22 Hornet bullet experiments, advice, experience for Tiny Ten

[Rimshot]

Based on some preliminary experiments I've done with both water jugs and synthetic ballistic gel, it seems that traditional lead-nose soft point varmint bullets will only reliably expand down to 2000 fps. At 1800-1900, they just pencil through, or sometimes tumble. From 2000 to 2800 (max hornet velocity with 50gr bullets), they mushroom like a big game bullet, which is ideal for this purpose. Penetration when the bullets mushroom was about 14-18 inches. Even the claimed "thin jacket" bullets such as Hornady's SPSX 'super explosive' exhibit this trait.

On the other hand, the plastic tipped Hornady VMAX will fragment violently even at hornet velocities. Penetration is only a few inches, with the bullet completely disintegrating! Based on the wound cavity in the gel, the amount of energy released could easily blow a large hole in the offside hide, ruining a mount especially at closer ranges. I have a few brands of plastic bullets yet to test though, maybe some are harder than others.

The other thing I have yet to test is the 55gr Norma Oryx bonded bullet. It does have a blunter nose profile, so that's promising. Supposedly the bigger Oryx bullets expand at low velocities, but it seems 22 caliber is a different beast from my testing so far. Internet searches turned up nothing either way so I ordered some to try.

Another thing I haven't tried is the "hornet" specific offerings from Sierra, Hornady, Nosler, etc. The reason is low BC. Even if they expand at much lower velocity, the range won't be any greater and the wind deflection will be much worse, so there is only downside.

The 22 hornet in my combo gun is very accurate. If it's not too windy, smacking a little 4" plate at 300 yards is easy. However, based on my testing, 200 yards would be the limit of bullet expansion using "hide friendly" designs. I have killed turkey at 220-230 yards and based on ballistics the bullet was definitely in the "no expansion" velocity range, yet the turkeys just flopped a few seconds and died, so that part is a puzzle.

Am I over thinking this? Should I just be satisfied with a 200 yard limit on the 22 Hornet? Perhaps at 200+ I should switch to the 6.5x55 with 140 partitions, which would be down to 2350 fps. Inside of 40 yards I could use #4 TSS from the shotgun barrel.

In this specific scenario I'm thinking of klippy since they seem to have the most delicate hide, and may require longer shots.

 

[Green Chile]

I did a T10 hunt in late Oct last year and took a Hornet. I stayed away from the VMAX bullet and anything explosive like TNTs. I had great success with this load in T10 and night critters. The only bullets we recovered were in the big civet. The only real damage was on the little genet and it ripped him on the exit some but not terribly so. For klippie, I borrowed the PHs 243 since the shots are longer.

 

[375Fox]

Have you hunted klipsringer before? I’ve not taken one and likely never will, but I’ve passed several opportunities. They’ve been while we walked up to mountain springs, glassing for kudu, walking ridges looking for any game, and a few other situations. I think a 22 Hornet is a very neat cartridge but unless you are riding in the back of a truck with the 22 Hornet immediately available I don’t think it’s all that practical. We could have encountered several different species where I had opportunity to take klipsringer. I also see no opportunity to shoot a klipsringer with a shotgun. Given your option, I’d use the 6.5 and a tougher bullet that’s appropriate for other African animals and plan to shoot more center at back of ribs to avoid too much damage to the cape.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

You could try a lighter bullet, over here people used to load 40gn 22mag projectiles, think I’ve still got a few somewhere.
Gumpy

 

[AZDAVE]

For the tiny 10 the only two that I have shot that were over a 100 yards was the Oribi and Klipspringser 185 and 165 yards. all the rest were 20-90 yards. the hornet with a standard bullet will work just fine.

 

[Mekaniks]

I would load some 45g Barnes TSX...

TSX®

www.barnesbullets.com

 

[WAB]

I did a T10 hunt in late Oct last year and took a Hornet. I stayed away from the VMAX bullet and anything explosive like TNTs. I had great success with this load in T10 and night critters. The only bullets we recovered were in the big civet. The only real damage was on the little genet and it ripped him on the exit some but not terribly so. For klippie, I borrowed the PHs 243 since the shots are longer.

View attachment 664104

Agreed. I’ve shot thousands of prairie dogs with my hornet pushing a fifty grain TNT at twenty seven hundred. Explosive does not adequately describe the result. It vaporizes them. The load you used was perfect for your application.

 

[Green Chile]

I would load some 45g Barnes TSX...

TSX®

www.barnesbullets.com

I started to reload the TSX but my prep time was limited and the 45 gr factory load shot well in my K95. I have also found the Hornet to be a finicky little thing on reloads.

 

[Green Chile]

Agreed. I’ve shot thousands of prairie dogs with my hornet pushing a fifty grain TNT at twenty seven hundred. Explosive does not adequately describe the result. It vaporizes them. The load you used was perfect for your application.

