.22 K Hornet

[Eastsider]

I am thinking about having my .22 lr Contender 14" barrel re-chambered
to a .22 K Hornet.
Am I correct in believing that the K pressures are a little less and the case life would be longer than the standard Hornet?
The gun is used for coyote hunting and the .22 lr doesnt knock them down as quick as I would like.
I did a little research on the K Hornet and the .218 Mashburn. The prices for the brass and dies are a little steep for the .218, but with the K I am told that you can use the Hornet case and blow it out to the K configuration.
Any one have pet bullet or load information that they would share?
Any would be appreciated.
Thanks

[dan]

howdy,
  i just had a super 14" hornet opened to the k hornet. on a windy day, only shot it at 50yds, all groups were under an inch. went to the range, and my friend had a oehler set up, and only looking for pressure, i was shooting 40gn noslers bt, and 40gn sierra hp#1385, with ww680, loads 13.1 to 13.4, noslers 5 shot groups 2747 at 13.1, 2778 at 13.4, primers just starting to flatten, with win sm rifle primer.
  sierras 13.1 5 shot groups at 2701, and 13.4 2727.
next range session will go to 13.7 and 14.0
  with above speed, getting rifle speed in pistol
hope that helps......dan

[S.B.]

I have absolutely no experience with the K Hornet, but I do with the .224 Harvey KayChuck. That's a .050" shortened Hornet case with a blown out shoulder(almost a straight wall case, which increases case capacity). Mine is in a handgun but works very well. It's what S&W wanted from the Jet cartridge, but theirs wouldn't stay put in the chambers(too much taper).

[ALAN MCKENZIE]

The K Hornet is an absolutely brilliant round especially  on foxes where skin damage is minimal,usually only an entry hole..
The cases are fire formed,and shoot as accurately when fire forming as a fire formed case does.
I have tried the 35 gn plastic tip projectiles with little success.
Different story using 40 gn projectiles of any type.
My favorite load is as follows:-
K HORNET,40 gn proj,Federal small rifle primer,11 gns of IMR 4227,or H4227.
24 inch barrel,1/2 inch groups all day at 100 yards...
Case life,stopped counting after 15 reloads...
Hope this helps
Alan

[Double D]

Something to keep in mind about K-Hornets.  There are at least 7 different K-Hornets.  Dave Davison of CH4D relaoding dies and I did an Inventory of them.  I located at RCBS of a  print from by Red Elliot of an original reamer made for Lyle Kilbourn. That K-Hornet had a long neck.  most of the ones you see now have shorter necks.  Know which one your gunsmith chambers for.

As far as reaming a Hornet Chamber to .218 Mashburn. won't work.  The Mashburn is a shorter chamber.  Stick with a K-Hornet.

You must be looking at RCBS for Mashburn Dies.  Try CH4D $69.

http://www.ch4d.com/

I now buy almost all my dies there now.  Top quality stuff.

[22shooter]

I have a 22 K hornet in a Ruger #3.  I use 40 grain V max bullets and 12 grains of W 296 with a Win Small pistol primer. Yes pistol not rifle.  It gives 2969 fps through my Chrony.  It is really a sweet shooting machine.

[coopershooter]

the first and only load i use in my contender carbine, is 11.8 gr. 296 pistole primers and 35gr v-max,s. it shoots around a half inch at 100 yds. thats as good as i can shoot a 6lb.carbine. i love the combo. light recoil great balance, not real loud and very explosive on groundhogs. 40 gr. might be better on yotes.
 bobbymolson@aol.com

[257AI]

One thing you had better remember.  The 22 LR uses a bore of .223 where the modern hornet uses a bore of .224 so you will have to watch pressures or use the bullets specially made for the .223 hornet bore.  I am running into the same problem with a older hornet that has been rechambered to 218 Bee.  I am running into pressure signs with loads that should be OK.