calling 22 hornet guys

[cfullgraf]

I was pretty raw (no expert for certain even now) years ago when I began reloading for the Hornet. I just have Lee dies and press, nothing out of the ordinary. I have yet to crush a case. Knock on wood. I think I do get better accuracy if I neck size only for my Ruger.

As you are finding, with carefully cooperation, reloading 22 Hornet is not any more difficult than other cartridges. 22 Hornet cases are thin and do not react well when forced upon an operation upon them.

 

[Crosshair]

As you are finding, with carefully cooperation, reloading 22 Hornet is not any more difficult than other cartridges. 22 Hornet cases are thin and do not react well when forced upon an operation upon them.

You bring up a good point. It's not a matter of the Hornet being harder to load. It's a matter of other cartridges being more tolerant of sloppy loading.

Put a bullet in a 223 a little wonky and it will still seat just fine. As long as you're not trying to seat a bullet sideways at least. 22 Hornet? Not so much.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I have a NEF in .22 Hornet, but I took a different route as far as loads. My main goal was a super quiet load for small game. With a miniscule amount of Unique, and a .22 air rifle pellet, the "Rabbit Magnum". It is both quiet and accurate. Very accurate. Then I just load a 55 grain FMJ for wolf and cougar repellent, using IMR4227. Not fussy about fine accuracy with that load, but it is not inaccurate. No problems with a 55 grain bullet tumbling. Seems to be perfectly stable at 100 yards.

My idea was a wilderness survival rifle, with the capability of larger game in an emergency, and defense against anything short of bears, or a bull moose, but it's kind of on the heavy side so I have not actually taken it trekking. That bull barrel weighs a bit. Something in the six pound range would be more ideal.

No, reloading for it has never been a problem.

 

[DM~]

I have a NEF in .22 Hornet, but I took a different route as far as loads. My main goal was a super quiet load for small game. With a miniscule amount of Unique, and a .22 air rifle pellet, the "Rabbit Magnum".

I just used a primer and reversed the pellet flush with the case mouth.

I've had several Hornets, never liked any of them including a really nice Winchester 54, so chambered.

DM

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I just used a primer and reversed the pellet flush with the case mouth.

I tried just a primer, but accuracy was not as good as with about a grain (1.5, I forget) of powder. I did not have any magnum primers at the time, that may have worked better. Never considered reversing the pellet, but for minimal meat damage than might not be best. Or not. With the accuracy and quiet report of load I finally came up with, there would be no reason for me to try anything different.