Years ago I worked up a load for my Ruger #3 Hornet with IMR 4227 and the Speer 55 gr. FMJ. It has been discontinued for years but it was a semi-spitzer. I used 9.5 grs and if I remember correctly it gave about 2100 fps. It worked as you would expect on head shot squirrels.
An old “Dupont reloader’s guide” with a R-P case gave:
Max load: 11.5 grs, IMR 4227, a Hornady 45 gr spitzer at 1.720” o/all = 2515 fps (compressed). You can drop down a couple of grains to start.
Max load: 10.5 grs, IMR4198, Hornady 45 spitzer at 1.720” o/all = 2010 fps (compressed but not max pressure).
I also worked with IMR 4198 and the 50 gr Sierra Blitz Soft Pt and the Speer 50 gr Speer. I used from 10.5 to 11.5 grs (very patiently dribbling the powder) which was compressed but not max pressure and the 50 Blitz was very accurate at 2200 fps. (5 shots < 1.5” @ 200yds).
For added “whap” factor I think you’d do well to try the Speer 46 gr flat nose and somewhere around 9-10 grs of IMR 4227.
If you happen to have some IMR 4759, with the Speer 46 flat nose, I got:
7.1 grs - 1850 fps
7.4 grs - 1925 fps
7.7 grs - 1995 fps
8.0 grs - 2075 fps
8.3 grs - 2140 fps
The “Reloader’s Guide” gave 8.0 grs as maximum with the 45 gr Hornady for 2000 fps.
