.22 Hornet Loads For Early Winchesters

tamarackcove

I've got a model 70, (5 digit serial), and a model 54. My question is can I shoot modern (.224) diameter Hornet ammo in these guns? My older .22 Hornet ammo mics at .223.

Ambrose

Roger Rule's book, The Rifleman's Rifle lists the barrel bore specifications for the Hornet as .217" for the bore and .222" as the rifling diameter with a twist of 1-16".

tsr1965

The newer 0.224" diameter bullets will work in those, just fine.

charliemeyer007

.223 bullets are around, Midway has them in stock. That is what I would use to load for them.

perry shooter

Hello I have a love affair with hornets fot close to 50 years 224 bullets will be fine. I have a big supply of sierra boat tail bullets That are a joy to load you never lose a case in reloading with boat tail also try small pistol primers Federal they reduce group size over small rifle primers In evry rifle I have ever tried I think because much smaller Case volume as well as most hornets don't have a heavy striker Spring and federal has thinner CUP in their primers

Bert H.

The .224 bullets will work perfectly fine in any Winchester Model 54 or Model 70.

jaegermister

I have good success with 22 hornet drillings using JP Calhoon double cavity zinc
37 gr hollow point. The light weight, ability for the bullet base to pressure seal to
rifling/ bore variations, low pressure/ high velocity very effective bullet.

1KYDSTR

I agree with Perry Shooter as to .224 being fine. I also use small pistol AND small pistol magnum primers ( in which case I reduce charges about 10%... For no reason I can quantify, they are even more consistent according to my chronograph) and hodgdon Lil Gun. I load a Sierra 40 gr Varminter with enough Lil Gun that it just begins to compress (this weight changes with different brands cases capacities) and zero crimp...just a slightly increased neck tension. Has proven spectacular in every Hornet it was ever stuffed into!