22 K hornet conversion
- Thread starter deerslayer
- Start date
(((Echo)))
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Old Man Land, AB
Thinking of taking this trip myself in the new year. I believe all you need is a K-hornet finishing reamer. Someone around here should know.
(E)
(E)
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Barrel off, re-chamber to 22-K hornet, check headspace, re-install barrel.
Best done by a competant gunsmith.
Best done by a competant gunsmith.
22K Hornet
Anybody know if there's such a thing as factory 22K Hornet ammo? If it's reload only after fireforming your cases it sure needs to be given some thought before committing especially since 22 Hornet cases are thin.
Anybody know if there's such a thing as factory 22K Hornet ammo? If it's reload only after fireforming your cases it sure needs to be given some thought before committing especially since 22 Hornet cases are thin.
There is no problem with the Hornet cases when firing them in the K-Hornet chamber. I have never split one in fireforming. After about 1000 cases, I think that "thin" case is a non-issue. Regards, Eagleye.
K-hornet case life is much better than standard hornet because you can headspace it off the shoulder and not the rim--great deal of variation in the rims of hornet brass--one of the factors that sometimes makes accuracy elusive in the hornet.
I really enjoyed my k-hornet when I had it--may have another one some day.
44Bore
I really enjoyed my k-hornet when I had it--may have another one some day.
44Bore
Good news
Those last two posts were great news regarding this rechambering topic.
Any potential downsides? I'm going to rechamber my Win M-43 DLX after I'm confident it wouldn't negatively affect its resale value since it's from 1950.
I think I would likely do it anyway since it wouldn't affect functionality besides improving it.
Those last two posts were great news regarding this rechambering topic.
Any potential downsides? I'm going to rechamber my Win M-43 DLX after I'm confident it wouldn't negatively affect its resale value since it's from 1950.
I think I would likely do it anyway since it wouldn't affect functionality besides improving it.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I use the Lee collet neck size die to size Hornet brass, - quick, easy and accurate with no need to change the chamber dimensions.
Accuracy through velocity?
LW,
That's a good plan!
22K Hornet resizing allows for a couple grains more powder and that's something to consider with this fun little caliber.
Anyone have a link to or can summarise ballistic differences, please?
LW,
That's a good plan!
22K Hornet resizing allows for a couple grains more powder and that's something to consider with this fun little caliber.
Anyone have a link to or can summarise ballistic differences, please?
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Win43 are nice little gun...
(not mine
)The collector's value will most likely go down... as it will no longer be in its "original" form and you cannot undo the modification.
See if you can get your hands on some K-Hornet formed brass to test in your magazine.
Also, if you are not sure how to do it... DON'T
, ask you friendly gunsmith to do it for you What powder/bullet combination are you using? Modern powder like Lilgun should give you speed pretty similar to what the guys were getting with the K-Hornet 15-20 years ago.
What kind of accuracy are you getting?
Good Question for the benefit of those who are watching this thread. My K-Hornet is a BRNO ZKW 465. When fireforming Remington Factory ammo, It will shoot around 1 moa consistently, which is fairly impressive, IMHO. The Winchester factory loads fare less well, with groups in the 1½moa area. My reloads in K-Hornet fireformed brass are in the 5/8" area most of the time, when I do my part right, so slighly better than fireforming, but about what I would expect. I love my K-Hornet, and with loads using 'Lil Gun, it is superb. Regards, Eagleye.
I've been lusting after a Hornet caliber single shot for a long time.
Some pertinent gleanings that I have gathered together include that the real problems that came from the Hornet that gave it a horrible rep, center around the huge variations and differences in the chamber specs and the cartridge specs in dimensions.
The Winchester 43's and the Savage 340's seem to be reputed to be some of the worst offenders.
Not helped by the locking, IIRC, all taking place at the bolt handle, allowing some movement and wear issues.
The two problems caused, were that the cartridges rarely sat in the same positions, causing the case to sometimes swell off to one side, crooked, and that the cartridge case was worked way too much if the shooter was reloading with regular dies, which pushed the brass back to "standard" cartridge size.
Lee collet dies are supposed to be "the" answer, or at least one of them. Fireform the brass to the chamber, and then avoid working it as much as possible.
If that Win 43 were mine, I'd not be too keen to pound out the chamber for the sake of a few feet per second. Not without trying the collet die route first, and seeing if that gives the improved case life.
I just got a regular Hornet reamer in the mail. Slowly gathering stuff together. If I happen across a 17 cal barrel, I may try to track down a 17 AH reamer, but for now it looks like a 22 H is in my future. If that does not satisfy, maybe I'll punch it out to a K, but from what I have read, the regular Hornet offers as much as I figure I need from it, and case life should be really good, if I can keep the chamber and the dies pretty close in size, and to heck with the SAAMI (SAAMMI?) specs that are so far apart in size.
Saw a write-up online about an outfit that was making Hornet barrels for Contenders, out of .223 bore 10/22 take-off barrels, and having no pressure issues with the jacketed bullets. I'm going to have to have a close look at the size of that pilot.
The rimfire twist rate of 1:16, would mean light bullets only, but what the hey, it's not like I'd be going out for the 1000 yard shoots with it.
Edit: Hmmmm. Odd. Tried the reamer in 4 different rimfire barrels. No chance of sliding in on two of them, one was feeling like it might go but would be too tight, and the pilot slid right in, on the barrel that was once part of an Anshutz Biathalon gun. Kinda makes sense, as the rifling in that barrel is visibly shallower than the others. Maybe a guy has to look at a removable pilot conversion on that reamer.
Anyways. Sorry for the side-track!
If the K Hornet is what you figure you want, then it's what you need, eh!
