I like 2400 or Lil Gun in my Ruger 77/22 Hornet. I use 34 grain to 50 grain bullets in it. Which powder I use of those two depends on weight and design. Much of my channel is devoted to the Hornet though I have other gun content on there as well. Nice video and glad to see you enjoying that beautiful hornet rifle.
The hornet is a somewhat picky round due to the small thin walled cases. I use a neck sizing die, and open the case mouth 1/32" deep with an "M" die. This allows nice straight alignment of the bullet in the case while seating the bullet, and allows flat base bullets to seat as easily as boat tails, It also prevents the case neck collapsing as the bullet is seated. I do not crimp hornet rounds because if the light bullets and recoil of the round...With my CZ I get sub half minute groups. Do not hesitate to use .224 dia bullets in your hornet even if your bore is .223, they work fine...
Hello @oscarcatx! You absolutely nailed it! I can’t tell you know this round very well! I have a great recipe for 50 gr .224 projectiles. They’re amazing. But the cases don’t last long because of it. Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
Not sure if I just missed it but it is a good idea to mark your brass so you know how many times it has been reloaded. A friend's dad caught part of a bolt in his brain through his eye because of reloading too many times.
I have a custom contender i build about 2 years ago with a custom 22k hornet barrel. I love this gun, put them in the same hole without even tring . The only issue im having now is finding 22 hornet brass. I cannot find any no matter where i look. Im getting a bit nervous. It was rather expensive to build the gun and im down to about 100 rounds of brass. I have called all the folks that make hornet brass and cant get an answer to when it will ship again. Ive speng hours looking online, nothing.
Just so your viewers know if your wanting to find you lands, start .100 thou long and try it. If it leaves marks on your bullet , move it shorter use magic marker to cover the marks, keep moving it in till no marks . After she Often. 005 to .010 and try that have fun
Yeah , sort of , I use CCI pistol primers , thats a old hack for accuracy in the very small Hornet case , Lilgun powder , 40gr vmax , at 3000fps , lee crimp die , 1/2 moa 3 shots . When you run the case into the crimp die , just do it once , & not 2 twice as you have for bullet seating alignment . And as round is too long for mag , single feed .
@chrisfarr9494 - I haven't used the CCI in the Hornet round, I'll have to try that out. Lil Gun is perfect in the Hornet, excellent choice. I use the same projectiles except 50 grain. Works perfect. Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
A guy at the range uses the K-Hornet. He claims it is easier to load and the cases last longer, plus it bumps up the velocity a bit compared to factory loads.
@PassivePortfolios - the K Hornet has a nearly 9% increase in case capacity. It has a case decrease in case taper (bigger case) and shorten neck. Because of this, the case life increases. Most load data states there is approximately an increase of 100 to 150 feet per second (fps) gain in velocity. Thus making the K Hornet more accurate. Which, in my opinion is amazing since the standard Hornet is already extremely accurate. For me personally, both are easy to reload. 👍🏻
Hey man for cheaper Products I go to Pets smart and get lizard bedding ground walnut hulls it's fine ground but I also use New finish car polish cleans great and 1/4 or less priced. But I tumble my brass up to 4 times before loading, every time I work it, it gets tumbled...
Hogden's website says to use 13 grains of Lill Gun with most bullets as I recall with pressures under 30K and much higher velocity. Is their data wrong as far as powder charges?
@buckshot4428 - for liability reasons I cannot give suggested load data to my audience. 13 grains of Lil Gun powder in this cartridge, you’ll find that it is a compressed load. It does have a higher velocity. For me personally, the only issue I’ve had using this load data is that the case life is shortened. I usually only get a couple of reloads before case head separation when ejecting the case. Leaving a portion of the case stuck in the chamber. It appears that there is an increased bulge in case head area, more than when using a reduced powder load. Which makes sense because the cases for this type of ammo are thinner compared to the K Hornet. Let me know if this information was helpful. Happy to dialog more if need be! 👍🏻
If reloading for same gun fired I find neck sizing only because cases aren't that strong for repeated full sizing. And I notice you didn't de-bur the cases?
