22 Hornet headspace

[uscra112]

The shallow taper of the original Hornet shoulder might as well be no taper at all. You cannot headspace off it, because the primer blast will drive the case forward to the limit of the rim recess anyway.

I have a T/C barrel that wouldn't headspace properly on my Gen 1 receiver, maybe because the receiver is stretched a few thou, or maybe it's just the tolerance stack. A .006 feeler would fit behind the case head with the action closed. Brass life was bad. A case that survived the 2nd firing was a surprise.

Reaming it to the "K" solved that problem completely. While it's still not a 1MOA tackdriver, it puts 'em all on a woodchuck's torso at 100 yards if I get a good rest, and all my remaining brass has survived half a dozen firings. I don't load 'em extremely hot, (30k psi or so), so I can use pistol primers. Best bullet is the Barnes 36 grain Varmint Grenade, best powder by far is Lil'Gun.

My Stevens 44 1/2 is also a "K". It is still waiting for me to finish stocking it, so no performance report. As far as I'm concerned, any other Hornet that falls into my hand will feel the bite of my reamer.

[No_1]

One of my favorite cartridges.

[EDG]

Contenders are known for separating cases on a number of small rounds. I suspect you could also install a bushing to control the headspace and improve case life with those little rounds.

The shallow taper of the original Hornet shoulder might as well be no taper at all. You cannot headspace off it, because the primer blast will drive the case forward to the limit of the rim recess anyway.

I have a T/C barrel that wouldn't headspace properly on my Gen 1 receiver, maybe because the receiver is stretched a few thou, or maybe it's just the tolerance stack. A .006 feeler would fit behind the case head with the action closed. Brass life was bad. A case that survived the 2nd firing was a surprise.

Reaming it to the "K" solved that problem completely. While it's still not a 1MOA tackdriver, it puts 'em all on a woodchuck's torso at 100 yards if I get a good rest, and all my remaining brass has survived half a dozen firings. I don't load 'em extremely hot, (30k psi or so), so I can use pistol primers. Best bullet is the Barnes 36 grain Varmint Grenade, best powder by far is Lil'Gun.

My Stevens 44 1/2 is also a "K". It is still waiting for me to finish stocking it, so no performance report. As far as I'm concerned, any other Hornet that falls into my hand will feel the bite of my reamer.

[15meter]

My #1 is quite easy on brass, full length size every time because it's the most accurate. My load is on the hotter end but still straight out of the Hornady for the Hornet in #1 and #3.

I suspect chamber size on the minimum side has probably the biggest effect on case life.

Shoot it several times a year out to 300 yards in a local varmint match. Praire dog outline on a 8.5x11 piece of paper. My scores are generally in the top end against 22-250's, 6 BR's and other assorted varmint/target calibers.

I usually get razzed about my "pop" gun going off next to big boomers.