True…I couldn’t face my PHs response to blowing a pound of meat off a pretty little red duiker.

 

[Rimshot]

Have you hunted klipsringer before? I’ve not taken one and likely never will, but I’ve passed several opportunities. They’ve been while we walked up to mountain springs, glassing for kudu, walking ridges looking for any game, and a few other situations. I think a 22 Hornet is a very neat cartridge but unless you are riding in the back of a truck with the 22 Hornet immediately available I don’t think it’s all that practical. We could have encountered several different species where I had opportunity to take klipsringer. I also see no opportunity to shoot a klipsringer with a shotgun. Given your option, I’d use the 6.5 and a tougher bullet that’s appropriate for other African animals and plan to shoot more center at back of ribs to avoid too much damage to the cape.

Its a combination gun (D99 Duo drilling, maybe in German a BERGSTUTZENDRILLING? not sure), but switching to big game is a matter of moving a selector switch and/or using the other trigger. It has a shotgun barrel as well, so I was thinking #4 TSS would be ideal at close range - penetrates like buckshot.

 

[Rimshot]

I started to reload the TSX but my prep time was limited and the 45 gr factory load shot well in my K95. I have also found the Hornet to be a finicky little thing on reloads.

Since we both have Blaser 22 Hornet and they were jerks giving it the slow standard twist, I am willing to bet the TSX won't stabilize at low density altitude in your gun. The 45 TSX is longer than a 55 Speer SP, which is about the longest bullet mine will stabilize. Besides that, what are the chances a Barnes opens up at a lower velocity than a lead-nose varmint bullet?

What I have found thus far is the traditional soft-nose 40 gr bullets have very low BC, so even if you can push them faster they will still be at a lower velocity at 200 than the heavier 50-55gr bullets. The plastic tipped 40 gr bullets have BC equal to the lead 50-55, but grenade even at hornet speeds...maybe they wouldn't even exit? I'm not sure and haven't tried them on any animal. Hornet specific bullets from Sierra and others, similar to the factory PPU you used have huge exposed lead so probably expand at lower velocity. They also have lower BC so shed velocity faster and thus offer no terminal advantage, and a disadvantage in wind deflection.

Haven't tried them all yet, but I am quite surprised that below 2000 fps, a "super explosive" varmint bullet just pencils thru.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have considered trying the 33gr stone hammer. But would have to shoot a few coyotes or prairie dogs to see what kinds damage they do before I would shoot one of the tiny 10 with it.

 

[Philip Glass]

Based on some preliminary experiments I've done with both water jugs and synthetic ballistic gel, it seems that traditional lead-nose soft point varmint bullets will only reliably expand down to 2000 fps. At 1800-1900, they just pencil through, or sometimes tumble. From 2000 to 2800 (max hornet velocity with 50gr bullets), they mushroom like a big game bullet, which is ideal for this purpose. Penetration when the bullets mushroom was about 14-18 inches. Even the claimed "thin jacket" bullets such as Hornady's SPSX 'super explosive' exhibit this trait.

On the other hand, the plastic tipped Hornady VMAX will fragment violently even at hornet velocities. Penetration is only a few inches, with the bullet completely disintegrating! Based on the wound cavity in the gel, the amount of energy released could easily blow a large hole in the offside hide, ruining a mount especially at closer ranges. I have a few brands of plastic bullets yet to test though, maybe some are harder than others.

The other thing I have yet to test is the 55gr Norma Oryx bonded bullet. It does have a blunter nose profile, so that's promising. Supposedly the bigger Oryx bullets expand at low velocities, but it seems 22 caliber is a different beast from my testing so far. Internet searches turned up nothing either way so I ordered some to try.

Another thing I haven't tried is the "hornet" specific offerings from Sierra, Hornady, Nosler, etc. The reason is low BC. Even if they expand at much lower velocity, the range won't be any greater and the wind deflection will be much worse, so there is only downside.

The 22 hornet in my combo gun is very accurate. If it's not too windy, smacking a little 4" plate at 300 yards is easy. However, based on my testing, 200 yards would be the limit of bullet expansion using "hide friendly" designs. I have killed turkey at 220-230 yards and based on ballistics the bullet was definitely in the "no expansion" velocity range, yet the turkeys just flopped a few seconds and died, so that part is a puzzle.

Am I over thinking this? Should I just be satisfied with a 200 yard limit on the 22 Hornet? Perhaps at 200+ I should switch to the 6.5x55 with 140 partitions, which would be down to 2350 fps. Inside of 40 yards I could use #4 TSS from the shotgun barrel.

In this specific scenario I'm thinking of klippy since they seem to have the most delicate hide, and may require longer shots.

I don't recommend the .22 Hornet for Africa. Like you, I researched my options heavily before a small game safari. My Ruger American in 5.56 shooting the 70g Barnes TSX was superior in many ways. It will not tear up the small animals while able to take smaller PG easily. I think you will struggle with the little hornet (especially klippie) and wind up with more damage to the tinies than the 5.56.

