.22 hornet cast bullet loads with modern powders

JSH

Active Member
There seems to be more folks casting than when I started about 20 years ago. Yet there is very little data out there that has been updated to any extent.
The hornet can be a little darling or a little brat. I have had both experiences. I have pretty much parted ways with the .22rf, I still have enough guns and ammo in the caliber. I just don't find it as fun when shucking out $5-10 per 50 of mediocre "target" ammo.
Thus my reason for turning back to this one, but with more cast than jacketed. I worked up some loads and came up with some that are running 3/8-1/2" @ 50. I am happy with it to say the least, but the loads used powders that were discontinue this year or last.
Looking at longshot and it seems like it would work, but no data. Same thing with the new BE86 powder.
Any of you folks that have input I am all ears.
Looking to try a Lee factory crimp die and tighten groups even more.
TIA
Jeff
 

.22-5-40

Member
Never tired Longshot or BE86. I have tried the fast shotgun powders such as Solo 1000 & American Select...no data..but worked up slow & careful. These were so fast .01gr. could spell difference between groups & patterns..extreemly clean burning though..but charges were on in the range of 3gr. or so & got lost even in that tiny case. Had better luck with Vhtavuori N110 & 120..much cleaner bores than H4227 & a little more accurate..again no cast data when I first started but I reduced jacketed charges & worked up. What twist is your Hornet? One thing that made a great deal of improvement in accuracy was when I made a tapered sizeing die to taper 1st. band to match rifles throat angle & dia. Closing breech cams bullets 1st. band into rifling & is engraved. (Rifle is a Sharps Borchardt actioned single shot with Shilen 1-14" twist). I am getting 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 100yds using a Leeth nose-pour copy of the old Ideal 22636 in both plain-base & gas-checked version both @ 52grs. Best of luck!
 
9

9.3X62AL

Guest
I started casting bullets in 1981, largely to have bullets for calibers that component manufacturers no longer made readily available. 32 S&W Long was the main focus of this effort, and the positive results were so immediate that I rapidly expanded the hobby interest to encompass all of the calibers I now reload for.

The uptick in bullet casting popularity was caused by similar factors--the absence of readily-available component bullets that commenced c. 2008 and has continued to greater or lesser extents since that time. If there has ever been a "Golden Age Of Bullet Casting", we might be in the midst of it currently. Many makers of GREAT casting tools now exist.

On to the topic. About two years ago I poured some Ideal #225438 castings out of straight Linotype, gave them RUTHLESS visual sort-outs, then scaled the little monsters to 1/2 of 1% populations by weight. A very nice bell-shaped curve resulted. Using the curve's statistical "peak" weights as-cast (41.2 grains, IIRC), I sized these bullets to .225" and filled their two tiny grooves with Carnauba Red. W-W cases were F/L sized in an RCBS steel die and processed through a Lyman M-die with .2225" main spud diameter. Remington 6-1/2 primers provided the spark, and 9.0 grains of Alliant 2400 was approached from 10% below without mishap. Only enough "crimp" was applied to flatten out case mouth belling. Groups blew up at 9.2 and 9.4 grains, but from 8.1 to 9.0 grains groups at 50 yards were in the 5/8" range, +/- 1/8". Rifle was a Ruger #3, with 6X Burris up top.

Velocities were in the 2350-2400 FPS ballpark. Yes, I was pretty jazzed. A week later I re-shot these loads at 100 and 200 yards, and throughout the test session a left-right quartering wind of 10-15 MPH was present. 50 shots--5 five-shotters at 100 and 200 yards each were fired. 100 yard results were 1.4"-1.7", 200 yards showed 2.75"-3.00". All ten groups were significantly wider than they were tall, but I took no wind "alibis".

I now have a new CZ-527 in 22 Hornet that awaits glassware and sight-in with same.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
I still have more work to do (Ruger #3 with 1:16 twist), But I've used Lil'gun (7.2gr) with the Bator and the NOE 225-45 WFN, at around 1800-1900fps. I also tried 1.0 and 1.5 gr of Red dot, they did 900fps and 1000fps respectively with the NOE (for 22LR equivalent loads). I was going to try Bulseye next, but after reading about titegroup, I'll probably go that route.
 

KHornet

Well-Known Member
For both K and regular hornet, have used BE, Red Dot, Lil'Gun, 2400, etc. Have not to this point gone much over 2000 fps, but will be making it a priority this summer to work up some loads on up to 2400-2450. For mouse fart loads, I like the 37gr. NOE over a couple gr.of bullseye. Not chronoed, but sub sonic.
 
9

9.3X62AL

Guest
This 22 Hornet venture was one of those "Because it's there" things, like climbers and mountains. Most of my cast bullet rifle loads hover in the 1600-1800 FPS ballpark, and other velocity upticks past 2000 FPS have had uneven outcomes (30-06 and 9.3 x 62). The 9.3mm/270 grainers hold together for 3 shots very well at 2200 FPS, but "go shotshell" after that. This was using BW/Alox, I have some loads identical to the former loads (but lubed with Carnauba Red) . Next time I feel like 20-25 270 grainers between 2200-2300 FPS from the bench, I'll report results. Don't hold your breath, though.
 

KHornet

Well-Known Member
Find interesting your comment on the 9.3mm and the 3 shot factor. My 375H&H does the same.
Paul
 

Glen

Moderator
Staff member
I've gotten very good results in my 10" TC Contender .22 Hornet with the NOE 45 grain GC-FP, sized .225" and lubed with 50/50 beeswax/moly grease, launched with 11.5 grains of Acc. Arms 1680. From the 10" barrel, this load generates 2035 fps, and very good accuracy.
 

Glen

Moderator
Staff member
PS -- Al it's funny that you called out "The Golden Age of Bullet Casting". a) I agree with you, and b) that's the title of an article that I sent to JD Jones for publication in HHI's "Sixgunner" earlier this spring.