Cheers
Trev
Some pertinent gleanings that I have gathered together include that the real problems that came from the Hornet that gave it a horrible rep, center around the huge variations and differences in the chamber specs and the cartridge specs in dimensions.
The Winchester 43's and the Savage 340's seem to be reputed to be some of the worst offenders.
Not helped by the locking, IIRC, all taking place at the bolt handle, allowing some movement and wear issues.
The two problems caused, were that the cartridges rarely sat in the same positions, causing the case to sometimes swell off to one side, crooked, and that the cartridge case was worked way too much if the shooter was reloading with regular dies, which pushed the brass back to "standard" cartridge size.
Lee collet dies are supposed to be "the" answer, or at least one of them. Fireform the brass to the chamber, and then avoid working it as much as possible.
If that Win 43 were mine, I'd not be too keen to pound out the chamber for the sake of a few feet per second. Not without trying the collet die route first, and seeing if that gives the improved case life.
I just got a regular Hornet reamer in the mail. Slowly gathering stuff together. If I happen across a 17 cal barrel, I may try to track down a 17 AH reamer, but for now it looks like a 22 H is in my future. If that does not satisfy, maybe I'll punch it out to a K, but from what I have read, the regular Hornet offers as much as I figure I need from it, and case life should be really good, if I can keep the chamber and the dies pretty close in size, and to heck with the SAAMI (SAAMMI?) specs that are so far apart in size.
Saw a write-up online about an outfit that was making Hornet barrels for Contenders, out of .223 bore 10/22 take-off barrels, and having no pressure issues with the jacketed bullets. I'm going to have to have a close look at the size of that pilot.
The rimfire twist rate of 1:16, would mean light bullets only, but what the hey, it's not like I'd be going out for the 1000 yard shoots with it.
Edit: Hmmmm. Odd. Tried the reamer in 4 different rimfire barrels. No chance of sliding in on two of them, one was feeling like it might go but would be too tight, and the pilot slid right in, on the barrel that was once part of an Anshutz Biathalon gun. Kinda makes sense, as the rifling in that barrel is visibly shallower than the others. Maybe a guy has to look at a removable pilot conversion on that reamer.
Anyways. Sorry for the side-track!
If the K Hornet is what you figure you want, then it's what you need, eh!
Cheers
Trev
Last edited:
Hornet K conv.....
Shot my hornet today for the first time, not a K conversion yet, indoor rifle range approx 38meters, Fed 45gr V-shok ammo,3 shot groups, almost in the same hole. Now for the kicker, rifle is a H&R single shot,$300 bucks, wasn't expecting that good of accuracy, can't wait to try it at 100 and 200 meters, I free floated the forearm stock, can't say if it helped but the cheap hornet shoots good, still looking for a smith to do the K conversion.
Shot my hornet today for the first time, not a K conversion yet, indoor rifle range approx 38meters, Fed 45gr V-shok ammo,3 shot groups, almost in the same hole. Now for the kicker, rifle is a H&R single shot,$300 bucks, wasn't expecting that good of accuracy, can't wait to try it at 100 and 200 meters, I free floated the forearm stock, can't say if it helped but the cheap hornet shoots good, still looking for a smith to do the K conversion.
Rechamber a Win Model 43?
Nice pic above of a refinished Model 43 Deluxe. That's what I have and rechambering this to 22K Hornet really shouldn't adversely affect resale value since the change is internal and you still are fine firing factory ammo.
Other side of this coin is that although the K Hornet headspaces on the shoulder and should help improve Model 43 inconsistency, it's still a model 43.
I'm sold on the 22K Hornet conversion but am thinking the best improvement is to trade the M 43 towards a mini-Mauser type action somewhere along the lines of the Brno mentioned above.
Nice pic above of a refinished Model 43 Deluxe. That's what I have and rechambering this to 22K Hornet really shouldn't adversely affect resale value since the change is internal and you still are fine firing factory ammo.
Other side of this coin is that although the K Hornet headspaces on the shoulder and should help improve Model 43 inconsistency, it's still a model 43.
I'm sold on the 22K Hornet conversion but am thinking the best improvement is to trade the M 43 towards a mini-Mauser type action somewhere along the lines of the Brno mentioned above.
I have a K Hornet reamer and have converted a few standard Hornets to K-Hornets. I find I get longer case life from the much straighter K-Hornet cases. Of course there is a velocity gain and accuracy is at least as good as the standard Hornet.
The conversion is very easy and straight forward. I have not done it on a magazine fed rifle because the shape of the case changes greatly. The rifles I have done have been single shot rifles and the conversion took very little time. I find the K-Hornet worthwhile.
It's up to you if you would prefer your classic old Winchester with the improved chamber. I am not certain it would go up or down in value.
I have never seen K Hornet factory ammo. And there are K-Hornet dies out there to properly reload with or neck size your cases.
I hope this helps.
The conversion is very easy and straight forward. I have not done it on a magazine fed rifle because the shape of the case changes greatly. The rifles I have done have been single shot rifles and the conversion took very little time. I find the K-Hornet worthwhile.
It's up to you if you would prefer your classic old Winchester with the improved chamber. I am not certain it would go up or down in value.
I have never seen K Hornet factory ammo. And there are K-Hornet dies out there to properly reload with or neck size your cases.
I hope this helps.
22K Hornet
Casull,
I think it detracts nothing from a classic old Winchester, beauty is as beauty does.
The 22K Hornet reamer, are they piloted and spiral fluted in order to be hand driven or mounted in a lathe collet chuck?
Thanks for your help,
FM
Casull,
I think it detracts nothing from a classic old Winchester, beauty is as beauty does.
The 22K Hornet reamer, are they piloted and spiral fluted in order to be hand driven or mounted in a lathe collet chuck?
Thanks for your help,
FM
