.22 Hornet bullet query.

Got him! · 08-11-2020 5:35pm #1

Anyone experience Hornady .22 HORNET cases splitting? I’ve had a few 35 gr VMAX split on me. It also seems to create some ‘ flashback’ , if that’s the correct term, to the degree that I would recommend shooting glasses for eye protection. I know glasses and hearing protection are always recommended but I have not had the same experience with any other make of bullet.
Furthermore , what are supposed to be a very accurate bullet , Hornady 35 GR VMAX , seem to me to be all over the place compared to Winnchester or Remington 46 grain.

customrifle · 08-11-2020 6:50pm

I was zeroing my 22 hornet earlier and put 3 rounds into an inch at 200 yards with the 35gr hornadys. Have you tried other ammo in your rifle?

slipperyox · 08-11-2020 7:05pm

personally, I'd stop using it, and get the throat checked

tudderone · 08-11-2020 7:08pm

What rifle is it ? I was told when i had a hornet that Ruger used to have stupidly large chambers in their hornet rifles. The cases used to come out looking like balloons. I could see how they could split.

Uinseann_16 · 08-11-2020 7:50pm

Are the primers pushed back on the cases?
22 hornet cases are very thin however so if your chamber is out of spec it could split a neck
Flashback? you mean gases are coming back from the action?

Sounds like overpressure but its factory ammo which shouldnt happen
Please do not shoot any more rounds until you clean your chamber and bore well and then inspect it :pac:

Got him! · 10-11-2020 12:14am

BRNO fox mod 2.

Got him! · 10-11-2020 12:21am

tudderone wrote: »

What rifle is it ? I was told when i had a hornet that Ruger used to have stupidly large chambers in their hornet rifles. The cases used to come out looking like balloons. I could see how they could split.

BRNO Fox Mod 2. No issue with any other make of bullet. I clean the barrel every time , even after 1 single shot so fouling is hardly the issue. Might be a dud lot of bullets from Hornady.

Got him! · 10-11-2020 12:22am

slipperyox wrote: »

personally, I'd stop using it, and get the throat checked

What do you mean by getting the Throat checked? I'm not familiar with that specific term?

Got him! · 10-11-2020 12:28am

Uinseann_16 wrote: »

Are the primers pushed back on the cases?
22 hornet cases are very thin however so if your chamber is out of spec it could split a neck
Flashback? you mean gases are coming back from the action?
Sounds like overpressure but its factory ammo which shouldnt happen
Please do not shoot any more rounds until you clean your chamber and bore well and then inspect it :pac:

No sign of a case splitting at the neck. The damage is back at the primer end where it has split.
Yes I meant gasses coming back from the action and agree that it's somewhat like over pressurization. Barrel is clean and as it's factory ammo , I'm quite surprised. Never happens with Winchester, Remington, S&B . Again they might be duds!

tudderone · 10-11-2020 1:55am

Got him! wrote: »

BRNO Fox Mod 2. No issue with any other make of bullet. I clean the barrel every time , even after 1 single shot so fouling is hardly the issue. Might be a dud lot of bullets from Hornady.

It happens. Good rifle the Brno, and if the other brands of ammo are ok then i would think the ammo is your problem.

Vizzy · 10-11-2020 12:23pm

I have a friend that this happened to with a HMR (again Hornady )

The case exploded and damaged 3 other rounds in the mag and blew the mag apart as well.

Turned out that they were a dud batch.

slipperyox · 10-11-2020 12:34pm

Vizzy wrote: »

I have a friend that this happened to with a HMR (again Hornady )

The case exploded and damaged 3 other rounds in the mag and blew the mag apart as well.

Turned out that they were a dud batch.

I've noticed a lot of hmr 20g cci are seated very far into the cartridge, I always ommit these.

Uinseann_16 · 10-11-2020 2:53pm

Do you notice a change in the shape of your brass particularly in the neck area after firing? Going for the very unlikely chance someone re cut the chamber to a K-Hornet chamber

Could you post some pictures of the cases splitting?

Got him! · 10-11-2020 11:43pm

Never an issue with the brass splitting at the neck. I'll try upload a picture when I get a chance. ( might need the kids to assist as I'm not so hot at that stuff!)

Not familiar with a K-Hornet!!! In fact I 've never heard of one. I'd appreciate any info.
To honest I'm more of a shotgun man than a rifle man but have the Hornet for putting manners on Mr Fox from time to time.

tudderone · 11-11-2020 12:16am

Did you buy the rifle new ? Or know the history of it ?

Got him! · 11-11-2020 1:20am

tudderone wrote: »

Did you buy the rifle new ? Or know the history of it ?

Bought it S/H about 25 years ago. I've hardly put 10 boxes through it in all that time. It spent a good few years locked in a safe while I was chasing women and all that carry on!

Got him! · 11-11-2020 9:47am

Uinseann_16 wrote: »

Do you notice a change in the shape of your brass particularly in the neck area after firing? Going for the very unlikely chance someone re cut the chamber to a K-Hornet chamber

Could you post some pictures of the cases splitting?

See attached photos

Feisar · 11-11-2020 10:09am

Got him! wrote: »

Bought it S/H about 25 years ago. I've hardly put 10 boxes through it in all that time. It spent a good few years locked in a safe while I was chasing women and all that carry on!

