captstan
Member
What was the standard bore diameter of the model 53? I have heard everything from .222 to .224. Will .224 bullets reload ok for this gun?
Model 53 Bore Diameter
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Alk8944
US Veteran
Correct bullets for the .22 Jet are .222, not .224. Look up the Jet in any reloading manual that still lists this cartridge and you will find this information.
I can't tell you who still makes the 40 Gr. .222 anymore as I have never needed this diameter.
I can't tell you who still makes the 40 Gr. .222 anymore as I have never needed this diameter.
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The bore diameter for the Jet is supposed to be .222. I have been reloading for and shooting My model 53 since 1975. I have shot a lot of .223 and.224 bullets in My gun with no ill affects. If You have a question about pressure read P.O. Ackleys chapter on pressure. We are only talking .002 of soft copper and lead. I use mostly H110 and H4227 and the .223 bullets for the hornet in both 40 and 45 grain. Enjoy Your JET.
At My gun club people come over and ask 'what is that'? When I tell them it is a 22 Jet the question stays the same as very few are familiar with the cartridge.
At My gun club people come over and ask 'what is that'? When I tell them it is a 22 Jet the question stays the same as very few are familiar with the cartridge.
jrm53
Member
I have loaded .224 dia bullets in my Mod 53 with no problems also cast lead 40 grain lead bullets and have sized them to .222 and .223 dia. and could see no difference in accuracy. The powder I used was 2400 the bullets had a copper base added when I sized and lubed them
rburg
Member
One of our posters here, Dave Keith, bored a sizing die to .222 and paid/bribed his grandson to size bullets for him. He brought me some at a gun show a while back. I think the original 40 grain bullets were Hornady. You can use Hornet .223 with ease. I've never tried the .224 bullets, seeing no need to. The correct for diameter bullets are still seen from time to time. If you've got a Jet, keep your eyes open for them.
At gun shows, you occasionally see boxes of original ammo on private sellers tables. Often as not, they aren't all still loaded. But the shooters have had it beaten into their pumpkin heads to keep the empty brass. So a box of Jet ammo often has all 50 rounds with only some empty. It reduces the price from outrageous to acceptable.
I bought my original Jet with 10 full boxes of ammo. I asked a buddy if he'd help me lug it all out to the car. He asked what was wrong that I couldn't lug a 22 and a brick of ammo. Then he saw the Jet ammo and understood. I've still got most of those left, along with more I've scored along the way.
Oh, back to the Dave Keith part. I asked him if it was hard to push the .224 bullets thru the die. He said they almost just fall through. I guess its got to do with the small diameter not needing as much effort as a larger diameter bullet. Might also explain why some here just use the .224 bullets with no pressure signs. Not much copper to move. Another trick is to not load up to maximum. Mild or modest loadings are still fun to shoot and still make too much noise. The real key is they don't work the brass too much.
At gun shows, you occasionally see boxes of original ammo on private sellers tables. Often as not, they aren't all still loaded. But the shooters have had it beaten into their pumpkin heads to keep the empty brass. So a box of Jet ammo often has all 50 rounds with only some empty. It reduces the price from outrageous to acceptable.
I bought my original Jet with 10 full boxes of ammo. I asked a buddy if he'd help me lug it all out to the car. He asked what was wrong that I couldn't lug a 22 and a brick of ammo. Then he saw the Jet ammo and understood. I've still got most of those left, along with more I've scored along the way.
Oh, back to the Dave Keith part. I asked him if it was hard to push the .224 bullets thru the die. He said they almost just fall through. I guess its got to do with the small diameter not needing as much effort as a larger diameter bullet. Might also explain why some here just use the .224 bullets with no pressure signs. Not much copper to move. Another trick is to not load up to maximum. Mild or modest loadings are still fun to shoot and still make too much noise. The real key is they don't work the brass too much.
Thanks everyone for the info. I do have a model 53, new to me, and in my small town of 2500 I ran into another fellow that has one, as well as dies, brass and bullets. He told me he has actually had two at one time but sold one. The one he has now has not been shot since it went back to S&W for a "rebuild". Maybe get a look at it tomorrow.
The Model 53 Jet is .222 bore, that being said it will take .223, and perhaps .224 depending on the load. Hornady and Sierra used to make .222 bullets. PPU modern loads that were available a month or so ago are .223. Original Remington was .222. Same issue as always with sticking brass in the cylinder.
Mod 53!
FYI for those that are just starting to shoot their mod 53s! The mod 53 is a "barrel burner" and factory ammo is the cause! Factory ammo will flame cut the breech end of the barrel! Reload and load below factory specs! This will stop the problem and you will not have problems with the fired rounds sticking in the chambers! Here are some pics of guns I now own and have owned in the past! The last is a good barrel!
jcelect
FYI for those that are just starting to shoot their mod 53s! The mod 53 is a "barrel burner" and factory ammo is the cause! Factory ammo will flame cut the breech end of the barrel! Reload and load below factory specs! This will stop the problem and you will not have problems with the fired rounds sticking in the chambers! Here are some pics of guns I now own and have owned in the past! The last is a good barrel!
jcelect
If the Jet bore diameter was .222" -.224" one could not hit a barn shooting from the inside. There wouldn't even be any rifling grooves in the fired bullets. It would be like shooting them thru a smoothbore.
With a groove diameter of .222" -.224" you'd have an accurate shooter.
The groove diameter is the diameter of the bullet.
The bore size or diameter is the distance between the lands and is always smaller than bullet diameter to make the bullet spin. The diameter between the bottom of the rifling grooves cut in the bullet on opposite sides is the bore diameter.
With a groove diameter of .222" -.224" you'd have an accurate shooter.
The groove diameter is the diameter of the bullet.
The bore size or diameter is the distance between the lands and is always smaller than bullet diameter to make the bullet spin. The diameter between the bottom of the rifling grooves cut in the bullet on opposite sides is the bore diameter.
