[Flynmoose]

Hornet thin case necks

I did wrinkle a few Hornet case necks. I have not had a failure since I got a competition seater die, works great and worth the money. Mine is an RCBS.
FM

 

[carbineone]

Nice Rifles..

I would just prefer the 17 Hornet over the .223 for the simple fact I am odd and like my Firearms a little out of the normal channels..

 

[PaPow]

I did wrinkle a few Hornet case necks. I have not had a failure since I got a competition seater die, works great and worth the money. Mine is an RCBS.
FM

Good to know! I`m going to try backing out the FL die and see how that works out first. If it does not, i`ll get a comp neck die.

I have backed out regular FL dies in the past with great success, but with hearing the cases are so thin on the Hornet, i may have to re-think the comp die.

 

[PaPow]

Nice Rifles..

I would just prefer the 17 Hornet over the .223 for the simple fact I am odd and like my Firearms a little out of the normal channels..

Besides the money being tight for me, a 17 Hornet may likely end up appearing in one of my gun safes one day. I`m still doing the homework on those though.

And i see nothing wrong with being outside the channels either. I`ve never been a cookie cutter person myself.

 

[59801]

I don't know if this will apply, but when I resize my cases, I set the die so it just "kisses" the shoulder, barely smudging the smoke...keeping it from gradually becoming longer, and eventually needing full length sizing.
Me, I'm a dinosaur, and have looked at the Hornet, but am more in love with the .222 Remington.

Yes just like using a full length die as a neck sizer your method is using a full length die as a bump die. That also works well. The 22 Hornet being a case study in how to not design a centerfire cartridge doesn't really have a shoulder though. I shoot a number of Hornets. They definitely have there place in the field. I'm sort of embarrassed to admit it but I've gotten down to one 222 Remington. I think I'm gonna blame peer pressure because the 223 has pretty much replaced my 222's. That of course doesn't make any sense at all as the 222 is the better round. It's sorta funny but now I consider the 204-222-223 as big varmint rifles. The 22-250's and Swifts just don't get anywhere near the use as before. My Swift gets used as a winter coydog rifle when there's a good chance of longer shots and that's about it now. My 17 Hornet sees more use than most of my 204-223 class rifles. Things change is all I can say.

 

[dbr65]

Sorry Doug,
i`m not good with taking pictures, or uploading them either. So its likely you`ll never see a picture of my guns in here.

You`re using small pistol primers instead of small rifle primers? May i ask why you would do that? What is the benefit of it.

The powder capacity of the Hornet case is pretty modest, appreciably less than many pistol caliber cases, burns fast powders -- 1680, 2400, W296, LilGun -- and has a small .22 cal. exit. It simply doesn't need a rifle primer. The relatively small amount of powder is ignited very uniformly and gently by a small pistol primer. I believe your cases will be less apt to stretch or as much with small pistol primers.

Doug

 

[PaPow]

The powder capacity of the Hornet case is pretty modest, appreciably less than many pistol caliber cases, burns fast powders -- 1680, 2400, W296, LilGun -- and has a small .22 cal. exit. It simply doesn't need a rifle primer. The relatively small amount of powder is ignited very uniformly and gently by a small pistol primer. I believe your cases will be less apt to stretch or as much with small pistol primers.

Doug

Thank you Doug! What you said right there really makes sense. I`ll be trying it out soon. I have lots of small pistol primers and a bunch of WW296, H110, and a bunch of 2400 powder on hand. I`ve been keeping an eye out for Lil`Gun locally. Seems the L`G works better for the heavier bullets from the research i`ve been reading.