Does anyone in here want to tell me if there's a bigger bullet wildcat for this. 6mm maybe? Just something I was thinking about today and got to looking and only saw the .17 hornet.
Is that a Lee Dead Length Bullet Seater? It'll say on the die box. If so, it doesn't have a crimping shoulder. If you're getting it to crimp, it must not be. Lee has a whole line of Factory Crimp Dies. They provide a superior crimp imo. Forty grain plastic-tipped bullets @ 3000-3100 fps turn the Hornet into a 300 yard rodent gun. Thanks for the vid!
Hi Bill! You are correct for steel dies. What you’re referring to is called, “cam over”. With the Hornet shells, I’m less aggressive. They are very thin walled cases. I’ve had many case head separations with reloading them, I’ve decided to not “cam over” with them. When I do, basically every other one there is case head separation. With the .308 and .223/5.56 I do cam over with zero issues of case head separation. Right or wrong. This is my rationale as to why I didn’t “cam over” with the Hornet. Great catch and thank you for contributing to this channel. I appreciate your comment! 👍🏻
1. You didn't clean the case lube off of the cases after sizing. If case lubricant gets on the primers it will neutralize the priming compound making the primers inert. 2. You are holding the RCBS hand priming tool backwards. 3. Why are you wearing rubber gloves?
@marktroxler6798 - hi Mark! 1) You are correct, I didn’t explain or show brass cleaning after resizing. Thanks for catching that. 2) no where in the IFU says you have to hold the hand primer one way or another. Ergonomically, it feels better for me to hold it the way I do. It doesn’t affect anything so I’m not sure what your point is by pointing this out. 3) I wear the gloves so I don’t have to wash my hands before putting in a dip. Thanks for your questions! 👍🏻
Yup, my favorite as well. I`ve got tons of 22-Hornet cases, my problem is the price of the friggin primers. The manufacturers are screwing us for what we have to pay for them now. It`s ridiculous! I stopped shooting because of the price of primers. I`m not willing to bend over and take it in thee a$$ for primers.
Hello! They are out there! I’d suggest going on to the internet and going to different companies and ask to be notified when they’re back in stock. I just went out and looked and they’re on back order. So your best bet is to go to a local shop and ask if they can order it in for you and then also put the notification on at all the other big shops. I’ve done this before and it has paid off. It will take time though. Hope this helps! Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
@@k2defense start with starting length cartridge, move out till lands touch ( you will notice marks on bullets) then back off till no marks. Or buy you a depth guage.
This maybe a crazy question but can you form brass to make 22 Hornet? If it possible to do so. I am not forming to make 22 K Hornet but just regular 22 Hornet brass.
@@k2defense i have found some. 22 Hornet is pretty scarce to begin with. Being 100 yewr old Cartiage i didn't figure people would still be after it lol. All is well though the brass is available now in areas.
I don't know anyone that forms 22 hornet brass from raw material or another case. 22 Hornet is in a case class all by itself. The K hornet has a modified chamber that will form regular Hornet brass into K hornet when shooting them through that firearm. This is known as fire forming.
NEVER crimp 22-Hornet reloads. There`s no reason needed to do it. Neck size only. I only size the neck not quite to the top of the shoulder. Set your bullet .010ths off the rifle lands. Your accuracy WILL improve, greatly.
