.22 Hornet conversion

[TNsailorman]

I have always had a yen for a .22 Hornet but the price on them today puts them out of my range. Could a Savage 25 in .22magnum be converted without too much trouble and/or expense? What about the twist rate? Opinions please. james:?:

[405grain]

TNsailorman: I just looked online and the Savage 25 is a centerfire rifle that's chambered in cartridges like 223 and 22 Hornet. Are you sure that your rifle is a model 25? A rifle in 22 magnum would be rimfire, not centerfire. Generally, converting a rimfire action to centerfire, plus rechambering the barrel, would cost more than just purchasing a rifle in the caliber that you want. Most 22lr and 22 mag. bolt action rifles use the root of the bolt handle as the bolt locking lug. This may not be the best choice for a centerfire rifle.

[TNsailorman]

Problem is I went brain dead for a few minutes when I posted the question. I know a fellow who has a Marlin 25MN in .22 WMF magnum. It is not a Savage. Sorry for the mis statement. james

[john.k]

Sportco in Oz marketed a rimfire converted to Hornet ,called a Model 33.......they had but a single bolt handle locking lug,and despite large size,were not sucessful.......the Hornet case has much more backthrust than any 22 rimfire ...........rimfires are generally 16" twist ,suitable for 45gn. max.

[405grain]

Thanks TNsailorman: I looked at some photos of that rifle online. In addition to re-machining the bolt to convert to centerfire, and also reworking the barrel, you'd also have to completely redo the magazine assembly. In short, to make a Marlin 25 into a 22 Hornet you would almost have to machine a whole new rifle. It would be much better (and less expensive) to just leave it as a 22 magnum and save up for a different rifle in 22 Hornet.

[TNsailorman]

Thanks for your advice and wisdom 405grain. After thinking this over a little bit more, I hae decided you are right. Save a few more pennies and look for a good affordable Hornet. james

[Shawlerbrook]

Another Hornet fan here. I would love a levergun in the caliber but right now have settled on a Contender G2 carbine.

[John Taylor]

The early Winchester model 70 in 22 Hornet used the same barrel size and twist as the 22 LR. .223 groove with 1 in 16" twist. Biggest problem is firing pin size, to large and primers will pierce.

[Texas by God]

I have found that stubbing is a good way to get such a rifle at reasonable cost. It does require that the host shotgun action features a small firing pin. I've used H&R Toppers to make a 9mm, a 44-40 and a .218 Bee so far.
I already had dies and brass for the .218- otherwise I'd have probably gone with the Hornet.

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[Jtarm]

A can’t see a new rifle costing more than a conversion.

[elmacgyver0]

I was thinking about building a Chicopee in .22 hornet but have not done it yet, I have the rough-cut parts for the action, If I run across a suitable barrel, I may do it.
I did build one in .17 HRM.

[James Wisner]

John.

I never have had a single primer issue in my 1941 22 Hornet short rifle M70, and have shot it far more than I can remember.
Perhaps you encountered a M70 that was off spec ?

The wife complained the M70 was too heavy so I bought her a CZ 527.
Had to glass bed the action and barrel, now its a sub inch rifle all day long

Am currently in the middle of making up 2 low # 1903 Springfields in 22 Hornet, just can't have one Hornet

J Wisner

[dverna]

James,

Why not download a .223 to get what you want? Plenty of decent factory rifles and cheap cases.

I have no need to reduce load .223’s, but downloading would be my first kick at the cat if I needed something to mimic .22 Hornet performance. I am heavily committed to .223’s with seven in the stable so maybe that is clouding my judgment....lol.

[John Taylor]

John.

I never have had a single primer issue in my 1941 22 Hornet short rifle M70, and have shot it far more than I can remember.
Perhaps you encountered a M70 that was off spec ?

The wife complained the M70 was too heavy so I bought her a CZ 527.
Had to glass bed the action and barrel, now its a sub inch rifle all day long

Am currently in the middle of making up 2 low # 1903 Springfields in 22 Hornet, just can't have one Hornet

J Wisner

Most model 70s don't have a problem with firing pin size, it's converted rifles that have a problem.

[StrawHat]

I have a Springfield Model 1922 that was converted to 22 Hornet. Very accurate but a heavy rifle.

Kevin

[Rockindaddy]

I like the 22 Hornet. Have a Hornet in a Ruger No.1 V grade that has taken a lot of woodchucks, prairie dogs, crows, foxes, feral cats and even an 8 pt buck. Been looking at Italian Carcano rifles that have recently come into the country. The 6.5 mm Italian might make a nice conversion for cheap! There are a pile of 22cal barrels out on the market. Most for .223 Rem. The Hornet has a rim but the 6.5 Carcano is semi-rimless! Might have to modify the extractor and bolt cut???

[Larry Gibson]

I have a #3 Ruger 22 Hornet i aquired in the mid '70's. After thousands of rounds at varmints I have literally shot the barrel out.

