I recently acquired a 1950 Winchester Model 70 in 22 Hornet. It has the 6-groove, 1:16" twist barrel, and likely a .217"/.222" bore/groove diameter. Any one have any accuracy load suggestions? Is it necessary to use the .223" bullets from Hornady and Sierra, or will the .224" bullets work? I would love to hear about the components that work for you.
13.0 Gr of Lil Gun and about any bullet 45 Grains and under. I use small pistol primers and crimp the case after bullet seating. Works good in my Number 1 Hornet. You might want to get some expert advice on the M-70 barrel dimensions so you know for sure which bullet diameter to use. I don't know what Winchester used for barrels back then, in terms of land and groove dimensions. But, you have a very fine rifle. Don
I have a very nice Savage 23D in 22 Hornet. They were made from the 20's thru late 40's. From what I understand, pre WWII Hornets were bored for .223" bullets, after the war they went to the .224". This rifle is very accurate with either, I can't notice any difference in accuracy between the two sizes. The most accurate load in this rifle is 12.5gr Lil Gun under 35gr Vmax's.
Posts: 8169 | Location: humboldt | Registered: 10 April 2002
I've got a BRNO 1949 vintage Hornet, and that is supposed to fire .223 dia only, but, it can't seem to tell if they are 223 or 224, either will do. It has already been said but 13.5 grains of Lil'Gun under pretty much anything, will be a good round. The slow 1:16 twist will restrict you to an upper weight of about 45 grains. The fifty grainers tend to keyhole a bit, well they do in mine.
I've switched over to Wilson dies for most of my rifles. I just like the ease of using an arbor press and the Wilson dies. I did do some checking on arbor presses and decided on the one that B-Square makes. It is a pleasure to use. Don
Originally posted by slancey: I am considering Wilson dies and an arbor press. What kind of dies work for you? I currently have the RCBS Rockchucker press.
I've got a sincalir arbor press to use with either the wilson or jones dies. You might want to pull up www.shooterscorner.com you can also get to that site from benchrest central. Bob handles alot of use dies etc both threaded and arbor at a good price dies are on the last page of his rifle list. If you go with arbor type die best get a redding body die for sizing and let the wilson do the neck.
VFW
Posts: 1098 | Location: usa | Registered: 16 March 2001
Thanks gents for all the replies. The factory Winchester 46 HP shot very well at 50 yds. this weekend. At least if the handloads don't work, there is a common factory load to go to.
I can think of 2 ways to find out which of the bullet diameters [223 or 224] to load in it. [1]Contact Winchester or someone who can look up the serial number. [2] Buy a box of both diameter bullets and see which one is the most accurate.
Posts: 355 | Location: Roanoke, Virginia | Registered: 29 May 2003
I have been shooting a 22 hornet for about 7 years, I have the perfect load for my CZ 527 I use Rem cases cci 500 small pistol primers 14.2gr of W296 and A 30gr calhoon bullet. That all adds up to around 3400 fps and .667 Its a great squirrel load. If you use WW cases you wont get 14.2 gr in them more like 13 If you havent heard of Calhoon bullets go to http://www.jamescalhoon.com
