22 hornet

[YoteSmoker]

Are there any hornet fans out there?? I recently traded a scope for another Encore barrel in this caliber and put on a cheap 30 dollar tasco 3-9x40 scope (not something I would normally do but had it laying around). Loaded up some 45 Hornady Hornet sp bullets with 11-13 grain test loads using Lil Gun powder, seated the bullets to 1.750" (hornday book spec) and gave them crimp using lee factory crimp die. I also used a WSP primer, as I've read they shoot pretty good with a pistol primer and can be a little finicky to load for.

Went to the range Sunday and tried them out. I was impressed with how quiet it shot despite wearing ear plugs. My best group was 5/8" with 12.2 grains of powder. I think I can handle that considering the close range capacity of this little cartridge and the scope I'm using. I think it will make a great calling rifle for fox, bobcat, and coyotes in areas where I don't want to make a lot of noise and would be great for night hunting as well. I've heard the accuracy can leave a lot to be desired but I think for what it is, it will make a fun little all around close range gun for varmints/predators and fun at the range.

 

[buckfever]

Those Hornets are alot of fun. I'v got a Ruger M77 sounds like you found a good load I'v only tried H110 with 35 gr vmax ,40 gr bt and 45 gr hornadys but the trigger is around 8 lbs so 3 shot groups are around 1" to 1.5 @ 100 yards thats on a good day but I might have to try Lil'gun.

 

[HeathSexton]

I own a Ruger 77/22, never shot reloads but it does well with factory, especially the 35gr VMax. Any 77/22 owners really owe it to themselves to put a spring and sear kit in, I think I got mine from Cabelas, HUGE difference, trigger went from 7lbs to 2lbs. I also floated mine out and that helped a lot.

 

[honkeetonkin]

Yotesmoker, I have a 14 inch hornet barrel for my encore pistol and like you said it is fairly quiet and good for shooting close to houses and roads with out much fanfair as their is a lot of bike riders in my area . Lil gun powder works best for me with 40 gr bullets. I just tried noslers new unleaded pills and 12.4 grns lil gun gave thr best groups. Entrance holes on ground squirrels were hard to find but exits were not :twisted:

 

[tjen]

For Lilgun I found CCI 500 small pistal primer was the ONLY primer I could use. This the listed primer in Speers latest manual and it is safe for pressures in the hornet. I was getting +200fps over all listed velocities with fed205, 3200fps with a 40gr isn't safe.

With the CCI 500 SPP I get listed velocites. 12.7grs of Lilgun 40gr berger HPV @ 2980fps, 12.5grs with the speer 45gr hornet SP @2900fps. groups from 0.25 to 0.80. I have one 40gr seirra hornet SP with 12.6grs of AA1680, FED205 @2750fps with 0.55 groups.

I have no terminal performance for these three bullets but from a 40gr SP 40gr HPV, and a 45gr SP I should have a selction of terminal performance to choose from. I have a CZ527 and will be hunting bobcats and yotes in Michigan.

I use a LEE COLLET DIE to neck size only. The 40gr seirra OCL is spec while the others are long loaded out closer to the lands. My CZ seems to have a lot of free bore some 0.050" from the SAM OCL so I just found a sweet spot some 0.030" from spec.

 

[FOTIS]

LILgun is the heat! My hornets loved it.

 

[JD338]

Yote,

I really like the 22 Hornet. If MI ever passes law that allows center fire rifle at night for predators, I will get a 22 Hornet.
I also think its a perfect round for bob cats too.

JD338

 

[tjen]

Whats the terminal performance of the 40gr b-tip at 2900-3000fps on bobcats and yotes. For 20 to say 175 yards very common to have close shots here? Pass thurs or single holes?

 

[JD338]

tjen

Where in MI are you going predator hunting?

JD338

 

[RogueRiver]

I have an old HR 157 in hornet I have had since I was 14, even took a deer with it. This past year I got a contender and got a hornet barrel for it.
I also like Lil-gun. I use speer tnt 33 gn or Nosler 45 grn solid base(my fav hornet bullet) My new Hornet I put a 3-9 firefly scope on it just for those low light shots.

 

[tjen]

JD338

I am just startng varmint hunting, but I hunt Crawford, Otsego, and Montmerancy counties. I have called in a few yotes while spring turkey hunting mainly along thick cover so closer shots are what I expect.
I was looking for a 222rem but could not pass on NIB CZ527 for $400 OTD. I put VXII 3-9 EFR on it for 20-150 yard shooting. I tried to stay with short bullets do to its 1:16 twist (I think). I have done .22 CC five shot groups at 50yards but at 100 yards its more like .50-1.00"

Does nosler still make the 45gr solid base?