stroy the gun and perhaps the shooter and bystanders. Use extreme caution to assure that you do not create such a load. Finally, such loads will require a signifi cant sight correction.) With standard loads, one can eas-
ily estimate relative noise — the heavier the propellant charge, the louder the re- sulting load will be. Therefore, K-Hornet loads using 2400 or A No. 9 are fi ne choices for most situations where one is interested in loads generating nearly full power with less noise. To a minor degree, loads using lighter bullets are also quieter because muzzle pressure is lower for any given charge and peak pressure.
PRIMER CHOICE A complete primer-comparison
While every major die manufacturer offers Hornet dies, these were my preferred tools for this testing. The Redding neck-bushing die (left) decaps and sizes the neck and allows a handloader to choose the ideal bushing, to minimize neck working. However, the Lee collet die (right) decaps and perfectly resizes the neck, regardless of variations in thickness (which are signifi cant in Hornet cases), so it is easier to use. As neck sizing is all that one ever needs for Hornet loads used in any one gun, the Lee die seems a better choice. RCBS Gold Medal Seating die and extended shellholder (middle) ease the bullet-seating chore with tiny bullets and eliminates all problems associated with Hornet bullet seating (see text).
velocity did not compare to H110 loads. CHARGE MASS CONSISTENCY IS CRITICAL
With such a tiny case, charge
variations that we would tend to ig- nore when loading larger cartridges are a signifi cant concern. For example, generally, with most tested loads, one- or two-tenths-grain charge increase beyond the point where expansion of a new case head becomes measurable is apt to destroy the case. Charge variations of plus or minus
0.1-grain will alter muzzle velocity: about 30 fps for 30-grain bullets, about 27 fps for 35-grain bullets, and about 25 fps for 40-grain bullets. The important issue is that the unusually small capac- ity of the Hornet case amplifi es velocity variation resulting from normal and unavoidable load-to-load variations in charge mass. Yes, it is possible to adjust a pow-
der measure to drop charges “between the tenths.” Just dump ten charges, weigh the total, and divide by ten. Then adjust the measure accordingly. For example, if you want a nominal aver-
Page 166 Winter 2012
age charge of 13.55 grains, adjust the measure until the ten charges weigh 135.5 grains (135.5/10=13.55). For those loading the Hornet, an ideal accuracy load might well fall between the tenths. NOISE FACTOR
“Sound print” (amount of noise
produced by the shot) is a common rea- son for choosing the Hornet. Therefore, refer to my previously printed piece on the K-Hornet, where I suggested loads for N310 — for similar velocity, reduce those charges about 0.3 grain. (Because of variations in bores,
bore condition, and bullet fi nish, a bullet in bore [BIB] condition might be possible with any N310 Hornet load that would nominally produce less than about 1,500 fps MV. Therefore, never use the lightest suggested load until you have tested a middle load and always have a bore- fi tting dowel or cleaning rod available, in case of a BIB. If recoil is absent and report is unusually mild or non-existent, stop shooting, check bore, and remove any obstruction! Also note that feasible loads with N310 will allow a double charge; such a load will damage or de-
study is infeasible — to do even a cur- sory examination of the subject would require at least 10,000 shots. In a sepa- rate piece, I report on the results of a limited velocity, ballistic uniformity, and accuracy comparison test. In that test, I compared four likely propellants and one bullet using various standard- and magnum-pistol and standard-rifl e primers.
Based upon results of that study, I
settled on two likely primers for all tests (Winchester Small Pistol for extruded propellants and Federal 100 Small Pistol for ball-type propellants). My experience with the 17 Ackley Hornet and 22 K-Hornet also suggested these as best fi rst-guess choices for Hornet loads. (In the data section, I indicate the primer used by presenting the propel- lant name in bold font, to indicate use of the Federal 100, and regular italic font, to indicate use of the Winchester Small Pistol (WSP). If you do use any primer other
than those tested for this data, begin load development testing with a charge that is at least one full grain below listed charge and use extreme caution as you develop that load toward a safe maximum charge. Watch for excessive primer blanking (extrusion into fi ring pin hole), flattening, or measurable case rim expansion. Never continue to use any load showing any of those symptoms or any other sign of exces- sive pressure. NEVER USE MAGNUM RIFLE PRIMERS IN THE HORNET
Because of striker design and en- ergy, some guns might require use of
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