Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .22 Hornet with .222 | 45gr | Peregrine Bushmaster (VRG-3) bullet and 6 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Lovex S040 and Vihtavuori N110.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,349 psi | 90% | 2671 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,234 psi | 49% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,159 psi | 85% | 2448 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,363 psi | 47% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,136 psi | 60% | 2228 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,808 psi | 75% | 2441 fps | 98% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGun | 8.9 gr | 82% | 23,569 psi | 54% | 2310 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 15,156 psi | 35% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | 7.5 gr | 80% | 27,746 psi | 64% | 2241 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 14,736 psi | 34% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 22,452 psi | 52% | 2123 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | 8.3 gr | 92% | 25,889 psi | 60% | 2280 fps | 95.6% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 6 powders for .22 Hornet loaded with the .222 | 45gr | Peregrine Bushmaster (VRG-3). Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,671 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,558 fps to 2,671 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 6 of the 6 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (300 MPa), the top charges use 47–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Hodgdon LilGun, Lovex S040, Vihtavuori N110 rank at the top here: for .22 Hornet with the .222 | 45gr | Peregrine Bushmaster (VRG-3) they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.