22 K Hornet

This K-Hornet was created using a Thompson Center Encore barrel rechambered from the factory 22 Hornet (thanks Gary for a nice chamber).  Barrel is 24 inches. Loads below in white were the most accurate loads in the rifle when it was a 22 Hornet.  These same loads were used to fireform my early brass. Last listed load in the table ( Hornady 55 grain SP) was used to form the latest batch of K-Hornet brass.  To form the brass I have put the bullet .010 into the lands. Even then I still had primers protruding out of the primer pocket so I tried using a little case lube on the loaded round***.  No more protruding primers.  I now have 119 cases to test loads with.  I lost one case to a seperation just where the shoulder begins on a regular Hornet.

H110 is producing some serious velocities and with the 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and 35 grain Hornady Vmax.  AA1680 is definetly the accuracy winner with the 40's.

All loading is done with Redding dies.

Loads in green are potential hunting loads.  Loads in red are maximum in this gun.

*** The lube on the case allows the case to slide back against the breach face and then the pressure fills out the K-Hornet shape.   I had never tried this technique and only tried it here as everything else I knew still caused primer protrusion. Primer protrusion is a sign that the case did not fully stretch to fit the chamber. This leaves the chance of subsequent stretching and possible case head seperations.

Be aware that in a higher pressure round this technique
could put extreme thrust on the bolt face or breach.