.22 K Hornet Rechamber woes??

[GatCat]

To begin with, I am a newbie at reloading, just getting set up, so correct me if I use any wrong terms, etc.
I had an NEF .22 Hornet re-chambered by a local gunsmith. When I picked it up, he showed me the brass of two factory Hornet rounds (R-P) he test fired in it. The primers of both had backed-out about .010 . He said he cut the chamber a bit too deep. He told me that IF I neck-size only, the brass that has been fired in my rifle, everything will be ok. Dees this sound right?? Will the primers continue to back out??
Also, I have a bunch of K Hornet brass that had been shot ( fire-formed ) in another rifle, that I foolishly sold a few years ago. To use them in the NEF I now have, with the above "problem", should I first full-length size them, shoot them, then neck size only, or should I just neck-size them for the current NEF??
The idea that primers will continue to keep backing out sounds like an accident about to happen! I looked at a couple of reloading manuals to check dimensions, thinking I could always have it re-chambered again, to .218 Bee, or Mashburn Bee, but with the deep chamber I don't think that's doable, looks like it would have to be something larger in diameter, maybe .221 fireball?
I use the 'putor at work, nights, so any ??s anyone may ask will be answered a bit slow.
Thanks for any advise / suggestions!!
Mark

[LaOtto222]

Shame on your "gunsmith" for cutting your chamber too deep. There is no excuse for that, he must not have been paying attention, .010" is a whole lot of excessive head space. The K-Hornet is a rimmed cartridge so your rim groove is cut too deeply as is the shoulder. To make it work correctly you will have to fire form to the chamber and then neck size after that. If you can, I would fire form using bullets long enough to touch the lands and have a good crimp so that the head is against the breech face when fired; the cartridges will stretch forward to fill the chamber. You will then be head spacing off of the shoulder. I would think that once the cases are properly fire formed they would not back out the primers. If you full length size you will have to adjust your die so that it barely bumps the shoulder. The case will have to stretch .010" + normal head space to fill the gap, that is a bunch and will come from the area just above the web. Do the cases that have been fired in it have any signs of case head separation?  Even if you can get cases fire formed and head spaced properly, you may find that case life is shortened considerably. Now that you have had it cut to a K-Hornet the 218 Bee is out of the question. The shoulder on the K-Hornet is forward of the start of the neck on the Bee. The 221 FB is doable, but the throat will be a little long (some where around .010") and you will have to swap out the ejector for a 223 one. If I were you and you decide to re-chamber, I would make the "gunsmith" redo it for free or take it to a gunsmith that will pay attention to the details. If the brass you have will chamber, and they probably will, I would not full length size them, you will have to fire form these to your new chamber too. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[GatCat]

Thanks for the input LaOtto222. I've used the guy before, he did good work, but I';m disappointed, naturally with this. I really don't like the idea of what seems to be needed. I think another re-chamber is in order. Given your sign-in name, I take it you are a fan of the .222? Maybe that is what I need it re-chambered to. Mild, accurate, and I need dies for that anyway, since a while back I bought a BSA bolt action. Oh well, time to go home, get some sleep, and worry about it later!
Once again, thanks for the info.
Mark

[LaOtto222]

I think the 222 would be an excellent choice. It is a little lower pressure than a 223 or a 221 so it should shoot well in a Handi. The 222 does not take a whole lot of powder. Some where in the 20 - 25 grain range. Bullets, primers cost the same no matter which small 224 you shoot and the brass is not expensive either. BTW I have never heard of a 222 Remington shooting badly, I am sure there have been some, but by and large they usually shoot very well.

[Booyah]

I have a 22 Hornet barrel that I rechambered for the 221 Fireball.  It shoots great. It will shoot a little smaller than 3/4" group at 100 yards.   I wouldn't part with it. Very fun to shoot.

[Fred M]

It is not unusual to find 0.010" variations in rims. There is no need to rechamber when a proper fire forming is instituded. That is to lube the case
on the outside then fire form the brass. This will stretch the brass to fit the chamber and it will then head space on the shoulder.

The dies will have to be set so the shoulder is not set back during sizing.
This is by the way the proper methode to fire form any ammo with excessive
head space.

There are several .22 Imp Hornets that make this type of fire forming
mandatory. If this is not done you will end up with case head separations
in short order.

[Tencubed]

I agree with the information given concerning methods to get by with a long chamber.  The rechamber option of going to a 222 is viable and the old "Triple Deuce" is a fun and accurate cartridge.

The problem I have with all this is nowhere has anyone, including the "gunsmith" said anything of the obvious.  He screwed up and should replace the barrel for you.  Simple as that.  You wanted and paid for a 22 Hornet chamber and got a job that is sub-standard.  Not your fault and you should not be expected to do some work around to cover his mistake.

Ask yourself this, if this were a new, off the shelf rifle from any major manufacturer would you accept it as OK?

I would be asking for a replacement barrel and my money back.  I also would not be taking any further work to this "Smith" that expects customers to accept potentially dangerous work.


Mike

[stimpylu32]

Mark

If you do decide to re-chamber the barrel there are a few options that will clean up the old work , if you want to stay with a rimmed round look at the 219 Wasp , 219 Zipper , 224 GNR and the 22- 30/30 . All of these will work very well in the Handi platform .

I have the 224 GNR and Marv has a 219 Zipper , both are easy to form with the proper dies , and are large enough to completely clean up the old chamber . With the Zipper you will need to change the ejector to a 30/30 while the GNR is just a re-chamber using the same ejector .

stimpy

[GatCat]

Thanks to all for the input. Since I plan to have another "K" in the future, I don't think I'll go with the steps needed to make the existing one work; really don't want to worry about brass for one not being suitable for the other!
I'm pretty sure I'll have Wayne York do a .222 re-chamber.
Thanks again,
Mark