Author Topic: k-Hornet (Read 667 times)

bismol · « **on:** April 07, 2005, 10:03:46 AM »

I want to get a NEF in 22 K-Hornet, so if I order one in the regular hornet configuration can someone tell me exactly how to ream it out by hand to a K-Hornet. Is this something that can be done by a amiture with out messing up a new rifle?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2005, 11:22:22 AM »

Welcome aboard!

I haven't done one myself, but you can rent the reamer from a couple places, there are those here that have done there own, I chose to have a chamber ream done by a gunsmith recently, cost was $135.

http://www.reamerrentals.com/

http://4-dproducts.com/chamber_reamers.html

marv · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2005, 01:09:58 PM »

Bismal, This should be very easily done, by hand, I converted
a 22 hornett to a 219 zipper, lot more metal to remove than K- Hornett,
All you need is Reamer, good cutting oil, And a T- handle.
Then get after it, For a barrel vise, Take a 2X 4 /12 in.long Drill a hole
in the niddle of 2X4, use a saw Split @X4 through the hole Hole should be about size of barrel. Marv. P.S. Welcome to GBO.s

bismol · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2005, 02:36:16 PM »

I have a Davidson barrel vice that I can use to secure the barrel, but what I am worried about is being sure that I do not cut to deep and how to keep it straight as to not wallow out the chamber.

Mamba_Driver · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2005, 02:48:10 PM »

bismol, welcome!

I'm doing the same project myself,... I just got my .22 Hornet barrel from NEF today.

There are many people here that are much more knowledgeable and capable than I am. I'm in the same boat as you (a gunsmithing novice). I did a lot of research and found that renting a good reamer and "T" handle was quite costly. My understanding is that a head space gauge is also needed to determine depth of cut. In addition to the tools there are some supplies, like a good cutting oil, that need to be purchased. The costs, I believe amounted to about $60-$70 for the tools and supplies.

Take all this with a grain of salt. I'm just repeating what I was told by a number of sources. I was also told that the reamer pilots are not long enough to insure a straight and square start into the chamber for the cutting process,... you really need a milling machine to insure accuracy??

What this all boils down to is that I was concerned about undertaking this project and messing up my new barrel. I've located a couple of gunsmiths both locally and over the net that have quoted me $75 to do the conversion from .22 Hornet to the .22 K version. I plan on sending my new barrel back out on Monday to have the job done by a pro.

Like I said, take this for what it's worth. I know that there are members of this forum that could do this hands down, but I'm afraid that I'm not one of them :?

Best of luck with your project

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2005, 02:50:58 PM »

Or break or ruin a rented reamer when Murphy pays a visit! :eek: I figured it was better to have it professionally done on a lathe than to run the risk of having to pay to replace or repar a ruined reamer and end up with a botched job, too! But the small chamber of the hornet may not be a problem, mine was on a much larger 45-70 to 45-120 rechamber. From what Deadeye found out when he called a rental place, they would not provide any instructions or help as they expect those that rent the reamers to know what they are doing. The K-Hornet reamer probably isn't near as expensive as a 45-120 reamer, so that's got a lot to do with my decision to have it done by a gunsmith.

WashPa · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2005, 05:23:59 PM »

Mamba Driver,

You said you located a couple of gunsmiths locally and over the net to do the rechambering for $75. Could you post who they are and how to contact them?

My son got a 223 Handi for Christmas and while we don't really have it sorted out yet, it looks like it's going to be a pretty good shooter. I like his rifle so much I decided I gotta have one. Ordered a 22 Hornet at Wal*Mart last week and picked it up today. I plan to rechambered it for 22 K or possibly 221, and, like you, I can't get excited about making it a do-it-yourself project.

Thanks, Jeff

Mamba_Driver · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2005, 06:04:30 PM »

Jeff,

I was really exited about doing it myself but the more I found out it became less cost effective and more potential for disaster,... at least for me. If you want, use the email tab on my post to email me so that I can respond to you via email. I have a bunch of emails regarding the .22 K-Hornet conversion, hand load data, advice, gunsmiths, etc. I can then forward, to you, those emails.

Ron

Fred M · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2005, 06:06:43 PM »

Don't do a hand job. The only way to do a chamber is on a lath where you can index the existing chamber. $75 is a good deal, when you consider a machine shop charges about $60 per hour. If you know what you are doing the set up alone takes a 1/2hour.

Mamba_Driver · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2005, 06:36:18 PM »

Fred, So my feeling for disaster potential was founded? :lol: I love it when I occasionally come to my senses,... almost a relief!!!

tcman · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2005, 08:48:05 AM »

I second the motion (or third it of fourth it??)

At any rate, for $75 it isn't woth messing a barrel up. If I had a lathe (which I hope to own some day) and had plenty of practice, that would be a different deal.