I dug into my bullet closet today, i`ve got tons of 224 bullets to choose from. Also set up another press on the bench today just to run the hornet loads on. (Redding BigBossII)

 

[prairie maggot]

So what can a 223 do that a 30-06 can't? It is simply different horses for different courses. The 22 hornet is very fun to shoot. I will shoot it at targets, squirrels, rabbits, racoons, and even coyotes. If I am going exclusively for coyotes, I take my 204 or my 221 fireball, or my 243. But, I can keep shooting my 22 hornet when other barrels heat up and must be set aside. It is just fun to shoot. AND, so is the 17 hornet. I purchased 500 rounds of brass and 500 rounds of 22 caliber bullets in the last 6 weeks. I saw plenty of powder (Lil'gun, CFE BLK, H110, etc. all good for the Hornet) on the shelves last Saturday and purchased 4,000 primers about 8 weeks ago. So, there are supplies for anyone wanting to reload for and shoot the 22 hornet or the 17 hornet. Loaded ammo is both hard and expensive to come by at the moment. My CZ with the 1 in 16 twist likes the 35 grain Vmax the best so far. I am still working out loads on heavier bullets. The 500 bullets that I recently purchased were all 42 grains so I am hopeful that I can get a decent load worked up with them. The 35 grain vmax consistently shoot 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards but run out of juice quickly after that. The heavier bullets should be better for 150 yards +. Have fun with your new gun!!! Burt

 

[59801]

I've noticed something of the same affect with the 33-35 grain bullets. Out to 100 -125 yards the light bullets do very well. The splat factor is really good. After that the impact seems to fall off very quickly. Accuracy is generally really good with these bullets but I zero my Hornets art 200 and use a 45 grain bullet that seems to hit harder further out.

 

[prairie maggot]

And one more thing ---- I use the Lee collett neck sizing die. It is not expensive and produces loads with less runout than I have experienced using a neck sizer (RCBS, Redding, Sinclair, etc) where the neck is compressed and then expanded. It works the brass less as well. For me it is perfect for the Hornet and most likely other cases. As you re-load you will want to check the length and trim if necessary with each firing. I am considering reaming my hornet out to a K-hornet that is suppose to reduce case stretching. I have not yet annealed my cases, but that would be a conversation to have at some time in the future as split necks can occur as the brass hardens from repeated reloads. Burt

 

[ChangFest]

Better late than never to add support for the 22 Hornet.

35gr vmax on top of 13gr lil gun is my go-to load. For me the 22 Hornet is way easier to reload for than the 17 Hornet. Obtaining consistent neck tension has been my issue with the 17.

 

[prairie maggot]

ChangFest - I have really struggled with reloads to get as good of groups with my 17hornet as I can get with factory loads. I can consistently (75% of the time) shoot 1/2 inch groups with factory loads. Reloads not so much. I am ready to load up some 25 grain vmax to see if the heavier bullets will do any better. I have had better results with Rem 6 1/2 primers than with Fed 205 or WSM primers. But so far I have not found the secret sauce I'm looking for. Burt

 

[PaPow]

And one more thing ---- I use the Lee collett neck sizing die. It is not expensive and produces loads with less runout than I have experienced using a neck sizer (RCBS, Redding, Sinclair, etc) where the neck is compressed and then expanded. It works the brass less as well. For me it is perfect for the Hornet and most likely other cases. As you re-load you will want to check the length and trim if necessary with each firing. I am considering reaming my hornet out to a K-hornet that is suppose to reduce case stretching. I have not yet annealed my cases, but that would be a conversation to have at some time in the future as split necks can occur as the brass hardens from repeated reloads. Burt

Hi Burt,
i was looking at that Lee collet neck die. Seems to be a neat unit. I may get one later, we`ll see. For now, i`m going to use my RCBS FL set when i begin reloading for the 22-Hornet. Member 59801 mentioned backing off the FL die so that it doesn't work the case shoulder to much. I`ve used that method for decades with great success. BUT, this is going to be my newest adventure reloading for the 22-Hornet. I`m no newbie to reloading, but i am surely enjoying all you guys telling your reloading stories about this little hornet. Great brain food for me! Thank you!

 

[PaPow]

Better late than never to add support for the 22 Hornet.

35gr vmax on top of 13gr lil gun is my go-to load. For me the 22 Hornet is way easier to reload for than the 17 Hornet. Obtaining consistent neck tension has been my issue with the 17.

Changfest, that gun is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! And i sure wish i could take nice pictures like that, wowwww, awesome.

I can see in the picture too, that you have some PPU ammo there. Is that some factory stuff? Or are those your reloads. If they are your reloads, how do you like the PPU brass for reloading???

