reloading the Jet

[snoopdawg45]

I'm going to get a 22 Jet. Are there any quirks or anything I need to know about reloading these. Also, do you use .222 or .223 dia. bullit, what's a good powder?
Thanks for any help
John #1844

 

[elundgren]

I don't know anything about reloading the Jet but there aren't many Smiths out there chambered for it. If you have one lined up to buy you are lucky, I want one some day too. They do have a problem with the cartridge setting back when fired and jamming the cylinder at times particularly if there is any oil in the cylinder. I still want one. Some one will come one here soon with data I am sure.

 

[snoopdawg45]

Come on. There has to be at least one person out there that reloads for the Jet and can give me some help
John #1844

 

[TLflag]

.22 Jet

Been loading the Jet for many years. Use a .222 , 40gr Hornady most of the time; Hodgdon H-110; 11.5 gr. Have also used H-335; 9.9gr; with the 45gr Sierra Hornet bullet. When you seat the bullet be very careful not to set the neck back which is very easy to do. When I'm finished, I tumble the loads to remove any lube. Yes I know some say that's dangerous, been doing it for years. Never had any trouble with sticking cases or with the tumbling. I have 3 Jets and have shot a lot of loads. Could be part of the reason I'm deaf. Wear your ear protectors.

Have Fun

 

[armadillo]

I have used both .222 and .223 40 gr. bullets. I use IMR-4227. I dropped the charge 1/2 gr for the .223s.

I haven't tried H-110, but I tried 296 and the fireball scared me, so I stay with 4227. Many years ago, I used 2400, but there were too many unburned powder flakes getting stuck under the yoke and in the cylinders.

 

[Paul5388]

I don't have a Jet and never did, but I have a set of dies.

 

[snoopdawg45]

Thanks to everyone for the info
John #1844

 

[M29since14]

There is no big trick to loading Jet cartridges. Getting something that makes full use of the capability of the gun is entirely another matter. There should be a lot of info on this forum about handloading for the Jet. Search around for it. This is a pretty common topic.

The question about bullet diameter is the proverbial hot-button among Jet handloaders. I have never understood why. There are those who will tell you any bullet other than the size they happen to use is courting disaster and put you on the heretic list. Just use some common revolver sense. See what the exit bores of the chambers of YOUR gun actually measure. Pin gages are the best way to do this. Most Jets I have seen will pass a .224" bullet through the cylinder bores without much resistance, but not always. Once you know this, you're on your own. Of course .222" diameter is the safest approach. My experience is good luck with those if you are interested in accuracy.

Without running the risk of leading you on a wild goose chase, the only thing I feel safe to say is: mind your primers. My experience is that the Jet is primer sensitive. I use only Remington primers.

I do not know of anyone who has had any success duplicating Remington factory loads. I have Jet loads that I feel sure are safe in my guns, and that shoot acceptably - but they probably lag behind factory loads by 200-300 FPS.

If you ever fully untangle loading for the Jet, let us know.

 

[planojack]

After 50 years of reloading, I've found the Jet to be one of the trickiest. I've owned 4 and have always had to develop anything about them carefully. The tapered case lockup problem has been solved with a small bottle of windshield washer fluid and a few swabs. Take it to the range and clean the chambers and the cases. Every time I've tried to get upper velocity, I've found that the slightest change in components could be a learning experience. Load data is available on the internet. Speer offers data from their #9 manual - 1974. The Hodgden Powder site lists loads. Also, the Deccember 2009/January 2010 issue of Shooting times gives info on loads. I love the Jet and have found my fun load is a 45 grain cast/gas check bullet with 4.2 grains of Unique. It is not a barn burner but hell on anything out to 50 yards. One last comment: my latest Jet had short chambers. I kept getting expanded primer pockets with very mild loads. I learned to trim the cases to slightly less than minimum and solved the problem.