Author Topic: Re-chambering a NEF .22 Hornet Handi barrel to .22 K-Hornet (Read 1398 times)

Mamba_Driver · « **on:** March 03, 2005, 12:43:26 AM »

I have read that it is possible to re-chamber any .22 Hornet to a .22 K-Hornet, including the NEF Handi. Is this true?

Is it possible for a somewhat capable novice, like me :-) , to use a rented reamer to do the job myself? I don't have access to milling equipment or a lathe so I would just be using the rental reamer and a "T" handle. Is this one of those "out of the question" ideas?

Any advice or insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks for the help.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2005, 05:48:31 AM »

OK I'll jump in.. First let me state I have no idea of your capability level so am offering no comment to that. Can a Hornet be rechambered to the 'K' version, yes... The headspace on both is precisely the same, remember both are 'rimmed' cartridges, so the headspace guage is essentially the same. I hesitate to say it can be done totally by hand although it has been. The reamer most be fed square to the bore/chamber combo. What I will say is 'With proper prcautions it is possible to rechamber a 22 hornet to a 'K' variant by hand'. The K-Hornet is an excellant wildcat whose real purpose is to promote longer brass life and better accuracy rather than mode velocity.

Mamba_Driver · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2005, 06:21:40 AM »

Thanks gunnut69.

I guess that I was hoping that since the "K" case was essentially an expanded Hornet case with most of the taper removed that a good reamer with a solid pilot would be self alligning?? I was thinking that going slowly with the reamer and by applying minimal pressure that the cutting could be controlled yielding a good result.

Maybe I'm trying to place too much faith in the tools?

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2005, 07:49:54 AM »

I suppose I'm being a little cautious but am saying that it can be accomplished with the proper care and caution but that it's not for the impatient or heavy handed. I've a CZ 527 FS that is a hornet and I'd love to convert to the 'k' variant but it shoots so well that I'm reluctant. Velcities with 45-6 grain bullets are astounding for so small a round.. If the new loads work out I plan on using it next winter to collect a bobcat for the wall. I've only 3 Hornets left but really do love the little round. Only the 222 Rem has accumulated more rifles in my battery than the Hornet, I've 4 of them.. Good luck the the Hornet. Just to be a little nosey, way the wish to rechamber?

Mamba_Driver · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2005, 09:02:43 AM »

Quote from: gunnut69

Good luck the the Hornet. Just to be a little nosey, way the wish to rechamber?

By far, the majority of my "fun guns" are the NEF Ultra rifles. My first gun was an H&R that my father bought for me when I was 12 years old. I hunted and plinked for years with that 20ga., .410ga., 30/30, .22 Hornet combo. The H&R and NEF guns lend themselves nicely to tinkering. Third party specialty stocks and different caliber barrels are easily interchangeable and relatively inexpensive. I've just gotten into reloading and experimenting with that. I can get a .22 Hornet barrel for $60 - $70. If I can re-chamber to "K", I've got a whole new range of cartridges to experiment, and have fun with :-D

I guess what it boils down to is having a good time doing things that I like to do,... relaxing down time. Taking pride in making something work that is just not a bolt on modification. If it doesn't work out,... I'm out $60. If it works well,... great! If it works exceptionally well,... :-D Why am I considering a re-chamber? I guess, because it's possible.

I love the small caliber rounds, .17s and .22s. My son enjoys the small caliber rounds as well. We can shoot all day long for not a lot of $$$ and the recoil is almost nill for him.

mitchell · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2005, 09:59:02 AM »

my input has nothing to do with rechambering it has to do with the gun. i have the same gun and i left mine a hornet and boy is it a tack driver if i where you i would to a good bit of shooting first before i ever rechambed it.

P.S as for brass life i've got 8 times on the brass i have now and it still looks good.

Mamba_Driver · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2005, 10:37:04 AM »

Hi mitchell,

Oh,... by the way, I plan on keeping my .22 Hornet factory stock barrel. The "K" version would be an additional barrel.

I just got off the phone with a local gunsmith. He will do the re-chamber for $70. For $40-$45 rental plus shipping back and forth for the tools, I'd just be smarter to let him do it. He has to check his reamers. It's been so long since he last did a .22 K that he can't remember if he has the 35 degree shoulder or the 40 degree Ackley version.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2005, 11:37:51 AM »

I too love the small ones. They offer so much enjoyment for so little and perform all out of perportion to their size. I bought a M43 Winchester a couple of years ago in 218 Bee. It's the rifle I discovered varmit shooting with! A very good riends father owned it and kept us in reloads. Many feral cats and ground hogs were shot and I was completely hooked. The rifle was unfortunately lost in a house fire. It took a lot of years but I finally bought one like it and the 250-3000 he bought his son to hunt deer with.