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Hi everyone, I'm new to reloading (and this forum) so I apologise in advance for my general lack of knowledge on the subject.
My question is: Does anyone know if Varget is suitable for reloading .22 Hornet cartridges or do I need to buy some Lil'Gun or similar? I have 1lb of varget left over from when I had a .308 and don't really want to waste it. Any info/data would be very gratefully received. I can't seem to find anything so maybe that is my answer. Thanks.

Hi Carlprem, welcome to the forum.

Please ask away, plenty of people on here with loads of knowledge.
:)

Welcome to the forum.

I am not a .22 Hornet shooter but I would have thought Varget would be far too slow for such a cartridge. It would be more in the N110 or N120 range but you really do need to confirm this. Hopefully someone who knows a bit more will be a long in a bit

Far too slow indeed for such a small case.

The Hornet is a very fine round indeed and is leathal on small game and verimin out to 200 yrds. I have a CZ that is an absolute tack driver equal to my 222 at 100yrds.

I use the powder that was designed for the 22 Hornet, Alliant 2400 named as such as that was the velocity it delivered in the Hornet. However VV N110 is a good substitute if a tad slower.

You can keep your 17HMRs and such like give me the Hornet every time.

I shoot it indoors with a load of a .22" airgun pellet driven by a primer, good out to 30 yrds for accuracy.

Welcome to the forum BTW.

Carlprem wrote:Hi everyone, I'm new to reloading (and this forum) so I apologise in advance for my general lack of knowledge on the subject.
My question is: Does anyone know if Varget is suitable for reloading .22 Hornet cartridges or do I need to buy some Lil'Gun or similar? I have 1lb of varget left over from when I had a .308 and don't really want to waste it. Any info/data would be very gratefully received. I can't seem to find anything so maybe that is my answer. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum, Carlprem.

What bullets will you be using?

Hunting or paper targets?

:-P

I'd start at 8 gns and work up in small increments say .3 of a gn with 2400 and N110.

N120 has some promise although it is slower than N110 it takes up less space in the case, you probaly wo'nt get the higher end velocities that you would from the faster powders however it should get you up to the 23/2400 mark. I need to do some more work with this powder in the Hornet, along with ahost of other calibres.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guessed Varget wouldn't be suitable because of the lack of information.
I think i'll try the Lil'Gun powder first, as according to Hodgdon's data, it gives impressive velocities and low pressures.
Rob, I was planning on using 35gr Hornady V-max bullets.

I don't have the rifle yet, just doing a bit of homework first. Hopefully get the gun early September.

I am after a tub of Lil'Gun or at least a handful myself to build some .308 Subs but it seems to be quite rare on the market round my way.

Carlprem wrote:Thanks for the replies everyone. I guessed Varget wouldn't be suitable because of the lack of information.
I think i'll try the Lil'Gun powder first, as according to Hodgdon's data, it gives impressive velocities and low pressures.
Rob, I was planning on using 35gr Hornady V-max bullets.

I don't have the rifle yet, just doing a bit of homework first. Hopefully get the gun early September.

Sierra recommend H110, 296 and IMR 4227 for hunting...but the lightest bullet they prescribe charges for is 40 gr in the 22 hornet.