Maybe I should go 22 Hornet....

[jlwilliams]

  I have a 223 Handi that every so often doesn't extract the empty.  Not all the time, but often enough that it bugs me.  I had another in the same caliber years ago that did the same.  I always keep a little screw driver with me when I'm shooting it or just use my pocket knife.  Now, the .223 is my only rimless Handi.  I used to just dismiss it when people say "they gotta be rimmed cartridges in Handis", but maybe there is something there.  The Hornet has never been a round that interested me at all.  The Hornet doesn't do anything the .223 doesn't and the .223 does more for less money; so that has been my 22 centerfire of choise.  Now I'm thinking of getting a Hornet barrel (maybe just trade my .223 off over on the classified page) and stocking a little .22 Hornet ammo just for this one rifle.  The Hornet may not be the greatest varmint round ever devised, but it will do what I want this rifle to do and I have other rifles that will do other things.

  Any input or opinions on the Handi in 22 Hornet?  Anything I should know before I spend any time, money or effort on this?  All input welcomed and appreciated.

  Re reading my post before hitting 'post', I mentioned that the Hornet should do what I want, but didn't say what it is I want to do.  That may effect the advice.  I want a varmint rifle in 22 centerfire (because of state regs) to be used in a wooded area (no long shots) capable of taking coyote.  I have also been toying with the idea of trying some cast bullets in a small bore round, so the lower velocities inherent in the Hornet may work out well for that side project, if it comes to pass.

[Graybeard]

The .220 Swift is kinda sorta rimmed and the .225 Winchester is rimmed. I'd think a reamer rented from GBO Sponsor 4-D Reamer Rentals would convert your .223 into either of them.

[PHATINJUN]

Part of the problem...if it really is a problem is the twist on many of the .223's for rehamber unless you want to shoot 55gr+ bullets never did a rechamber on a 1-12 but have done a couple with the 1-9 .223's . The .225 Winchester was fun but I could not get the vel I was hoping for . I am currenty playing with loads for a 22-250AI on a .223 1-9 looks promising in the 3700fps with 55grainers. It sounds to me like you may just have a extractor that may stick once in a while look for a burr , weak spring or crude in the extractor. Kurt

[Spanky]

The Hornet is a great round for the Handi. I've had quite a few of them and they've all shot great. It's got alot more pop than some folks think and it'll knock a coyote down just as well as the faster 22's. I've used 45gr. softpoint's in my Handi to take whitetail's with broadside lung shots and it flat out destroys everything in the chest cavity. I know alot of guys won't agree with using it for deer but I've been there and done that so I know what it'll do. Don't underestimate it and it might just surprise you.



Spanky 

[petemi]

Up here in da north woods, the Hornet is the poacher's weapon of choice

Pete

[geezerbiker]

I dunno, my .223 Hand rifle has never failed to eject the spent case.  In fact I have to put my hand over the rear of the barrel so it won't launch the case over my shoulder.

With that said, I've been shooting .22 K-Hornet for over 2 years and if you reload, it's a very economical round to shoot.  Much cheaper than the .223 and less than half as loud.  Since most of the time you would be using 35 to 45 gain bullets, the bullets are cheaper.  It also gives you about 2/3 the velocity of a .223 with about half the powder.  Regular Hornet cases don't last as long for reloading as .223 brass and that's why I went with the improved K-Hornet with the blown out shoulder...

Tony

[Bob A]

I use my Handi Hornet for Coyotes and Ground Squirrels out to 150 yards. I don't have any shots over 150, so I never needed more range for varmint control at home. The longest coyote shot to date is 135 yards. It was DRT, using 40 gr VMax and Lil'gun. Cheap to load, great accuracy and good killing power within its range. The hornet is much quieter than the full load 223.
As much as I like my Hornet, if I already had a 223 instead of the hornet, I would try loading down the 223 to hornet-like levels. There is a lot of data around for loading down the 223 with slow handgun powders (like Blue Dot).

Bob A

[knight0334]

The 1:12" twist barrels work fine for the .225Winchester.   The extra velocity of the .225 allows for a little bit heavier bullet on the 1:12" twist.   

I have a 22" 22Hornet barrel that I reamed to .225Winny long ago.   50-55gr slugs shoot like a dream.  I haven't tried anything heavier though, never had a reason or need.

[gcrank1]

Im with Bob A, for the price of a barrel you can get a basic reloading kit and load that .223 to anything downside; .218 Bee ballistics comes to mind and it will probably solve your sticking case problem to load at something a tad less than full .223 anyway.

[keith44]

I've fired a few .223 rounds through a friends contender(10" bbl) and just called him to ask about extraction, and ejection issues.  He only has them when he shoots Federal factory 55 grain loads, or steel cased surplus loads.  All reloads function fine, even those built with Federal cases.  If you reload try neck sizing or just partial resizing and see if that helps any.

