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Is a 55 gr. FMJ out of a 10" Contender Hornet barrel apt to cause target damage. My usual load is 4.5 gr Unique, 55 gr. cast bullet with a small pistol primer. Would switching to the FMJ beat the targets up?

Velocity is the key. You want enough for consistent knockdown but not too much or you'll damage the targets.
I've run a hornet pretty hot with 50gr bullets and never seen much damage. 55's at anything less than hot should be just fine.
Good luck. Shoot well.

Joe

I use 55gr FMJ bullets pushed by 10gr of IMR4227 which gives me around 2000fps, I get no target damage.
Hope this helps.

I think target damage does not occur much today with the use of modern targets. The target damage rule meant a lot in the early days when softer steels were in use for targets. Many targets today will get small dimples even with the better steel but I wouldn't call that damage. You might run into some clubs still using early targets so those MDs may have different ruling on target damage. I have heard of Hornet loads damaging targets but have never seen it personally. Targets at our local range have withstood high velocity rifle loads with just minimal dimples. I think you will probably run into accuracy issues with the Hornet way before you reach velocities that would cause any damage to targets. After all you have to hit them first!!!

Thanks guys, that,s just what I was lookin for!

It really depends on the targets. One thing to consider is this - you do not need a full-house load ! I use 55 grain Hornady SP, and 7.0 grains of Accurate 9. This is a light load and I have NEVER rang a target, and even with this low velocity I can shoot the entire course with no sight adjustments.

In my experience, the term "target damage" is subjective, particularly with anything but smallbore targets (IMO, any damage at all to smallbore targets is unacceptable).

Having said that, a 22Hornet with a 55gr FMJBT running 2000FPS WILL leave a "noticeable hickie" on MILD steel pistol cartridge targets, especially the pig and turkey... Not quite as bad on the ram though, and not nearly as deep on AR plate, regardless of the target. I did see slightly less of a "hickie" when I tried dropping the FMJBTs down to about 1750/1800fps.... and still took every target down "with authority".

FWIW, I've switched exclusively to 50 and 55gr SPs running about 1800fps, and I've found they're MUCH more accurate than the 55g FMJBTs ever were. "Target damage", even on mild steel targets with them is what I'd classify as minimal.... Yeah, it still leaves a minor indentation, but nothing near what I'd classify as damage. Another bonus of shooting the 50gr at the lower velocity in Field Pistol/Hunter Pistol, is with the lower recoil I now hardly ever scratch or damage my right eye shooting glasses lens when shooting the peep sight gun.

my .02,

-Tim

bkraft wrote:Is a 55 gr. FMJ out of a 10" Contender Hornet barrel apt to cause target damage. My usual load is 4.5 gr Unique, 55 gr. cast bullet with a small pistol primer. Would switching to the FMJ beat the targets up?

Switching from cast to FMJ won't cause any additional target damage. As mentioned, velocity is the culprit when it comes to target damage. Also as mentioned, about 1800fps is the threshold of velocity with mild steel targets. Target damage is subjective and since I build and maintain all of our targets, I don't like to see any damage. I have also discovered with my two Hornet barrels that accuracy with the military style 55 gr FMJ bullets was never as good as with a traditional design. I have had very good success with 55 gr JSP and 52 gr JHP. I have also done well with cast 55 gr if the bullet is properly fitted to the chamber. Try some 231 powder if you can find it or the load braud357 mentioned. That AA9 load has given me sub moa groups at 100 yards.

I shoot full load 221 FB (17.8g 4227) with 50-55g HP or SP. Range officer was VERY concerned, however targets in Phila show no damage. I am a happy shooter.
Pat

bkraft wrote:Is a 55 gr. FMJ out of a 10" Contender Hornet barrel apt to cause target damage. My usual load is 4.5 gr Unique, 55 gr. cast bullet with a small pistol primer. Would switching to the FMJ beat the targets up?

I recently duplicated your load and tried it out of my 10" T/C, only using a jacketed 55gr SP instead of lead or FMJ projectiles. I'm happy to say I got about a 1-1/4" group at 100meters at 1485FPS average measured about 10' out from the muzzle. Definitely NOT gonna damage a steel target at that velocity... I usually drive the same bullet between 1750 and 1800fps and see minimal marks on my targets.

- Tim