Compressed load question. 22 Hornet.

[TheOtherZilla]

So I finally bought a 22 Hornet after years and years of wanting one.. I absolutely love it, and it is now my truck gun..

That said I have been loading Lil Gun and 40 Vmax's.. Books say 13 grains max load. Well at max load the case is full, and I mean full.. Of course the best shootin load is 13 grains and 40 Vmax's.. I have been loading 12.2 because if I load 13 the case is filled to the top of the mouth. Add a bullet and it is really compressed.. I know, as I pulled a bullet loaded with 13 Grains and it is packed so tight I had to use a small screw driver to loosen the powder up to pour it out.. Doesn't seem right to me, hence the 12.2 grain load.

I have tried tapping on the case to settle it, but it doesn't settle much.

So my question is: at 13 grains does this powder compression hurt anything? Any con's?? Pro's?? Thoughts?

 

[watercam]

I have compressed larger cartridges nearly that much with no ill effects. The Hornet reacts to very small changes in charge weight (obviously). If you have tried it with no issues, shoot it. I would try 12.5, 12.7 as well just to see. Check for case head separation signs as I have run into it fairly often even when neck sizing only. Many will tell you to rechamber to the K-Hornet which is not terrible advise as your brass will last longer...

 

[LCazador]

Have you watched as you seat a bullet on that very compressed load? If you look closely, the force of the bullet seat will overflow the powder and spray it outside of the case. Try a different powder, there are other better suited powders for the Hornet than Lil Gun. I will also recommend the Hornady 35g bullet, great velocity and it's really a much better bullet for the Hornet. See the Hornady factory load.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have tried H110 and 296.. I would love to use the 35 grainers, or even the 45 grain Hornet bullets. But alas they are not to be found.. And I have ran out of 296, and haven't seen any. So in the meantime the best load so far is 40 Vmax and Lil Gun..

All the cases I have are from 35 grain Vmax factory loads..

I'll bump the load a bit and see how it goes. I am curious what others loading for the Hornet say as I see a lot of people are using Lil Gun..

What other powders are better suited??

 

[jonbearman]

I know you will laugh but 10grains of Imr 4227 should work good with the 40 hrain bullet and less case stretch.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

No I won't laugh. I just saw that powder recommended during a Google search.. Now if I have some.. Better go look as I am headed to the big city tomorrow.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Well that's just my luck. I have H4227. It's really old as it is in a cardboard container. I have no idea what I originally used it in.. The search is on..

 

[logger3006]

Does your load book call for a compressed load if so don't worry about it if it shows no pressure signs

 

[Witchhunter]

I use 9 grains of H110 with a 40 Vmax for 2100. Ten" T/C Contender, I think it is a 10 or 12 twist though.

 

[rmist]

I use 13.1 of Lil'Gun...I also use a 6" drop tube to pour the powder slowly into the case. The powder is well below the case mouth and using 40 gr V-max's. It might be at the bottom of the bullet but it's not compressing it when I seat the bullet. Hornady 9th manual is 13.2 max of Lil'Gun.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I'll give it a try rmist. I busted a couple of big dog towns the last few days and need to re-supply.

 

[Dan Boone]

I use 13.1 of Lil'Gun...I also use a 6" drop tube to pour the powder slowly into the case. The powder is well below the case mouth and using 40 gr V-max's. It might be at the bottom of the bullet but it's not compressing it when I seat the bullet. Hornady 9th manual is 13.2 max of Lil'Gun.

I'm new here so my opinion might not hold much water, but I've been shooting the Hornet for a lot of years, and the above info is correct. I sometimes have to tap the case a little in order to settle the powder. If it concerns you, you can drop to 12.5 grains with very little change in velocity. Also the 35gr VMax ar a better bullet for mine than the 40s. Unless you already are using small pistol primers, your accuracy may pick up a bit with them over the rifle primers.