As for the .22 Hornet, I'm getting 3,100 fps with 40 gr Hornady "Hornet" bullets and you can cover a 5 shot 100 yard group with a dime 

[Farrier Matt]

My Hornet has the same ejection issues. Every once in a while a case will stick, and i cant figure out why. That said, I like my Hornet. Its takena  few deer, all head and neck shots, and all DRT. Very economical to load for too. I wouldnt want to be without it.

[briannmilewis]

I am surprized no one has said to polish the chamber of your 223 to help with the sticking.

If you go Hornet, you can stay with regular Hornet cases and use an RCBS X-Die to solve the case life issue. If you go X-Die, follow the instructions EXACTLY, otherwise you will not see the benefit. Combined with moderate loads, you will get great life from you Hornet cases.

Best factory ammo for me was Win white box 46g HPs.

You must reload for the Hornet. It costs $10 for 50 rounds reloaded, 50 rounds will cost you $25 minimum commercial or way over $30. 

Either way, have a bunch of fun.

[gjdykeman]

I had a 22 hornet, in my youth. A Savage bolt. Thought the ammo was way too expensive. In my old age had a 17 HMR, Rossi. Thought the ammo way too expensive. Now have a 223 Handy, bull barrel, surviver stocks, bipod, and 3X9. I haven't bought factory ammo in years. Local shop sells bullets, SP for 10.00 per 100, 55g. I have as of late been down loading the 223 to low velocity. The load I have been using is 5g Unique, small pistol mag primers and the 55g soft points. Cheep, Cheep Cheep. So far 1" at 50y. Will try 100 Sat. No recoil, little noise. Never a stuck round and never a squib. I can't see over 150y anyway and alway shoot with the bipod as that is the way I would be using the gun. The brass will last forever.

[jlwilliams]

  Thanks for all the input.

  Rechambering is an option I had not considered.  I took a quick peek on gunbroker and didn't see any 225 ammo.  Is it available, or do you buy components and roll your own?

  It does sound like the Hornet is a great round for the Handi.  I think that before I get a barrel I will get some .223 dies and try some lighter loads.  Maybe that (and a good detail clean and burr search) will solve my ejection issue.  The fact that this isn't the only 223 Handi I've had the same problem with makes me lean toward a rimmed round, but it only makes sense to try playing with the loads. 

  I may end up getting a Hornet barrel in addition to the .223 instead of as a replacement.  That being the way things go with the Handis.  They multiply.

[quickdtoo]

Maybe that (and a good detail clean and burr search) will solve my ejection issue. 

Use the ejector tune info in the FAQs, that works for 99.9% of em. 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

Unfortuneaty as good as the 225 was it wasn't a 220 Swift and later with the introduction of the 22/250 they both (225&220) are left in the dust. The 225 is now defunct. So altho it would be my first choice, I would first need to a acquire. A couple hundred pcs of brass. Yes, it's handoad only proposition.

I to love the BEE. But it's not a rechambering option with a 223 barrel like the 225 IS. It's fine for a hornet. But minimal vel gains and more expensive brass. Altho easiy made from 25&32/20 brass.

To me the semi rimmed Swift is too much. It would offer a different kind of problem and should be overlooked. As good as it is.   

The 22/30-30 (wildcat)is another option. Brass easy to locate easy to load and a healthy rim.  Lo pressure and good ballistics.



CW

[briannmilewis]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but a 223 should be able to be rechambered to a 219 Wasp or 219 Zipper, the case capacity is that of a 30-30, .224 bullet, and they can be formed in one press stroke from easily available 25-35 brass. That is what I would go for.

[gcrank1]

Then there is the Improved Zipper........
All good, easy to live with 30-30 basic brass, rimmed choices, if you cant get the .223 to do what you want, as is, with handloading.
You can probably buy all the stuff off the classifieds 'right'; you already have the brass; you might even know somebody who is already set up for this caliber (you do have a local 'Rod & Gun club, dont you, they are your friends).
For my 'bang for the buck' reloading that .223 down, and Win. White box for top would be hard to beat. No machining or restamping caliber neccessary.
Pop the ejector apart and tune per the FAQs, complete with a BB to increase spring tension. Try it, if its cured, great, if not, wrap some 400grit wet or dry paper in a split dowel, spray with some WD-40 and lightly (emphasis on lightly) the chamber, staying out of the shoulder and neck.

[cwlongshot]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but a 223 should be able to be rechambered to a 219 Wasp or 219 Zipper, the case capacity is that of a 30-30, .224 bullet, and they can be formed in one press stroke from easily available 25-35 brass. That is what I would go for.

YUP,
 Thats why I posted 22/30-30 because there are a number of good wildcats based on the 30-30 case with a 22cal bullet stuck in its nose! 

I know it wasnt mentioned, But beware of the 22 hi power caliber though... It uses a .229 bullet thats not always so easy to acquire...

CW