Hello Dee Derp! Maybe elaborate why you feel there’s no reason to crimp to the viewers. Have you run into pressure issues, had a bad experience, etc. I have and always will crimp to avoid ramp feed issues. I’ve had zero issues. Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
@@k2defense I only use Hodgdon Lil`Gun, and Hornady 35gr Vmax. (at 200yds, i give a headshot to a coyote, it gives them a dirt nap instantly) There is no pressure issues using Hodgdon Lil`Gun. I don`t use rifle primers either, i use pistol primers. Rifle primers can cause pressure issues with certain higher pressure powders. This has already been proven by some of the best 22 Hornet reloaders out there. Look up the pressures between the powders used in the 22 Hornet, Lil`Gun is a very low pressure powder. If you have to crimp due to feeding issues, its not the ammo that is the problem, its your gun that has the problem. My CZ527 feeds my loads just fine with non-crimped rounds. If you have good neck tension, crimping is not ever necessary (this can be said for MANY calibers out there). Crimping has been over-rated for a very long time, especially in the 22 Hornet. The Hornet doesn`t have any recoil to speak of, so there is no bullet setback issues under such light recoil, unless your OAL is to long and hitting the inner front of your magazines and jamming the bullet rearward. Proper neck tension on the 22 Hornet holds the bullet just fine. Crimping 22 Hornet cases just destroys the cases. I can easily get 10 to 15 reloads out of my cases. Some have gone as high as 20 times reloaded before i throw them in the scrap bucket, you`ll see the case mouth begin to crack, then its time to throw them out. Brand choice of brass also can effect how many reloads you`ll get. Remington brass seems to be the thinnest of the 22 Hornet cases. With over 50+ years of reloading experience, and shootin & reloading with some well known experts in my years, all i can say is, what works for me, is working. I`m hear to tell you, high pressure powders, rifle primers, and crimping just destroy these thin wall cases extremely fast. As hard as it is to find Hornet cases these days, why destroy them when you don`t need to. YMMV.
@@D70340 that’s a perfect explanation! Send me your email/contact info and I’ll send you my favorite recipe for my Hornet rounds. I can’t post here for liability reasons. It will make more sense why I crimp 👍🏻 k2defensemn@gmail.com
@@k2defense I Neck Size my 22 Hornet with a Lee die. This leaves the cases tight enough for proper neck tension and feeding, but loose enough for easy bullet seating. The big benefit to not crimping is avoiding accidentally crushing cases. I use Lil'Gun exclusively, so the powder itself is preventing setback. On top of the fact that if you are generating enough recoil on a 22 hornet to get bullet setback, you're probably doing something you shouldn't with it. :P
Nah. I use a Lee Auto Disk and Lil'Gun with no issue in the 22 Hornet. I can imagine issues with other powders and measures, but Lil'Gun is basically magic in the 22 hornet. There's no reason to bother using anything else unless you can't get Lil'Gun. High velocities, for a 22 Hornet, at low pressures. Consistent as well.
@@Crosshair84I love Lil Gun in 22 Hornet. Sends my 40 grain v max or ballistic tips down range with authority and lower pressure than other powders. I even use lil gun with the Barnes TSX 45 grain .224 diameter…..amazing results. I do a ballistic test results video on my channel with TSX. I always see so many loving Lil Gun in hornet when they try it.
I like 2400 or Lil Gun in my Ruger 77/22 Hornet. I use 34 grain to 50 grain bullets in it. Which powder I use of those two depends on weight and design. Much of my channel is devoted to the Hornet though I have other gun content on there as well. Nice video and glad to see you enjoying that beautiful hornet rifle.
@jw-sigp2258 - love Lil Gun for the Hornet and 50 grain V-Max projectiles. Heading over to check out your channel! Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
Ive only heard "store bought'n" in South Dakota!!! Love that!!
@bryanrabel5081 - Yup born in SD, raised in ND! 😂 👍🏻
The hornet is a somewhat picky round due to the small thin walled cases. I use a neck sizing die, and open the case mouth 1/32" deep with an "M" die. This allows nice straight alignment of the bullet in the case while seating the bullet, and allows flat base bullets to seat as easily as boat tails, It also prevents the case neck collapsing as the bullet is seated. I do not crimp hornet rounds because if the light bullets and recoil of the round...With my CZ I get sub half minute groups. Do not hesitate to use .224 dia bullets in your hornet even if your bore is .223, they work fine...
Hello @oscarcatx!
You absolutely nailed it! I can’t tell you know this round very well! I have a great recipe for 50 gr .224 projectiles. They’re amazing. But the cases don’t last long because of it. Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
Love the content can’t wait to see more!!
Not sure if I just missed it but it is a good idea to mark your brass so you know how many times it has been reloaded. A friend's dad caught part of a bolt in his brain through his eye because of reloading too many times.
Sad to hear that.
