22 Hornets with .223" bore

[max503]

If you ran across an older 22 Hornet with a 223 bore, could you size down modern bullets to fit? I would think you could. It's only .001". And I'm thinking you could polish down the expander ball on your sizing die so that your cases would hold the smaller bullets.

Yes, No? What do you think?

Also, when did they start making Hornets with .224 bores?

Thanks.

 

[dave1918a2]

Load the .223 bullets. No problem. As P.O. Ackley stated. The bullet is sized to the bore as soon as it is fully in and the increased pressure to do this is insignificant and lasting less than a millisecond.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My Savage 340 is pre 1958, and shoots .224" bullets just fine.

The resizing of jacketed bullets runs the risk of jacket separating from the core, which can cause a yaw problem out at 100+ yards. I've had about 15 different 22 Hornet rifles. Any shaped jacketed bullet from 50 grains on down to 30 grains seem to shoot well with reasonable charges of IMR 4227, AA 1680, and H-4198. H-110 and N-110 show promise with some bullets but it's a crapshoot!

Most loading manuals list Small Rifle primers, including Rem 7 1/2. That is an offal lot of primer for so little powder. Remington recommends and USES Rem, 6 1/2primers. I have a friend that uses Federal Small Pistol Match Primer #100M, and gets very good results in a 14" Contender.

Good lots of Hornady 22 Hornet V-Max 35 grain ammo are in the 1/4-to-1/2-inch group range with my better rifles and Contender. Factory velocity is listed and chronographed 3200 fps. With AA1680 and Rem 6 1/2 in Nosler brass The Hornady bullet were .05 to .10 inch groups at 100yads at 3200. I tried 3300 fps and groups were 1+" at 100 and at 3350 3+" at 100 yards.

I have 1 bullet mold suitable for 22 Hornet. 46 grain flat point with Gas Check. With 4227 these were in the 1" group range at 2500 fps.

Ivan

 

[Dziadzi#1]

I have a Savage 23D that was probably made in the 1930's that shoots .224 bullets very well. There are no signs of over pressure. Shoot the .224's with no worry.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Some of us worry about .001" bullet dia. but you have to remember, that
in most "Factory" rifles, this little bit of difference, is not going to cause an "Atomic reaction" if you are not loading maximum loads.

In a lot of my rifles and small arms, I have found that a "Over sized" bullet
sometimes, gets better accuracy.

Good luck with your Hornet........
it is a great old timer that has set many a accuracy record, in it's day.