Achieve Unrivaled Precision with the Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case for .22 Creedmoor
For the discerning reloader dedicated to unlocking the true potential of their .22 Creedmoor rifle, inconsistent ammunition can be a significant hurdle. Whether you're chasing sub-MOA groups in long-range competition, ensuring humane and accurate shots in varmint hunting, or simply striving for the utmost consistency in your handloads, precision is paramount. This is where specialized tools become indispensable, and the Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case, specifically engineered for the high-performance .22 Creedmoor cartridge (UPC: 090255714104), stands out as an essential component in any serious reloading setup.
This meticulously crafted brass case is not designed for firing; instead, it serves as a crucial calibration tool within Hornady’s renowned Lock-N-Load system. It allows reloaders to precisely determine critical measurements like Cartridge Overall Length (COAL) and, more importantly, the Cartridge Base to Ogive (CBTO) measurement, which dictates the bullet's jump to the rifling lands. Why is this so vital? Because even tiny variations in bullet seating depth can dramatically impact a projectile's flight characteristics, leading to inconsistent accuracy and, in some cases, dangerous pressure spikes.
Why Precision Reloading Is a Game Changer for Your .22 Creedmoor
Many reloaders ask, "How can I make my handloads shoot tighter groups?" or "What's the secret to maximizing accuracy with my rifle?" The answer often lies in meticulous attention to detail, especially regarding bullet seating depth. The interaction between the bullet and the rifling in your rifle's chamber is a key factor in how accurately a round performs.
- Optimizing Bullet Jump: The distance a bullet "jumps" from the case mouth to engage the rifling (the lands) can significantly affect accuracy and pressure. Too much jump, and the bullet might yaw slightly before stabilizing; too little (touching the lands), and pressures can spike dangerously. The ideal jump varies from rifle to rifle and even bullet to bullet.
- Ensuring Consistent Neck Tension: While not directly measured by a modified case, understanding your chamber dimensions helps in choosing the right die setup to achieve consistent neck tension, another critical factor for accuracy.
- Avoiding Pressure Problems: Seating bullets too far out, into or against the rifling, can lead to dangerously high pressures. Measuring accurately helps prevent this safety concern.
- Identifying Your Rifle's Sweet Spot: Each rifle has unique preferences for bullet seating depth. Using a modified case helps you identify the optimal "sweet spot" where your specific firearm and bullet combination delivers its best accuracy.
Without a tool like the Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case, these critical measurements are often approximations, leading to frustrating inconsistencies on the range.
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case: Engineered for Exactitude
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case (MPN: B22C) is manufactured from high-quality brass to the exacting SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) specifications for the .22 Creedmoor cartridge. This adherence to industry standards ensures that the case accurately represents the dimensions of your chamber, providing a reliable foundation for your measurements.
Unlike a standard fired case, the Lock-N-Load Modified Case features a threaded opening at the case mouth. This unique modification is specifically designed to thread onto the spindle of a Hornady Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge (available in both straight and curved versions), creating a rigid and repeatable measuring system. The modification process by Hornady ensures that the case itself will not introduce any inaccuracies into your measurements.
Key Features and What They Mean for You:
- Precision-Machined Brass: Durable and dimensionally stable, ensuring repeated accuracy over countless measurements.
- SAAMI Specification Adherence: Guarantees that the case accurately mimics the blueprint dimensions of a .22 Creedmoor chamber, providing a true reference point for your rifle.
- Threaded Opening for OAL Gauge: This is the core innovation, allowing for direct, secure attachment to the Hornady OAL Gauge, facilitating easy and precise measurement of the distance from the bolt face to the rifling lands.
- Designed for the .22 Creedmoor: Specifically chambered for the .22 Creedmoor, it eliminates guesswork for this popular, high-velocity cartridge.
This precision tool empowers reloaders to move beyond guesswork, enabling them to fine-tune their ammunition to their specific rifle's chamber, leading to improved safety and unparalleled accuracy.
Seamless Integration: The Hornady Lock-N-Load System for Ultimate Precision
The true power of the Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case is realized when it's used as part of the complete Hornady Lock-N-Load measuring system. This system is designed for simplicity and accuracy, making complex measurements straightforward.
How to Use the Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case with an OAL Gauge:
- Select Your Bullet: Choose the specific bullet you intend to reload for your .22 Creedmoor.
- Assemble the OAL Gauge: Thread the chosen Hornady .22 Creedmoor Lock-N-Load Modified Case onto the spindle of your Hornady Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge (either straight or curved model).
- Insert the Bullet: Slide your bullet into the modified case mouth.
- Chamber the Assembly: Carefully chamber the entire OAL Gauge assembly (with the modified case and bullet) into your rifle's chamber.