I have a custom contender i build about 2 years ago with a custom 22k hornet barrel. I love this gun, put them in the same hole without even tring . The only issue im having now is finding 22 hornet brass. I cannot find any no matter where i look. Im getting a bit nervous. It was rather expensive to build the gun and im down to about 100 rounds of brass. I have called all the folks that make hornet brass and cant get an answer to when it will ship again. Ive speng hours looking online, nothing.
Rumor has it, it’s coming back! Give it time to replenish the stores! 👍🏻
@k2defense you were right, it came back on midway!
@teratexture6529 - Awesome! Let’s pray they stay in stock now!!! 👍🏻
Just so your viewers know if your wanting to find you lands, start .100 thou long and try it. If it leaves marks on your bullet
, move it shorter use magic marker to cover the marks, keep moving it in till no marks
. After she
Often. 005 to .010 and try that have fun
@randybichsel4597 - appreciate your advice! 👍🏻
Very well done. imho
Thanks
@davidgiffordsr.930 - appreciate the comment! 👍🏻
Yeah , sort of , I use CCI pistol primers , thats a old hack for accuracy in the very small Hornet case , Lilgun powder , 40gr vmax , at 3000fps , lee crimp die , 1/2 moa 3 shots .
When you run the case into the crimp die , just do it once , & not 2 twice as you have for bullet seating alignment .
And as round is too long for mag , single feed .
@chrisfarr9494 - I haven't used the CCI in the Hornet round, I'll have to try that out. Lil Gun is perfect in the Hornet, excellent choice. I use the same projectiles except 50 grain. Works perfect. Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
A guy at the range uses the K-Hornet. He claims it is easier to load and the cases last longer, plus it bumps up the velocity a bit compared to factory loads.
@PassivePortfolios - the K Hornet has a nearly 9% increase in case capacity. It has a case decrease in case taper (bigger case) and shorten neck. Because of this, the case life increases. Most load data states there is approximately an increase of 100 to 150 feet per second (fps) gain in velocity. Thus making the K Hornet more accurate. Which, in my opinion is amazing since the standard Hornet is already extremely accurate. For me personally, both are easy to reload. 👍🏻
@@k2defense Good info on the K-Hornet, thanks. It should be a factory loading.
Hey man for cheaper Products I go to Pets smart and get lizard bedding ground walnut hulls it's fine ground but I also use New finish car polish cleans great and 1/4 or less priced. But I tumble my brass up to 4 times before loading, every time I work it, it gets tumbled...
Awesome feedback! Always willing to try something new. Appreciate the comment! 👍🏻
@randybichsel4244 - just tried your method. Spot on! Works great and is way cheaper! Thanks! Appreciate the tip! 👍🏻
Informative video, wish i could find some Lil gun , ADI 2205 & 2207 are the only choices here.
Garry Brischke - tough times for reloaders. Hang in there! Appreciate the comment! 👍🏻
2205 works fine.
Get 2800fps with 40 grain vmax
Love it!!
Hogden's website says to use 13 grains of Lill Gun with most bullets as I recall with pressures under 30K and much higher velocity. Is their data wrong as far as powder charges?
@buckshot4428 - for liability reasons I cannot give suggested load data to my audience. 13 grains of Lil Gun powder in this cartridge, you’ll find that it is a compressed load. It does have a higher velocity. For me personally, the only issue I’ve had using this load data is that the case life is shortened. I usually only get a couple of reloads before case head separation when ejecting the case. Leaving a portion of the case stuck in the chamber. It appears that there is an increased bulge in case head area, more than when using a reduced powder load. Which makes sense because the cases for this type of ammo are thinner compared to the K Hornet. Let me know if this information was helpful. Happy to dialog more if need be! 👍🏻
If reloading for same gun fired I find neck sizing only because cases aren't that strong for repeated full sizing. And I notice you didn't de-bur the cases?
@neilbeeson1406 - Yes, I forgot to add to chamfer/deburr step. Thank you for pointing that out! 👍
Does anyone in here want to tell me if there's a bigger bullet wildcat for this. 6mm maybe?
Just something I was thinking about today and got to looking and only saw the .17 hornet.
Look up a round called .270 Ren.
There is also a 25 Hornet
Is that a Lee Dead Length Bullet Seater? It'll say on the die box. If so, it doesn't have a crimping shoulder. If you're getting it to crimp, it must not be. Lee has a whole line of Factory Crimp Dies. They provide a superior crimp imo.
