I know that the S&W Model 53 has the same bore dia. as the 22LR = .222. I know that I can use the Hornady.222 40gr. Jet bullets. Can I use 40gr. bullets of .223 dia? Do I use small pistol primers or small rifle primers? I have read different info in various reloading books. I am thinking of a starting load of 12.5gr. of 4227 powder. Any tips for reloading the Jet?

you can use magnum sm pistol or std sm rifle. i ahve used both over the years and have had the best luck with sm pistol mag. winchester primarily. you can use a 40 or 45 grain .223 bullet. i use the 40gr. 223 sierra hornet bullets extensively and have had good luck with them. i don't push the guns very hard at all. 2400 is a good powder as is 4227 and 296. if you want to shoot something less than high speed, i use a starting charge of hs-6. easier extraction and easier on the gun. never shoot on of these without ear protection with any load, they are loud. always clean the chambers with alcohol or light fluid before shooting and make sure your ammo if reloads have no sizing residue on them. i tumble mine after sizing. hope this gets you started. the older loading manuals have the best data for these, sierra,hornady,lyman from 15-30yrs ago.

Perrazi thanks for the info. Have you experimented with oal or just keep to factory specs. You have had better luck with .223 over .222 bullets? Have you tried Unique for moderate loads? Crony any of your loads?
Thanks

Bob, regarding the question about bullet diameter, not to speak for Perazzi, but let me suggest the first thing you do is check the size of the exit bores of your cylinder. If you have no precision measuring tools or pin gages (the best choice), get some jacketed bullets of .222, .223 and .224 diameter and see how they fit - in all six chambers. Once you know that, you can start thinking about what size of bullets you may want to experiment with in your particular gun.

There was a very lengthy thread about Jet reloading some time ago, I can't recall when. I am not good at computer searching or I would try to point you to it. You may still be able to find it if you snoop around a bit.

Opinions run rather hot on Jet reloading, and some regard others as blasphemers if the dare to mention they have had a little luck with an odd combination.

I regard Jet reloading as a fairly individual process, based on your Jet and your individual practices/customs - both in attention to detail in loading and in care of the gun. It is an odd little cartridge and gun combination. When working with it, patience is a virtue.

The IMR handloaders guide, formerly supplied by Du Pont, recommends the Remington 6 1/2 primer for handloading the .22 Jet cartridge.

My NRA Handloading manual identifies the primer size for the .22 Remington Jet cartridge as "small rifle," and again shows the Remington 6 1/2 primer being used in most handloads.

The maximum product average chamber pressure for this cartridge, according to the NRA handloading manual, is 42,100 c.u.p.

I have seen other handloading data using small pistol primers in the .22 Remington Jet cartridge. Those loads are often assembled with reduced powder charges and, ideally, less pressure.

If you intend to load full power ammunition you may find the Remington 6 1/2 primer a good choice, at least to start with.

Good luck with your project and keep us posted.

for bob96- i use factory length except for the hornady .222 bullet. it is to short to get factory length. i have had the best luck with the sierra .223 40grain hornet bullet. if you can find some of the original remington bullets they will probably shoot the best, they just haven't made any since 1984. the remington bullets are .222 diameter. my usual hs-6 load is around 1500fps depending on which gun i shoot it out of. the 83/8 gun will be right on that # while the 6in guns will be at 1400-1450fps and the 4in guns in the 1375-1400 range. they are relatively low pressure loads in a jet. the higher the pressure the more likely you will have extraction problems. my best accuracy has come with wspm primers,2400 powder, and the original remington bullets. i know imr said in their booklet they used sm rifle primers but several other companies tested with sm pistol and sm pistol mags depending on powder type. i don't like unique in anything,but that's me.

Some time ago, a club member donated his 22 Jet reloading dies, cases and bullets to our junior program. I just looked in the box and there are ~300 of the Remington .222 bullets (as well as 200 Herters and quite a few of the Hornadays).

I'll put an ad in the classified.

Marv

Marv,
Do you still have any of the Remington .222 bullets for the Model 53 Jet?
Doug

I inherited a Model 53 (6 inch barrel) a few years ago and finally shot through 100 rounds. It's a fun gun to shoot and agree that you better have ear and eye protection. I just started reloading (I'm a novice reloader). Bought Hornady .222 bullets but after neck sizing found them hard to seat. Reloads shot well with 10 grains H110. Muzzle flash is pretty spectacular. Will try reloading next batch with Hornady .223.
Problem: A number of the once shot shell casings won't seat well in the cylinder so the cylinder won't rotate. I tested a number of empty cases and still have this problem so it's not a problem with bullet seating depth. Any suggestions? Should I be full length resizing?

Thanks

I may be wrong but I think there could be a considerable amount of variation in dies for .22 Jet. I have three different sets I have picked up here and there over the years and they are all a little different. I believe the ones I have had the best luck with were made by Bonanza.

You are obviously going to have to size your brass enough to get them to function in your gun. If your case length is correct, adjust your die down against the shellholder and see if that takes care of the problem. If not, you may have something else going on. Be very careful of your neck diameter. If you are using other than Remington brass, that could be an issue. I have heard that some of the newer brass made by others is slightly thicker in the neck. You might check a sized case with and without a bullet seated to be sure your neck diameter is not too large. With Remington brass, this shouldn't be a problem.

Always be cautious with the Jet whenever you notice something is not quite right. A small error can end up ruining your cylinder.

For M29since14 - thanks for the good advice. Fortunately all my brass is Remington. Have you used RCBS dies for the 22 Jet?

when I had a 6" barrel Jet I too ran across the 'hard to seat' bullet problem, these are some tiny little pills. Between the Jet and a couple of others I bought a Lee 'Universal Case Expander', this is a die with two cone shaped widgets in it, by seating them into the die one way or another ou can get a slight flare on the case mouth of many differnt cases. You have to carefully trim the brass with the Jet, but this made a world of differnce when it came to seating.
Waiting on an 8 3/8th's model to arrive now.
I've found the Jet to be one of the more 'intense care needed' type of rounds to load for, fun for those who like to put forth the effort it takes but it does require alot more patience and thought.
Going to be trying cast bullets as soon as I can in it, that should be fun!
RD

__________________
Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

I am new at this computer stuf. I just posted a question about useing .224 someplace then i found this info link. I have had my 53 since early 60,s only have 200 plus factory rounds left. Dies on order but no .223 to be found. It is a great varmint and javelina round. Much better than my 256 that i do load for.Have 650 brass for the jet and will load when i receive my dies. your info has been a great help hope i can find this site again. W.N.H.

I have reloaded several Sierra bullets and thought I would try the .222 Hornaday Jet bullets, but they are to short for factory specs. Will these work with less than factory length cartridges?

I also have some 55 gr .223 bullets but cannot find any load data for Alliant 2400 powder.

Any help will be appreciated.Note from Hornady on cartridge length.

The C.O.L. of the 22 Remington Jet using the Hornady 40 grain JET bullet is 1.550". Thank You for your interest in Hornady products.