.22 K-Hornet Loads to Replace .22 WMR

[farscott]

Well, I like .22 WMR ballistics out of a fourteen-inch barrel in my T/C Contender, but I hate paying the cost for the ammo. So I stumbled across a deal for a thirteen-inch MGM .22 K-Hornet Contender barrel and dies, so now I need to find some loads to duplicate the .22 WMR performance.

A little faster velocity would be fine, but I want to keep the report down, especially as the barrel is fairly short. Any ideas on loads and powders? I see that Hodgdon Lil' Gun is the powder of choice in the Hornet, and I can get some locally, so loads for that powder would be great.

 

[Walkalong]

I used to use 3.7 Grs of 700X in .22 Hornet cases with 40 an 45 Gr bullets for ".22 Mag equivalent" loads. I did not have a chrono back then, and have not tried it again yet since I bought another Hornet bolt gun, so I do not know the velocities.

Shot well though, and much lighter than full .22 Hornet loads.

Trail Boss, which was not out yet back then, would be one to try as well.

 

[farscott]

Thanks for the reply with the suggestions.

Now I need to decide whether I should invest in a neck-size die. I have the full-length sizing die, but it seems to make no sense to fire form the brass and then full-length size it. I think it makes sense from a brass longevity viewpoint to just neck size the brass.

 

[Walkalong]

I have tried both, but haven't settled on one or the other. The .22 Hornet gurus here pretty much agree on neck sizing for the Hornet.

 

[loadedround]

I shoot a custom Ruger 77-22 chambered for the 22K-Hornet and find that I can get 2-3 more reloadings from the K-hornet case when I neck size only. BTW, my cases usually wear out before having to trim them.

 

[farscott]

Great info. I am going to order a Redding neck size die as part of my next reloading order.

 

[kludge]

You might look into Accurate 5744 for more .22WMR-like velocities.

 

[Walkalong]

From Accurate 3.2.2 PDF

.22 Hornet .224 Diameter Bore
Barrel: 20", Twist 1-14" Primer: REM 6 ½ Bullet Dia.: .224"
5744 40 NOS B-TIP 9.2 2,092 9.8 2,307 48,734 1.855
5744 40 SIE Hornet 8.7 1,943 9.7 2,208 50,740 1.715

1900ish to 2300ish FPS with 5744 & 40 Gr bullets

 

[tango2echo]

H4198 10.5gr
45gr HDY SP
CCI SR
WIN Brass

Does 1950fps out of a Ruger M77/22H. Should do less out of your TC. This rifle has a "slow" barrel though. The manual shows 2220 from a 24" tube.

I have loaded H4198 lower than 10.5grs without problems, but this is the minimum load in some manuals.

I will also say I am new to loading the Hornet and KHornet.

I have heard of guys loading TrailBoss in the Hornet for Sub-Sonic loads, but I have never attemped this and have no data to support it.

 

[farscott]

More stuff to try. Thanks.

 

[loadedround]

The powder of choice for the 22K-Hornet is AA 1680. This was the most accurate powder that I have found for this wildcat cartridge.

 

[Kernel]

The article K-Hornet is Old and Improved by Rocky Raab on the Rocky’s Reloading Room web site has reduced loads for the K-Hornet. Rocky seems to like Bullseye and H4227 for his reduced velocity loads.

http://www.reloadingroom.com/index_files/K-Hornet.htm

 

[GooseGestapo]

My duplication of the .22wmr is as follows;
Lyman #225415 (49.5gr semi-pointed spitzer w/gascheck)
6.2gr of #2400 or- 7.6gr of SR4759
Gets 1,950fps
Any 40 or 45gr jacketed bullet can be substituted if loaded in the Contender.

I also load the 33gr Remington accutip (v-max) over 8.2gr of #2400 for around 2,350fps. Very accurate and mild report from my 24"bbl.

You may find that your accuracy is bettered with the Hornet if you partially full length resize. I find that if my cartridge "lays" in the chamber the same each time, that accuracy is improved. But, each of the 5 Hornets I've owned had distinct personalities. Most accurate though (consistently) was a 10" Contender barrel I owned back in the mid-late '70's. An H&R "Topper" of the same era was the worst. It shot patterns, not groups.....

 

[farscott]

Thanks for the additional reading, suggestions, and loads. This thread has been quite helpful to me. I hope to post some results in the next few weeks, depending upon weather.

I like the idea of indexing the round with respect to the chamber. On a Contender, that is simplicity itself to perform.

Question: How does one partially "full-length resize" with respect to the K-Hornet? How far past the neck should I go? What should I use to determine the proper stopping point? Any recommendation on how to set up the full-length sizing die for this?

 

[pmcnotpc]

I have been loading 223 down to 22 wmr levels with excellent results. K hornet should be a breeze. By the way, are you done with the 22 wmr barrel? I've been looking for one.

 

[farscott]

I am keeping the barrel as a control. Not too mention I still have a few hundred rounds of .22 WMR to use.

 

[yotesmoker]

Is it really cheaper to reload for the k-hornet than to purchase 22 mag ammo?50 rounds of 22 mag can be had for 9.00 a box.

 

[farscott]

Here, 50 rounds of .22 WMR are closer to $10.50 after tax or delivery charges. But I do see your point. But I am going to proceed with loading for the K-Hornet as a replacement for .22 WMR as it will be less expensive over the long term.

Of course, there is some investment in getting up to speed, such as dies. Handloading will eventually be less expensive as I can get about 500 rounds out of one pound of powder. I have some factory Hornet rounds that will provide the K-Hornet cases. Bullets will be the issue. That, and time.