22 Hornet advise

[nakneker]

I just picked up my first hornet of any kind. A CZ 22 hornet, all origunal. I’ll probably rechamber it to a K hornet after I play with it like it is for awhile.

Just looking for advise on powders and dies. I have a few 40 ballistic tips on hand and I’ll buy more 35-45 grain bullets when I see them. PPU brass is about the only brass I can find, I have 100 inbound to get me started. I have AA1680, H110, VV N120, 4227, TCM, 296 on hand, probably a few others too. I don’t have any Lilgun.

I hear the hornets can be a bit more finicky to load for, long angled neck and thin brass. I have a set RCBS dies coming. I was reading where some guys use a Lyman m die with good success but that was really old thread, just curious if all dies work about the same or if some of you who know the cartridge well have any input on that.

Any input is appreciated, I’m gathering components now. Thanks in advance!

Sean

 

[mike mccormick]

Is the rifle a 527? If so, forget the pointy bullets. They load too long for the magazine. Mine likes the Sierra 45gr hornet bullets, as well as the Dogtown 40gr jhp. Hornets are bad about splitting case necks, and respond well to neck sizing only. Hodgdon Lil' gun is a great powder for it, as is h110/w296. Some folks also have great success with 2400.

 

[nakneker]

Is the rifle a 527? If so, forget the pointy bullets. They load too long for the magazine. Mine likes the Sierra 45gr hornet bullets, as well as the Dogtown 40gr jhp. Hornets are bad about splitting case necks, and respond well to neck sizing only. Hodgdon Lil' gun is a great powder for it, as is h110/w296. Some folks also have great success with 2400.

It is a 527, good info to know. I’ll start looking for more bullets. I have H110 and 296 so that’s a start. I stopped neck sizing a while ago but your advise echos what I’ve read on other threads too, thanks for the input!

 

[jasophil1]

AA 1680 small pistol primers. Dog town 34 gr hornets or 35 gr v max . Hornady short 22 neck sizer if you use 296 lightly crimp the necks with with lee crimp die.

 

[nakneker]

AA 1680 small pistol primers. Dog town 34 gr hornets or 35 gr v max . Hornady short 22 neck sizer if you use 296 lightly crimp the necks with with lee crimp die.

Lee factory crimp die inbound. TY!

 

[JSH]

The one I had was a 1-16” twist, it would t stabilize anything but the little stubby’s.

 

[Roe]

I have one in 22 K Hornet. Previous owner had luck with precision, I did not.
Very rough.
It's now being rebarreled to a match barrel and standard 22 Hornet.

 

[pappaw]

2400 works

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Hornet Magic: A1680, Rem 6-1/2, Nosler 45gr SB.

Even more magic when chambered to K-Hornet; better velocity, longer case life, more consistent SD and velocity.

 

[nakneker]

Hornet Magic: A1680, Rem 6-1/2, Nosler 45gr SB.

Even more magic when chambered to K-Hornet; better velocity, longer case life, more consistent SD and velocity.

I wanna try the k hornet after I play around with the standard hornet for a bit, I gotta believe the k neck would be easier to deal with too. I have everything but the Nosler 45 SB. Looked all over last night for the bullets mentioned in this thread and found nothing, I expected that. I’ll find some. I did order some 36 grain Barnes I found. The guy I bought the rifle emailed today and said he was throwing in a 180 rounds of factory, that helps.

 

[Dennis22]

Im new to hornets so take this with a grain

For long case life get the lee factory neck collet die, I also got the smaller .001 collet, no need to crimp (i got that advice on this forum)

camphor the inside case neck to aid bullet seating, failure to do so can lead to crushed cases

I'm shooting a Browning 1885 single shot, so coal is not an issue, but loads that would fit mag length were 2" groups

1-16 twist

Powder made a huge difference, my first groups with H110 (296) were horrific, bullets key holed, and barley hit the 8x11 paper

several visits to the range different powders, different primers, and different coal was worth the effort

My final load

42g Calhoon dbl hp
13g Lilgun, compressed load
PPu brass
CCi small pistol primers
1.91 coal
.43 moa at 100 yds

It is worth the effort

l

Dennis

 

[Mark M.]

