30-GRAIN BARNES VARMINT GRENADE (MOLY PLATED): 45-GRAIN CASE OAL: 1.78 inches, which exceeds SAAMI maximum 22-Hornet length by 0.06-inch. For loads where length must conform to standard Hornet cartridge length, reduce charges about 0.3 grain. In the CZ test gun, these loads had 0.020-inch bullet-to-rifling jump. Seating these bullets to give between 5/1000-inch to 20/1000-inch bullet-to-rifling jump gives a shank-seating depth between about 0.095-inch and 0.110-inch. Such seating depth tinkering is feasible and desirable for improved accuracy.
30-GRAIN BERGER HP (MOLY PLATED): 45-GRAIN CASE OAL: 1.925 inches, which exceeds SAAMI maximum 22-Hornet length by 0.205-inch: For loads where length must conform to standard Hornet cartridge length reduce charges about 1 grain. These loads had 0.020-inch bullet-to-rifling jump with only 0.065-inch seating depth. Longer loads are not feasible.
30-GRAIN CALHOON DOUBLE HP (MOLY PLATED): 45-GRAIN CASE OAL: SAAMI maximum, 1.720 inches. Tested loads had 0.119-inch bullet-to-rifling jump. Seating these bullets to give between 5/1000-inch to 20/1000-inch bullet-to-rifling jump gives a shank-seating depth between about 0.104-inch and 0.119-inch. Such seating depth tinkering is feasible and desirable for improved accuracy but such loads can be rather fragile and deserve special care in storage, transportation, and handling.
30-GRAIN: BARNES BERGER | CALHOON
PROPELLANT 300-MP Lil' Gun H110 A1680 2400 4227 (C)
TESTED CHARGE
15.6 14.8
14.5 14.5
15.5 15.4
13.0 13.8
FPS AT 15’ STD. ACCURACY COMMENTS DEV.
3,351 3,427 3,482 3,178 3,162 3,211 3,606 3,648 3,684 3,034 3,038 3,081 3,160 3,038 3,047 3,212 3,246 3,272
27 32 27
76! 32 45 17 14 14 55 26 21 26 24 22 22 15 15
(IN) 1.2
0.5 1.2 1.0 1.5 0.4 0.6
<0.2 0.6 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.9
Odd results
it is unlikely that we could predict which propellant actually has the real edge in terms of velocity versus pressure. At about 40 fps, we can begin to reasonably suspect a winner; at about 60 fps, we can be reasonably certain; and, at 80 fps, I would be interested in a significant bet. Variations in Chamber throating I was disappointed to discover
that the throating in the Savage M-40 was longer than necessary. I was even more disappointed to discover that the throating in the CZ was even longer than Savage M-40 throating. When I rechamber the barrel to 22 K-Hornet, I will set it back far enough to remove the entire existing neck section and that will allow my custom reamer to cut a new (usefully tighter) neck and a new (significantly shorter) leade. The former should improve accuracy and case life; the latter should improve accuracy. ConClusions
Maximum Hornet loads fall far None
0.2 Vertical None
short of matching performance of the 223 Remington or even the 221 Fireball. (The 223 has become the default stan- dard varmint chambering, the latter is a fine minimalist chambering.) However, when using efficient, plastic-tipped, 40-grain bullets, best Hornet handloads probably exceed downrange velocity, trajectory, and terminal performance of original 222 Remington factory loads, which is a startling fact. Bullet design does matter! Hornet recoil is practically a non-
The VG is phenomenally explosive — it fully disintegrates inside a grape! It is an ideal choice for applications where ricochets cannot be tolerated and where lead is prohibited. The Varmint Grenade is almost certain to violently disintegrate on impacts well beyond feasible Hornet range. Recoil of full-power loads using 30-grain bullets is about 15% less than loads using 40-grain bullets.
The Berger HP shares the same jacket and shape as the 35- and 40-grain Berger HPs and, therefore, has a decent BC. Loads in the 3,600 fps muzzle velocity range, it will certainly carry explosive velocity to 210 yards. Recoil is noticeably less than with full power loads using 40-grain bullets.
With about 3,600 fps available, this Calhoon bullet is useful for varminting to about 175 yards. Bullet seating is unusually easy.
33-GRAIN SPEER TNT (MOLY PLATED): 45-GRAIN CASE OAL: SAAMI maximum, 1.720 inches. In the CZ test gun, these loads had 18/1000 bullet-to-rifling jump: Seating these bullets to give between 5/1000- to 20/1000-inch bullet-to-rifling jump gives a shank-seating depth between about 0.110-inch and 0.125-inch. Such seating depth tinkering is feasible and desirable for improved accuracy but such loads can be rather fragile and deserve special care in storage, transportation, and handling.
Page 172 Winter 2012
issue and muzzle blast and downrange report are far milder than any other standard modern factory centerfire rifle chambering. When using the right tools, load-
ing Hornet ammunition is relatively easy, and good tools and components are reasonably easy to obtain. Loading for the Hornet is a pleasure, especially with the tools I used and when seating Calhoon and boat-tail bullets. Both the Savage M-40 and CZ 527
American rifles are pleasurable to use at the bench and in the field. With best loads and bullets, these rifles are ef- fective on smaller species of vermin to surprising distances. With the relatively high BC of the 40-grain plastic-tipped bullets (about 0.19 to about 0.22) and the impressive muzzle velocity of the best feasible loads with these bullets (greater than 3,300 fps!), dramatic kills on prairie vermin far beyond 250 yards
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