Forty grain plastic-tipped bullets @ 3000-3100 fps turn the Hornet into a 300 yard rodent gun. Thanks for the vid!
@luvtahandload7692 - the dies were hand me down dies. No box. I love the 50 gr v-max!
Sir your video was fully informative i am from India can you please tell me is low power bullet available in hornet for small game hunting like rabbit
Hello Amit Londhe! Are you looking for a smaller caliber like the .17 or are you looking to reload a smaller weight bullet for the .22?
you have not got your sizing die set it is supposed to be screwed down against the shell holder plus 1/4 turn
Hi Bill! You are correct for steel dies. What you’re referring to is called, “cam over”. With the Hornet shells, I’m less aggressive. They are very thin walled cases. I’ve had many case head separations with reloading them, I’ve decided to not “cam over” with them. When I do, basically every other one there is case head separation. With the .308 and .223/5.56 I do cam over with zero issues of case head separation. Right or wrong. This is my rationale as to why I didn’t “cam over” with the Hornet. Great catch and thank you for contributing to this channel. I appreciate your comment! 👍🏻
1. You didn't clean the case lube off of the cases after sizing. If case lubricant gets on the primers it will neutralize the priming compound making the primers inert. 2. You are holding the RCBS hand priming tool backwards. 3. Why are you wearing rubber gloves?
@marktroxler6798 - hi Mark! 1) You are correct, I didn’t explain or show brass cleaning after resizing. Thanks for catching that. 2) no where in the IFU says you have to hold the hand primer one way or another. Ergonomically, it feels better for me to hold it the way I do. It doesn’t affect anything so I’m not sure what your point is by pointing this out. 3) I wear the gloves so I don’t have to wash my hands before putting in a dip. Thanks for your questions! 👍🏻
awesome.
Appreciate the comment! 👍🏻
Favorite round
Wish brass was easier to find
Yup, my favorite as well.
I`ve got tons of 22-Hornet cases, my problem is the price of the friggin primers.
The manufacturers are screwing us for what we have to pay for them now. It`s ridiculous!
I stopped shooting because of the price of primers. I`m not willing to bend over and take it in thee a$$ for primers.
If I could only find the damned casings.
Edit: I live in North Idaho too.
Hello! They are out there! I’d suggest going on to the internet and going to different companies and ask to be notified when they’re back in stock. I just went out and looked and they’re on back order. So your best bet is to go to a local shop and ask if they can order it in for you and then also put the notification on at all the other big shops. I’ve done this before and it has paid off. It will take time though. Hope this helps! Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
@@k2defense thank you man. Your videos are really clear and easy to follow. Nicely done bro.
@@k2defense hopefully this local shop will just order them in for me. That'd be cool.
@@Jo-oo1mx - thanks for the comment! Appreciate it! 👍🏻
@@Jo-oo1mx👍🏻
News flash not all chambers are the same depth, the rifling lands could be different make sure you know where they are.
@randybichsel4597 - perhaps you can provide the viewers examples on how they would know the difference in their rifle?
@@k2defense start with starting length cartridge, move out till lands touch ( you will notice marks on bullets) then back off till no marks. Or buy you a depth guage.
Guage. Is not a negative against your video, it's just an FYI std length is just so it works in most all rifles
@@randybichsel4597 I didn’t take it as a knock. Just want to educate viewers to make sure they know how to check it. 👍🏻
👍👍👌👌
This maybe a crazy question but can you form brass to make 22 Hornet? If it possible to do so. I am not forming to make 22 K Hornet but just regular 22 Hornet brass.
I have not made brass for the 22 Hornet. 👍🏻
@@k2defense i have found some. 22 Hornet is pretty scarce to begin with. Being 100 yewr old Cartiage i didn't figure people would still be after it lol. All is well though the brass is available now in areas.
@@k2defense thank you for the help and your videos
Glad you enjoy them! 👍🏻
I don't know anyone that forms 22 hornet brass from raw material or another case. 22 Hornet is in a case class all by itself. The K hornet has a modified chamber that will form regular Hornet brass into K hornet when shooting them through that firearm. This is known as fire forming.
