Small game centerfire cartridges

[Buckmastr]

The 22 magnum isn’t as accurate as a 22lr imo. Fussy on relatively expensive and hard to find ammo too.

 

[keith mokry]

Centerfire would be 22 hornet as good selection of manufacturers for bullets and able to cast your own
For no hassle reloading would be 22 mag
22 hornet will give more distance for shooting

 

[9.3 Hunter]

25/20 and a 32/20, have 1 of each and reload - easy to ...

 

[vagrantviking]

25/20 and a 32/20, have 1 of each and reload - easy to ...

Or 218bee or 25 hornet. Maybe 32 H&R.

What are you doing that you are against having a rimmed case? There must be wildcats based on shortened 223 cases if rimless is critical.

 

[Ardent]

I think what you might actually want is on the left brybenn, it’s just a question of if it’s worth living with for you. I had a Cooper in it, was a sweetheart, but wasn’t easy. It’s quicker than the .22 Mag, slightly more consistently accurate than the Hornet, brass is a nightmare, and the fun and different quotient is high.

 

[brybenn]

The logical choice is the 22 mag for sure but of the couple I've had I've had to readjust each different lot of ammo. I did love the 22mag but I just have a want to try something else.
I've heard horror stories about loading 22 Hornet brass and the k version kinda takes it out of the range I was looking for. I haven't read of anyone using trailboss in the hornets.
For those who are downloading the hornet I'd be very interested in the combos you're using. The hornet is chambered in factory rifles which is a plus
I figure if get more use out of building a small game rifle then another big game rifle
I've played with downloading the 223 but under 1800fps accuracy went out the window in my 1 in 9 twist. I didn't try my Winchester with 1 in 12 twist though
I'd try to shorten the 223 case and neck it to 25 cal but then I'd have no clue how to start loading for it.
I know I'm just wasting time money and energy to do this but then again how many ppl have a dozen 30 cal rifles right

 

[brybenn]

Or 218bee or 25 hornet. Maybe 32 H&R.

What are you doing that you are against having a rimmed case? There must be wildcats based on shortened 223 cases if rimless is critical.

32/20 is to large for my area. .275 is the largest I can use for small game

 

[brybenn]

This fer me as well. I've taken a wide range of critters with the .22lr and it's still me favorite, all round meat getter.

17mh2 has become my fav

 

[jakester]

The 25-20 is a very good choice, although finding a good one might take a bit of looking. Other than the usual crop of lever rifles and carbines, the Marlin model 37, and Remington Model 25 pump actions are the most common. On the Marlin Forum there is lots of loading info for that cartridge, especially for edible game hunting with lead bullets at around 12-1500 fps.

Load that cartridge with 60gr Hornady bullets to about 2100 fps and it's deadly on chucks and Coyotes. The 75gr Speer (when you can find them) at around 1900 fps works very well too.

It's unfortunate that this round is nearly gone, as it was a good one.

 

[dan belisle]

In a rimless cartridge, I would look to the 25 Copperhead, or 6x45/6 TCU. There are the Hornet based wildcats, and I dont find reloading the hornet case too onerous, but the first two are quicker. - dan

 

[a j cave]

The hornet is not hard to load for.

 

[CV32]

There is also 17 Hornet (and a few other 17's).

 

[Suther]

I think what you might actually want is on the left brybenn, it’s just a question of if it’s worth living with for you. I had a Cooper in it, was a sweetheart, but wasn’t easy. It’s quicker than the .22 Mag, slightly more consistently accurate than the Hornet, brass is a nightmare, and the fun and different quotient is high.

What is that cartridge?

 

[tokguy]

The hornet is not hard to load for.

It's not hard I suppose...but it's not terribly easy either. A straight walled big bore pistol cartridge is easy. Tapered small bore is not exactly 'Easy', do-able...not easy though.

 

[wasa]

I tried the 223 with trail boss but consistent accuracy proved difficult to obtain

Hodgdon has subsonic 223 load data with Titegroup or Clays. 1060 ft/s with a 55 gr projectile. I shoot them out of my MRA Renegade for fun.

 

[tokguy]

What is that cartridge?

Betcha that is a 22 CCM

 

[Ardent]

Yep, .22 CCM.

Brybenn, I have a reamer for likely your perfect cartridge, .25 K-Hornet. Eliminated the .22 Hornet loading awkwardness with the sharper shoulder, shoots cast well. Happy to rent it for beer money to a good cause.

 

[vagrantviking]

5.7 Johnson 0r whatever a 30 carbine necked to 25 might be called? Fits the rimless requirement.

I'd still say 25-20 or Ardents suggestion of a 25 hornet variation is the way to go.
Need to shoot my Martini khornet more.

 

[brybenn]

Yep, .22 CCM.

Brybenn, I have a reamer for likely your perfect cartridge, .25 K-Hornet. Eliminated the .22 Hornet loading awkwardness with the sharper shoulder, shoots cast well. Happy to rent it for beer money to a good cause.

I'm interested in this one for sure. How would it compare to a loaded down 256wm(357 mag necked down)? I even thought about using a 38sp case and seeing if I could modify the 256wm dies for the shorter case

 

[nowarningshot]

25/20 sounds about right, probably 22 hornet as well. Pushing past sonic, about 1040ft/sec should need gas checks.

I would think finding a cheapish 22 hornet would be easy, absolute beater 25/20 as well. Decent 25/20 would be spendy, bonus there is you could carry a short range capable Deer load.

Gas checks and suitable molds would be medium hard. Personally a 22 hornet would give you better choices and available components.