Mild loads?

[Eligus]

I’m still playing with my toy !

I have been wondering about trying to load down a .22 Hornet to make a milder round for use on rabbits. Is this feasible, even down to subsonic levels. I presume it's not just a case of less powder, also considering the volume of powder in the case. I would like to use 35gr. bullets, Hornady V-Max or similar. What problems/ dangers might I encounter?

[foxshooter]

I think what you are looking for is called .22LR or .17HMR lol

In order to slow things down a heavier bullet is normally used rather than a light one. trying to slow things usually uses less powder which can cause a detonation rather than a burn which is a bad thing. Case fill percentages need to be kept high so you will probably have to search for a new powder.....

If the reason for a milder load is carcass damage look at bullet construction. VMax is not your friend. Look at a soft point bullet.

We used to shoot a lot of hares with a hornet and I think it was Winchester HP type ammo. We got a lot of carcass damage. By chance we ran out of ammo and could only get S&B soft points. Carcass damage was reduced so much we never went back to Winchester.

Mark

[sir-slots-alot]

Just shoot at the bit that's attached to the bunny's shoulders.

What the issue

[223AI]

As chatting with my RFD the other day about hornet loadings, he used to run a 40gr bullet with 9 grains of powder which he said was virtually as quiet as a .22 sub, I think he said he used coffee to pack the case out!

[tacfoley]

Best thing to do with the sh1te coffee-substitute stuff you have over here.

tac

[Eligus]

foxshooter - I've got a couple of .22 lr's and have sold my 17 (fed up with trying to shoot it in the wind), this is just for fun and to see if I can do it. Carcase damage is not the issue, at low velocities the V-Max won't expand anyhow.

sir-slots-alot - when I do that there is no need to remove the head when dressing !!!

Boydy - wouldn't pouring coffee into the case wet the powder ? lol

I've found some info on Trailboss powder, very bulky and fills the case for low velocities, I think Kranks have some.

[Black Beard]

Lyman CAST bullet handbook has loads down to 1060/1050fps with their 55 grain bullet and red dot/700X. You will probably have to cast your own.

Trail boss is meant to work down to about 2/3 of case capacity on most stuff.

Don't try it with jacketed as you might get them stuck in the barrel.

[jonny.c]

just shoot at the bit that's attached to the bunny's shoulders.

What the issue

+1 to the above

[dannywayoflife]

If you slot bugs in the sweede with a hornet then it generally aides skinning time as the head is completely removed leaving a nice clean body for the pot!