.22 Spitfire?

[TRECustom]

In a batch of mixed brass I picked up, I separated over 100 small, primed hulls that were
headstamped L C
4

They look like the little SIG bottleneck pistol round, but are a bit longer.


A good friend tracked them down for me, and they match a chamber that I had never heard of. Apparently they are an arsenal experiment made from necked-down U.S. .30 carbine brass for trials in the U.S. military .30 carbine back in the .40's.

Don't know much more about them, but couldn't help thinking what a neat little cartridge it would be in a Contender carbine, or a Super 14 handgun, or even a G.I. style carbine barreled up for it... I wonder if dies are available, and how hard it would be to neck the .30 carbine brass down to .224?

Just what I need, another project!!!

Tom

 

[CatShooter]

In a batch of mixed brass I picked up, I separated over 100 small, primed hulls that were headstamped L C They look like the little SIG bottleneck pistol round, but are a bit longer.
4

A good friend tracked them down for me, and they match a chamber that I had never heard of. Apparently they are an arsenal experiment made from necked-down U.S. .30 carbine brass for trials in the U.S. military .30 carbine back in the .40's.

Don't know much more about them, but couldn't help thinking what a neat little cartridge it would be in a Contender carbine, or a Super 14 handgun, or even a G.I. style carbine barreled up for it... I wonder if dies are available, and how hard it would be to neck the .30 carbine brass down to .224?

Just what I need, another project!!!

Tom

The 22 Spitfire was not an arsenal experiment.

When the US government dumped a ton of M1 Carbines on the civilian market (@$10 each) after the war, the 22 Spitfire became a fairly popular wildcat.

The .22 Spitfire was also known as the 5.7mm Johnson.

Designed by Melvin M. Johnson of Johnson Guns Inc. Johnson's company rebarreled M1 Carbines to this new cartridge in 1963.

The cases are easy to make and the guns are fun, but I don't know anyone making barrels for them anymore.

 

[jonbearman]

I had a melvin johnson modified carbine and it was a riot.I finally sold it to one of the premier collectors .It reside's with larry ruth who wrote several books all about carbines and about 10 years ago or so gunparts rifle division started to make new carbines and ones chambered in 5.7 spitfire.They are sought after along with the ammo.

 

[TRECustom]

Thanks Jon. I've been thinking about picking up one of the I.J. carbines and rebarreling it to the Spitfire, but a reamer and a set of dies would doubtlessly be very expensive.

Would be fun though!

Tom

 

[stinkitup]

Hi

Just purchased a cz brno 527 that has been chambered in mmj 5.7 here in Australia.

It came with a set of rcbs dies including form dies. Haven't shot it yet. The last owner was using lilgun and managed just over 3200 fps with the little nosler 40 bt.

There are a few other cartriges on the case. Calhoun has the 19 Badger and also look into garin surestrike who are doing a whole family of cartriges

 

[stinkitup]

Sorry phone playing up so another post surestrike are doing them in 17 to 25 cal.

Neat little case and should work with most rifles with a hornet bolt face.

Can let you know how mine goes if ya like

Ryan

 

[TRECustom]

Thanks Ryan, I'll follow up as time permits. Too many irons in the fire for awhile.

I would like to know how yours pans out.

Tom

 

[stinkitup]

Will do Tom

Once assignment season is over I will be shooting it for the first time, well for me. The last owner and builder has some impressive targets 3 shots into 0.3 or less so fingers cross I can do the same.

This is my first CZ 527, very nice rifle in the hands so will see how it goes. It has a new hornet barrel rechambered for the spitfire/mmj.

Ryan

 

[wapiti25]

Have you looked at the 221 Fireball? 222 Rem? Lot of bolt guns have the .378" bolt face.

 

[wapiti25]

The 221 Fireball started as the XP 100 pistol cartidge. I like my contender carbine in 223 Rem.

 

[stinkitup]

Hi Tom

Some pics and info for my 5.7 MMJ or spitfire as it is also called. I have RCBS dies that came with the rifle, FLS, Neck and Seater and two form dies, there is also a extended shell holder for the short case.

So far I haven't shot it for group yet but the little cz 527 is very nice and recoil is minimal. First pic is with some 40gr nosler BT's and Varmageddon tipped and in the middle a 45 tsx. The target is 300 yds and a very gusty day, not Ideal but was merely checking for pressure signs. I am using aussie AR2207 which is H4198, very full case, 15.2 max so far and is about halfway up the neck should be good for 3000fps or near enough, a couple of taps and it settles enough. Plus I can seat them a little longer I think.

Ryan

 

[CatShooter]

Pictures no workie

 

[stinkitup]

Fixed not much yet but next month should have some 100yd groups