My Hornet, a Browning purchased about 2000, was very disappointing with the two factory loads I bought at the same time, but responded very well to my first efforts at handloading. Right after I got it, Ross Seyfried did a pair of articles in successive issues of Rifle and Handloader that helped get me on track.
Ross emphasized that little things mean a lot when dealing with the tiny case. He also suggested neck-sizing and small pistol primers for most loads, LilGun excepted. Since I had H110 on hand, that's what I started with and where I've stayed, although LilGun offers lower pressures and higher velocity. My current project, if I can ever get back to it, is to turn the Hornet into a combination squirrel/turkey slayer with Speer 46gr flatpoints over a light load of 2400. Early tests are pretty promising.
One good thing about my Browning (and the Rugers) is that with no magazine to contend with, bullets can be seated way out there where they belong.
