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22 WCF = 22 Hornet ?

litetriggerlitetrigger Member Posts: 319 ✭✭
edited January 2016 in Ask the Experts
I Have Win. Lo Wall in 22WCF Can you shoot Hornet ammo?
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  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Winchester_Centerfire

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Hornet

    IIRC the 22WCF also used a really small primer like "O" sized. I might have some. Likely mercuric which is why you don't a lot of used brass from back then - it got eaten.

    added Thank you Bert. It has been a long time since I have seen any 22 WRF's. I likely have some .228 bullets somewhere from the 22 Savage HiPower days.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    According to Cartridges of the World. The WCF had a bullet that was .005 larger in diameter, than the Hornet. The loaded Hornet cartridge, was over .100 longer than the WCF.

    I supposed that a single shot like a Low Wall could be easily rechambered for the Hornet. But the .005 larger groove diameter barrel, wouldn't be accurate with the undersized jacketed Hornet bullets.
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  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    While the 22 WCF, and 22 Hornet are very similar, and the Hornet is a derivative of the WCF, the answer is NO. I believe that the Hornet case is slightly longer.

    As to the bore and groove diameter's, I believe that the WCF was loaded with a lead bullet, and the bore/groove dimensions might be substantially smaller, for the Hornet. Bert H, will be along, I am sure to address this, and he might just know off the top what the bore and groove dimensions are.

    Lastly, if your Low Wall, is in any kind of good condition, I would think seriously about not altering it, as that will detract from the value, greatly.
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  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by litetrigger
    I Have Win. Lo Wall in 22WCF Can you shoot Hornet ammo?


    Yes, but it will not be accurate. The bullet diameter used for the 22 WCF was .228, whereas the early Hornet was .223 (now .224).

    You can use 22 Hornet brass to load for the 22 WCF cartridge, but will need to expand the neck slightly. When loading for the 22 WCF, keep the velocity near 1600 fps. Keep in mind that it was originally a black powder cartridge. On that note, you may not get reliable primer ignition due to the large diameter blunt nosed firing pin used for the black powder cartridges.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Winchester_Centerfire

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Hornet

    IIRC the 22WCF also used a really small primer like "O" sized. I might have some. Likely mercuric which is why you don't a lot of used brass from back then - it got eaten.


    Charlie,

    The 22 WCF used a large diameter primer due to the black powder firing pins used by Winchester. The 22 Hornet uses a smaller diameter primer.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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