.22 Hornet vs. K-Hornet

In an action suited for it, the loss of body taper and increase in powder capacity of the K-Hornet is a nice improvement.

Forming brass is as simple as loading factory or reloaded .22 hornet ammo and firing it.

However, this isn't 1940 anymore, and we do have a choice in small capacity centerfire cases. Before I'd go to the trouble of hotrodding a .22 hornet, I'd look around for a similar .222 Rem.
 
There is some increase in performance with the k-hornet, but its biggest advantage is that you can headspace on the shoulder--longer case life and usually noticeably better accuracy. One of the problems with the regular hornet can be indifferent accuracy which can often be traced back to inconsistant rim thickness on the cases.

If you are looking to simply up the performance a little, the .221 fireball is flexible and usually quite accurate.

FWIW, 44Bore
 
Who makes a reasonably priced .221 fireball rifle?? I like what the hornet has to offer but am just wondering if there is enough of a difference with the "K" conversion to make is worth the $$$.
 
Wholesale sports (Calgary) had Remington Classics in .221 a while back and I believe there were some CZ's floating around also.

If I were to own a hornet again, I likely would get it reamed out to the "K". Better case life and accuracy are worth it in my view.

44Bore
 
Savage 40 in a hornet sounds like alot of fun. The Khornet will offer all the above points and simple job to make.

However, if you are looking for strong case life and the best accuracy, I would get a 222 or 223 and download to suit.

Jerry
 
The Savage model 40 is not recommended as a candidate for K conversion, it supposedly isn't strong enough. Was looking at going this route myself but will go with 223 in either Stevens or Savage. 223 is cheap and can be loaded down almost to hornet noise levels.
 
That is interesting about its strength given that the 223 was an orig chambering.

Anyways, the K Hornet would, in theory, be at very similar pressures to the Hornet (brass being the weak link in going 'hotter). So there would be a bit more powder but not necessarily more pressure.

I too think the 223 loaded appropriately would be a better choice.

Jerry
 
savagefan said:
The Savage model 40 is not recommended as a candidate for K conversion, it supposedly isn't strong enough. Was looking at going this route myself but will go with 223 in either Stevens or Savage. 223 is cheap and can be loaded down almost to hornet noise levels.
Click to expand...
This is just WRONG!!
the 340 comes in .222 Remington, which is a lot hotter than the K Hornet!
Cat
 
what is the difference in brass life going to be between a hornet and a .223, on average how many times would I be able to reload brass from each of these calibers?? If I got a hornet it would probably be the savage model 40 and .223 would probably the savage 12fv. I thought that if I am going to almost always load a .223 down to the hornet noise level I might as well just get a hornet, that way I have the option of buying factory ammo but if downloading a .223 is going to be more accurate I will have to give that option some more thought.
 
Cowpols, the .223 cases will last a whole bunch longer than the Khornet case will, especially if you are going to load th e.223 down.
If you are looking for a special application rifle, the best way IMHO is to get a .223 and load it down.
That way if you do want to shoot full power loads, you still can.
I load my .222 Remington down to shoot beavers with, and use full power handloads for other fur bearing varmints.
Cat
 
I think there are two different types of people talking model 40's here.

There are the vintage guys who are talking the Utica made Savage model 40's which were offered in 30-30, 30-06, 300 Sav and 250 Sav, it was also known as the super sporter.

Then there's the velocity guys talking about Savage's new model 40 only made in 22 Hornet.
 
Correct me again if you think I'm wrong cat, but regular Hornet case life is less than K-Hornet. Furthermore .223 brass is plentiful and cheap.
 
With regular Hornet case I usually got 4 or 5 reloads before I tossed them and with the K-hornet I was up to 8 reloads with some of my cases before I sold the rifle. I was not loading max loads with either.

With the .223 I usually trim to minimum case length after the 1st fireing and then toss them after the second time I have to re-trim. Some lots of .223 brass last better than others.

44Bore
 
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