TC Contender 22 Hornet accuracy

[rmist]

I have a new to me 22 Hornet 14" barrel for my Contender frame. What's your true life accuracy like? I'm not changing to a K version. I like the Hornet the way it is. I'll mostly be loading 40 grain V-max pills, maybe some 35 grain V-max, with Lil-Gun powder and small rifle primer (have a lot of the rifle primers). I've read from several sources small pistol primers work well. I just don't have many. I have several Hornet rifles and seat long for all of them. I tried to fit one of my 40 grain V-max loaded cartridges and was way too long for the Contender barrel. Seems like a very short throat. Experiences?
Thanks again!

 

[kberch]

Barrel life on any 22 Hornet will be great. I,ve been shooting Hornets since 1985 and have yet to see any significant accuracy loss due to barrel burn-out. I have had T.C. Contender barrels in 10 inch, 14 inch and carbine length, the carbine length gave me the best groups. As a side note I find my best groups are achieved with Rem 6&1/2 primers. Actually seeing more of them around lately.

 

[swd]

I doubt you could wear out a Hornet in less than 15,000 rounds and it will probably go a lot more. Unless it was high volume squirrel shooting it should last just about forever. Lil-Gun is on the slow burning side for the Hornet, in a 14” barrel you might look at a faster burning powder. I never had any luck with pistol primers, SR primers have always worked fine for me but thats in a rifle length barrel. The 40gr and 45gr Sierra Hornet bullets also shoot well and are very frangible.

 

[snert]

I have found 1680 to shoot better and more consistent pressures than Lil Gun. I shoot 40 grain vmax and cci 400 primers. My hornet barrels are long throated. I'd load 005-015 off the lands.

I am not a fan of Lilgun. too unpredictable and all over on velocities. I tried it. In fact I took the word of the Hrnet internet gurus and went with it, loading close to 1000 (they are ok as far as 100 yard accuracy..1 inch..but THEN I put it on the chrono. Yeek! And I lost primer pockets to pressure...

No need to run a Hornet hard. It isn't designed for it.

 

[Stormbringer]

I concur with your powder and primer of choice. For me it's Lil-Gun and CCI 400 or Fed 205 in bolt action or contender. Super accurate, low pressure and just solid performers with 40 and 35 grain bullets.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I shot thousands of rounds in a 10in Contender back in the IMSHA days. 50 or 55 gr bullets and 2400 powder. 5 shoots at 100 yards always under 2 in sometimes around 1 inch. Never shot lighter bullets I needed to knock down the animals but first powder I would try would be 2400.

 

[zeke06]

I had a MGM contender barrel but in 22 K-hornet and with 40gr V-max loaded in front of H110 would shoot as good as my Anschutz 22 K-hornet at 100 yards. It was a fun one to shoot and I do regret selling that barrel but I have almost no spare time to shoot any more. I will always have a contender though.

 

[JSH]

After chasing the 22 Hornet in a TC for IHMSA I gave up. Oh there are those who campaigned it hard, ya best stay east of the Mississippi as there are still some hand set targets around.
I am no much on Lee dies, but the mandrel die worked the best for the TC. In a nut shell, anything you think you know about a bolt gun for ya loading can be discarded when working with the TC for proper fit. TC was well known to have chambers all over the place.

 

[sw282]

l shoot IHMSA and have always been amazed with the Hornet. Winchester got it right from the start. Asking Dupont/Hercules to make a smokeless powder that would give them 2400fps. Hercules called their new powder ''2400''. lmagine that!! l have an IHMSA bud who has been shooting a 10'' Contender since the 80s. He casts his own bullets, puts them in Remington cases full of 2400. He uses standard small pistol primers ONLY! Winchester and Hercules got it right the first time