I've been experimenting with a new Savage 40 I bought in 22 Hornet and thought to ask if anyone has a "Pet Load" they would share either public or private?

Start with LilGun powder and a small pistol primer. At some point, try a small rifle primer as well. Some loads just prefer one primer over the other.

Hodgdon Powder says that LilGun can give up to 200fps more speed and lower the pressures by 10k-psi.

Change the powder level by .2gr (2/10ths) until you find accuracy. On several different Hornets, I found best accuracy at the top of the powder charge. Depending on what brass you use, 13.0 is about all I can get into the case.

On such a small case as the Hornet, little changes, such as .1gr in powder, can make big changes at the range.

I use a Lee Collet Die to neck size my brass.

Another powder that shows promise in the Hornet is Alliant 300-MP, giving similar velocities to LilGun, but Alliant does not publish the pressure data. I have not used 300-MP.

Thanks for the reply.

I don't have a supply of LilGun but will check my local Cabelas to see if they stock it. My stock of powders includes what seems to be the load books default powder selections, 4227, 110, 1680, etc. I forgot to mention I am starting with Nosler Varmageddon 40 gr and Hornady 45 gr V-max. Also, I am using a Redding die set.

RE: Lee Collet Die, have you used it with the above bullets where there is no cannelure to crimp to?

I too have had very good results with Lil Gun in several 22 hornets.
I get 13.2 grains in Win cases. I use 40grain bullets, various makes and SP primers.

AA1680 and Winchester small pistol primer, was my go to load.

I too find Lil Gun to be the powder for the hornet. I don't have a Savage, but have an Encore Hornet, along with a Browning 1885 LoWall Hornet. I use 13.0 grs in either WW or Rem case, CCI 400 or Fed 205m primer and 40 gr VMax, Sierra 45 sp and Hornady 45 sp. The all shoot great, 1/2" to 3/4" 3 shot groups. I also use the Lee collet die. Also, 12 grs of IMR 4227 with a CCI 500 (sm pistol) and a 40 gr Sierra Blitzking shoots awesome also, just not as fast as the Lil gun loads.

I'm a 1680 user, and 6.5 primers. I don't use a collet die, but only size about an eighth of an inch down the neck, then crimp with the Lee Factory Crimp die. It makes me happy.

1680 with a 40g Speer spire point is wicked medicine for large coyotes, other plastic tip bullet break up on bones, these penetrate. The speer spire point has the ogive moved forward on the bullet, and I can actually use the Ruger magazine and still touch the lands, which makes for a wicked accurate load at 200 yards.

If you use a lee collet die, you will probably be in hog heaven real quick, never seen anything like it before in my life.

Hornets are very picky if you want to shoot 1/2" groups, and they are very, very wind sensitive. It is not a bad idea to work up loads at 50 yards if you happen to go to the range on a windy day.

12.5 Lil Gun, Sierra 45 grain Hornet and CCI small pistol primer

I’ve had good luck with the discontinued WW 680 and also IMR 4227

I'm on a budget, and I like to shoot, so I use the 34gr. HPs sold by Midsouth as their Varmint Nightmare Extremes. They sell them in 500 ct. boxes for under $45/500. Using them, and 1680, you can shoot cheaply enough, and 1680 works well in my .17 Hornet as well as the .22 Hornet. You get a LOT of loads out of an 8lb. jug.
I like the Hornet specific bullets of 40-46gr., too, but for the majority of my plinking/shooting, I use those 34gr. hollow points and they shoot really well for being whiffle-bullets.
I don't worry much about range, as I have other cartridges/rifles, for longer ranging needs.
If you try 1680, DO use a Lee Factory Crimp die, 1680 is a pretty slow powder and needs a good crimp to burn cleanly. That will help. It's good stuff, though.