 

[Rimshot]

I have considered trying the 33gr stone hammer. But would have to shoot a few coyotes or prairie dogs to see what kinds damage they do before I would shoot one of the tiny 10 with it.

You might be on to something. Their BC is abysmal, but you can get them up to 3300 fps in the Hornet. IF they expanded at lower velocity, say 1800 or less, and don't make a mess at 3000+. Unless the wind was calm I'd be afraid to use them at 200+ yards though based on the ballistic calculator output.

I'm glad I went thru this testing though. I was going through life assuming I was getting expansion down to 1800 fps - 250 yards, when in fact beyond 200 yards I'm probably getting FMJ terminal performance unless I hit a bone.

 

[Green Chile]

Personally, I have no problem with "FMJ terminal performance" unless I misunderstand what you meant. I was looking for FMJs for the Hornet at one point in my research. I just wanted to pencil through on these under 50 yard shots, which is most of what I get on T10 (minus klippie of course).

I also put a lot of thought into @Philip Glass and his experiences with .223 and still might go that direction. That would open up every bullet type under the sun with the 223 and more load data than NASA uses for a moon shot. I'm glad I tried the Hornet in Africa and I didn't have any regrets but I still feel like this ballistic solution isn't finalized for me yet.

 

[AZDAVE]

The hornet isn't a long range round, and 90% of the shots on tiny guys is under a 100. The short stubby 22 hornet rounds are effected by the wind alot. I wanted to use a hornet in africa but just never took one as my target were all bigger with the tiny guys as a pickup game on the first couple safari's. If I was starting from scratch I would use my hornet. But for comparison here is my list of rounds used on the little guys.

Common Diker 250 gr Accubond 9.3x74
Klipspringer 250gr Accubond 9.3x62
Damara Dik Dik 162gr ELDX 7REM MAG
blue diker 120gr hornaday CX 6.5 Grendel
oribi 120gr hornaday CX 6.5 Grendel
Cape Grysbok 120gr hornaday CX 6.5 Grendel
Steenbok 185g GMX 338 RCM
Red diker 400gr CEB solid 500/416
Sunni 400gr CEB solid 500/416

Some also include for the south african tiny 10
Mountain Reedbuck 250gr accubond 9.3x62
Vallie 143gr ELDX 6.5 Creed

 

[Rimshot]

I don't recommend the .22 Hornet for Africa. Like you, I researched my options heavily before a small game safari. My Ruger American in 5.56 shooting the 70g Barnes TSX was superior in many ways. It will not tear up the small animals while able to take smaller PG easily. I think you will struggle with the little hornet (especially klippie) and wind up with more damage to the tinies than the 5.56.

I've shot a pile of critters with the 50 gr soft point from the 22 Hornet, from point blank to 230 yards or so. It's never torn a big hole or caused a lot of external damage.The traditional lead nose varmint bullets don't frag at hornet velocities and act like a big game bullet, just mushrooming thru. I shot a gel block point blank (several times) with the Hornady 50 gr "super explosive" varmint bullet and it just mushroomed thru about 14 inches of gel like a cup and core big game bullet. I really have no worry about damage to a tiny with this bullet. I am more concerned with the FMJ terminal performance at >200 yard mark, where velocity drops below 2000. I am just surprised that a thin jacketed, "super explosive" marketed varmint bullet won't open up at 1900 fps in water or gel.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I’ve shot duiker, dik-dik, oribi, sunni & even impala with a .22 Hornet. Always employing the 45Gr Remington soft point. I’ve never had a reason to complain.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Don't try and make a Hornet into what it is not. It is not a .222, .223 or .22-250. It's not in the same class. To say that it is not suitable for Tiny 10 is simply incorrect. Pick your battles and its a wonderful caliber for the Tiny 10. Take up the challenge to stalk the animals to 60 yards, and have fun.

 

[Rimshot]

The hornet isn't a long range round, and 90% of the shots on tiny guys is under a 100. The short stubby 22 hornet rounds are effected by the wind alot.

I'm pushing the envelope with my hornet over the traditional low velocity factory loads with blunt bullets. By handloading using modern powder, I'm pushing higher BC spire point bullets several hundred fps faster than anything off the shelf. With moderate winds say 10 mph or less, I can be very precise out to 200 yards. 300 when it's calm, maybe 150 if it's quite windy/gusty. I'm on my second 4 pound jug of Lil'Gun powder, so that tells me I've put about 2,500 rounds thru the hornet, mostly in long range practice. It is by no means a 220 swift, but with modern powder and pointy bullets I've been deadly with it beyond 200 yards.

Seems there might be some agreement that a 22 FMJ on a tiny ten, or otherwise pencil thru terminal performance with a 22 caliber would be adequate?