Rem Jet Reloading, .222 vs .223 diameter?

Mr Fifty Three · Jan 21, 2013

I am rather new to the reloading scene, but have farted around in the past with .270 and .30-06 so I am not a complete novice when it comes to reloading.

At any rate this question involves .22 Rem Jet and the Model 53. I have an old Lyman reloading manual from the 1970's that states.......

" Bullet Diameter Jacketed and Cast .222" to .223" "

I have the 40 gr .222" diameter bullet from Hornady ready to reload with, However I was curious if anyone out there has had experience with .223" diameter 40 gr and 45 gr bullets and what the effect was on the gun?

Seems to me the extra diameter in a .223" bullet will cause extra pressure and I should have less powder than when using a .222" bullet, my fear at this point is obviously damaging the gun.

Anyone with reloading experience and/or any information on the Model 53, it would be greatly appreciated.

Flint Ridge · Jan 21, 2013

Welcome aboard. Sorry I can't answer the question. Others will be along I am certain. You might try the "Reloading" Section of this site if you don't get answers.

arjay · Jan 21, 2013

I'm sure I've read posts saying the larger bullet works fine.Have you tried a search?

Terry C · Jan 21, 2013

Cast bullets can be and generally are slightly larger in diameter than jacketed.

For instance for .357 Magnum I use .357" jacketeted bullets and .358" cast.

I would assume (from the wording) that they are recommending .222 jacketed or .223 cast bullets. That's my take on it and that's the way I would load it.

tom32 · Jan 21, 2013

I have used Sierra and Hornady Hornet bullets in .223 with fine results. The pressures are only slightly higher but proceed with caution if you load nuclear. If the weather ever warms up around here I will post chrono results in the reloading section.

The first time I shot my 53, I knew it was a gun that would stay with me for a long time.

DFrame · Jan 21, 2013

The tech I spoke with at one of the bullet makers (sorry can't remember if it was Sierra or Hornady) said they'll work fine. He recommended that you start at the low end and work up slowly while watching carefully for pressure signs. I've never had ANY problems with either diameter. I jokingly refer to mine as the worlds LOUDEST .22.

Neumann · Jan 21, 2013

First of all, get an up to date reloading manual. Powders have changed.

AFIK, all .22 center fire rifles use .224 diameter bullets. Your loading manual is the last word for any particular cartridge.

Cast bullets may need fine tuning in order to engage the rifling without excessive leakage, leading or pressure. Casting is much less precise than swaging, so most people slug their barrel to get a customized measurement and resize cast bullets accordingly.

It depends on the rifle too. According to Hickok45, his Marlin .44 Mag "Cowboy Special" needs cast bullets at 0.431", rather than the nominal .429 value".

jrm53 · Jan 21, 2013

I have loaded .223 dia bullets in mine and they worked fine, I think they are for a 22 hornet but it made no difference that I could tell, I have cast some and sized and lubed them down to .223 diameter. The only manual I have is that even shows a Jet is a Sierra. Jeff

11e40 · Jan 21, 2013

i use .223 sierra hornet bullets in mine. make sure to clean & dry your chambers hth.

moosedog · Jan 21, 2013

I've used these Hornady "Jet" bullets for years and love them. I've tryed the 223 dia bullets before without problem too.

planojack · Jan 21, 2013

The Jet is one of the trickier cartridges to load. I've run many .223 jacketed bullets through several M53's. Be very careful with cartridge case length. Any overlength can blow primers and painfully stretch cases. I've backed off from trying to do super loads. My standard fun load is a .224 cast, gas checked, 48 grain bullet with liquid Alox lube over 4.2 grains of Unique. It does everything I need.

M29since14 · Jan 21, 2013

Everyone has an opinion on this subject and I always hesitate to relate mine since some people think me everything but a heretic, and maybe that too.

If your revolver will pass a .223" or .224" bullet through the exit bores of the cylinder (check all six), I would bet you would be safe to do some experimenting and see what YOU think. One thing I wouldn't do is recommend you use larger diameter bullets with maximum loads.

Some folks think larger bullets shoot more accurately in their Jets and some people think it is crazy to even try them. Be careful, and don't get in a hurry with your load development. Jet cylinders are tough to come by.

Mr Fifty Three · Mar 8, 2013

Neumann said:
First of all, get an up to date reloading manual. Powders have changed.....

The Lyman manual recommends IMR 4227 which I was able to purchase. I figure its best to use data from the 70's for a gun built in the 70's

jcelect · Mar 9, 2013

My .02 worth!

Many of you kids here have probably never heard of the forerunner of the Jet! A gunsmith named Jim Harvey played with the pre model and model 17s before S&W built the Jet. Mr. Harvey used a 22 Hornet case shortened and chamber formed with a sharp shoulder. He then loaded them with a .224" dia Sisk 35gr and Sisk 40gr RN bullets. Mr. Harvey would convert your mod 17 or sell you a new one converted to center fire and chambered for the ".224 Harvey Kay-Chuk"! I have had no problems shooting .224" bullets through my converted mod 17! I believe the twist of my barrel likes the lighter bullets best!
Side note: For you people reloading the Jet, DO NOT try to duplicate the factory loads! In it's time the mod 53 was known as a barrel burner. The factory loads were HOT and therefore would erode the entrance of the barrel!

jcelect

SuperMan · Mar 10, 2013

Have had a 1961 Jet since 1974....paid $125.00 for it with the extra Long Rifle cylinder...it was my only .22 revolver till about 1991 when I started accumulating .22 revolvers to teach Basic Pistol classes.....needless to say having only one .22 the gun was used a lot.

Started reloading Jets right from round one. Was lucky enough to never have to use the Sierra or Speer .223 Hornet bullets as there was a good supply of the original Remington bullets around. The Hornady .222 Jet never shot near as accurately as the Remington.

Not sure now many Jets went down the tube but was well over 1000...enough to burn the forcing cone into a funnel and put a loose spot in the barrel about 1" in front of the forcing cone...

Happened to mention to a friend who also shot Jet I was looking for a new barrel and he came up with a parts guy who not only happened to have a new barrel but was even an early one with the pinned to the barrel rib sight base so it was a perfect bluing match also...

Have never fired any .223 or .224 bullets out of the Model 53 but have shot quite a few from a TC Contender...they are very accurate. As stated about...with the larger diameter bullets I would not push the pressure envelope. The Jet is the most sensitive round I have ever loaded and a chronograph is recommended... If you shoot Long Rifles from your gun would suggest a complete cleaning before shooting any jacketed Jet ammo.

The most accurate handgun I have ever owned or fired...50 yards...

Bob

Rem Jet Reloading, .222 vs .223 diameter?

Mr Fifty Three

Flint Ridge

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