Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .22 Hornet with .224 | 50gr | Sierra SP SemiSp 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>> | 92% | 37,188 psi | 85% | 2480 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,742 psi | 52% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,261 psi | 88% | 2326 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,046 psi | 51% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,268 psi | 65% | 2146 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,824 psi | 82% | 2352 fps | 99.2% |
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 | 8.5 gr | 80% | 25,309 psi | 58% | 2224 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,273 psi | 37% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | 7.3 gr | 80% | 30,472 psi | 70% | 2172 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 15,983 psi | 37% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 20,276 psi | 47% | 1926 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | 7.5 gr | 86% | 24,062 psi | 55% | 2093 fps | 95.7% |
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 .224 | 50gr | Sierra SP SemiSp. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,480 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,473 fps to 2,480 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 51–88 %, leaving at least 12 % 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 .224 | 50gr | Sierra SP SemiSp 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.