Guys, there was a thread over on the Varmint forum that mentioned the option of rechambering a Contender barrel from .22 Hornet to K-Hornet. That prompted the following reply from me - as I have been thinking about this for a while... Any input would be appreciated.

"Can you actually (always) rechamber a Contender barrel in .22 Hornet to .22 K-Hornet?? I have been wondering about that for a while now.

I have heard that bolt guns normally have the barrel set back when rechambered, surely that would be almost impossible with a Contender barrel?? Futhermore, what if the original Hornet chamber was cut with a reamer larger than the K-Hornet reamer?? Inquiring minds would like to know...

Since I have been wondering about this for a while, maybe I should take this onto the Gunsmithing forum as well??"

- mike

[ 10-15-2003, 14:49: Message edited by: mho ]

You do not need to set a barrel back to convert to a "rimmed" ackley cartridge. The cartridge headspaces on the rim and not on the shoulder so there is no "crush factor" involved. This applies to 30-30, and other rimmed cartridges.
To convert from Hornet to Ackley Hornet you simply insert the reamer and ream until you touch the existing rim. Extremely easy to do. It can be done by hand with a reanted reamer and lots of cutting oil. Good Luck......

Mike,

Not really on topic, but I picked up my Martini K-Hornet while away. We'll be able to play with it a bit when I get it through Customs, hopefully before the range closes down for Winter.

Later,
Stu