Did some chronographing yesterday.
I went to the local club and set up my chronograph to see what some of my guns could do across the screen.
A while back I had Gary rechamber a 10 inch 22 Hornet to the K Hornet. I read an article on the use of Lil Gun in that round which seems to maximize its potential. The 10 inch barrel creates a very compact and yet powerful platform for varminting in my area. Most of my shots will be at 50 yards so the power generated by this unique round.
I have two handloads. Both use 13.4 grains of Hodgdons Lil Gun under a 40 grain bullet. One bullet is a Nosler BT and the other is a Hornady V Max.
I was really impressed with the fact that the Nosler bullets average 2816 fps and the Hornady bullets average 2862. Not too shabby from a 10 inch barrel.
The next three guns were all 44 magnums . I put a 10 inch barrel on my TC Contender . The other two are revolvers. One is my Ruger Redhawk that Gary refurbished. The other is Dad's M29.
I wanted to see what my hunting load would do. I loaded up some 240 grain Speer Gold Dot hollow points under 24.5 grains of Lil Gun sparked with a CCI magnum primer.
Well. It was enlightening.
The average velocity for the closed breech 10 inch barrel is 1659 fps.
The 7 1/2 inch Redhawk averaged 1459 fps and Dad's M29 averaged 1308 fps.
I know people will ask what kind of accuracy do these loads produce. I the past I have had the 22 KH basically cloverleaf at 25 yards and then group around 2 to 3 inches at 100 yards. Bear in mind I am using a 1.5 power illuminated Tasco pistol scope. The gun has a large post with a lighted triangle at the peak. A great short range hunting scope. Not the greatest for precision shooting but you can center it on a 'coon really quick.
All of the 44 magnums are scoped with 2x Burris pistol scopes. All will shoot nice tight groups at 50 yards. The TC will do a cloverleaf while the revolvers are in the 2-3 inch range. Bear in mind that I am not the greatest shot but the guns will do in the field.
Anyways. I have the day off. The plan is to go out this afternoon for some after snow predator hunting with the 22 KHornet.
That's great John. Sal turned me onto
Calhoon 30 gr. Double HP bullets long ago, instant 3000 fps in the hornet and upward to 4K in .223. They come 250 to a box and are plated silver. Really explosive too.
I have been wanting to try the Barnes Varmint Grenades too. The 62gr. in 6mm interests me for the 240 Banshee and .240 Raptor.
In .22 I shot my Muntjac with a 40 gr. Nosler at 2150 fps. It didn't really open up that much.
Lower power scopes are fine.
They really surprise me, easy to find the target and shoot. I just keep aiming at the tiny target and then note a good group when I walk the 100 yds. The .255 Banshee does well with the light .25-20 bullets at 2000 fps and flat nose cast bullets designed for antique lever guns.
This was my 100 yd. target using an old 2.5X Phantom. I think it was around 2" for the group. Goofy set-up, modern barrel on old 1974 chassis, and period scope. I had to open up the forend some to fit the bull barrel.
![[image]](images/uploaded/201902181503065c6ac92a20ad4.jpg)
My 22 K Hornet is a hunting gun.
The other day Jim Taylor posted images of Eastern Washington State where he spent many formative years. A lot of open country where long shots can be the norm.
I my area, the brushy East, most shots are fifty yards and under.
![[image]](images/uploaded/201902181543555c6ad2bb32088.jpg)
In fact my plan for the day is to go out with the 22 KH and set up the e caller. See what happens. Better than sitting around on your duff.