Q: I own an Anschutz .22 Hornet with a 600mm barrel with a .224 inch bore, but I’m not much impressed with its performance using the 40gn Sierra and 11gn of W-296.
My gunsmith has recommended that I can gain about 150fps if I have the rifle rechambered to K-Hornet. Do you think this would be worthwhile?
How much velocity do you think I would gain? Can you recommend some loading data?
Albert Cornish
A: A good Hornet’s effective range is about 150 metres on varmints. The “K” chamber extends the range about 50 metres.
I’ll take the fireformed version over the standard Hornet any day. You retain the accuracy, get a more power and loading is a lot less critical.
With a factory .22 Hornet load the 45gn bullet starts at 2650fps. Midrange trajectory is .8″ at 100yd, 4″ at 200, 12.6 at 300. Muzzle energy is 700ft-lb at 100yd, 430 at 200, 345 at 300, and only 238ft-lb at 200yd. A crosswind drifts the bullet 7″ compared with 3.5″ for the .222 Rem.
This is why 200yd is a bit far to pinpoint hits, and bullet blow-up is inadequate. At that range they penetrate but don’t expand and killing power is poor.
These factors favour conversion to K-Hornet. Hornady makes a 35gn bullet and lists a maximum load of 13.2gn of W-296 or 14gn of Li’l Gun for 3200fps. The manual also lists 13.5gn of Li’l Gun behind the 40gn V-Max for 3100fps, while 11.5gn drives the 45 grainer at a handy 2800fps.
Loading the K-Hornet is non-critical but always work up loads in one brand of case as they vary greatly in capacity. Hornet brass is very thin and one has to exercise care when seating bullets in standard Hornet brass to avoid crumpling case necks. I’ve not had this happen with the K version.
I’d definitely recommend rechambering your rifle.
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