.22 Hornet Reloading

[IanB 0]

Well been putting a few rounds through the hornet, got 150 winchester 45grain, just as cheap nearly as buying new brass, so made sense..

Its accounted for a good few rabbits and hares and a big dog fox the other night, at around 140 yards and it was instant lights out.

 

Bought myself 300 35grain vmax heads and some H110, I know a lot of the guys use lil gun, but this was easier to get hold of local...from what I gather H110 is perfectly good...

 

Anyway jist of my question do any other hornet users use an expander die before seating there heads or is it not necessary..also what oal are you seating at..

[charlie caller 3,654]

 

Hi mate,H110 is a very good powder,12.3 grns under a 35 gn vmax is max load and gives around 3100 fps flattens charlie up to 200 yds,aol 1.725 inches have a look on hodgdon reloading data site all the info you will need,I personally dont use expander die,factory crimp is a good idea if you got one,anyway it is a very accurate round in my cz, dont think you will be dissapointed,have fun.

[IanB 0]

Dropped him like a stone..

[IanB 0]

Hi mate,H110 is a very good powder,12.3 grns under a 35 gn vmax is max load and gives around 3100 fps flattens charlie up to 200 yds,aol 1.725 inches have a look on hodgdon reloading data site all the info you will need,I personally dont use expander die,factory crimp is a good idea if you got one,anyway it is a very accurate round in my cz, dont think you will be dissapointed,have fun.

 

Yes that's another thing, what's the score with the crimping... do many crimp, or does it not matter in terms of accuracy?

[charlie caller 3,654]

Hi mate,H110 is a very good powder,12.3 grns under a 35 gn vmax is max load and gives around 3100 fps flattens charlie up to 200 yds,aol 1.725 inches have a look on hodgdon reloading data site all the info you will need,I personally dont use expander die,factory crimp is a good idea if you got one,anyway it is a very accurate round in my cz, dont think you will be dissapointed,have fun.

 

Yes that's another thing, what's the score with the crimping... do many crimp, or does it not matter in terms of accuracy?

I dont at the moment, but I think with 35gn vmax it would be a very good idea,have just loaded a batch of 45 gn sierra sp, and the neck tension seems better than the vmax, I started loading the sierra due to the price, nearly a tenner cheaper per hundred, and also superbly accurate in my CZ, I think that at some point I will invest in a Lee factory crimp die,it may not improve things but certainly wont do any harm, at some point I plan to try some subsonic cast bullet, hornet rounds for shooting bunnies, if I get round to it

[richmcgin 32]

I do crimp all my rounds in 223, i have been told that it will help create a uniform pressure, it also helps to keep the bullet where it was seated. one problem i have had is that it hardens the case mouth and small cracks will start to appear if the cases are not annealed, i have found that after 5 uses mine need the annealing or they will crack. but that aside the crimp has improve groups at 100yrd

[charlie caller 3,654]

I do crimp all my rounds in 223, i have been told that it will help create a uniform pressure, it also helps to keep the bullet where it was seated. one problem i have had is that it hardens the case mouth and small cracks will start to appear if the cases are not annealed, i have found that after 5 uses mine need the annealing or they will crack. but that aside the crimp has improve groups at 100yrd

Yes I think some rounds benefit more than others,I dont crimp my .243 rounds I neck size only and I cannot see how crimping would improve them at all,I fitted a custom Boyds laminate stock at the weekend and after a re zero, it put 4 rounds virtually through the same hole @ 100 yds,but I do think crimping hornet rounds is agood idea, even though I havent done it myself yet

[richmcgin 32]

I do crimp all my rounds in 223, i have been told that it will help create a uniform pressure, it also helps to keep the bullet where it was seated. one problem i have had is that it hardens the case mouth and small cracks will start to appear if the cases are not annealed, i have found that after 5 uses mine need the annealing or they will crack. but that aside the crimp has improve groups at 100yrd

Yes I think some rounds benefit more than others,I dont crimp my .243 rounds I neck size only and I cannot see how crimping would improve them at all,I fitted a custom Boyds laminate stock at the weekend and after a re zero, it put 4 rounds virtually through the same hole @ 100 yds,but I do think crimping hornet rounds is agood idea, even though I havent done it myself yet

did you bed the action into that stock or is it just a drop in job, i have a lovely bit of wood on my rifle which i have managed to put alot of marks in so was looking to change it for some thing else but am not sure if i have the skills to bed it in properly and ballance it, had mine done before by a smith but it cost a fortune.

As for crimping i think it is prob personal preff that is more important, confidence in your kit goes along way to success.

Edited February 1, 2012 by richmcgin

[Lewdan 17]

Well been putting a few rounds through the hornet, got 150 winchester 45grain, just as cheap nearly as buying new brass, so made sense..

Its accounted for a good few rabbits and hares and a big dog fox the other night, at around 140 yards and it was instant lights out.

 

Bought myself 300 35grain vmax heads and some H110, I know a lot of the guys use lil gun, but this was easier to get hold of local...from what I gather H110 is perfectly good...

 

Anyway jist of my question do any other hornet users use an expander die before seating there heads or is it not necessary..also what oal are you seating at..

 

 

I use a ruger 22/77 K hornet, i full resize, trim and clean every reload -- good accuracy, no problems at all use the sierra 45gn hornet bullet very good and much cheaper

[shootlodge 143]

40 s/p for speed & 45s/p for impact, over vit 110/120 - 9gr, superb results to 150yds + . 35gr are super fast & maybe prone to wear on the rilfe a little quicker

If you re-load, & the dies are set correct , you will not need to crimp. get the necks tighter a little at a time, until gripped firm ..Avoid V max hornady..they do not fit the mag !!

[charlie caller 3,654]

I do crimp all my rounds in 223, i have been told that it will help create a uniform pressure, it also helps to keep the bullet where it was seated. one problem i have had is that it hardens the case mouth and small cracks will start to appear if the cases are not annealed, i have found that after 5 uses mine need the annealing or they will crack. but that aside the crimp has improve groups at 100yrd

Yes I think some rounds benefit more than others,I dont crimp my .243 rounds I neck size only and I cannot see how crimping would improve them at all,I fitted a custom Boyds laminate stock at the weekend and after a re zero, it put 4 rounds virtually through the same hole @ 100 yds,but I do think crimping hornet rounds is agood idea, even though I havent done it myself yet

did you bed the action into that stock or is it just a drop in job, i have a lovely bit of wood on my rifle which i have managed to put alot of marks in so was looking to change it for some thing else but am not sure if i have the skills to bed it in properly and ballance it, had mine done before by a smith but it cost a fortune.

As for crimping i think it is prob personal preff that is more important, confidence in your kit goes along way to success.

No have not bed the action, got the stock and it fitted like a glove,no sanding required,I was a little apprehensive becouse this new stock fully floats the barrel.I thought I would suck it and see,absolutely awesome accuracy,so will see how well it holds zero, if it does wont bother bedding as laminate is a very stable platform.