Thread: Reloading 22 Hornet (The Original) – Optimal Canada Goose Load

Reloading 22 Hornet (The Original) – Optimal Canada Goose Load

I’ve got a contract to cull Canada Goose at two locations:
(1) Ponds on private land adjacent to public spaces and shopping precinct. Shot ranges between 10 metres to 50 metres
(2) Open farm land. Shot ranges between 100 – 200 metres

Target Species Anatomy: Canada Goose have big strong wing feathers, large bones and weigh 4.5 – 6kg (By contrast rabbits weigh 1 kg). They are a reasonably tough species.

Calibre Options:
• 22LR, subsonic or supersonic. I’m not planning to use 22LR because once the pandemonium sets in, shot placement will go to hell and I can’t afford to have one armed flappers in the adjoining car parks. It’s just a bad look on social media!
• 222 Remington, does a sweet job, but is a bit loud for close proximity to residential housing
• 12 gauge – too much noise!
• My choice, Weihrauch HW60J 22 Hornet Twist 1:16. With a DPT suppressor it is almost as quiet as a suppressed supersonic 22LR, but with a greater selection of bullet weights and velocities it has better knock-down power

ADI Reloading data indicates 10.5grn of AR2207 as a starting load, up to 11.5 compressed. (Note: I don’t do Compressed or Maximum loads. Typically I load light loads so as to prolong case life. For this location I want to keep noise to a minimum, so light loads)

Projectiles: I have a selection of Brands, designs and weights from 35grn to 55grn. Note: Nosler #9 Bible doesn’t recommend going as heavy as 50grn. Speer goes as heavy as 52grn. ADI, Hodgdon, Hornady, Sierra & VihtaVuou all publish data to 55grn. Obviously there is a desire to avoid ricochets.

Question Time: Probably a question that has been asked a million time, “Would I be better to use a light fast projectile (35grn Ballistic Tip)? Or a heavier bullet going a bit slower (Nosler 55grn SP)? What’s your pet load for medium sized game, like goats rather than rabbits?