+1 for Remington 6 1/2. It is what the 40x 222 loads that were the test target ammo were loaded with!

I also have friends that swear by Federal 105M (small pistol match) for Hornet. He's getting 1/4" groups @ 100, but only pushing 1900 fps muzzle velocity with 1680, In a 14" Contender.

In an old Savage 340 I was getting 3300fps using 1680 with the Hornady 35 grain Hornet V-Max and getting 3/4" groups at 100. Factory was 3200 and 1.25 group. With 40gr Ballistic tip BT and 4227 I was getting 1/2 at 100 and about 2800 fps. It was very devastating on ground hogs out to 250 yards! All of my loads used Federal 205M primers (small rifle match) and all powder charges were weighed twice on two different scales! to keep weight variation to 1/2 of a tenth grain!

My experience with Remington 7 1/2 primers is they perform best at the maximum pressure you can give them, and Hornet just is too low! They are great in my BR's, PPC's, and heavy bullet 223's; but not so much with normal pressures.

I gave up on my ability with a 10" Contender in 22 Hornet, when I got a 10" 221 Fireball Contender barrel. I think the brass quality is the big difference. 50 to 100 yard ground hog hunting is now like popping party balloons! I'm not that good with a Contender so 100 is my maximum range and out that far only connect about 35 to 40%, but when I do, WOW!

Ivan