for a longer COL than the SAAMI specs, but that can be too long to run through some rifles. You have to figure that out. Compressed loads don't seem to be an issue.
For some reason the brass seems like it wants to crunch easily. If you load this caliber, the first few rounds may disappoint you. Don't give up. I hated it! But now, I can run through a 100 rounds in an evening and never waste a case. Can't even remember why the beginning was so tough, just that it was.
Hornady "New Dimension" seater die is best. And after the first time of sizing, you only need to neck size. The brass will last longer.
I love this caliber! Use it more all the time.
Your father in law ROCKS.
A Kimber in ANY caliber is a treasure. The Hornet is a great cartridge in nearly any gun. In a Kimber it should be a real sweetheart.
Many of the good qualities have been covered already.
Once you have played with the Hornet, if you decide you need 100-200 fps more, have a good 'smith run a K-Hornet reamer into the chamber, and prepare to be impressed. 3100+ fps is easily done with 40gr bullets.
A Kimber in ANY caliber is a treasure. The Hornet is a great cartridge in nearly any gun. In a Kimber it should be a real sweetheart.
Many of the good qualities have been covered already.
Once you have played with the Hornet, if you decide you need 100-200 fps more, have a good 'smith run a K-Hornet reamer into the chamber, and prepare to be impressed. 3100+ fps is easily done with 40gr bullets.
Colorado Redneck
New member
michaelcj---thanks for the tip
Have never used Lyman products. I will do some info searching on the "M" die. For what its worth, eventually that problem of the cases crunching just disappeared. Probably a learning curve issue.
Thanks again!
Have never used Lyman products. I will do some info searching on the "M" die. For what its worth, eventually that problem of the cases crunching just disappeared. Probably a learning curve issue.
Thanks again!
The 22 Hornet is one of the ones I do not yet have. It is and always has been an excellent varmint/target cartridge.
Similar to my 220 Swift and 218 Bee, commercial ammunition is very expensive. Handloading can make it as inexpensive as 22 WMR, while creating ammunition that is more accurate than anything you can buy off the shelf. If you do not already have a handloading setup, it would be a great education (and a great father/son shared activity) with the Hornet as his first handloading experience. Nearly everything you buy to set him up for handloading can be used with other centerfire cartridges.
Similar to my 220 Swift and 218 Bee, commercial ammunition is very expensive. Handloading can make it as inexpensive as 22 WMR, while creating ammunition that is more accurate than anything you can buy off the shelf. If you do not already have a handloading setup, it would be a great education (and a great father/son shared activity) with the Hornet as his first handloading experience. Nearly everything you buy to set him up for handloading can be used with other centerfire cartridges.
dagger dog
New member
The Hornet is a hoot no doubt, your son and daughter will want to shoot it alot. If you don't reload you could start out with a Lee Loader Classic.
If you figure a Lee Loader from Lee Factory Sales @ $35 shipped ,a pound of Lil'Gun @ $25,100 small rifle primers @ $4.50, 100 40 gr V-Max $20,50 factory rounds for $38.00,or 100 rnds new Winchester brass $30. You probably already own a hammer.
Set you back 125 bucks tops, and it would be one of the best times you could spend with your boy and girl.
Have fun!
If you figure a Lee Loader from Lee Factory Sales @ $35 shipped ,a pound of Lil'Gun @ $25,100 small rifle primers @ $4.50, 100 40 gr V-Max $20,50 factory rounds for $38.00,or 100 rnds new Winchester brass $30. You probably already own a hammer.
Set you back 125 bucks tops, and it would be one of the best times you could spend with your boy and girl.
Have fun!