 

[PaPow]

I've noticed something of the same affect with the 33-35 grain bullets. Out to 100 -125 yards the light bullets do very well. The splat factor is really good. After that the impact seems to fall off very quickly. Accuracy is generally really good with these bullets but I zero my Hornets art 200 and use a 45 grain bullet that seems to hit harder further out.

I`m following your lead on your loads. I`m going to stay within the 45gr area. I`m looking for a 50yds on up to 200yds shots for my Hornet. I dont need anything farther than that for this particular gun.

 

[PaPow]

So what can a 223 do that a 30-06 can't? It is simply different horses for different courses. The 22 hornet is very fun to shoot. I will shoot it at targets, squirrels, rabbits, racoons, and even coyotes. If I am going exclusively for coyotes, I take my 204 or my 221 fireball, or my 243. But, I can keep shooting my 22 hornet when other barrels heat up and must be set aside. It is just fun to shoot. AND, so is the 17 hornet. I purchased 500 rounds of brass and 500 rounds of 22 caliber bullets in the last 6 weeks. I saw plenty of powder (Lil'gun, CFE BLK, H110, etc. all good for the Hornet) on the shelves last Saturday and purchased 4,000 primers about 8 weeks ago. So, there are supplies for anyone wanting to reload for and shoot the 22 hornet or the 17 hornet. Loaded ammo is both hard and expensive to come by at the moment. My CZ with the 1 in 16 twist likes the 35 grain Vmax the best so far. I am still working out loads on heavier bullets. The 500 bullets that I recently purchased were all 42 grains so I am hopeful that I can get a decent load worked up with them. The 35 grain vmax consistently shoot 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards but run out of juice quickly after that. The heavier bullets should be better for 150 yards +. Have fun with your new gun!!! Burt

View attachment 268651

That`s a nice rig right there Burt!

 

[glennasher]

So what can a 223 do that a 30-06 can't? It is simply different horses for different courses. The 22 hornet is very fun to shoot. I will shoot it at targets, squirrels, rabbits, racoons, and even coyotes. If I am going exclusively for coyotes, I take my 204 or my 221 fireball, or my 243. But, I can keep shooting my 22 hornet when other barrels heat up and must be set aside. It is just fun to shoot. AND, so is the 17 hornet. I purchased 500 rounds of brass and 500 rounds of 22 caliber bullets in the last 6 weeks. I saw plenty of powder (Lil'gun, CFE BLK, H110, etc. all good for the Hornet) on the shelves last Saturday and purchased 4,000 primers about 8 weeks ago. So, there are supplies for anyone wanting to reload for and shoot the 22 hornet or the 17 hornet. Loaded ammo is both hard and expensive to come by at the moment. My CZ with the 1 in 16 twist likes the 35 grain Vmax the best so far. I am still working out loads on heavier bullets. The 500 bullets that I recently purchased were all 42 grains so I am hopeful that I can get a decent load worked up with them. The 35 grain vmax consistently shoot 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards but run out of juice quickly after that. The heavier bullets should be better for 150 yards +. Have fun with your new gun!!! Burt

View attachment 268651

Another bullet you might like to try, is the 34gr. HP sold by Midsouth as their Varmint Nightmare Extreme. They are made by Nosler (also sold by Midway, at a higher price). The last ones I bought were under $50 for 500, but they've probably gone up since then. I use them with 1680 and Remington 6.5 primers. Dandy stuff.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....re-x-treme-22-caliber-point224-diameter-34-grain-premium-flat-base-hp-500-count Ooops, just checked the price, they've gone up considerably since I bought them last. Still, they are very, very good shooting little bullets.

 

[lefty222]

I'm still kicking the idea of a 22 Hornet around in my head, being 22 LR ammo is though the roof in price for plinking ammo, now I'm playing around with a Rem. 700 SPS varmint in 223 12 twist W/26in barrel l'm not maxing it out keeping around 2700 to 2800 fps w/55g heads.

l only neck size and keep my loads at 23g to 24.5g w/55g head and have gotten
5 shot 3/4in groups at 100 yrds it could only get better.

 

[SDPhoto]

I had the exact same problem with a 527 in .223.
Somebody had to give it a home. Love that set trigger.

 

[makofoto]

If I could only buy Hornet ammo in California. 😞