22 Hornet questions

[tiny68]

I picked up a TC with a 22 Hornet barrel from a friend. It came with the oldest set of RCBS 22 Hornet dies I have ever seen. Also included about a 500 loaded rounds - some are new factory, some are obvious reloads, and some I am not sure about. I have about 5-6 paper white boxes of Remington and Winchester that look new - but have silver primers. I wouldn't have the patience to stack these into the factory box after reloading. I don't remember seeing factory Remington or Winchester ammo with silver primers - does that make sense they have to be reloads? The exposed lead on the tips of the bullets is all oxidized on these paper boxes so I am betting these are 50 plus years old either way.

Second question, I have a large coffee can full of new primed 22 Hornet brass. The primers are also silver (nickel). Did vendors sell primed brass for the Hornet way back when? I also have a smaller coffee can of nickel plated Hornet brass.

Thanks for input, Tim

 

[tiny68]

Another question - 0.223" or 0.224" bullets? I didn't find any 0.223 bullets in his reloading stuff. I grew up being told all Hornets are 0.223". Are some really 0.224"? Anyone know about the Contender barrels. I know I can slug it to be sure, but I don't have the stuff to do that on hand.

Tim

 

[Tommie]

Early Hornets had the smaller diameter bore. Euro spec Hornets still do. Odds are your barrel is .224 but only slugging will confirm. The prevailing opinion is .224 bullets are OK in the smaller bore as long as loads are worked up carefully.
As far as firing mystery reloads: Not on a bet.

 

[biggun2869]

Did your friend reload the completed rounds? Myself I would be inclined to use them but would probably put a string on the trigger for 3-4 rounds 1st. I would definitly use the primed brass especially in todays world where primers are so hard to get. What difference does it make if they are factory or not?
I'm not a fan of nickel plated brass because it can scratch your dies.
I have several sets of RCBS dies that were made in the '60s. As long as they have been taken care of they are fine. Gary

 

[Markman]

Many years ago Winchester sold primed cases in the old brown square boxes and they have silver primers. I have never seen a Winchester primer that wasn't silver.
Mark

 

[tiny68]

Did your friend reload the completed rounds? Myself I would be inclined to use them but would probably put a string on the trigger for 3-4 rounds 1st. I would definitly use the primed brass especially in todays world where primers are so hard to get. What difference does it make if they are factory or not?
I'm not a fan of nickel plated brass because it can scratch your dies.
I have several sets of RCBS dies that were made in the '60s. As long as they have been taken care of they are fine. Gary

He did reload them. Every box has a load sheet included. The ones that I am not sure about if new or reloads are Winchester. No load sheets in those boxes.
tim

 

[bcjim]

i would bet they are factory loads. was there any data info on the boxes, such as bullet weight? if so, pull a bullet and weigh a few. back in those days not many reloaded and those that did were pretty particular. also they didn't have youtube as a reloading manual. some of us (uhhum) them used to buy and shoot factories just to get brass for their pet loads.
i myself only, would trust them based on what you have described.
as a side i talked to sierra last week as to 223 vs 224. their tech said that their 223's were and are made for pre-war hornets, in that era the switch to 224 hornets was made. he said 223's in a 224 barrel would be disappointing. he did not suggest 224 in a 223 barrel. hope this helps.

 

[snert]

Plop a scope on that barrel, get a good sandbag, let it rip.

224 bullets. Try any 35-45 grain bullet. Mine like 40 gr vmax and 34 grain dogtowns. Don't like the 35 gr vmax as much, not sure why.

run about 11.5 grains of Lilgun and whatever primer is in it.

 

[FNSafari]

Plop a scope on that barrel, get a good sandbag, let it rip.

224 bullets. Try any 35-45 grain bullet. Mine like 40 gr vmax and 34 grain dogtowns. Don't like the 35 gr vmax as much, not sure why.

run about 11.5 grains of Lilgun and whatever primer is in it.

Going forward, the Remington 6 1/2 primer was supposedly made specifically for the Hornet.