The bane of many a good shot.

tudderone · 11-11-2020 1:48pm

Got him! wrote: »

See attached photos

Oh that could be your headspace. Get it checked out.

Got him! · 13-11-2020 5:20pm

tudderone wrote: »

Oh that could be your headspace. Get it checked out.

Hornet gone to gunsmith for a check up. Immediately suspected headspace when I showed him the fired case that had split. He has heard poor reports about Hornady in the USA with a number of issues, but it could still be a headspace issue. Hope to be back in action next week after a diagnosis ! I presume excessive head space can be remedied? I forgot to ask him. He was up the walls and I was in a bit of a hurry!

tudderone · 13-11-2020 5:27pm

Got him! wrote: »

Hornet gone to gunsmith for a check up. Immediately suspected headspace when I showed him the fired case that had split. He has heard poor reports about Hornady in the USA with a number of issues, but it could still be a headspace issue. Hope to be back in action next week after a diagnosis ! I presume excessive head space can be remedied? I forgot to ask him. He was up the walls and I was in a bit of a hurry!

The barrel can be set back a thread and the chamber recut.

Uinseann_16 · 13-11-2020 6:14pm

Unsupported case caused by excess head space would be my guess should be fixable :pac:

tikkamark · 17-11-2020 6:38pm

Definitely a headspace issue!

Feisar · 18-11-2020 1:52pm

Hornets headspace of the rim, could it just be some gunk coupled with thick Hornady rims?

Edit - my technical knowledge amounts to sfa

Uinseann_16 · 19-11-2020 4:50pm

Feisar wrote: »

Hornets headspace of the rim, could it just be some gunk coupled with thick Hornady rims?

Edit - my technical knowledge amounts to sfa

Possilbly? Id doubt it id assume that much gunk would result in it just not closing properly:pac:
Gunsmith should sort it out if hes any good

Feisar · 19-11-2020 5:24pm

Uinseann_16 wrote: »

Possilbly? Id doubt it id assume that much gunk would result in it just not closing properly:pac:
Gunsmith should sort it out if hes any good

I thought that after i posted. Interested in seeing what the problem is.

Got him! · 20-11-2020 2:43pm

tudderone wrote: »

The barrel can be set back a thread and the chamber recut.

Gunsmith checked the headspace and said it was perfect. He is convinced that the problem is the bullet. Yesterday I shot Winchester 45 grain to a 2 euro group at 100 yards. ( good enough for me at any time!). I fired 4 Hornady 35 gr and 1 hit the bull, 2 missed low and one missed by 4 inches low and a bit right!!! That to me is all over the place. All Winchester cases were perfect. 2 Hornady cases were perfect but one had scorch marks near the primer and believe it of not the final one became detached fronm the case completely. Gases came back from the 2 Hornady ones that showed damage . My Hornet simply does not like Hornady bullets. They move at 3100 fps and maybe the twist rate of my barrel is not enough to stabilise them . Winchester exit at around 2400 fps if I'm not mistaken and that velocity seems to suit my rifle better. Foxes don't generally mind the velocity so my relationship with Hornady is over on a number of counts. They are inaccurate in my rifle and appear also to be unsafe due to the high pressure they generate to achieve 3100 fps.

tudderone · 20-11-2020 4:13pm

Got him! wrote: »

Gunsmith checked the headspace and said it was perfect. He is convinced that the problem is the bullet. Yesterday I shot Winchester 45 grain to a 2 euro group at 100 yards. ( good enough for me at any time!). I fired 4 Hornady 35 gr and 1 hit the bull, 2 missed low and one missed by 4 inches low and a bit right!!! That to me is all over the place. All Winchester cases were perfect. 2 Hornady cases were perfect but one had scorch marks near the primer and believe it of not the final one became detached fronm the case completely. Gases came back from the 2 Hornady ones that showed damage . My Hornet simply does not like Hornady bullets. They move at 3100 fps and maybe the twist rate of my barrel is not enough to stabilise them . Winchester exit at around 2400 fps if I'm not mistaken and that velocity seems to suit my rifle better. Foxes don't generally mind the velocity so my relationship with Hornady is over on a number of counts. They are inaccurate in my rifle and appear also to be unsafe due to the high pressure they generate to achieve 3100 fps.

Rifles have their preferences and there is no explaining them sometimes. At least you know your rifle isn't the problem. My old hornet loved S&B which was handy as it was inexpensive.

Feisar · 20-11-2020 4:17pm

I'm after reading on a UK forum of a lad having similar problems with Hornady Hornets in 2018.

Got him! · 20-11-2020 6:41pm

customrifle wrote: »

I was zeroing my 22 hornet earlier and put 3 rounds into an inch at 200 yards with the 35gr hornadys. Have you tried other ammo in your rifle?

Just out of interest, what make is your Hornet?

Got him! · 20-11-2020 11:39pm

See the evidence from Hornady from yesterday just in case there is a ‘doubting Thomas’ out there!ðŸ˜‰ . Look closely to see what I mean.

Shooting Forum - Firearms licencing information

.22 Hornet bullet query.

Comments