Hornady 62 Grain BTHP Load

[brianf31]

Both Midsouth Shooters Supply an Midway have these Hornady 62 grain BTHP bullets in stock: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/001532276c1500/22-caliber-point224-diameter-62-grain-bthp-with-cannelure-1500-count

These are supposedly a limited run. At  $0.10 each, they are less than half the cost of 69 grain SMKs. With a .280 BC (according to Midsouth's site), this should best the 55 grain FMJ at longer distances while costing only slightly more.

I will load this in bulk for shooting 600 yards. I used easy metering H335 for fast bulk loading instead of a more accurate but rougher metering powder like Varget.


DISCLAIMER; work up your loads by using reduced powder charge. Look for pressure signs before incrementally increasing charge weight.


OAL: 2.240-2.250 puts the center of the cannelure at the end of 1.750" length brass.

Average bullet weight: 62.1 grains

Bullet length: 0.866"-0.869"

BC: .280 (anecdotal from Midsouth's website. Info is not directly from Hornady)


Rifle used: PSA 20" A3 with 1/7 FN chrome lined govt profile barrel, MI free float, Geissele SSA-E trigger, SWFA Super Sniper 3 X 9 -40 in Larue SPR-E mount. Capable of 1.4 MOA 10-shot group with 69 SMK load

Shot on a bipod with rear bag at 100 yards
ProChrono placed 6' from muzzle

Both XM855 and a 69 grain SMK load were shot as control groups for comparison. It's hard to see in the pic but there are 5 holes in the black for the 69 SMK load.

Best load for the Hornady 62 grain BTHP was:

Once fired LC brass at 1.75" long
WSR primer
25.0 grains H335 powder
2.250 OAL

Conclusion: expect around 2 MOA with this bullet. It would likely do better with an extruded powder. At $.10/round, this is a decent bullet that should perform better than 55 grain FMJ at longer distances. I'm hoping it does well on varmints, too.