Adapting Hornet

[ironglow]

  I have 3 SB1 actions and 1 SB2..I recently acquired a .22 Hornet barrel and would like to adapt it to an SB1 action but am having a bit of trouble with bulging primer caps. They don't flatten out as if the pressure were extreme, but the bulge into the firing pin hole sometimes causes me to disassemble the rifle. I loaded some with 35 gr V-max over 13 gr Lil' Gun, supposed to be a mild load (about 24,000 CUP). I even use CCI 400 SR caps, they're supposed to be thicker metal. No soap ...
   Still, I bought some Partizan .22 Hornets (45 gr, 2427 fps) and they seem to work very well. Does anybody have a load they have used successfully with an SB1  action ?
   Any tips to getting it right ?

[quickdtoo]

CCI 450, BR4 and Rem 7½ all have thicker primer cups. 

Tim

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php

[jeepmann1948]

How loose is the barrel fit? If it is too loose that will cause the primers to flow. My SB1 22 Hornet Super Light shoots a case full of lil gun with no problems.

[gcrank1]

Will it open up after primer flow by dropping the hammer again to drive the primer back in a tad?
Try CCI small rifle primers and if you still get too much primer flow back off the load until it works OK and see if you still have the performance you want.

[bkraft]

I have yet to be bit by the Handi bug but, I have been stung by the hornet. Love that pesky lil bugger. Try small pistol primers and IMR 4227. I had some bad juju with  Lil Gun in my 10 inch Contender, blown primers, short case life, was running about 12.5 grains of Lil Gun at the time. Went to the 4227 and remington small pistol primers and life is good. Best of luck.

[trotterlg]

Fire an empty primed case in the rifle and measure how high the primer stands over the back of the brass.  If it is more than about .010 you have a problem with headspacing.  If the fireing pin hole is too large for the fireing pin then it will have a problem no matter what you try, only solution may be to use the CCI 450's which are a lot harder than the 400's are.  If the headspace is excessive because of too deep of a rim cut, you can machine off the back of the barrel and then shim the hinge pin to make up for it.  Good luck.  Larry

[ironglow]

  Thanks guy; I'll start the investigation, using your advice. I'll be back if I need more

[PHATINJUN]

I sure wouldn't call 13gr of Lilgun a mild load with a 35gr bullet .I thought one of the last articles I read about the Hornet was with a 30gr Varmint Grenade with 13grLG 6 1/2 rem primers right at IIRC over 3500fps.Those 6 1/2 primers may help some if the bbl fit is correct. Kurt

[Dinny]

I had the same exact problem with my SB1 Hornet. I tested three different Lil Gun powder weights; 12gr, 11.5gr, and 11gr. I did notice that the 12gr load shot the best, but I nearly had to disassemble the rifle to open it.  The lower loads still flowed the primers, but not quite as bad. I used Rem 7 1/2 primers.

Experimenting too, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

FWIW, I tested Larry's Hornet adapter for a 12ga in my USH, it has the larger firing pin, using 12.5gr Lil'gun under a 35gr Vmax and small pistol primers WSP, it shot real good and had no problems. 

Tim

[dangerranger]

just a thought, how about switching recivers for a tighter fit? DR

[ironglow]

The receivers fit OK, I tried it on an SBI and my Versa Pack. I'll try Tim's suggestion 0f 12.5 grs with the 35 gr Vmax along with the thicker primers he suggested. I am not stuck on Lil Gun or the 35 gr bullet, I would like a 45 gr @ about 2500 fps minimum (for coyotes)..any suggestions ?
  I have 2 Hornets, ironically both single shots..the NEF and an old Savage 219L. I can run hotter loads in the Savage or the NEF with an SB2 action..but I would like to free up my only SB2 action for my .223.

[trotterlg]

1680 just about fills the case for a load with 35gr bullets.  It works for me.  Larry

[billy_56081]

I,ve been using 13 grains of LIL Gun and either a 35 grain vmax or 34 grain varmint nightmare and by using rem 7 1/2 I have eliminated the problem with opening the gun.  

BTW IG try the 34 grain Varmint nightmares from midsouth you will love them and will save you a bunch of money.

[ironglow]

Thanks Billy, I was rather admiring those Varmint nightmares, guess I'll order some, soon as the stock I have is a bit more depleted.

[dpe.ahoy]

I've been using 13.0 gr of LilGun with out problems on an SB-2 frame.  This is pushing a 40gr V-Max and is quite accurate in mine.  It does fill the case into the neck, but my ejector kicks em out everytime.  DP

[ironglow]

Dpe.ahoy;
  I haven't had any problem with the SB2 frame, it worked well with that. Since I have more SB1s, I want to use it on one of those but I am troubled with "primer flow" problems. I am quite sure I will work it out with the help I have received above.
   
   I loaded some starter samples last night..45 gr Speer spitzer...10 gr IMR 4227....Rem 7 1/2