22 Hornet

[Yellowhouse]

Its my understanding that pre-war Hornets were .223 and postwar 224. I used both in a postwar Savage 219 and couldn't really tell the difference.

My only Hornet is a prized Ruger 77/22 RS (has barrel sights) , its unaltered except for trigger spring, and it shoots lights out with LIL Gun powder.

PS. The cartridge is really too small for rifle primers so use the pistol primers...bet you'll see some improvement

[beltfed]

In my years of loading for the Hornet, I used the Federal #200 "Small rifle and High Velocity Pistol" Primers
These are milder than the Fed 205 which I used for the 222 and 223. But, I believe they have a bit stronger
cup and a bit more power than the small pistol primers. I think helpful when using the more heavily coated
ball powders like Win 296
The F 200 worked very well for me in a couple of Hornets I had: a Savage 23D and the Ruger No 3
beltfed/arnie

[beltfed]

I would definitely also compare regular small pistol primers to the F200s for cast bullet loads.
beltfed/arnie

[mdeland]

Is 16 pitch then pretty common for the Hornet which apparently was designed for bullets weighing less than 50 grains? The Silhouette bullet I have is about 70 grains as I remember it so would not be a good cast bullet number for the Hornet I'm thinking.
Might work in my 10 pitch 22-250 I'm hoping but that might be a little to steep for lead bullets.