Why the gloves?
So I don’t need to wash my hands when I throw in a dip. 😂👍🏻
NEVER crimp 22-Hornet reloads. There`s no reason needed to do it. Neck size only. I only size the neck not quite to the top of the shoulder.
Set your bullet .010ths off the rifle lands. Your accuracy WILL improve, greatly.
Hello Dee Derp!
Maybe elaborate why you feel there’s no reason to crimp to the viewers. Have you run into pressure issues, had a bad experience, etc. I have and always will crimp to avoid ramp feed issues. I’ve had zero issues. Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻
@@k2defense I only use Hodgdon Lil`Gun, and Hornady 35gr Vmax. (at 200yds, i give a headshot to a coyote, it gives them a dirt nap instantly) There is no pressure issues using Hodgdon Lil`Gun. I don`t use rifle primers either, i use pistol primers. Rifle primers can cause pressure issues with certain higher pressure powders. This has already been proven by some of the best 22 Hornet reloaders out there. Look up the pressures between the powders used in the 22 Hornet, Lil`Gun is a very low pressure powder. If you have to crimp due to feeding issues, its not the ammo that is the problem, its your gun that has the problem. My CZ527 feeds my loads just fine with non-crimped rounds. If you have good neck tension, crimping is not ever necessary (this can be said for MANY calibers out there). Crimping has been over-rated for a very long time, especially in the 22 Hornet. The Hornet doesn`t have any recoil to speak of, so there is no bullet setback issues under such light recoil, unless your OAL is to long and hitting the inner front of your magazines and jamming the bullet rearward. Proper neck tension on the 22 Hornet holds the bullet just fine. Crimping 22 Hornet cases just destroys the cases. I can easily get 10 to 15 reloads out of my cases. Some have gone as high as 20 times reloaded before i throw them in the scrap bucket, you`ll see the case mouth begin to crack, then its time to throw them out. Brand choice of brass also can effect how many reloads you`ll get. Remington brass seems to be the thinnest of the 22 Hornet cases. With over 50+ years of reloading experience, and shootin & reloading with some well known experts in my years, all i can say is, what works for me, is working. I`m hear to tell you, high pressure powders, rifle primers, and crimping just destroy these thin wall cases extremely fast. As hard as it is to find Hornet cases these days, why destroy them when you don`t need to. YMMV.
@@D70340 that’s a perfect explanation! Send me your email/contact info and I’ll send you my favorite recipe for my Hornet rounds. I can’t post here for liability reasons. It will make more sense why I crimp 👍🏻 k2defensemn@gmail.com
@@D70340you are so full of BS! Lmao
With 50 yrs of experience, one would think you know better. SMH
@@k2defense I Neck Size my 22 Hornet with a Lee die. This leaves the cases tight enough for proper neck tension and feeding, but loose enough for easy bullet seating. The big benefit to not crimping is avoiding accidentally crushing cases. I use Lil'Gun exclusively, so the powder itself is preventing setback. On top of the fact that if you are generating enough recoil on a 22 hornet to get bullet setback, you're probably doing something you shouldn't with it. :P
Sorry that not the proper way to measure powder
You need to scale every load as it can vary a lot like you do it.
Some folks feel more comfortable doing it the way you’ve described. 👍🏻
Nah. I use a Lee Auto Disk and Lil'Gun with no issue in the 22 Hornet. I can imagine issues with other powders and measures, but Lil'Gun is basically magic in the 22 hornet. There's no reason to bother using anything else unless you can't get Lil'Gun. High velocities, for a 22 Hornet, at low pressures. Consistent as well.
@@Crosshair84I love Lil Gun in 22 Hornet. Sends my 40 grain v max or ballistic tips down range with authority and lower pressure than other powders. I even use lil gun with the Barnes TSX 45 grain .224 diameter…..amazing results. I do a ballistic test results video on my channel with TSX. I always see so many loving Lil Gun in hornet when they try it.
great vid but a little lube on the RCB please
@colinsimmons2913 - I knew some might mention the lube! 😂 appreciate the comment! 👍🏻