22 Jet reloading

Register to hide this ad
You would be better served with .223 hornet bullets if they can be found...My 53 does not like 224 bullets at least considering fitting the chamber throats. I still find .222 Hornady bullets at gun show from time to time. You can try swaging 224 bullets down a bit if you can find a swage die. Stick with the lower weights...35-45 gr. .223 swage easier and seem to work better
 
Sierra, the only manual I have that has jet data, is based on .223 diameter hornet bullets. IIRC, the jet was originally loaded with .222 diameter bullets.

You can still get the .22 hornet bullets in .223 from Sierra. Graff and Sons also sells Privi .222 diameter 45 grain bullets for the jet.

You may have issues with bullet seating with a .224 due to the relatively thin neck on the jet case and the sizing die which sizes the neck down which may no5 allow proper seating.

I get a slight neck bulge with the .223 hornet bullets in my cases but the bullets will seat without crushing the neck. I am goin* to order some .222 45 grain bullets and give them a try
 
(This is not a recommendation. :))

I use .224” bullets in my Jets. They are not intended for the Hornet, but rather for the .218 Bee. I tried them because they were available when I couldn’t get anything else that seemed suitable.

My Jet handloads are moderate. I don’t use the slower powders like 2400 or 296. My interest is in accuracy with reasonable velocity, rather than fireballs and maximum velocity. I’ve had very good accuracy and consistent velocity - in both areas, much better than with my supply of Remington factory loads.

In both of my guns, .224” bullets can pass through the exit bores of the cylinders without resistance.
 
I own nothing in .22 Jet, but if there were no problems in chambering loads made using .223” or .224” bullets, I would not hesitate to use them.
 
Thanks for all the info. I loaded for this revolver in the early 1970’s when the .222 bullets were available. I never did load max velocities.
Started reloading for it in the last few months and firing the ammo in a TC Contender.
The .224 bullets do easily pass thru the model 53 cylinder so I will load some mild loads and fire them in the model 53.
If there are any pressure issues, I will post that info on this forum.
 
Has anyone here used the .224 Hornet bullets in their Jet reloads for their model 53? If so, what were the results?
I loaded .224 40 and 45Gr bullets in my 53 with good results. Note! the bullet must be seated so its not jammed in the throat. PO Ackley did many experiments shooting larger diameter bullets in smaller diameter barrels. All chambers are different so if you can chamber a load with the larger bullet and you cannot feel resistance you will be good to go. The bullet will pass through the forcing cone without adding pressure.
 
Back
Top