- Seat the Bullet: Gently push the rod on the OAL Gauge forward until the bullet makes contact with the rifling lands. This allows the bullet to stop at the point where it would engage the lands.
- Lock and Remove: Once contact is made, lock the bullet in place by tightening the thumbscrew on the OAL Gauge. Carefully remove the assembly from the rifle.
- Measure: Use a high-quality caliper to measure the overall length from the base of the modified case to the tip of the bullet. This gives you your rifle's "maximum overall length" for that specific bullet.
- Refine with a Bullet Comparator: For even greater precision, especially when fine-tuning seating depth relative to the ogive, use a Hornady Lock-N-Load Bullet Comparator. This accessory attaches to your caliper and measures from the cartridge base to the bullet's ogive (the point where the bullet's curve begins). This is often preferred over measuring to the tip, as bullet tips can vary, while the ogive is a more consistent reference point for where the bullet engages the rifling. By measuring CBTO, you can consistently reproduce precise bullet jump regardless of variations in bullet tip length.
By following these steps, you gain an exact measurement of your rifle's chamber and the unique characteristics of your chosen bullet. This empowers you to dial in your seating depth with confidence, leading to the legendary accuracy that serious reloaders consistently achieve. This method takes the guesswork out of finding the optimal bullet jump, allowing you to replicate your most accurate loads reliably.
Mastering the .22 Creedmoor: Why Precision is Non-Negotiable
The .22 Creedmoor has rapidly gained popularity among long-range shooters, competitive PRS (Precision Rifle Series) competitors, and varmint hunters due to its impressive velocity, flat trajectory, and excellent ballistic coefficients with modern, heavy-for-caliber .224" bullets. This cartridge truly shines when handloaded to its full potential, making tools like the Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case indispensable.
- High Velocities and Energy: The .22 Creedmoor drives .224" bullets at incredible speeds, often exceeding 3,000 feet per second. At these velocities, even minute imperfections in cartridge dimensions can be magnified downrange, leading to significant group dispersion.
- Long-Range Performance: For engagements beyond 500 yards, consistency is everything. Optimizing seating depth ensures the bullet exits the barrel with maximum stability and minimal yaw, maintaining its ballistic integrity over extended distances.
- Competitive Edge: In competitive shooting, where fractions of an inch separate winners from losers, every advantage counts. Precise bullet seating directly translates to smaller groups and a higher probability of hitting your target.
- Varmint Hunting Ethics: For varmint hunters, a precise and ethical shot is paramount. Knowing your ammunition is perfectly tuned to your rifle instills confidence and ensures clean, humane kills.
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case for .22 Creedmoor is not just a tool; it's an investment in your shooting performance and safety. It provides the foundational data you need to produce ammunition that performs at its absolute best.
Hornady: A Legacy of Accuracy and Innovation
Hornady has been a trusted name in the shooting sports industry for decades, renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and precision. Their Lock-N-Load system is a testament to this philosophy, designed by shooters, for shooters, to make the reloading process more efficient, accurate, and enjoyable. When you choose Hornady, you're not just buying a product; you're investing in a legacy of excellence and a dedication to helping shooters achieve their full potential.
This commitment to engineering excellence is evident in every Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case, including the Hornady B22C. It reflects the brand's understanding of what serious reloaders need to craft ammunition that consistently performs beyond expectations. The reputation Hornady has built is based on delivering reliable, high-quality products that truly make a difference in accuracy and consistency for countless shooters.
When considering the best tools for advanced reloading, or if you're asking, "How do I take my .22 Creedmoor handloads to the next level?", the answer invariably includes precision measuring equipment. The Hornady Lock-N-Load Modified Case (UPC: 090255714104) is engineered to provide the foundation for that precision, ensuring that every round you load for your .22 Creedmoor is optimized for your specific rifle, delivering unparalleled accuracy and consistency. It’s a vital piece of equipment available at DEGuns, poised to transform your reloading process and elevate your shooting results.
| Feature | Detail | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Hornady | Trusted name in reloading for quality |
| Series | Lock-N-Load Modified Case | Designed for precision measurement systems |
| Model | B22C | Specific to .22 Creedmoor |
| Caliber | .22 Creedmoor | Optimized for this high-performance cartridge |
| Material | Brass | Durable, dimensionally stable for accuracy |
| Purpose | Measuring tool, not for firing | Crucial for OAL and CBTO measurements |
| Compatibility | Hornady Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge | Seamless integration for exact measurements |
| SAAMI Specs | Manufactured to specification | Ensures accurate chamber representation |
| SKU | 107669 | Product identification number |
| UPC | 090255714104 | Universal Product Code for identification |