Im new to hornets so take this with a grain

For long case life get the lee factory neck collet die, I also got the smaller .001 collet, no need to crimp (i got that advice on this forum)

camphor the inside case neck to aid bullet seating, failure to do so can lead to crushed cases

I'm shooting a Browning 1885 single shot, so coal is not an issue, but loads that would fit mag length were 2" groups

1-16 twist

Powder made a huge difference, my first groups with H110 (296) were horrific, bullets key holed, and barley hit the 8x11 paper

several visits to the range different powders, different primers, and different coal was worth the effort

My final load

42g Calhoon dbl hp
13g Lilgun, compressed load
PPu brass
CCi small pistol primers
1.91 coal
.43 moa at 100 yds

It is worth the effort

lView attachment 1318710View attachment 1318711

Dennis

This is the same load I use

 

[nakneker]

Im new to hornets so take this with a grain

For long case life get the lee factory neck collet die, I also got the smaller .001 collet, no need to crimp (i got that advice on this forum)

camphor the inside case neck to aid bullet seating, failure to do so can lead to crushed cases

I'm shooting a Browning 1885 single shot, so coal is not an issue, but loads that would fit mag length were 2" groups

1-16 twist

Powder made a huge difference, my first groups with H110 (296) were horrific, bullets key holed, and barley hit the 8x11 paper

several visits to the range different powders, different primers, and different coal was worth the effort

My final load

42g Calhoon dbl hp
13g Lilgun, compressed load
PPu brass
CCi small pistol primers
1.91 coal
.43 moa at 100 yds

It is worth the effort

lView attachment 1318710View attachment 1318711

Dennis

I read your thread, picked up some good advice, thanks for commenting.

 

[trader steve]

My best advice on a 527 hornet is to sell it to me so reloading doesn't stress you out.I have several hornets contender browning cz Remington 6 1/2 or small pistol primers work the best for me. I shoot them often imr 4227 is great 1680 OK h110 not bad 2400 is very good I always shoot 40gr Vmax bullets.there's a lot of knowledge here I been reloading 40 years now and still learn from guys here.but best wishes for your journey with your CZ your going to love it steve

 

[nakneker]

My best advice on a 527 hornet is to sell it to me so reloading doesn't stress you out.I have several hornets contender browning cz Remington 6 1/2 or small pistol primers work the best for me. I shoot them often imr 4227 is great 1680 OK h110 not bad 2400 is very good I always shoot 40gr Vmax bullets.there's a lot of knowledge here I been reloading 40 years now and still learn from guys here.but best wishes for your journey with your CZ your going to love it steve

Couldn’t agree more, lots of knowledge here. You have quite a collection going! I wanted a CZ Lux, took me awhile to land one so I’m glad it finally happened. I’ve been shooting the 222 since I was kid, I have quite a few of them and have always wanted to try a hornet. Actually I’d like to try the hornet, 17 hornet and all the cool little cartridges based on the brass, 22 mink, 22 sqiurrel, k version etc. Nothing like another rabbit hole, lol. Thanks for the input!

 

[moorepower]

I have a Lee collet and L.E. Wilson inline dies, and I prefer the L.E. Wilson. I only neck size with .003 under bushing and have never had any split neck issues. I use LilGun, but your covered in spades with powder that will work. I use spp with LilGun, but for the powders you list, a 6 1/2 or other std sr primer will work. Remember that there is a big % spread in case capacity between Hornet cases, so start low and work up to close to book advertised velocity for what bullet your using.

 

[DaveCo]

There is a little book out, actually a small series, concerning Hornet sized CZ 527s

Specifically, one aimed at magazine mods to handle longer Coals.

M.L. (Mic) McPherson

Modifying the CZ 527, .17 and .22 Hornet magazines, to handle longer rounds.

I got it on my Kindle, off Amazon

Dave

 

[NETim]

I've had great luck with Lil' Gun and 35 grain Vmaxs in my Model 70. (No I won't K-Hornet it.)

 

[rjtfroggy]

https://stevespages.com/223_1_40.html

Here are a few, if you want more, I will send you the web site info.

 

[biggun2869]

In MHO 1st go along with the fact that a lighter primer is desirable I personally went from a pistol primer to the 6 1/2 with improvement all the way. I just use 10 grains of 2400 and a 34 grain Dogtown bullet(Shoots pretty good). Really light load that preserves brass. My gun is a 527 CZ. It has killed a lot of blackbirds!
I mainly kept it within 100 yrds but I have a lot of other options for longer range.