Fire Forming Question

[17cal Fan]

I have never really fire formed any brass on purpose but looking at that option to create 17 Hornet brass from 22 Hornet.

Ran a piece of 22 Hornet brass into the 17 Hornet die and it seems to have worked as far as setting the shoulder location. Case would need to be trimmed a little.

So what kind of recipe would I need to blow the case out to diameter and complete the shoulder? OR am I flirting with disaster?

 

[GetReal]

I'd suggest using the very bottom of a reputable reloading manuals specified safe powder charge range for a single first attempt. Using a bullet weight toward the lighter end of its range.

See how it goes. If your firearm is in good working order, it should present no danger.

 

[chuckshooter]

hornet brass is notorious for being thin and week. proper annealing is very important. need to soften the brass a little before expanding the body. then, you can find a load that shoots ok and just shoot and form or, you can use the COW method. lots of info the the web about cream of wheat fire forming. I personally use about 7 gr. of bullseye and then cream of wheat and then a little crisco to hold it in place. I prefer to shoot at something while forming but, have done both. you will lose some cases, just how it goes. I have formed over 1000 20 ackley hornet brass and am very happy with the cartridge but, I can't buy mine, I have to form. aren't 17 hornet cases available? that seem like a better alternative.

 

[SeabeeKen]

I form a lot of ackley cases in various calibers. I recommend a middle of the rd charge of a fast burning powder. Use the fastest burning powder listed in your reloading manual. The hornet is a thin case so shouldnt need a hot load

 

[17cal Fan]

hornet brass is notorious for being thin and week. proper annealing is very important. need to soften the brass a little before expanding the body. then, you can find a load that shoots ok and just shoot and form or, you can use the COW method. lots of info the the web about cream of wheat fire forming. I personally use about 7 gr. of bullseye and then cream of wheat and then a little crisco to hold it in place. I prefer to shoot at something while forming but, have done both. you will lose some cases, just how it goes. I have formed over 1000 20 ackley hornet brass and am very happy with the cartridge but, I can't buy mine, I have to form. aren't 17 hornet cases available? that seem like a better alternative.

17 Hornet has been scarce, not any 22 Hornet at the moment either. My buddy is the one with the shortage. I have a small stash of both. Sold him 100 of the 17 before our last PD trip but friendship will only get you so far. I have read about the COW method and other methods but have never done or needed to do either. Just wanted to play it safe and get current advice. I told him to watch for both cases and we'll deal with it when he finds some. I might try a couple of fresh pieces of 22H for experience because he'll probably find some of that before 17 surfaces.

 

[chuckshooter]

also when you go from 22 straight to 17 you will probably end up with a donut inside . if it doesn't effect bullet seating, I would try to form first and then deal with it. I have expanding mandrels in various sizes to push it to the outside, I tried inside neck trimming pilots and don't like that approach.

 

[Webster]

I have never really fire formed any brass on purpose but looking at that option to create 17 Hornet brass from 22 Hornet.

Ran a piece of 22 Hornet brass into the 17 Hornet die and it seems to have worked as far as setting the shoulder location. Case would need to be trimmed a little.

So what kind of recipe would I need to blow the case out to diameter and complete the shoulder? OR am I flirting with disaster?

View attachment 1497973

Varmint Al's Handloading/Reloading Page

Varmint Al shows how he forms 17 Ackley Hornet cases.

Varmintal.com

 

[17cal Fan]

Varmint Al's Handloading/Reloading Page

Varmint Al shows how he forms 17 Ackley Hornet cases.

Varmintal.com

Gosh I forget about him. I used to converse with him back in the nineties. Sharp guy, hope he is still doing well. But I remember my brain turning to mush after reading on his site for a while. There's a lot to take in. He still has me listed on his Links page. Says: Originally Bill Wade's 22 Hornet Page, Now Centerfire Central Think I made that change in 97.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

There are a couple YouTube videos on making 17 hornet. If you google there is additional info. I run 17 hornet so I have looked into it. I am shooting brass from factory ammo. If hornady brass ever comes available again I will get a lifetime supply. If there was some high quality 22 hornet available, I would totally make my own.