308251

[Texas by God]

I'm not sure that you'll find ANY NEW .22 Hornet rifle for less than $500 and perhaps not even a used one. H&R/NEF single shots and Savage/Stevens 340/325 bolt actions were the most affordable for a while, but they've inflated like every thing else.
GPC has used Kassnar/Armscor. 22 Hornet barrels for $76.....

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[Tripplebeards]

I just bought an unfired savage 24F in 22 hornet over a 3" 12 gauge choked barrel for $600. Bought from a neighbor. Their relative passed and has a pile of firearms their selling off. They had another 24F in 20 gauge 22lr. If it was a 22wmr,222, or 223 I would have bought it.. I just need to find some brass and a die set now. I've always wanted a taurus raging hornet. Should have bought one back in the day when they were first available. I've always wanted a hornet myself but options were always limited so I bought a 223 instead. Figured I could download it if I really wanted to but never found a reason to. My dad had a 24 in the 70's. Chambered in 22mag and 20 gauge. I have been looking for one to replace it for years. He sold it in the late 70's when I wasn't legal to hunt yet orni would have had enough sense to try and stop him from doing so. Some day I'll find one.

[scooterwrench]

I like the 22 Hornet. Have a Hornet in a Ruger No.1 V grade that has taken a lot of woodchucks, prairie dogs, crows, foxes, feral cats and even an 8 pt buck. Been looking at Italian Carcano rifles that have recently come into the country. The 6.5 mm Italian might make a nice conversion for cheap! There are a pile of 22cal barrels out on the market. Most for .223 Rem. The Hornet has a rim but the 6.5 Carcano is semi-rimless! Might have to modify the extractor and bolt cut???

I've been into playing with those Carcano's too. Just built one to run 7X57. 6-1/2lb carry all day rifle. Sweet shooter!!!
The rim on the 6.5X52 is .450 and the 22 hornet is .350 Good idea but the conversion may be a little tough. The enbloc clip could be squeezed to hold the hornet cartridge but the bolt face would need some serious modification for the extractor to grip the rim.

[405grain]

elmacgyver0: "I was thinking about building a Chicopee in .22 hornet but have not done it yet, I have the rough-cut parts for the action, If I run across a suitable barrel, I may do it."

I'm building a Chicopee in 22 K-Hornet. I'm using a Green Mountain blank with a .224" bore and a 1-14 twist. They advertise it as for 22 magnum. Should work good for 22 Hornet. Here's a link;

https://www.gmriflebarrel.com/ItemForm.aspx?Item=22M-BLANK

[almar]

They have a couple of savages at midway usa just recently in stock. How do I know this you may ask? Well I'm constantly searching "22 hornet" looking for brass because it's out of stock everywhere. Brass is expensive when you find it on gunbroker and the brass doesn't last...maybe 5 or so loadings. I like the cartridge, very efficient but a 223 rem these days would be cheaper to run i beleive and lots of options. Reduced loads would get you to hornet levels like dverna said. I have 2 hornets, an old 43 and a cz 527 being rebarreled by pac nor to a faster twist in k hornet. I have found that the hornet is one tricky bugger of a round to load for compared others but it when it works, it works well. The rifles I have are 1:16 twist and it needs very tiny projectiles. 1:14 would be better but I'm trying a 1:12.

Converting a rimfire to 22 hornet though...I have to agree with 405grain...could be a costly project.

[john.k]

Sad thing about 223 is the 222 Remington has just about disappeared........this was doubtless the best of the 22s .......and had a 14" twist as standard.......well suited to 55gr bullets .

[yovinny]

The Winchester 43 was developed from a rim fire design action, which is why it dosent have the opposed locking lugs of the typical higher pressure chambered rifles. Many developed excessive headspace because of the lack of such and require shimming between the halves of the 2 piece bolt..
To a certain extent that is,,,then they become paperweights...lol

[technojock]

I have a Martini .22 RF that I had converted to .22 K-Hornet but the Martini action is way stronger than any other .22 rim-fire action. At the time there were no (that I could find anyway) new Hornet rifles being made then it went though kind of a renaissance and there were many options.

I'd say hold out for a good deal. They're out there and waiting to be found. It cost me a small fortune to have my Ruger Hornet rebarreled and I could have replaced it with a CZ for less money...

Tony

[yovinny]

It cost me a small fortune to have my Ruger Hornet rebarreled and I could have replaced it with a CZ for less money...

Tony

The Rugers have dissapointed me also. Started with the lighter sporter model, about 2.5moa was best I could get from it. Picked up the heavier SS barrel model, but it still dissapointed with barely sub 2moa results. Ended up sending the HB down the road and putting a SS shilen #3 on the sporter, which finally produced good sub moa accuracy..
I should have just went with a CZ,,but they only had the funky european style stocked ones at that time,, and those just weren't my cup of tea..

[Rockindaddy]

Scooterwrench:
Been looking long and hard at this old 6.5 Carcano You are right! (My wife's favorite words!) There is .100 or so difference in the bolt face. Have a whole machine shop to try and play with the bolt face. Maybe modify an 22 Hornet magazine and adapt it to feed the Carcano.
Regards, Charlie RockinDaddy