Anyone loading for an old (.223 bore) .22 Hornet?

mbogo3 said:
No the Hornady Jet bullets were .222 Harold
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I stand (sit) corrected. In that case you'd have to bump them up by a thou for a Hornet. Yuk. :)

I'm finding lots of online info on reloading for the Hornet. Looks like I may have my work cut out for me, but then, that's what retirement is all about. :)
 
Ganderite said:
I found 223 and 224 shot the same - poorly.

One day I accidently loaded some ammo with 5gr too little powder (beam scale off one notch).

Results were fantastic. I think i was using Win 680.
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Alas, I understand W680 has long been discontinued. :( But it does seem that this cartridge often requires that the reloader have a dominant "tinker" gene and a good dose of patience.

FWIW, here are a couple of links I found on reloading for the Hornet.


.22 hornet reloading. - Hunt Chat

http://www.centerfirecentral.com/articles/hornetloads.htm

On the plus side, while rummaging around looking for something else, I discovered two boxes of Sierrra .223 45 gr. Hornet bullets. :)
 
Speaking of primers I did find them to make a noticeable difference Mine decided on cci small pistol, no magnum or small rifle thank you, I now have quite a selection of small primers.
 
I've had quite good luck swaging jacketed bullets down, using a Lee push-through sizer. I haven't tried swaging 22 bullets but I can't see why it wouldn't work. You can get a Lee push through sizer kit for about $15, and custom size dies are available directly from Lee for about $30 plus shipping.
 
jethunter said:
I've had quite good luck swaging jacketed bullets down, using a Lee push-through sizer. I haven't tried swaging 22 bullets but I can't see why it wouldn't work. You can get a Lee push through sizer kit for about $15, and custom size dies are available directly from Lee for about $30 plus shipping.
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I've heard of this. There was an extensive thread on the Swedish Civilian Rifles forum of Gunboards (?) about sizing .375 bullets down to .366 for the 9.3 x 57. In fact I am about to place a custom order with Lee for a .223 sizer die. And I just placed an order with Brownell's for a .22 cal. neck turning tool and just enough other stuff to get the 75th Anniversary "Free shipping over $75" deal (until midnight tonight Central time, to US destinations only, but I have an address in Bellingham, WA as well.)

:) Stuart

BTW I dug up an old article by ballistician Bob Forker that I had copied from some online source and he said the SAAMI bore dimension for the .22 Hornet is .222, which explains my fired bullet.
 
Gunboards civilian Swedish firearms forum is where I first heard about resizing jacketed bullets too. Some bullets are easier to swage than others.
 
In my rechambered martini (it has worn rifling and pitted bore);

I have settled on the 35 gr. Hornady Vmax, 11.8 gr. Lil Gun and CCI 500 (small pistol) primers. I get about 3100 fps and on a good day, about 5/8" groups at 50 yards.
All the older martinis have a 0.223 inch groove diameter. I would not worry about using 0.224 size bullets in your martini. Just do not try to overload your rounds. If you want more power, get a rifle in 223 Remington.
Also remember, the martini has 1 in 16" twist, meant for the 22 LR. A long-in-length bullet will not stabilize too well with a slow twist. I have tried 40 gr. Hornady Vmax (quite long with its boattail and polymer tip) and got large groups at 50 yards. I can not remember if there was any yawing. I did not try any heavier bullets as the research indicated poor groups and low velocity for heavier bullets.
I have tried 40 gr. Sierra flat base soft point bullets meant for the 22 hornet (0.223 diameter) but the groups were poor, about 1" to 1.5" at 50 yds. I think the reason the bullets did not do well was the rifling was quite worn, in fact was gone in the first 3 inches in front of the chamber. The bullets skidded through the bore. As a result, I tried the 0.224" 35 gr. Vmax. The results was so good and I was getting tired of experimenting any further, so I stopped.
I hope this helps.
 
Thanks, Rad. Can't have too much information!

My Martini is actually 1-14 twist and was designed for 46 gr. bullets as they are listed in the same 1938 P-H catalogue as the rifle itself. I have some 45 gr Sierra Hornet bullets O/H and will be getting some 40 gr. shortly, and a neck-turning tool is en route frm Brownell's as I've read that this can sometimes help. My bore seems to be excellent.

I think the bullets designated as "Hornet" are rather short, to stabilize properly. But I've read lots of stories of people using other than "Hornet" bullets with excellent results. It seems each rifle is a law unto itself, so who knows- mine might well shoot best with 35 gr.

I don't have a .223 Remingtom, but I do have a Brno Fox in .222 and it is a tack-driver, at least with 55 gr. bullets.

"I was getting tired of experimenting any further, so I stopped." I am really looking forward to that day with mine!


:) Stuart
 
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