.22 K Hornet Fire Form Loads?

[walker2713]

I've done some searches, but not come up with much....so can someone offer some insights on good fireform loads for the K-Hornet? I'll probably use AA1680 or L'il Gun. It's been a long time since I've gone through this, and can't find any previous records on what I used. Thanks.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Depending on what weight bullet you intend to use.....I use the 45gr Nosler or 30gr Barnes VG, usually either with a variation of around 12.0gr of 1680 in Hornet cases for fireforming to "K". Both loads fills the case out 100%, and is accurate enough for ground squirrels or PD's out to 225-250 yds.

12.6 grs is my go-to load for the 45gr Nosler in the 22 K-Hornet, shoots very well.

 

[walker2713]

RIO: thanks.....I've got a bunch of 40gr VMax ??? don't know why, just do...they showed up in the cabinet one day. ;D so I'll probably use them.....

 

[moorepower]

How about 13.2 grains of Lil Gun.

 

[1000yardstare]

Had a .22 K-Hornet back in the 1960s when I was a University student.

My `smith, a country gentleman by name of Elwood Epps, set up the headspace so there was a firm crush on the rim when the bolt was closed. Elwood maintained that the main problem with Hornet rifles was sloppy headspace as put out by the factories. This led to head separations after a few reloads. Any Hornet he got in his hands was properly headspaced when it left his shop.

My K-Hornet fireforming was with normal Hornet loads of 45 gr bullets over 2400 or 4227, the only powders available back then.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Also, don't forget the false shoulder brass prep for fireforming the K. Run a 6mm mandrel into the case, then size it in your regular die long and adjust it down until the bolt will close with manageable pressure (a little crush). This method makes up for the extra headspace built into most Hornets. As far as loads go, I would do the Lil'Gun at around 13.0-13.5 grains as recommended above, or any other standard Hornet loading. I am using 13.5 grains of 300MP with 40 V-Max. Not too hot for FF, and getting 3050-3100 fps & great accuracy. Any of you haven't tried the new Alliant Power Pro 300MP in your Hornets & K-Hornets are missing out. Get some & try it. Much more consistent than LG, clean & doesn't react with metals like LG.

 

[moorepower]

Joe, what are you using for primers. I have been using CCI small pistol primers, and they have worked well for me. What psi is the 300 mp at that velocity? I use 13.2 grains of the Lil Gun with a 40 grain V-max as my std. load for my un K'd Hornet.

 

[SmokinJoe]

I am using Wolf SR (not SRM), they are copper. I have tried pistol primers with OK results, but I am trying to get as much as I can out of the K-Hornet, so I am a little afraid of the pistol primers. The 300MP loads at that velocity flatten those soft primers pretty well, but pocket life is OK. I had run the load up to 14.5 grs, but in my rifle the pockets started to go pretty quick at that level, that load would give 3350 & sometimes 3400. One problem with the 300MP, as with any super fine ball powder, is electrostatic adhesion in the measure. I have found in my Harrel's I have to give it 4 bumps after throwing a charge to insure that all the powder granules have dropped. I do a bump, bump - bump, bump sorta cadence and it seems to be effective. Another thing I have addressed that seems to help when running the loads up is to get the firing pins bushed (by Gre'Tan Rifles), that really tightens up everything. Then, I am not looking so much at the firing pin indentation, as looking at how much the primer is filling out in the edges. Hope this is clear enough to help a little. Let us know what's up.

 

[RussellJ]

Also, don't forget the false shoulder brass prep for fireforming the K. Run a 6mm mandrel into the case, then size it in your regular die long and adjust it down until the bolt will close with manageable pressure (a little crush). This method makes up for the extra headspace built into most Hornets. As far as loads go, I would do the Lil'Gun at around 13.0-13.5 grains as recommended above, or any other standard Hornet loading. I am using 13.5 grains of 300MP with 40 V-Max. Not too hot for FF, and getting 3050-3100 fps & great accuracy. Any of you haven't tried the new Alliant Power Pro 300MP in your Hornets & K-Hornets are missing out. Get some & try it. Much more consistent than LG, clean & doesn't react with metals like LG.

Thank You Joe!!!
My "Safe Queen" Cooper 38 rifle chambered in 22 K-Hornet needed to see some daylight. This last weekend I annealed & fireformed some of my new PPU brass and wasn't 100% happy with the results until I read your post on running a 6mm mandrel into the brass to make a false shoulder for fireforming. Problem solved.
I found that A1680 powder is the dirtiest powder I have ever used, tough cleaning the barrel using that powder. 2nd fireforming test I used IMR 4227 powder, the barrel was much easier to clean. Going to go back to Lil'Gun powder, it shot well in this rifle years ago however, the Winchester brass didn't last long. I'm going to back off the powder charge due to the PPU brass weights a bit more and give it another go.

 

[RCE1]

I've used a lot of 40gr VMax in Hornets and K Hornets. They really work well. Also in .222

 

[SmokinJoe]

I ran Lil'Gun for awhile too but scraped it for erratic results and another issue where it caused a little corrosion on some aluminum powder measure parts when I left it in overnight (shouldn't do that). Velocity is always great and accuracy surprisingly good but that powder is just too quirky. Alliant 300MP is a lot better but it is fast enough that you can still get too much in a Hornet/ K-Hornet case. You will get velocities similar to LG but it seems a lot more consistent. Probably best powder ever was the Shooter's World SBR-SOCOM but I think that is long gone. I had pretty good luck with a full charge of 1680 and 40 gr bullets giving moderate pressures and around 3000fps with good accuracy. Rick in Oregon is a proponent of this load. I did not find it all that hard to clean but I think you need to max it out for best results, just figure out how much you can put in a case and still seat a bullet, not going to be dangerous especially in the Cooper.

 

[Mark M.]

Has anyone tried N120

 

[RussellJ]

I ran Lil'Gun for awhile too but scraped it for erratic results and another issue where it caused a little corrosion on some aluminum powder measure parts when I left it in overnight (shouldn't do that). Velocity is always great and accuracy surprisingly good but that powder is just too quirky. Alliant 300MP is a lot better but it is fast enough that you can still get too much in a Hornet/ K-Hornet case. You will get velocities similar to LG but it seems a lot more consistent. Probably best powder ever was the Shooter's World SBR-SOCOM but I think that is long gone. I had pretty good luck with a full charge of 1680 and 40 gr bullets giving moderate pressures and around 3000fps with good accuracy. Rick in Oregon is a proponent of this load. I did not find it all that hard to clean but I think you need to max it out for best results, just figure out how much you can put in a case and still seat a bullet, not going to be dangerous especially in the Cooper.

Joe, THANK YOU!!!
I will circle back to the A1680 powder.

 

[White Eagle]

I've done some searches, but not come up with much....so can someone offer some insights on good fireform loads for the K-Hornet? I'll probably use AA1680 or L'il Gun. It's been a long time since I've gone through this, and can't find any previous records on what I used. Thanks.

just load up what you normally shoot and go shoot them and Wa-la 22 K-Hornet comes out the other side

 

[SmokinJoe]

Since nobody answered, my guess (have no first hand knowledge) is that N-120 would be a bit slow and too bulky to get enough in the case. If you have some give it a try and report your results.